Commitment vs. being

Today I reflected on my stress.

I was thinking of how I hadn’t written an article for a while. I worried about my commitment to the page and the ideals I originally put forward. I remembered that I have a tendency to begin in a ball of fire and fizzle afterward. The time between the two being a barometer for my interest in the issue.

I also looked for vindication for my quitting Simpletons. My articles have been viewed 10 times, not a great success. But what is success for me? What is my goal? What do I want? If I am pursuing a passion, then none of this matters.

Lets talk about commitment. I was listening to the Minimalists who spoke of the concept. I thought about how commitment and the idea being relate to each other. I have a tendency to begin with great plans in mind and inevitably make plans which do indeed require great commitment. But commitment is for people who are trying to do something good for themselves when the alternative is not desirable. To free ourselves from the grip that a vice has on us. It is a proactive damage control mechanism. If you have a hero version of yourself that you desire to be and a vice is holding you back, then commitment is a hell of a tool.

However, being is very different. It is a way to unconsciously let ourselves be led by our passion. If I want to go fishing, I will fish, if I want to go hiking, I will hike. If I don’t, I wont and the time I have to spend will be filled with something else. That something else is likely to bring me more joy because it arises naturally.

So my worry about not writing is really ridiculous. If I want to write, I will. I wanted to write today, so I am. That is as simple a way as I can live. I encourage you to try it out too, it may not be for you or it may. Simply being is for all those people who plan, plan, plan and never do.

So If I can end on this, commit to damage control and pursue passion through being.

Go slow and be simple.

Sean