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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
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You Are Where You Want To Be
#8059483 - 02/23/08 07:45 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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A few years ago I became familiar with the concept that in the course of personal development you can only be where you are at. The idea is not to pretend or force ones self, but to accept where one is at in their progress, and let things occur naturally. Last night while reading an article by physical fitness expert Charles Staley I had a major light bulb over the head moment which has caused me to make a modification to this idea.. In his article he was discussing the idea that if you have a goal, but you aren't making progress towards it, it is because you don't want to make progress, and that you are satisfied right where you are. The only problem is that you don't want to admit it to yourself. If you were NOT satisfied you would be taking steps to make progress and that you WOULD be making progress. Every time we stall in the course of development towards a goal it is only due to internal resistance, and no other reason. If we "can't" change it is only because we don't want to. The first step towards change is deciding that you do want to without being conflicted about it. Being honest with ones self about our motivations and goals is very important to setting those goals and achieving them. Mr. Staley was talking about physical fitness of course, but I immediately saw this factor coming into play in every area of life. For those who give a shit here is the original article. http://www.staleytraining.com/static/articles/articles/why-i-dont-want-to-clean-315-pounds.htm It is a very good article with wide ranging implications.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Icelander
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8059687 - 02/23/08 09:47 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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the idea that if you have a goal, but you aren't making progress towards it, it is because you don't want to make progress, and that you are satisfied right where you are. The only problem is that you don't want to admit it to yourself. If you were NOT satisfied you would be taking steps to make progress and that you WOULD be making progress. Every time we stall in the course of development towards a goal it is only due to internal resistance, and no other reason. If we "can't" change it is only because we don't want to. The first step towards change is deciding that you do want to without being conflicted about it. Being honest with ones self about our motivations and goals is very important to setting those goals and achieving them
This has been very obvious to me for some time now. I agree fully.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8059756 - 02/23/08 10:18 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Icelander]
#8059804 - 02/23/08 10:35 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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So If I truly wanted to bench press 10,000 pounds I would have?
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Icelander
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So I guess physical/material limits apply. Thanks for pointing that out. I can always count on you.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Icelander]
#8059812 - 02/23/08 10:38 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yeah, it has been obvious to me on the level of understanding internal resistance, but the notion that one is "where they WANT to be" ads a level of responsibility that I had not considered. I was still buying into people being unable to change because they didn't know how, or because they didn't have the willpower. Plus it gives me another asshole thing to say when people tell me that they can't lose weight, get in shape, control anger, control depression, etc... Lol...just joking..not.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8059828 - 02/23/08 10:44 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I always wanted to be married, but three times things happened that were way outside of my control and in no way affected by me.
I suppose I could marry someone that I had no interest in, but that would not make sense either.
I guess what I am getting at is there is some truth in what you say and some BS.
How do you reconcile your notion with tragedy or outside influences? Are tsunami victims dead because they chose to be so by being born on a small island, failing to see the future and moving to a safer place?
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Icelander
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Good thoughtful questions without sarcasm. Do you have a fever?
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Huehuecoyotl
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You could be married by days end if that was your only goal...come on man. Now I didn't say it would be a quality relationship, but you could get someone to marry you for a green card or something I am sure..or pay them..
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
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Quote:
How do you reconcile your notion with tragedy or outside influences?
I am discussing the use of perception and will. Things outside of our ability to influence are wild cards of course. There is always chance.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8059886 - 02/23/08 11:02 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Things outside of our ability to influence are wild cards of course
Will not different people make different determinations as to what is or is not outside of their influence?
Dan Millman talks about breaking an arm before a big gymnastic meet and called it self sabotage. Maybe it was or maybe he merely was clumsy for an instant and was not some negative wish.
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


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There can be a fine line, but a tsunami is larger than any of us. It is also worth noting that Dan Millman is mostly full of shit. His books are unoriginal cheap rip offs. He had to have sucked as a gymnast because if he is a better writer than gymnast...
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8059951 - 02/23/08 11:22 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I just went out on the patio, loaded up my barbell and tried to clean 200. Ouch! My back is all fucked up.
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NiamhNyx
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Registered: 09/01/02
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Quote:
OrgoneConclusion said: I always wanted to be married, but three times things happened that were way outside of my control and in no way affected by me.
I suppose I could marry someone that I had no interest in, but that would not make sense either.
I guess what I am getting at is there is some truth in what you say and some BS.
How do you reconcile your notion with tragedy or outside influences? Are tsunami victims dead because they chose to be so by being born on a small island, failing to see the future and moving to a safer place?
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InnerStillness
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8059961 - 02/23/08 11:25 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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This is very true for me. I find that when I have an aspiration to do something, which i feel with benefit me I have great determination at the outset. Then desires and influences will detract me from that aspiration unless i summon the willpower to fight off those, what i perceive to be, negative desires and influences. This has been happening to me quite often recently, to my frustration. I know what i should do, but in the moment when that temptation is there, my willpower dissolves and i decide that the sensual pleasure is worth it. Of course in the end it naturally leads to discomfort or dissatisfaction but at the moment of pleasure, the only thing that matters is that sense of pleasure.
They say (and by they I mean yogis and rashis) earnestness towards your aspiration (whatever it may be) is of utmost importance, and I'm finding this is also true. Without it progress is slowed and/or halted for momentary enjoyment.
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Huehuecoyotl
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Your really taking what I am pointing out out of context. Read the source article and then comment.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8060115 - 02/23/08 12:08 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Your really taking what I am pointing out out of context.
But, but - that is my forte!
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OrgoneConclusion
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#8060142 - 02/23/08 12:16 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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About 10 years ago I did a ninety day 'body transformtation' challenge. One of the premises was 'no excuses'. I set aside the time and took pictures and got my mind right. I had my workout program and diet all laid out.
In the third week I got a nasty flu and wanted to quit, but I continued 'no matter what'. I cut my workouts in half so as not to be stupid and debilitate myself.
A few weeks later, I seriously injured my back to where I could barely walk. At first I was so frustrated, but told myself I will continue with the things that I can work on and adjust my regimen.
Because of the setbacks and time limitations, I missed my goal, but made amazing progress in both strength and physique.
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Icelander
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I hope you don't think those lame excuses can excuse you for FAILING to reach your goal.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
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Re: You Are Where You Want To Be [Re: Icelander]
#8060222 - 02/23/08 12:32 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I am only a junior warrior and have a long ways to go.
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