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Sara Benna's avatar

Oooh great piece, Tarek! Thanks for the mention! The question is simple but can reveal so much. Your sentiment about having to ‘earn’ your worth was relatable. I think a lot of people are starting to accept creativity as part of their personality and push against the narrative of a ‘normal’ life, as you so bravely did. Discipline and grit are valuable skills have but we need to start applying them intentionally and ask, “What is all of this for in the end, and am I enjoying the journey?”. Cheers!

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Tarek Taha's avatar

I’m glad this resonated with you Sara. I’m still figuring it out one day at a time. Appreciate you friend!

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Colin's avatar

What IS all this for! Great question.

I think it's what makes me love philosophy

It doesn't 'solve' it, but this list of the 5 regrets of the dying helped me put into perspective stuff i should be caring about now MORE if I want a fulfilling life

https://bronnieware.com/blog/regrets-of-the-dying/

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Tarek Taha's avatar

Yes that’s a great article Colin

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me's avatar
2hEdited

got me thinking about achievement mindset ie to do checklist in this way:: having many past visits with Walmart door greeter who’ve come to know, she’s 84. saw today and picked up on nice conversation. after feeling had been to long (5-10 mins) explained had to go and I did. here’s the catch - was really enjoying us, and had no place to be - conditioned to not linger if not productive = leaves feeling life passing by rather than fully enjoy those rich moments of living life.

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Tarek Taha's avatar

That is beautiful!

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Kara's avatar

Since I too am on this journey, this is very relevant to me.

Three months in, I have accepted that I am addicted to adrenaline.

I no longer want to be addicted to adrenaline - I really, and truly, want a slower more peaceful life.

Over the last three months I have lost my dad and my best friend lost her brother. This has forced me to hold up to my side of the bargain made when I left corporate (27 years, same company) and that was to use this time to slow down, reconnect with my people (myself included), and learn to enjoy life while building what's next.

It's a journey of recovery. One hour at a time. But I am finding the way and it's beautiful.

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Tarek Taha's avatar

Kara I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. That is so hard. There is a new way we need to find on this journey. Adrenaline doesn't satisfy, does it? I'm glad I'm not alone. Blessings to you and me as we continue on this journey to a new way, a better way. I'm cheering for you!

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Colin's avatar

Might I ask why do you say you no longer want to be addicted to adrenaline?

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Kara's avatar

Sure. Because being addicted to anything is bad. To me it means we will chose the addiction over anything else, every single time. That means my nervous system is constantly in fight or flight mode, being still is scary, pausing is not an option.

It's time for balance and before I can have a healthy relationship with adrenaline, I would like to detox. One day I will let it back in.

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Colin's avatar

I like this a lot. Certainly relate.

That being said - all the research on happiness I've done shows that humans do like movement. We like going forward, we're not meant to just drink margaritas on the beach. I think peace is just the ability to put effort towards things that we care about much more - ie fulfilling work, friendships, family. thought you might enjoy this Youtube vid, 15 mins long rocked my world a little while ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcWBUZEhME&list=PLrE6Ms3U2vt2Wgy33QX5mep5kpQzKDiFV&index=3

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