Comments on: A Passionless Mind http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/ Mormon Musings by yer ol' pals Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:02:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kristen J http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56355 Kristen J Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:00:08 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56355 Well maybe that's just me too. Everyone's comments have been interesting to me because I realize that my feelings are actually more the rule than I thought. If you ever want to take up a hobby that relaxes your brain you should try knitting. Talk about meditative. I often have to put the needles down and take a nap right where I'm sitting, my brain gets that relaxed. Well maybe that’s just me too. Everyone’s comments have been interesting to me because I realize that my feelings are actually more the rule than I thought.

If you ever want to take up a hobby that relaxes your brain you should try knitting. Talk about meditative. I often have to put the needles down and take a nap right where I’m sitting, my brain gets that relaxed.

]]> By: Rich K http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56340 Rich K Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:48:52 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56340 I read and reread your introduction to the subject and the assumption contained there and I don’t think I agree with it, at least as it applies to me. I’m not sure that the paradigm of a single all encompassing hobby is necessarily a universal paradigm. I love to paint miniature soldiers and build miniature armies. I find painting such small detail relaxing because all the worries of the day are forgotten as I focus on these small miniatures and painting them. I think that’s the function of a hobby: take your mind off your troubles and have fun. But after awhile I get tired of it. I’ll pickup a book on some aspect of the theory of the mind. I’m fascinated by the subject. Once I’ve met that need I move on. Next it might be trying to understand some aspect of western philosophy or do research on 16th- and 17th-century military history with the purpose of publishing. Maybe I’ll jump online for the intellectual stimulus that will give me. Maybe none of that interests me at the moment. Maybe I just want to haul out my sea kayak and go paddling. I’m out there on the water, just me, the water, and the beautiful islands floating by. May be I’ll be greeted by seals with their big beautiful eyes peeping out of the water like live Killroy pictures.. Maybe I’ll watch a bald eagle swoop down and pluck a salmon from the sea. Maybe I’ll have the treat of sitting there while a humpbacked whale and her baby silently undulate by, every now and then breaking the silence when they take a breath. Afterwards I paddle on enjoying the physical exertion as I travel to new adventures. The point being, I don’t have a single overwhelming passion. I have a need to engage my mind about things, I have a need to create, I have a need for adventure, I have a need to physically tax myself. I have the need to intellectually challenge myself. As I fill one of my needs (or fill it for the time being) I move on to another. Part of my recovery is to stay in tune with my needs. As my needs shift, my activity shifts in line with my current needs. Then I’ll recycle through my needs again and again. But in all cases my needs are being met with what I love to do. It’s just that what I love to do includes a variety of things. You’re not a “jack of all trades.” You’re a lover of many experiences. At least I am. Maybe doing that one thing meets the needs of some people. For me, doing one thing only would drive me up the wall. But hey, that’s just me. Rich I read and reread your introduction to the subject and the assumption contained there and I don’t think I agree with it, at least as it applies to me. I’m not sure that the paradigm of a single all encompassing hobby is necessarily a universal paradigm. I love to paint miniature soldiers and build miniature armies. I find painting such small detail relaxing because all the worries of the day are forgotten as I focus on these small miniatures and painting them. I think that’s the function of a hobby: take your mind off your troubles and have fun. But after awhile I get tired of it. I’ll pickup a book on some aspect of the theory of the mind. I’m fascinated by the subject. Once I’ve met that need I move on. Next it might be trying to understand some aspect of western philosophy or do research on 16th- and 17th-century military history with the purpose of publishing. Maybe I’ll jump online for the intellectual stimulus that will give me. Maybe none of that interests me at the moment. Maybe I just want to haul out my sea kayak and go paddling. I’m out there on the water, just me, the water, and the beautiful islands floating by. May be I’ll be greeted by seals with their big beautiful eyes peeping out of the water like live Killroy pictures.. Maybe I’ll watch a bald eagle swoop down and pluck a salmon from the sea. Maybe I’ll have the treat of sitting there while a humpbacked whale and her baby silently undulate by, every now and then breaking the silence when they take a breath. Afterwards I paddle on enjoying the physical exertion as I travel to new adventures.

