Useless or Important Stuff

"From the time we're born until we die, we're kept busy with artificial stuff that isn't important." - Tom Ford

I have many of the normal excuses you might have for doing something else instead of a needed task.

... was busy with a lot of important paperwork.
... the world was clearly going to end without it.
... was the only one on earth capable of doing it.

There are a lot of things we do each and every single day. Sometimes I simply get busy with the actual work I do each day for a job. I am sure that you are also very busy every day with the work you do.

Do we pile a lot of non-useful stuff onto the pile of important things?

I probably do because I am one of those self-proclaimed multi-tasking people. I find things to do which fill in and mix with the important stuff. During a slow work week, it can be very useful. But when busy, I do have a hard time cutting back and focusing on single tasks.

Heck, if I'm not working composing a document; tweeting every once in a while; checking email; working on a second project; all at the same time while ensuring my coffee cup is full - then I just don't feel I'm getting anything done.

Experts say the important work suffers in quality when we try to multi-task.

For me, quality suffers when I become single task oriented. I can become very bored with a single task but doing multiple things keeps me interested in the individual tasks. It is also my own type of creative process.

Creative process you might ask?

We may not all be artists in the strict definition of the word. But each of us use some level of creativity in most everything we do. The creation of a business proposal, creation of a meal at home, creation of a successful work shift; you probably get the idea.

Regardless of single tasking or multi-tasking, we tend to create artificial needs and the important stuff gets lost many times in busy life? It is of course relative to you and those around you. One persons "important" stuff is another persons "artificial" stuff. You have to decide what works in life and for those that surround your life (ie; spouse, family, friends).

You have to decide what can be tossed to make room for the important.

All of this sounds like setting priorities in ones life. Well it sort of is and don't be surprised if others judge you based upon your priorities. Use common sense and adjust according to you and (again) those in your life.

Some people thrive in a very busy, multi-tasking world.
Some people thrive in a more singular task type of world.

Neither is better than the other. Neither is the right choice for everyone. You have to figure out which one best fits you. From there, achieving things becomes easier, on your terms, with your style.

Useless stuff can be important, it just depends upon you.

Stay inspired my friends!

What Stuff Do You Carry?

“Shall we never never get rid of this Past? ... It lies upon the Present like a giant's dead body.” ― Nathaniel Hawthorne

Our life can become a cluttered existence. What I mean is that we complicate things by gathering so many things. I'm not speaking simply of material things, but of gathering emotions. We collect the hurts and pains of being wronged along with the memories of what we may have done to others.

This "stuff" wears us down and impacts our ability to have a better life.

We carry those hurts and pains on our heart which limits our ability to have a truly great relationship with the rest of the world. It also limits our ability to have a great relationship with our belief; God, Buddha, Muhammad or any other forms.

I could go on about the "weight" of keeping all of this stuff we carry on our lives.

But I believe George Carlin said it best in his routine called All My Stuff. I believe he came out with this in August of 1981. My view is that even though it rails against materialism in life, it can easily draw a parallel to how we carry "emotional baggage" in life.

So without further adieu; George Carlin and "All My Stuff" for your reading pleasure.

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Actually this is just a place for my stuff, ya know?

That's all, a little place for my stuff. That's all I want, that's all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff, ya know?

I can see it on your table, everybody's got a little place for their stuff. This is my stuff, that's your stuff, that'll be his stuff over there.

That's all you need in life, a little place for your stuff.

That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time.

A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down, you see everybody's got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff.

And when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. They always take the good stuff. They never bother with that crap you're saving. All they want is the shiny stuff.

That's what your house is, a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get...more stuff!

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Stop and think about all of that "stuff" you carry in your life. Empty some of those stones you carry in the wagon being pulled behind you. Lighten your load and get on with a greater life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Sweating Stuff

“True happiness comes not when we get rid of all of our problems,but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice, and to learn.” ― Richard Carlson

The universe is so large and we are a very small part in it. This does not mean you are unimportant in life. It means that you always need to put your problems into perspective.

Separate the large ones from the small ones.

Let the small problems go, for in the bigger scheme of your life, they really do not matter.

The large ones can now be more clearly seen and dealt with.

Focus on the big picture and as it is said, "try not to sweat the small stuff". Even though it is a very large universe, your life is important within the confines of our own sphere of influence. See the big picture and let your life grow even bigger.

Stay inspired my friends!

Stuff Happens

"One's life is not as fixed as one believes. Surprises may lie in store for you, the unexpected often tends to happen, sometimes bringing in its train the most delightful change in one's life or circumstances." -Elizabeth Aston

cir·cum·stance (sûrkm-stns)

1. A condition or fact attending an event and having some bearing on it; a determining or modifying factor.
2. A condition or fact that determines or must be considered in the determining of a course of action.
3. The sum of determining factors beyond willful control. Often used in the plural: a victim of circumstance; work that will begin on Monday if circumstances permit.
4. circumstances Financial status or means: "Prior came of a good family, much reduced in circumstances" George Sherburn.
5. Detail accompanying or surrounding an event, as in a narrative or series of events.
6. Formal display; ceremony: the pomp and circumstance of a coronation.
7. A particular incident or occurrence: Your arrival was a fortunate circumstance.

Idioms:
under no circumstances
In no case; never.
under/in the circumstances
Given these conditions; such being the case.

There is a saying that I am sure all have heard before. Without being vulgar in my writing, I will change the wording slightly. The saying is, "Sometimes STUFF happens." I am sure you can fill in the appropriate word within the saying. And it is true, life happens each and every day. There is no seeming rhyme nor reason to any of it. Things will happen at various times in your life, no escaping that fact.

When these things happen, you shouldn't waste your time wondering the why and how. Sure it is good to try and understand what led to the condition. Yet how you conduct yourself, how you respond to these circumstances will determine how well and how quickly you get past it.

There are people I have known that will spend time and time again focusing on the 'why' and very little time on the 'getting past' the circumstance. Repeatedly they bring it up and turn it in circles, looking it over and over. They become so focused on the issue that they are unable to see an outcome or resolution.

So the next time something occurs in your life, know that STUFF happens. It is not an assault upon your life. Stop and examine what you can of it and then move on. Take the experience of having gone through it and let it lead you to something greater. Keep moving, your future awaits.

Stay inspired my friends!