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Post by steelyglint on Jun 25, 2004 17:17:19 GMT -5
I've always been a rather unmotivated person, preferring to be pushed in certain directions rather than choosing my own way. Living like that finally caught up with me after graduating from college.
It was like I took one step off of campus and slammed face first into the ground. Since then things have been pretty tough. My lack of drive, especially, did not help anything.
My relationship with my first girlfriend ended and, aided by the fact that she's my roommate, plunged me into the worst depression I've suffered in a while. So I was miserable and working part-time in a job I didn't enjoy.
Life was pretty bleak. So after a few weeks, or monthes, of drifting around, I started to do things I thought were important. It really just started as working out in the mornings because I was sick and tired of being who I was. One thing I always hated about myself was that I was very weak, so I worked towards getting stronger.
I started hunting a job, which I still haven't found yet, but hopefully I can get a job on the campus I graduated from. The gym access in particular, along with free classes, would be ideal for my goals.
Anyway, so then one day I heard Steven Barnes speak, and then looked up this website and realized that the hero's path was what I wanted out of life.
One of my problems right now is eating right. Money is a little tight and I don't really know how to cook, or like being at home, as a result I've been eating out a lot and I'm beginning to think that is not the best for me. I'd be open for any suggestions.
Oh, I do a little Iyengar yoga in the mornings, combined with push-ups and situps. Then I meditate for a while and practice playing the guitar (another new thing I picked up recently in an attempt to reinvent myself.) I'd be open to suggestions for exercises I could do in my room.
Thanks.
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Post by Steven Barnes on Jun 27, 2004 20:14:45 GMT -5
Three different things interact here: the emotional depression, a need to eat and care for the body, and to exercise efficiently. Meditation is an excellent idea, but the natural question must be answered: what is meditation, and why do it? It is merely clearing the mind, steadying the mind, focusing the mind, or relaxing the mind. In other words, the ability to remain in whatever emotional/mental state you choose. There are many, many forms of meditation. We recommend "heartbeat" meditation, where you listen to your own heartbeat, for approximately 15-20 minutes a day.
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Eating right. What is your budget? If you literally aren't making enough money to eat at a period in history when food is just absurdly easy to obtain, then it would be useful to look more carefully at your means of earning. Decent basic food is essential, but a good salad bar will satisfy all basic needs for less than 10$ a day. If income still won't allow this, look VERY carefully at the income source. Something is wrong here.
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For daily exercise in the short-term, I VERY strongly recommend the "Five Tibetans." This is a hyper-condensed yoga routine available on my "Five Minute Miracle" tape. But you can type "Five Tibetans" into Google and find free descriptions on the web. There are also other books and tapes, many of them just fine. The exercises take less than 15 minutes at even the highest levels, and are an excellent basic physical preparation.
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The physical body has massive effect on the emotions, and together they have a powerful effect on the intellect. Put the three together (diet, exercise, focus) and you have a darned fine way to start your day. I suggest that your exercise be the very first thing you do every day. Get plenty of rest, eat right, and find a way to be good to yourself every single day. Do not neglect FUN! You can't work forever without having a good time. Your subconscious will move toward pleasure, away from pain. So use this to your advantage. It takes time to turn your life around, so don't look for short-term massive results. Take your time, and have fun. Be in this for the long haul!
Steve
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Post by steelyglint on Jun 28, 2004 0:58:22 GMT -5
Three different things interact here: the emotional depression, a need to eat and care for the body, and to exercise efficiently. Meditation is an excellent idea, but the natural question must be answered: what is meditation, and why do it? It is merely clearing the mind, steadying the mind, focusing the mind, or relaxing the mind. In other words, the ability to remain in whatever emotional/mental state you choose. There are many, many forms of meditation. We recommend "heartbeat" meditation, where you listen to your own heartbeat, for approximately 15-20 minutes a day. I've never heard of that kind of meditation. The kind I was practicing involved slow regulated breathing for about 10 minutes. I will start practicing heart beat meditation. I think my income should be able to handle around $10 a day. I make about six hundred a month at my job, and four hundred of that goes to rent. The rest is basically mine, subtracting some utilities. I think I even know where there is a salad bar. I found this description of the Five Tibetans in google. I will add that to my daily routine of exercises. Thanks for your advice. I was pretty lost for a while, and your website and advice has helped me feel like I'm getting back on track. |
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Post by Steven Barnes on Jun 28, 2004 14:31:09 GMT -5
That's a good description of the Tibetans! My suggestion: don't think of them as "exercises". They aren't, in the traditional sense. Look at them as a ritual check-in: if you can do 21 of each, you are fit enough to function, and to add serious fitness. Also: start with no more than 5 reps of each, and add no more than 2 per week. This seems important as well.
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The most important time of day is the first hour. Try like the thingyens to clear your first hour of the day and keep it for yourself. During this time meditate, exercise, read inspirational literature, listen to non-fiction books on tape. This is your "axe-sharpening" time. The rest of the day, you are cutting trees.
Steve
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Post by steelyglint on Jun 28, 2004 14:43:08 GMT -5
That's a good description of the Tibetans! My suggestion: don't think of them as "exercises". They aren't, in the traditional sense. Look at them as a ritual check-in: if you can do 21 of each, you are fit enough to function, and to add serious fitness. Also: start with no more than 5 reps of each, and add no more than 2 per week. This seems important as well. I found this site to be a little bit easier to use. The amazing thing is I immediately felt a difference once I started doing the Five Tibetans. I'm not sure if I should feel anything so quickly. I didn't feel bad, I actually felt pretty good. I was particularly worried about the neck and back flexes involved, since I could easily seem myself getting injured. The most important time of day is the first hour. Try like the thingyens to clear your first hour of the day and keep it for yourself. During this time meditate, exercise, read inspirational literature, listen to non-fiction books on tape. This is your "axe-sharpening" time. The rest of the day, you are cutting trees. I never knew about how important the first hour was. I'll be sure to make better use out of it from this time forward. Could you recommend some inspirational literature? I tried the heartbeat meditation today, I only made it about five minutes. It's pretty tough staying focused on something as subtle as a heartbeat. But I'll keep at it! |
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Post by Steven Barnes on Jun 29, 2004 18:49:19 GMT -5
Great. By the way--you describe yourself as being "unmotivated." I don't believe in unmotivated people. I believe in people who lack clarity as to their goals and the means of their accomplishment. If your goals, beliefs, and values all interect, and you have no negative emotional associations with the process of accomplishment, you'll discover an incredible well of energy. But NOTE: There will NEVER be a time in your life when you don't have to work with your emotions, your body, and your intellect. This is simply a daily process. Any day that you eat you should exercise, meditate, study, love your friends and family. Every day. This must become a rule in your life. The source of our power is hiding in the last place we will look for it: within our own hearts.
Steve
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