Lean into being a force of nature

I came across this quote the other day by George Bernard Shaw, and although it is a fine thought provoking read, it was not the words that got me thinking.

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

George Bernard Shaw

What is miraculous about this quote is the day before the other day, I did not even know it existed. Oh I know who George Bernard Shaw was but I had never heard these words put together this way (Hint: lean into a force of nature).

The infinite opportunities of discovery, like jewels just sitting there on the ground waiting to be picked up (metaphorically speaking). They are out there, waiting to be discovered — some a little harder than others but still there to discover. All you have to do, metaphorically speaking, get out there, start looking around and pick up things.

  • Know people who know things you do not.

  • Take a course in something you normally would not — The Arts and Science of Relationships: understanding human needs.

  • Go stay at the Gladstone Hotel for the better part of a week to look at the world a different way.

  • Be aware your social feeds are telling you mostly the same thing, and over time, anything new gets squeezed out.

  • Be curious and relish discovery; no matter how small.

  • And to quote Mr. Shaw, “ Don’t be a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” You can’t discover anything really with this mind set.

As I say, I marvel at one moment not knowing something and the next knowing as if some miraculous conception. And considering there is an infinite number of things we do not know it’s best to start as early as you can.

iamgpe