by Tara Joyce | Aug 10, 2009 | Cultural Creativity, Self/Business Growth
The truth on the art of living
These are direct excerpts from Stephen Lam’s English translation of the Tao Te Ching. The headers are my take on the whole thing.
On being
The more truly solitary we are, the more compassionate we can be.
The more we let go of what we love, the more present our love becomes.
The clearer our insight into what is beyond good and evil, the more we can embody good.
On evil
Evil – a state of self-absorption in disharmony with the universal process
In action
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
The secret
When you are content to simply be your Self (don’t compete or compare), everyone will respect you.
Exactly the point
Do your work, then sit back.
Serenity now!
The only path to serenity:
- giving birth and nourishing
- having without possessing
- acting with no expectations
- leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue
We are God
See the world as your Self. Have faith in the way things are.
photo by Avenue 3362
by Tara Joyce | Aug 5, 2009 | Self/Business Growth
Do you realize that the concept of childhood first appeared in 19th century Western culture? Before that we had no idea there were different stages of human development.
In the 20th century, researchers discovered that humans progress through “stages” — discrete, never changing, progressive steps in their ability to make sense of the world and themselves.
Most people (about 79%) reach and settle into the Conventional stage of their development. They live and work successfully within the established roles and expectations of Modern society. They have developed what one could call early formal operational thinking.
Humans who move beyond this step reach the Post-Conventional stage. They realize that individuals are separate entities from society, and that their own perspective can take precedence over society’s view. A select 2% of us reach Beyond this stage.
What’s interesting to note is that no matter what development stage an individual is in they are still a contradictory and uneven person. Our Self’s development across cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, moral, motivational and spiritual domains is never perfect.
by Tara Joyce | Aug 3, 2009 | My Journey | What's On My Mind
I am so guilty of it. I convince myself that certain things matter when they don’t. I put intense pressure on myself for minute tasks.
I write this blog for free. I have no editors to answer to and no one relying on me to produce. But the day I got my first subscriber – and each day that has proceeded that – I’ve felt that I have you relying on me. You took the step to subscribe or revisit and I feel that it’s my duty to create value for you.
That’s where the trouble begins
I’ve now created unnecessary pressure on myself. I’ve now created a scenario where I feel that I owe you something. I’ve replaced writing for pleasure with writing under duress.
But there I go taking myself too seriously, thinking that of the 10’s, 100’s, 1000’s of blogs you read that you are waiting there, with bated breathe, for my next musing. I know, get real.
I love my readers but for god’s sakes, I write for me and I need to remember that. No one cares as much as I do.
But I wonder, why do we elevate our own importance? What does it do for our Self?
photo credit: B Rosen
by Tara Joyce | Jul 31, 2009 | My Journey | What's On My Mind
Time away
Daniel and I are backcountry hiking 12km into Algonquin Park and staying there for a week. It is our own little retreat from the world.
I’ll still be publishing while I am away… but I’ll tell you now that it won’t be me “live”.
Be well.
by Tara Joyce | Jul 30, 2009 | Cultural Creativity, Self/Business Growth
Do you ever say ‘we’ when you are really just an ‘I’? Does your marketing portray a company much larger? Why are you acting bigger than you are?
You worry that people won’t take you seriously if you show how small you truly are… but you’re wrong. The old rules of business emphasized size over substance… but the web has changed that. The internet has brought business full-circle and the foundations of commerce are once again about the craft and the connection between buyer and seller.
The web embraces authentic human voice, so don’t be afraid to simply be you… be afraid if you are anything but.
After all, you can’t name companies that you’ve built great realtionships with but I’m sure you can name people.
