In our last +1, we talked about zero-based thinking and reflected on the powerful question of asking ourselves whether, knowing what we now know, we’d have started doing some of the things we’re doing.
To pull that dynamic process off, I think it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind.
First, it’s always helpful to remember that a hallmark of a healthy person is our flexibility — we’re like that river of flexibility, wisely flowing between the banks of spontaneity and structure without flooding either side into chaos or rigidity.
Which, of course, means we better get used to the sensation of dynamic equilibrium a la Osho and his tightrope walker — knowing that there’s no such thing as a “static” equilibrium where we have it all figured out once and for all.
In fact, our Tools friends tell us this desire to be “exonerated” is actually one of the most subtly pernicious threats to our happiness and actualization. That whiney little voice that thinks we should FINALLY have it all figured out is, perhaps, our greatest obstacle to actualizing our potential while, very importantly, ENJOYING the whole process.
Which brings us to the point of Today’s +1.
My honorary father (and real-world Yoda) Phil Stutz and I were recently having a great chat. (As an aside, I can tell you precisely when the next great chat will begin: 3:00 PM Pacific time on Monday afternoon. I now have an inch-and-a-half stack of notes from our collection of inspiring chats.)
On this particular Monday, it happened to be Phil’s birthday. About three-quarters of the way through our chat, he came up with an awesome phrase to describe an idea we were working through and he said, “Thanks for the birthday present!!” (Hah.)
The phrase?
“Endlessly evolving process.”
As in, we need to embrace the fact that a good life is (and every project, thing and relationship within that good life is) an ENDLESSLY (!) EVOLVING (!) PROCESS (!).
Endlessly: As in, it will NEVER (!) end. (Ever. No exoneration for you, my friend!)
Evolving: The whole point of life (according to Phil, Ray Dalio and every other wise philosopher we’ve discussed and will discuss) is to actualize our potential — aka to EVOLVE into the next-best version of ourselves. (How long does that go on? Endlessly.)
Process: It’s all one big flowing PROCESS. Which is why, if we want to love life, we better fall in love with the PROCESS of evolving endlessly rather than obsess about and get attached to the outcomes of that process.
Endlessly.
Evolving.
Process.
Today’s +1. Step back from your life. See it from a broader vantage point — one in which you embrace the endlessly evolving process of your Optimization and actualization.
Then step back into your life and make today awesome.
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