Hmm, really interesting food for thought. I don't know if I agree with this. There are many things of beauty left behind by those who have gone before, and I'm not sure I'd want to live in a world without those things. Without Starry Night or the Alhambra or Neuschwanstein or the Pyramids or Beethoven or the Beatles or Shakespeare
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I'm not saying those things shouldn't exist. I'm saying they shouldn't be created out of a desire to be remembered. It's more about the motive that drives creation than about creation itself. It's kind of our job as human beings to be connected and create and work throughout our lives. Otherwise, we might as well be animals. As the passage says, create, but don't possess, work but don't take credit. Through that sort of attitude, I believe you leave a more lasting impression on the people you touch than if you plowed through life trying to leave your mark
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Hmm - I agree with you to a point. I think, like you, I'm not fantastic at taking compliments, and I like to think I'm fairly modest about my accomplishments. At least, I know I created the websites I did out a desire to create and help people than to become a big name
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I like this. It sounds very much like what you read of the more advanced Eastern Orthodox monastics (not saying other faiths don't have this, just what I'm familiar with). The less one thinks of oneself, the closer to God one is. The less one promotes oneself, the more effect one has on others. Humility is the word. Humility vs. pride.
And because I am so tired and it's so late (and I haven't done any reading in that area in months) I can't explain it any better than that. But I understand what you're saying. I think.
FWIW, there is a book out called "Christ the Eternal Tao." I have a copy; I haven't read beyond chapter five. But I am told it is an incredible read...
I'm sure most faiths have some variation, Tao is the one that stuck out in my mind, but I'm sure I could have pulled just as viable of an example from the Bible.
But yes, that sounds exactly like what I was trying to convey. You can brain well even when you're tired. ;)
I'd love to read that! I'll have to pick up a copy sometime. I haven't done enough reading in that area lately either.
Just out of curiosity I dug out my copy last night and did a bit of browsing, and now it's back on my To Read List (AKA sitting on top of the book pile, instead of being buried underneath). It's been so long since I last looked at it that I might as well start with page one. ;-)
It appears that the book is out of print. I checked the publisher's website (an Eastern Orthodox monastery) and even there it's listed as "out of stock." Some of the used book sites list it at several hundred dollars.....?!?!?! Anyway, the usual Orthodox sources for that book no longer carry it. You should be able to pick up a decent copy for around $20 or so....or use interlibrary loan. I think it would be well worth the trouble.
related to this....yocephaMay 17 2010, 11:36:16 UTC
Today's quote from "A Word from the Desert" -
In a society where each one sees himself as the first, no one makes any progress. If, however, one always considers oneself to be the last, meeting someone else becomes each time the opportunity for spiritual profit and progress. So it is best to be the last. If I am the first, life is infernally tiresome. If I am the last, life is a continual joy, because I am always learning something useful.
I think I'm with you on that, esp about not knowing how to handle praise. One reason I have trouble with job interviews. :~P
On a totally unrelated subject, if you still have room, can Ary and I share your hotel room at Dragon*Con? We have pretty much decided that we will go, since I am finally starting to make a little progress in the walking department, and we still have 3 or so month to go.
I do indeed have room and you are more than welcome to stay. Since we talked about it at the crafty weekend a couple of months ago, I purposely didn't make any moves to wait and hear from you guys. YAY! I need to go ahead and buy my membership.
Hooray! I don't know if Oropher et al would be joining us; think she had already made other arrangements. But even so, we will all be at Dragon*Con together, which will be the best part!
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And because I am so tired and it's so late (and I haven't done any reading in that area in months) I can't explain it any better than that. But I understand what you're saying. I think.
FWIW, there is a book out called "Christ the Eternal Tao." I have a copy; I haven't read beyond chapter five. But I am told it is an incredible read...
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But yes, that sounds exactly like what I was trying to convey. You can brain well even when you're tired. ;)
I'd love to read that! I'll have to pick up a copy sometime. I haven't done enough reading in that area lately either.
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It appears that the book is out of print. I checked the publisher's website (an Eastern Orthodox monastery) and even there it's listed as "out of stock." Some of the used book sites list it at several hundred dollars.....?!?!?! Anyway, the usual Orthodox sources for that book no longer carry it. You should be able to pick up a decent copy for around $20 or so....or use interlibrary loan. I think it would be well worth the trouble.
Reply
In a society where each one sees himself as the first, no one makes any progress. If, however, one always considers oneself to be the last, meeting someone else becomes each time the opportunity for spiritual profit and progress. So it is best to be the last. If I am the first, life is infernally tiresome. If I am the last, life is a continual joy, because I am always learning something useful.
Archimandrite Sophrony
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On a totally unrelated subject, if you still have room, can Ary and I share your hotel room at Dragon*Con? We have pretty much decided that we will go, since I am finally starting to make a little progress in the walking department, and we still have 3 or so month to go.
Reply
I do indeed have room and you are more than welcome to stay. Since we talked about it at the crafty weekend a couple of months ago, I purposely didn't make any moves to wait and hear from you guys. YAY! I need to go ahead and buy my membership.
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