Accepting The Universe

Srikumar Rao's TED Talk is one that I revisit periodically. It is timelessly applicable, foremost; however, I also revisit it because I struggle to maintain the concepts he teaches. It's a fairly long video at just over nineteen minutes, but worth the investment in time.

Srikumar makes mention of "accepting the universe as it is", and uses the example of a time in our lives when we have stumbled upon great natural beauty - be it a stunning ocean view, a lofty mountain perspective, or decadent green fields. During these disarmingly beautiful moments, we have no trouble accepting the universe for what it is. The key is, the universe is always the way it is, regardless of how beautiful or horrid the setting. Finding acceptance of your existence regardless of setting is a major breakthrough.

Further, Srikumar implores that we invest in the process rather than the outcome. Along the same lines as "it's about the journey, not the destination." If you can commit yourself to an endeavor fully, focusing on doing your best at it without focusing on the expected outcome, you can derive joy from whatever you are doing. Any pleasant outcome is a bonus. Any unpleasant outcome is a learning experience, and you still got to enjoy the process along the way. But when you are in a state of perpetual yearning - "I want to save up for that car" - and then you get what you want, paying little mind to the journey to get to that end point, it cheapens the experience. Before long, you will take that car for granted, and move on to yearn for something else, again foregoing the pleasure of the process.

It becomes, then, a perpetual state of yearning. Never satiated. Craving good outcomes, craving new acquisitions. This sort of yearning is the same reason why some people find it necessary to sleep with countless people, rapidly disposing of humans as if they were, in fact, consumables. But at the endgame, this person isn't ever really satisfied, because no one can seem to merit being loyal to. No one is good enough. Which is a shame, because not only do all the hapless suitors who "weren't good enough" suffer, but the person using these suitors suffers as well. This person never knows true happiness in companionship and always yearns. 

Unless there is a paradigm shift. Like most things, it starts in that little power plant between your ears. Anyone can do it.

Working out and stuff

Running, 1 mile - 8 mins 01 seconds

Deadlift 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 (increasing load)

230# x 5, 245# x 5, 260# x 5, 285# x 5, 300# x 5

Bent Rows 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 (increasing load)

160# x 5, 175# x 5, 190# x 5, 205# x 5, 220# x 5

I'll leave you with a song that's been blowing my tiny little mind. Enjoy!