Live the Legend:
{alyria}Gareth`pa: TOPIC: Live the Legend: What can we do in our everyday lives to stand for what we believe and live in that framework? Are ordinary people capable of extraordinary things?
FilkusNM: PARTING THOUGHT: We all are capable of being extrodinary if we are willing to eat the shit sandwich every once in a while.
{alyria}Gareth`pa: that is thought-provoking indeed
nightfox151: i think were all caoable of doing extaordinary things
CaptainAmerica: I am not sure I understand the question...isnt pretty much everything you do in your ordinary life a show of what one believes?
CaptainAmerica: and yes I think people can do extrodinary things
wenchW: think its what you do when choices get tough that really show what we believe
CaptainAmerica: but everything you do..even the mundane shows your beliefs.
kittyspaz: my daughter was listening to a convo between me and a friend and she said to me, "everything you do is related to your spirituality" and i said, yes it does because it is all integrated
kittyspaz: my work, my friends, everthing in my life is integrated
{alyria}Gareth`pa: the worst thing i will do when "noone is looking" is catch a little weird tv
kittyspaz: thank You Master CA, my point was my whole life reveals me and my beliefs.......what i believe is everywhere
{alyria}Gareth`pa: TOPIC: Live the Legend: What can we do in our everyday lives to stand for what we believe and live in that framework? Are ordinary people capable of extraordinary things?
kittyspaz: know what i mean...? am i making any sense of maybe i am just warped for the night
Malus1: lol
CaptainAmerica: *plans to show what he believes and stands for*
jesszabelle: these days i'm trying to live what i believe by being more open to challenging myself and my beliefs, re-examining myself and them to see how well i know myself.
Malus1: never complacent
kittyspaz: never
jesszabelle: the easy answers are the most suspect to me these days.
CaptainAmerica: sometimes the simple answers are the ones most overlooked actually
CaptainAmerica: *thinks of the discussion on relative truth*
wenchW: i had to try to help 2 people who had tried to take shortcuts in life today...neither one wanted to own much responsibility
CaptainAmerica: that is ironic
CaptainAmerica: very cool as well
{alyria}Gareth`pa: sometimes shortcuts result in really taking the long way around.
wenchW: one, who is being taken to court for credit card debt said it was the credit card company's fault....i agree, they have no morals, but she's an adult...and benefited from her purchases
kittyspaz: true true
kat{F}: i had a slave tell me the other day that i should just do something anyway because how would Master know, she supported that with "we don't all really walk the walk", i was speechless and felt very sad for her
kat{F}: as a result, i'm trying to make sure my actions reflect my words, especially where my service to Master is concerned
kittyspaz: keeping yourself in check is good
Zedojehn: Just be true, to your triumphs and your failures, own them all.. they are all part of you.. dismissing one area of yourself because it is less than savoury is not standing for yourself or your beliefs
jesszabelle: i think that simply by stepping outside the mundane framework of society and questioning it, shaking off its expectations and rules structures, we are doing something extraordinary. we're not doing it in a childish rebellious way, but in a considered and mature, long-term manner that accepts the consequences of our actions and choices. indeed, embraces them!
Warlok-TSH): I don't see anything stopping ordinary people from doing extraordinary things
nightfox151: i dont think its the exttrarodinary things that we do that stands out it the little things we do ,
{alyria}Gareth`pa: even if "noone knows," we know what we are doing, and our character is more important than what others think.
GarethH: My experience in this life...is that people....are extraordinary..and capable of doing anything they can conceive of...
GarethH: so in short...I am loathe to believe that any person is ordinary....unless they choose to be so
Warlok-TSH): What can we do in our everyday lives to stand for what we believe and live in that framework?
GarethH: As to what We can do.....in a quite literal sense....anything we choose to...but the beginning of that is faith
GarethH: faith in ones self....and in ones ability
Warlok-TSH): so have faith in the legend before living the legend?
GarethH: The power lies in internal consistency..and in constant and never intending improvement in living according to ones codes
GarethH: We dont have the luxury...that the folks in the books apparently have of having written codes....our codes are essentially internal
GarethH: and to My thinking......a matter of constant growth and striving
GarethH: this is why...I rebel strongly against the notion of a comfort zone.....I believe that constant forward movement.....consistent with ones true nature..is the only way of living a fulfilled live
CaptainAmerica: ?
GarethH: My thinking is.....that the lack of consistency....is what often leads to those who seemingly have everything.....to coming to a bad end so often
CaptainAmerica: explain that if you would...
