I recently was looking at an article from Ichak Adizes who commented on the speed of life:
'I am discovering new addictions as technology advances to "serve" me, and I became aware that I am increasingly losing control over my life.
There is a Zen story that illuminates this point: A peasant walks down the road holding a rope in his hand. At the other end of the rope a cow is tied. "Why do you allow the cow to control you?" a passer by asks him. "It is not controlling me. I am in control," he replies. "If you are in control, why don't you let go of the rope than ?" he is challenged.
What you control also controls you. It is never a one-way street.
The same is true of new technological advances. They make our lives more pleasant, granted, but the more pleasant their contribution the more dependent on them we become, sometimes to the point of addiction: We can't live without them. For the full article'
My teenage daughter I suspect has an 'addiction' to technology... Her texting bill is massive, and she is often connected in six ways at once, facebook, myspace, skype, MSN, hotmail and SMS. (What ever happened to the phone) I perhaps am not the best role model for this. I find I cannot be with out my iPhone which gives me all the information I 'need' instantly. I have taken many breaks recently without my laptop – one a 10 day experience which I will start sharing soon. So if I'm not setting a good example... Who is?
With my daughter I went to discover another way of life.... Just for a day. But enough to get us thinking because life was once not so fast paced. There was an old world in Australia that dates back 10,000 years. Where people listened deeply to the world around them, they could see the subtleties in nature and in so doing they lead a prosperous and fulfilling life. All this changed when white settlers arrived in Botany Bay – small pox killing more than half of the local indigenous people within a few short years.
We had the opportunity and privilege of discovering what this world might have been like. Evan is an Aboriginal descendant and Blue Mountains born and bred, gave us an insight into the peacefulness of this long lost world.
This is an experience where you SLOW down, you listen to nature and learn about what the bush offers us. From medicines to dream time stories – listening to the trees and understanding the stories. To tread on this earth is to step quietly into another world.
Do this experience if you want to enter a quiet place, a world that is far away and yet so relevant. For my teenage daughter and I it was a time of reflection and understanding. A time to look at what is really important.
This working trip takes you into the beautiful bushlands, to sacred places filled with stories and artwork, we created our own works of art from ochres, told stories by a fire side and imagined what life might have been like.
An educational experience of discovery. Be prepared to listen, not just to Evan our very informed host, but to the bush itself. It gave us a very different perspective on our very busy – technology addicted lives.
Fit to be an entrepreneur.
I’m no spring chicken, and I was alarmed recently to discover a few aches and pains. Fitness has never been a natural thing for me. I have really had to work very hard to discipline myself to get out and go for a run, turn up to the gym, or do a yoga practice.
Instead of just telling myself ‘to grow old gracefully’, I decided I needed an insight into my overall health; a snapshot of how old my body is – not just how old it feels. I discovered that my body is considered to be six years younger than I actually am. Needless to say I was thrilled. (This snapshot assessment is now a RedBalloon experience – and probably a perfect gift to give that ‘fabulous father’ who keeps telling you how young he is.)
The naturopath gave me a printed report and said with just a few alterations to my lifestyle – I could feel amazing – and keep my body even younger.
So I have taken on drinking much more water. And for a month I am ‘detoxing’ which means: no dairy, wheat, alcohol, sugar; and increasing my fish oil and magnesium. Only a week has passed and I feel like a new woman. And I know it is working because the kids are telling me ‘you are soooo embarrassing’ full of the joys of life.
Worth a try – and I am going to stop referring to myself as ‘the old chook’ and start acting like a spring chicken.
I was at my gym this morning (Vision Drummoyne) and one of the quotes on the wall was... "If you want to make your dreams come true - first you must wake up"... kind of cute.
(I suppose sharing this with everyone - will help hold me to account - my detox is due to finish 21 September - and I am keeping a food diary so I can see what I do eat - which is equally tough.)