By Vince:
I followed through with my plan to take it easy last week. More time was spent reading and thinking than participating in physical activities. I’m not sure the shoulder is much better, but I am giving it a bit more time until I consider going back to the doctor.
One book that caught my attention last week was “The Art of the Good Life”. This book contains 52 suggestions for making life more enjoyable. It’s an easy read with short chapters. I found most of the advice very practical, especially since I have experienced many of the things discussed in this book. The concept of focusing illusion was particularly interesting to me. Excerpts from the book state the following, “Nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it”. “When you compare things (cars, careers, holiday destinations), you tend to focus on one aspect particularly closely, neglecting the hundred other factors. You assign this one aspect inordinate significance because of the focusing illusion. You believe this aspect is more critical than it really is.” I know I have been guilty of doing this. Maybe this is why they say to sleep on big decisions. The author of this book also has a TED talk and it can be found here. I totally agree with the topic of this talk which is turning off the news. I did this when we got rid of live TV and it’s made a world of positive difference.
A short and sweet post this week. Hope you enjoy it!
Erin says
Your posts are very informative and inspiring Vince! You and Judy are both a joy to follow! The blog is fantastic! Thank you for your insight! You both have helped me with the Computers for my grandchildren and myself too!
I am glad you were resting last week! You both are a fantastic couple! Been following you for years and years. Blessings to you both.
Tricia says
I’m glad that you followed through with your taking-it-easy plan. I hope that it continues to help.
I recently went on a news ‘fast’ for about 5 months. I only read our local news, and even that frustrated the heck out of me because our state legislature was in session! I found that I was extremely anxious and preoccupied with world events that I had absolutely NO influence over. So, I took a break, and the world continued on despite my absence. It was a relief ‘not to know’ for a while.
dezertsuz says
That’s a good quote and describes what’s happened to me several times. It’s almost as if I wake up and think, how did I get so focused on that?
Eileen Wheeldon Eisner says
We don’t watch the news either. I’m glad you had an easy week. Hope that shoulder improves soon!!!
cassews says
Vince: can you convince my husband the news isnt worth 3 hours every morning ? Thanks !! lol
Vince says
Cassews One of the chapters in the book I mentioned talks about trying to change people. It makes it clear you can’t, he has to made the decision for himself. Maybe you can get him a copy of that book and he could read it for 1/2 hour instead of news time. Good Luck.