From the MacBook of the Yogini
Bree’s Place
I recently viewed the movie with Jack Nicholson (Edward) & Morgan Freedman (Carter) called the Bucket List. The movie chronicled the shared last months of two men terminally diagnosed with cancer. Although faced with their own impending mortality, they decided to embrace their remaining days and follow their dreams. Life experiences meant to portend meaning and fulfillment were logged on a “Bucket List”, and the two began a journey, the sole purpose being the attainment of each item on the list.
Edward’s list consisted of exciting and expensive achievements: skydiving, big game hunting, and penthouse suites. Whereas, Carter’s aspirations were more sentimental: “See something miraculous” and “Help someone for no reason”.
The Bucket List concept is not a new one for me. I’ve been using goal assessment, prioritization and task management for years. You can see this in my Post Holiday Blues blog from January. So, I will not detail the process that I use again here.
But seeing this movie gave me a new perspective on my own goals and objectives in life. My analytic mind likes that which can be measured - tangibles. When I pull out my Bucket List of 2008, each item on the list relates to something external, yoga poses, finances, work. Because of how fulfilled I’ve always felt as I’ve achieved each of my short or long term goals, I’ve never questioned their validity.
Until now.
Yogic philosophy teaches us that we should never look to external sources for our internal peace & serenity. External “things” are illusory and transitory. We can attach our hopes, desires. expectations and feelings to them, but our attachments will ultimately cause pain and suffering. The fear of loss creates misery. This is why Edward, although heavily wealthy and powerful, was nonetheless miserable and alone. He had everything, yet he had nothing. He was missing the whole point of life!!
True beauty and meaning are derived from unity within and without. The energy that connects all living and non-living things, and our inherent relationships, create the meaning and fulfillment that so often eludes us. Family, friends and relationships crafts significance in our lives. Love breeds with acceptance and bears peace.
Carter, though a hard working, blue collar man, knew life’s secret. Family, love, gratitude, and for him, faith. (my issues with faith are for another blog~but it worked well for him as well as others). Goals, adventures and drive for excellence will not hinder one’s peace, as long as it is kept in perspective. It’s actually good for the soul to challenge the intellect and physique or lavish in an occasional indulgence. As long as we partake in these illusions without attraction or aversion, we can balance them with definitive reality (we are all one).
Attraction or Aversion? Simply put, do not judge, do not anticipate outcomes and do not set expectations.
So, I think it’s time for me to be more like Carter, and less like Edward. Without delay, I will be reassessing my Bucket List. And although I will be keeping those corporeal goals on the list, Taoistic goals will now also be incorporated. “Running a 5K” and “Learn to Speak Spanish” Wil remain on the Bucket List. But right along side will be listed right along side “Hug my kids at least three times a day” and “Attend every cheerleading game”.
(and if this blog seems a little disconnected, I’m writing it with a high fever in bed. Perhaps that’s why I’m feeling so metaphysical).
Love Life.
B
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Bucket List
