Archive for July, 2010

As this elder person gets more in tune with the technology, I’ve learned one short cut which allows me to see what others choose to share on the topic I care about.  My Google Alert is set to “do what you love.”  It finds the blogs or articles on the topic and deposits them in my email box.  From one recent blog (the source of which I misplaced) I extracted some individuals who are becoming known for  simplifying their lives down to what’s important to them  And, they record their journey. I thought you would enjoy reading about these  four who are playing around with living with less “stuff” and more of the intangible essentials.   They are:  Everett Bogue from Far Beyond the Stars, Karol Gayda of Ridiculously Extraordinary, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits and Colin Beaven (already referenced in my book) of No Impact Man.

The models exist for us to change our ways. We face increasing problems  living on a planet that cannot support our addiction to consumption. Our aversion to limiting ourselves to “enough,” is a consequence of that addiction.  The above people “get it” and live it.  With their examples, the rest of us don’t have to feel alone, or out of sync,  as we pursue our dreams for a “downsized”, happier, simpler, and  saner, life–doing what we love.

This is a new kind of post for me.  I recently surrendered to some coaching for myself as I find myself entering a new phase for me.  Here’s what I wrote to my peers in the group as a way of a brief introduction.

Hi everyone,

I’m very glad to be here.  I had a training and coaching business for 25 years, which I totally loved, but it was bereft of balance. Part of the consequence was that I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 13 years ago. So….as my energy and stamina begin to return, I am sort of starting over at 70, wanting at this point in time, to be crystal clear as to how I will use my remaining years, energy and gifts, to do what I have always loved…bringing clarity out of confusion to those who want their lives to be meaningful and fulfilling and who are willing to engage in inquiries, reflections and actions that will achieve it.

Probably the best way to get to know who I am is Read the rest of this entry »

When raising the title question of the book Why Not Do What You Love? in conversations, I have continually been amazed to hear this Frequently Stated Reaction (FSR) over and over.  It is simply:  “But I don’t know what I love!”

Why would this be true for so many?  What do my blog readers think?  Here are some of my conclusions and I hope to have some comments as responses.

1.One reason might be that members of your family of origin never noticed or applauded your natural tendencies to engage in certain activities which you did love.  Bereft of encouragement to do things differently than what your family may have valued, you may have buried your awareness of your preferences and instead sought approval in the activities that generated their attentions.

2. If you, like me,  are of a certain age, the culturally conforming 50’s  taught  that only certain professions were OK for men and for women.  Typically women were expected to stay home and manage the home life and the family, and men were expected to get a job that brought home the bacon.  That’s pretty much the way it was.  And the residue of that early expectation still exists Read the rest of this entry »

Creating a new life means doing some things differently, and thinking about things differently.  Having received a book order from far away Utah, I inquired how the buyer had come to hear about Why Not?  That led to an online conversation about how she was starting to do more of what she loves, even with a full time job.  She loves to write and is passionate about staying healthy and helping others do the same.   Her latest blog topic, 5/31/01, about developing the habits to stay healthy–something all ‘do what you lovers’ need to attend to–intrigued me.  “Suck less,” is her advice, laced with her special brand of humor and inspiration.  Yes, she herself is experimenting her way through to a new existence by doing more of what she loves, and she doesn’t have to be perfect at it. Nor do any of the rest of us.  My takeaway from the read was that being part of the game, on a regular basis, without the need to “win”, is what can move us along our path to the health and happiness we desire and deserve.

P.S.  I note that this elder’s life  is being enriched by my serendipitous internet connections.  It’s fun to be able to share the ones that touch me.