Seeking personal development is not a sign of disatisfaction with your self, it is a reconciliation with the constant need for progress.

Steve Pavlina has an excellent article about it here, and his website is a treasure chest of manuals to life that I’ve been tabbing and reading ever since I discovered it. Riveting!

Seth godin, Steve Pavlina, Lifehack, you rule my (blog) world.

What happens when you receive a random act of kindness? Inspiration? Pass it on? Absorb the good deed and forget about it forever?

Do you even realise you are receiving kindness at all, amidst the bedazzle of your lowly single minded life?

When I’m uber stressed, I do want to blow people up. It doesn’t take much to get stressed in London, just go out shopping one day and forget to agenda the coffee breaks. That’s when I cut people out and overtake and say “excuuuuse ME” in a strained staccatto, +/- eye rolling. Random acts of kindness NEVER occur to me then. They only occur to me when I’m peaced out, happy with myself, and when the weather is good. And also alot when i’m sitting in front of the computer. Then I go blog, or poke someone, or leave a voluptiously worded comment in FB.

Now what?

Sad to say, one can’t reach nirvana by leaving fb comments or creating warm and fuzzy interest groups. So here are a few pointers for me and for you, to ward off the side effects of pursuing a highly efficient life and to refocus on why we are indeed here on this planet, why here and why now.

How to Pay It Forward

The world can seem like an unfriendly, threatening place, yet we all want safety, health, and happiness for ourselves and our loved ones. How can one ordinary person — you or me — make a positive difference in this world? One way is the practice “paying it forward.” While the steps might be simple, the outcome could change the world.

-Steps-

1. Be attentive wherever you are for opportunities to help someone. Perhaps you have an elderly or disabled neighbor who is too proud to ask for help with their yardwork; or maybe you’re in a restaurant and see someone who looks like they could use some kind stranger to pay for their meal. You can change people’s attitudes about the world through your unobtrusive acts of kindness.

2. Do something nice for someone you don’t know (or don’t know very well). It should be something significant, and not for a person from whom you expect a good deed — or anything at all, for that matter — in return.

3. Spread the word. If the person thanks you and wants to “repay” you (that is, pay it “back”), let them know that what you’d really like is for them to pay it “forward” — you’d like them to do something nice for three people they don’t know, and ask those three people to do something nice for three more people. The idea is to consciously increase the goodness of the world.

4. Pay it forward. When you notice that somebody has done something nice for you, make a note in your mind to practice three acts of kindness towards other people, as described in Step 2.

-Tips-

* The “pay it forward” concept was popularized with the book Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which was later made into a movie with the same title, starring Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, and Kevin Spacey.

* Even small acts, such as paying the bridge toll for the car behind you when you pay for your own, counts. If it makes the world a friendlier place, you succeeded!

* Practicing the “pay it forward” principle will make you alert to unexpected kindness from strangers toward you, and you may find yourself becoming more grateful for everyday kindness and consideration from people you don’t even know.

-Warnings-

* Most nice things done for strangers will be one-time efforts, so use your head and don’t give out your name or phone number; if someone seems to expect you to provide ongoing help but you don’t want to go that far, smile and tell the person that you prefer to remain anonymous.

* It can feel risky to help strangers, but trust your own good intentions and don’t be afraid to go out on a limb if you believe your actions can help the person.

* Some people will not act grateful, but the benefits may still come around when you are not there to see it. Let your beneficial action be enough in itself and don’t expect profuse thanks, or even any thanks at all.

* Do take care of yourself. If you have excess then share with those in need, but don’t give away your last dollar. The stronger you are the more good you can do for others.

An interesting find while on my way to town for a haircut at Toni & Guy’s (Academy, of course)

Wellspring bookshop had a decent collection of books on esoterica, and in particular, Rudolf Steiner and his life’s work, a school of thought and practice that incurred distinction from Blavatzky’s Eastern influenced theosophy.

Steiner branched off from Blavatzky’s theosophy at the time, to establish his version of theosophy that had a christian emphasis. He studied science and philosophy and spoke of spiritual experiences as they were a science in their own right. He called this spiritual science Anthroposophy.

What I enjoy however is the good collection of books rather than on Rudolf Steiner’s scientific expression of theosophy, myself being inclined towards Blavatzky’s teachings in which wisdom from the Dharmic religions stars heavily in.

It was great to be able to consult the manager Nigel the about issues I needed clarifying in. We were engaged in an hour’s worth of conversation and debate! Time passes quickly when you’re enjoying yourself. I enjoyed being a sponge, yet was comfortable enough not to have to be too agreeable. There are alot of things under the umbrella term occult that I have intense trouble believing.

I walked out realising how much I’m enjoying life as long as I’m learning. It is exciting times indeed. It also feels like I’m a step closer in paving a meaningful path for myself in this lifetime.

Woody Allen

I’m astounded by people who want to “know” the universe when it’s hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.

“How shall I help the world?”
“By understanding it,” said the Master.
“And how shall I understand it?”
“By turning away from it.”
“How then shall I serve humanity?”
“By understanding yourself.”

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest
critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better
whether a healthy child or a garden patch,
a redeemed social condition or a job well done;
To know even one other life has
breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Theosophy is defined by the Concise Oxford Dictionary as “any of various philosophies professing to achieve a knowledge of God by spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual revelation; esp. a modern movement following Hindu and Buddhist teachings, and seeking universal brotherhood.

Esotericism and transcendental truth. Do you choose a path or does a path choose you?

I’m finding myself to be a cacao-chewing, vitamin-poppin snuggling drum’n'bass-lovin freestyle-travellin’ beach-lovin hippie.

Then there’s the paranoid, suspicious, jealous and insecure PMS me, that occurs every turn of the moon, which again should be alleviated with some good exercise and breathin, swimmin and yoga. And maybe some cacao nibs!

The once in a while I feel almighty and want to say “tough!” to the rest and adopt some capitalist sensibilities. And feel sorely disgusted with the welfare state and society’s drop-outs.

In all, it’s pretty much me. Amidst all the fickleness there are things I am sure of. I just never find the words to express them, just as it is impossible and dissociating to find the words to replace a hexadecimal value. You do it to, no doubt, and it’s over within 30 seconds. Explaining it would take 30 days.

I’ll settle for a happy chaos.

Superb linkage from ickleoriental. Read about me here.

Leo Rosten
“Money can’t buy happiness, but neither can poverty.”