Interesting Antonym You Have There....

[DJ]

I find one of the dictionary's antonyms above very interesting: "impoverishment".
Traditionally, we think of inactivity as a sure path to poverty. Many call it slothfulness or laziness. But this lists the word impoverishment as a result of not resting. It definitely speaks of a different kind of "poverty".
What kind of poverty do you perceive in this statement? Do you think the word "impoverishment" could be a verb "done unto yourself"?
How do you define wealth?
This raises the question of the value of our mental/creative health versus our perceived worldly, material wealth.
How have you prioritized these? How has CCS impacted how you prioritize these?

[Dan Goodwin]

That's a lot of questions DJ!

I think if we don't rest and take take time to rejuvenate ourselves then we're certainly impoverishing ourselves, in that we're starving ourselves of the energy and inspiration to be creative.

I've been thinking about this in a different sense today too, in terms of communication and being plugged in and wired up. I sometimes spend too much time flipping between emails, CCS, Twitter and my mobile phone which though it feels like 21st century social media multi-tasking, usually doesn't result in much progress!

The times when I get a good chunk of art work or writing done are when I unplug from all these distractions. So in a way, making myself impoverished of connection and communication channels for a temporary period is actually the best way to restore my creativity levels...

My definition of wealth comes and goes! When I'm writing or someone sends me a message to thank me for an article that really helped, or when I'm dancing (or recently teaching) salsa, it's the best thing, money can't buy the good feelings... Or the simple sensory pleasures like a delicious meal, or the scent of woman passing in the street.

The times when I venture into the physical world where I live usually end in a few wishful thoughts like "ooh I'd really like one of those Audi TTs", things like that. I'm aware that a part of me makes a judgement on people based on what they wear or the car they drive. I don't like that part of me, but I acknowledge it's there.

Actually it tends to usually be a negative judgement. I live in a fairly affluent part of the country and the roads are full of Urban 4X4s - Range Rovers, Discoverys, Audis, Porsches etc. I see someone in a Range Rover, knowing it must've cost £35 or £40k and think "why do you NEED to spend that much money on a car when there are thousands of better and less self indulgent ways of spending it?" A part of me is damningly judgemental when for all I know the driver could donate half of their income to charity.

There's another part of me that's still entangled in materialism and would actually like to be able to afford a car like that. I wouldn't have one, but I would like to be able to walk into the showroom on a whim and hand over the cash.

This material side is at odds with what I spoke of earlier, those experiences that money can't buy. I remember asking years ago, can I be a buddhist with a PlayStation and the same paradox applies. I want to be spiritual, frugal, creative, organic, non-materialistic. Yet in the world I'm surrounded by I get caught up in lust for the latest iPod nano or Honda Civic Type R.

Oh well, it's a lifetime's work... : )

[DJ]

Yes, Dan: It is a lifetime's work to sort out the questions...the important thing may be that you are asking the questions at all...
I think the age of a person has a lot ot do with which season of life they experience.
Balance is an ongoing task, is it not? :-)

And what of soul impoverishment?
How do the various members of CCS feed their souls?

[Lin Neiswender]

Sometimes, DJ, it is in just taking the time to really see that tangerine I'm about to eat, really feel the skin, smell the aroma, peel the skin, taste the bitterness of the white pith and the delicious nectar of the first bite into the segment. It's by slowing down time and being in the moment, whether that's in watching a butterfly land on the yellow Ixora outside my back door or watching my dog as he takes a luxurious stretch laying on his back, legs waving in the air, or hearing the sound of birdcall in the early morning. Nature recharges me, because it puts me in contact with God's beauty, and the beauty within myself.

[DJ]

And THAT, my friend, is true wealth...

I have met many who aren't aware of the many sensory experiences of beauty, and it saddens me that they are missing out on so much...

You are rich, indeed. ~hugs~

[Lin Neiswender]

And hugs back to you for starting this discussion!

[DJ]

Lin,
Your mention of using many senses to experience your tangerine brings to mind a favorite memory of mine.
About seven years ago, my new husband and I were sitting outside and I had an orange as a snack. Before I started to peel it, I handed it to him, and asked him to just enjoy the weight and warmth of it in his hands. He was pleasantly surprised with the simple gesture, and learned volumes about his new wife that day. We have both grown since then, and continue to relish the little things that bring us joy.
Thanks for reminding me...

[Dan Goodwin]

It still surprises me when I talk about a piece of music for example and go into detail about a lyric, or the way the guitars swell or the switch in the drum pattern in the chorus or something, things that for me make the song very memorable and enjoyable and I'll get this blank look of "whuh?" in response. It's no surprise whatsoever that the music charts are full of dull as dishwater soundalikes and all the really interesting artists sell a handful of records a year in comparison...

[DJ]

You have a special gift, Dan.
Not everyone can hear details as you do....
How could that be infused into your coaching?

[Dan Goodwin]

I think it is infused in my coaching, especially in observing the details of various creative struggles common to us all.

[DJ]

I was thinking about the musical gifts you have! :-)
and your audio endeavors....

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

YES! Taking moments of time to really be attentive to your senses, to be involved and present in what is happening in this moment, is renewal. I'm noticing more people lately making comments about how sad it is that people don't do this more often. There is always something delightful to notice. Even in the midst of a big city, one can choose to seek out the beauty, or focus on the ugly.

As for material wealth, the question is "how much is enough"?

If one is preoccupied with having more, bigger, better - there is never enough.
If one is grateful and perceives the abundance present, there is always enough :)

[DJ]

Sounds like a Sarah ban Breathnach fan to me... :-)
Her book was an excellent read for me in 1997, Barb.
I may be revisiting it soon, since fall has a negative effect on me...thanks for the reminder.