Evolved Inspired

Evolved Inspired

Goals and Values

If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable Seneca As events unfold without a direction or goal, how would we know if we are moving forwards, backwards or sideways? Seneca reminds us that without a goal we have no ability to assess the direction we are heading. Perhaps we will unwisely judge events emotively without the ability to assess them wisely. With our goals in mind we should strive to achieve them with wisdom, justice, courage and fortitude (self-discipline).

Ancient advice for improving Bloggers

Reading How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson and came across this advice from Diogenes which resonated with me as I continue on my journey to become a better writer. You can also check my fuller review of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor Correct grammar and good vocabulary Clarity of expression, making ideas easily understood Conciseness, employing no more words than necessary Appropriateness of style, suited to the subject matter and apparently also to the audience Distinction, or artistic excellence, and the avoidance of vulgarity How to Think like a Roman Emperor, Donald Robertson

Your story

The mind is everything. What we think, we become Buddha Today’s quote touches on both the power and the slipperiness of the mind. Our minds constantly create stories, backstories and predicted outcomes. These stories can work for us, or work against us. Ahead of a presentation does your mind predict a calm engaging smooth presentation or a nervous presentation to a crowd of haters? Both are true, but it is our mind that will create either a calm in-control mindset where you can deal with what arises or an anxious and panicky experience.

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor Audiobook

If you haven’t worked your way through the print version yet, great news! How to Think Like a Roman Emperor is available as an audio-book, have to say hearing the Scottish accent suits the book completely. If you haven’t already you can read my pre-review of How to Think like a Roman Emperor

Nobler than Mick

Seeing a recent Tweet from Mick Jagger brought a smile to my face as I recall a great first introduction to The Four Noble Truths. Without the right understanding, Buddhism can be interpreted in a very negative and incapacitating way. Its worth remembering the story is Buddha achieved enlightenment and wanted to share the path, so a positive interpretation is good to hold. What are the Four Noble Truths? The Four Noble Truths are regarded as the first teachings from Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) after his enlightenment.

Humor

This particular Alan Watts quote is close to me, it is far too easy to take life too seriously, perhaps we should approach each situation with curiosity and humour. Often we perceive the wise as serious, the wisest people I have encountered have the greatest sense of humour to rival their wisdom. Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun Alan Watts

Listening

A reminder that often listening, observing and contemplating is the correct action. How are we to learn if we always speak. When situations arise, often the ‘season for silence’ allows us to gather the right amount of knowledge and take stock of our emotive responses to respond with wisdom. It is a great thing to know the season for speech and the season for silence – Seneca We have been given two ears and but a single mouth in order that we may hear more and talk less.