Eyes Wide Open
If you’re intrigued by the notion of exploring life in an unconventional way, then you're in the right place. Here at Fishing Without Bait, we embrace the journey of creating ourselves instead of just finding ourselves. We dive deep into the essence of serendipity and synchronicity, crafting a life where 1+1 equals 3, initiating reactions rather than waiting for them. Ready to confront fear, embrace the unexpected, and dive into rabbit holes with intention? Let’s journey together into a life of full-impact mindfulness.
Embracing Home and the Familiar: Just like Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, "there's no place like home." It’s a sentiment I wholeheartedly share, especially after periods of travel. There’s something incredibly grounding about returning to familiar surroundings, re-acclimating, and just being present in your own space.
Seeing with Eyes Wide Open: Today we're focusing on what it means to live with 'eyes wide open' as opposed to 'eyes wide shut.' Living with eyes wide open means being aware of everything around you, embracing the world without filters, and seeing the awe and wonder in everyday experiences. On the contrary, living with eyes wide shut signifies being closed off, governed by preconceived notions and a narrow perspective, which often leads to missing out on the richness of life.
The Power of a Beginner's Mind: I often talk about the concept of a beginner's mind—a mindset open to possibilities, devoid of preconceived notions. It’s about experiencing the sheer joy of living, much like a child who sees a giant bubble for the first time. In contrast, the expert's mind often lives with blinders, missing out on the vastness of experiences because it’s too focused on specific outcomes or expectations.
The Hidden in Plain Sight: Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s story "The Purloined Letter," today’s conversation delves into how often the answers or truths we seek are hidden in plain sight—overlooked because we expect complexity when simplicity is the key. This metaphor extends to our use of technology. Technologies like spellcheck are fantastic, but they also make us lazy thinkers. It’s essential to question whether technology serves us or if we are becoming too dependent on it, skimming through life without delving deeper.
Full-Impact Mindfulness and Meditation: In our journey of full-impact mindfulness, we emphasize being the observer behind the technology, asking whether we control it or it controls us. Mindfulness, in its simplest form, is about paying attention on purpose. It’s about being present in every moment, consciously engaging in life rather than passively experiencing it. This approach is akin to a waking meditation where we clear out the mental clutter to truly see what’s in front of us.
Embrace the Journey with Eyes Open: Finally, as T.E. Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, once said, "those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." I challenge you to be a dreamer of the day. Use your insights and imagination to actively participate in your life, keep all sensors on, and live dangerously.
As we wrap up, remember to be kind to yourself and others. Challenge yourself to live a life without bait, fully impacting your life and the lives of those around you. Until next time, be dangerous, be kind, and live intentionally. Namaste.