CaptainAmerica: the last comment that is.
nightfox151: listens
CaptainAmerica: *smirks*
GarethH: Well....lets see....an example may be in order.....
CaptainAmerica: example it is
* JosephM is thinking He needs to go pee
* JosephM looks around sees no Big Masters rooms
GarethH: someone like say John Belushi.....rich as get out.....seemingly everything in hand....succesful in every material measure...and yet...so despondent as to take His own life
* JosephM looks out the door and sees a tree
JosephM: Be well Free
CaptainAmerica: he was miserable for years
GarethH: and I would argue that such people....have no meaning in their lives....on which to build
Warlok-TSH): and everything he did to try to make it better with the drugs and alcohol just kept him in consistant misery
GarethH: They tend to think..that once they have things..they will be happy....as if being happy were some sort of destination
GarethH: We see it almost everything in this culture
CaptainAmerica: I think it is a hard leap to presume that he thought that...let alone that this thought would have caused him to OD
GarethH: kajiare think...for example....all I need to be happy is to have a Master.....and often...are dissapointed when they arent given instant bliss
CaptainAmerica: *nod* I can go with that Gareth
GarethH: Well...My opinions simply have two things going for them.....They are long thought...and Mine
GarethH: I make no other claims for them
GarethH: People who are overweight think.....If they just lose weight....THEN they will be happpy
GarethH: people think....if I just had lots of money...THEN I will be happy
Warlok-TSH): new Masters learning the lifestyle tend to think that as well when we are the only ones who can make ourselves happy
GarethH: It runs against all the popular thinking today.....but I do believe....that we do make a choice on these things
CaptainAmerica: I suppose its a way of seeing it.
Warlok-TSH): being happy is a constatant emotion not a destination
kat{F}: i just divorced a man after 18 years, we weren't rich by any means, but we had enough to buy lots of stuff, i couldn't have been more unhappy
GarethH: We choose what We focus on....not to say its easy
kat{F}: Master is not a man of means by a long shot and lives very simply, i couldn't be happier
GarethH: One of the most bizarre bits of My thinking comes from an old TV commercial....I cant even remember what it was for
CaptainAmerica: ok but it is obvious we choose wht we focus on...what does that have to do with the initial point ?
GarethH: but there was an older woman....who came on and said....Everyday...I can choose to be happy or sad....I choose happy
kat{F}: Master was very clear and open about his financial situation, i think he thought i was going to balk once i saw first hand, i never even flinched, i think it surprised him a lot
GarethH: Where people....kajirae and Masters alike have trouble.....it seems to Me...begins with the believe they dont have the ability to make that choice
CaptainAmerica: the choice to be happy you mean?
GarethH: sunny.....we are not terribly protocol oriented in GTR...but proper address of the Free is considered necessary
GarethH: Indeed..that is what I mean
nightfox151: well i think people lok for happiness not realizing its right in front of them
GarethH: I am not that harsh....and the apology is well accepted :)
GarethH: Now....what We do typically believe as Goreans.......is that what We do is be true to Ourselves and our nature
GarethH: hence We are consistant...and able to be secure in ourselves
CaptainAmerica: I would argue that if we dont have a written code it is out of arrogance or laziness in most cases
GarethH: making the right choice in one area...does not require making the choice in all areas
1GarethH: I suppose.....in My case....I see it mostly as looking for the bright side in all things
GarethH: and one of the things everyone may well have heard Me say....and probably often...is..this too shall pass
wenchW: if one continues to make irresponsible choices, whether they are financial desisions, or social, looking in the mirrow all the time and saying "oh well, i'm choosing to be happy, this will pass" and not making any changes i dont think is the way to live!
nightfox151: i agree wench
CaptainAmerica: well I think this is why those driven, will not continue to do such things
CaptainAmerica: they will "lose the weight"
GarethH: Well....so far its always worked for Me
CaptainAmerica: or "make the money"
GarethH: Note as well....that I also believe that one has to know what it is they aim at....
GarethH: It is represented in most religious traditions as..faith without works is dead
GarethH: so you have to do...as well as believe
CaptainAmerica: but if they aim to "be slim" or "be financially comfy" then that would contadict your previous stance.
GarethH: I suppose thats a goal....and if that goal is in fact the goal....then having achievd that goal...it would be necessary to find an additional goal
wenchW: think its more than being willing to take steps, its actually taking them....figuring out where one has to change and doing it