The point being, I don’t have a single overwhelming passion. I have a need to engage my mind about things, I have a need to create, I have a need for adventure, I have a need to physically tax myself. I have the need to intellectually challenge myself. As I fill one of my needs (or fill it for the time being) I move on to another. Part of my recovery is to stay in tune with my needs. As my needs shift, my activity shifts in line with my current needs. Then I’ll recycle through my needs again and again. But in all cases my needs are being met with what I love to do. It’s just that what I love to do includes a variety of things. You’re not a “jack of all trades.” You’re a lover of many experiences. At least I am.

Maybe doing that one thing meets the needs of some people. For me, doing one thing only would drive me up the wall. But hey, that’s just me.

Rich

]]> By: Kristen J http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56285 Kristen J Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:36:53 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56285 Interesting point Matt, I think I can agree with that. That's pretty much me in a nutshell Jacob. For instance last night I was thinking to myself, maybe I should try making my own handmade paper with which I could make my own embellished journals and books! Now this morning I'm thinking, maybe not. It just seems that after I master the basics in something I think, what's next? Kind of like Eric was describing. Or maybe I'm just plain lazy! Interesting point Matt, I think I can agree with that.

That’s pretty much me in a nutshell Jacob. For instance last night I was thinking to myself, maybe I should try making my own handmade paper with which I could make my own embellished journals and books! Now this morning I’m thinking, maybe not.

It just seems that after I master the basics in something I think, what’s next? Kind of like Eric was describing.

Or maybe I’m just plain lazy!

]]> By: Jacob J http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56255 Jacob J Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:18:46 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56255 Matt, Kristen doesn't sound apathetic to me. On the contrary, it seems like she has lots of passion; it just redirects itself a lot. Is that about right, Kristen? Matt, Kristen doesn’t sound apathetic to me. On the contrary, it seems like she has lots of passion; it just redirects itself a lot. Is that about right, Kristen?

]]> By: Matt W. http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56240 Matt W. Wed, 07 Feb 2007 17:15:48 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56240 Back on the Apathy track, I think Apathy is indicative of the modern man, we have so many options of what to do, and a lack of need to do much of it, that it is difficult to gain passion about any of it. Back on the Apathy track, I think Apathy is indicative of the modern man, we have so many options of what to do, and a lack of need to do much of it, that it is difficult to gain passion about any of it.

]]> By: Eric Nielson http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56235 Eric Nielson Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:39:40 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56235 I also feel much like you in this Kristen. Most of my life is just one average thang after another. I lack ambition at work, I just want to be good, but often don't feel a need to be great. When I ask myself 'what do I really want?' i usually mentally shrug and say I dunno. I also feel much like you in this Kristen. Most of my life is just one average thang after another. I lack ambition at work, I just want to be good, but often don’t feel a need to be great.

When I ask myself ‘what do I really want?’ i usually mentally shrug and say I dunno.

]]> By: Rich K http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56227 Rich K Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:46:09 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56227 Sorry my inner child slipped out. But it highlights one of man’s vexing problems in his relations with women: whether to be sensitive or truthful. ☺ Rich Sorry my inner child slipped out. But it highlights one of man’s vexing problems in his relations with women: whether to be sensitive or truthful. ☺

Rich

]]> By: Kristen J http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56132 Kristen J Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:13:42 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56132 Well geez Rich, now I'm feeling grumpy because you don't give a rat's @$$ about whether I find a creative outlet or not. As Geoff's mom always says, "I never!" (I hope you sense the humor there) Well geez Rich, now I’m feeling grumpy because you don’t give a rat’s @$$ about whether I find a creative outlet or not.

As Geoff’s mom always says, “I never!” (I hope you sense the humor there)

]]> By: Rich K http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56107 Rich K Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:47:42 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56107 I didn't think you were being rude. No appology necessary. I certainly didn't take any offense. I think you simply misunderstood my intent. Rich I didn’t think you were being rude. No appology necessary. I certainly didn’t take any offense. I think you simply misunderstood my intent.

Rich

]]> By: Geoff J http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/comment-page-1/#comment-56102 Geoff J Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:22:47 +0000 http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2007/02/a-passionless-mind/330/#comment-56102 I was just feeling grouchy Rich -- sorry about being rude. (Plus as the regulars around here can attest, Kristen is fabulous; and since I haven't seen you around these parts before I figured maybe you didn't realize that fact...) I was just feeling grouchy Rich — sorry about being rude.

(Plus as the regulars around here can attest, Kristen is fabulous; and since I haven’t seen you around these parts before I figured maybe you didn’t realize that fact…)

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