Thinking

[jmfargo]

Most people don't really do much with their lives. It's not a bad thing, or a good thing, their lives don't touch many others, and they live it. It's just the way it is.

Think about it. Most people get up in the morning, have their coffee, go to work, have their lunch, go home, eat dinner, maybe watch some tv and go to bed. Aside from an escape on the weekends, which is often spent cleaning up their living space or doing day-to-day things they couldn't get to during the week, that is their life. Vacations? Sure, a bit of fun, but fun doesn't mean they're actually doing something.

This is why when someone does something that's off that beaten track, we hold them in awe, or contempt. When someone climbs Everest, or bounces back from lung, stomach, brain, and testicular cancer to win the Tour de France 7 times in a row, we look at them and see someone amazing.

And they are.

Amazingness, though, makes me curious. Is it inborn? Is it something in us that pushes us past the day-to-day, or is it something that others bring out in us, nurture versus nature? Is it a higher power? Some say so, but that faith in the higher power has to come from within regardless of whatever else is going on, so where does that come from?

If you could break free of the day-to-day cycle that almost everyone I've ever met is a part of, what would you do? How would you amaze the world?

Comments

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

I would probably amaze the world by showing them how utterly unremarkable I am, I suppose.

[akdidge.livejournal.com]

If you could break free of the day-to-day cycle that almost everyone I've ever met is a part of, what would you do? How would you amaze the world?

I've been asking myself that second question a lot lately. Too much of my life lately is filled with things that make me not enjoy life. Which is never a good thing. I had a nice long conversation with my wife last night talking about stress, and my feelings, and things I typically just bottle up and deal with later.

After talking with her I realized that I had reverted back to my teenage years. What do I mean? When I was younger I had a LOT of unmitigated rage. No real rhyme or reason to it, just...rage, anger, and pure frustration at the things I wanted but couldn't figure out how to achieve. In my early 20's I realized this was futile, wasteful energy that could be redirected elsewhere in a more constructive manner.

Lately I've been having more of this rage fill my life. When I was younger I had an outlet in martial arts wherein I could physically exhaust myself in order to work it out. Now that I'm older I don't. So to help my wife signed us up for tennis lessons. For two weeks I'll get to hit small yellow balls as hard as I can, and sprint back and forth chasing after the ones hit at me. I'm hoping this will help.

But it did get me thinking. The weather's been crap this summer and I haven't done a lot of outdoor stuff. Which has always been a way to help focus my mind. Like hiking. I haven't done that yet this summer and it's a missing factor of my life.

To answer the questions though, I'd focus on the things I enjoy doing. I'd take the opportunity to learn new things. I'd spend time really living in the moment and do what I could to help those around me. I've always felt I was destined to do something (I think everyone feels this at some point in their life) and by helping others realize their dreams I think in that way I'd amaze the world.

[conscience.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, I think I have that, with the dolls.
Yeah...some see it as blahblah, but seriously, some of the people who get my dolls...I mean...I have had so many people want a doll of their deceased friend or family, children, a few folks have them on their promotional media (bands, a tattoo guy, a photographer)...and what's funny? Is talking to them about what they want made...they tell me *why* they want a certain color hair or eye...and that definitely enriches me.
(Think Miami Ink or whatever...those stories. I get those making dolls...cool, huh?)

In the vet tech world, I saved pets. sometimes, *I* literally saved a beloved longtime furry family member, on my own. I have probably rehabbed (some from almost-death) over 300 wildlife cases in the past 4 years. Having a hawk learn to take food from your hand is...wow. Watching it fly off to be able to hunt on it's own is so much better! The whole animal medical field was very rewarding as well to me, and I do miss it. A lot.

But the dolls...it's like...if you can create something from your heart and mind, that makes the other person 'see' or 'feel' a person that they love/d? That's awesome.

No...Im definitely not swimming the English Channel or anything...and besides the dolls, I do lead a pretty mediocre life...but for me, seeing glimpses of other people's lives as I do, by using a *doll* as a medium? I'm totally happy with that :)

For me, what the drive is?
I love making them. Part is ego..."Yay, they loved what I just made for them!" and part is just...an outlet for me to create something of my own.
Only 1 out of 1,000 people may like them, but for me? That's enough to keep me doing it.


And by the way...your answer???
*grins and points*

[radioactiveart.livejournal.com]

I quit my job over two years ago to start a business and work more on my writing. I didn't think about being amazing; I just knew I needed to do something for myself and the preservation of my soul, and while I hope I touch folks with my work, I admit that in the moment of the decision, it was all about not dying from the missed opportunity to do what I knew I needed to do.

So I guess the answer is just that while I've done the first part of this already, I still don't know what comes next. I'm not all that interested in amazing the world. I'm more interested in being open to the world being amazing to me.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Have you told people face-to-face about the day you quit your job? Did you have to "break the news" to friends who didn't realize you were breaking out on your own like this?

Usually, when you change something so drastically, follow your real dreams, the people look at you for a moment, with some feeling, whether it's awe, confusion, or stupification. It's like they just don't get it. That's kind of the "being amazing" I'm talking about. Does that make sense?

[sarin-girl.livejournal.com]

I'd go around photographing the most remote places on earth so everyone could see how wonderful and beautiful this world is..

(though I'd have to get over my flying phobia first.. hehehe..)

[serene-orange.livejournal.com]

create more. I wouldn't need to be famous or anything. I used to write music all the time. It isn't coming out of me anymore. I used to draw all the time. It isn't coming out. I sing a lot still, but not original music. I want to learn to play the guitar.

[1mother1.livejournal.com]

I'd be Mother Theresa

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

You know, it's kind of funny you say that because I was thinking of her today, and how perfectly her caring compassion fits in with what I was saying. She, quite literally, changed the world with her actions, through faith, love, and doing something.

[meopta.livejournal.com]

I think we underestimate how amazing average is. I've gone out of my way to live an average life, and I embrace it. The Everest climber is a firefly in the night, the average citizens are the stars in the constellations.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I like that metaphor. It's fantastic, and quite true.