Eadarian Network

Hello my friend,

Welcome to the 37th installment of The Creative Journey, the experience of one Charles Yerkes, Eadarian Poet, perpetuator, and otherwise mildly creative and excessively modest personage.

Well my friend, it has been one long month. First there was Christmas, ok Christmas was last month, but it was a busy busy time with no time for taking care of much else. Then came 2011 and it issued in some problems. First the car started misbehaving, then the dog got sick, then the computer started becoming stubborn, then problems at work… and blah blah blah…..

And so here we are. Able to finally put pen to paper ( yes, I am still old school enough to write everything before I type it in) and share something that I discovered over this fun filled month. I should say rediscovered – I would even say I had another “ah-ha” moment, but I have just learned that this phrase is now banned by some college or other for its over use. Aw the heck with it, I had an Ah-ha moment!

I came to realize something I knew, but on a deeper level: It is important not to be too focused on your goals; to not assign to them more than their due importance. Now while that may sound counterintuitive on the surface, bear with me a second as I explain.

When our hopes, dreams, and goals become our sole focus or primary foucs, we loose out on all that life has to offer. We simply become obtuse to the wonders of life by having developed a tunnel vision perspective. When this happens we no longer enjoy the process – the journey – because we are bothered by, are worried over, not having arrived at our destination just yet. And an added irony is that when we do then arrive, we don’t enjoy that moment to its fullest because we are left thinking, “Is this really all there is to my dream?” Also, we tend to become sour, more easily upset over things, becoming grumpy, terse, and otherwise unpleasant to be around; and this, while pursuing what we love the most. Which makes as much sense as mixing oil and water.

What is interesting is, the closer you get to your goal, to more intense this effect becomes, if it is not kept in perspective. I will illustrate with myself, my own experience this time round. I have been working very hard at getting to a place where I can just work at The Eadarian Network. Helping others to see the lasting enjoyment to be had by living well (or as it is framed on the Network, nobly) is something I have a great passion for. But for the time being, I also have to work a second job just to keep things moving, so to speak. The more I have been able to involve my self at the Network, the more fun I have had accomplishing this part of my dream, my passion, the shorter my patience has become at the second job.

Which sounds a little strange, the more fun I am having here should, you would think, spill over and make even a second job more pleasurable; because the temporariness of it should be reinforced. But just the opposite has been true. The more fun I have had, because I have placed too much importance, too much emphasis on getting what I want now, the more I have begrudged anything which keeps me from doing what I love full time. Even that which enables me to do what I love and is helping me to eventually arrive where I want to be. And the second job is not the only thing that suffered. Working too much on anything takes valuable time away from other aspects of life as well. Time with friends, family, pets, hobbies… all suffer from spending too much time on a dream.

And, though I have used my experience as an example, it does not take a hard look around to see the same in others. I have been reminded that Deion Sanders, the football player, experienced this. His main goal, purpose in life, had been to win a superbowl. Finally he was on a team that did so, and before that celebratory night was over, he was already thinking, “Is this all there is to it?”

Now, this is not a call to not have dreams, goals, and aspirations. Anyone knowing this Network should know better than that. Have your goals. Pursue your dreams. Otherwise life is aimless, pointless, and rather boring. What is being said is while you do these things keep them in perspective. A dream is a part of your life, it is not your whole life. A goal can direct you life, it is not your whole life.

Enjoy your whole life my friend, while you are being guided by your hopes and dreams. You only have one go round, do not loose out by making unnecessary sacrifices for a dream that is here today and gone tomorrow.

Live Nobly, Live Well.

Charles Yerkes
Eadarian Poet, Perpetuator, Photographer, and Fiddle Player

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To choose a past installment(s) of The Creative Journey click here. To view a Quote of the Week, click here.

AND

Subscribe to this blog in a reader of your choice, here.