Regret’s Positive Tints

-

 The other evening I was listening to an audiobook by Joe Dispenza.  He was discussing about neural networks.  They get reinforced by firing together - provided we are focused.

Attention or focus is pivotal for evolving our brain.  I bounce that against Cal Newport’s definition of deep work - performing work that aligns with our values in a distraction free environment.

Both parts of Newport’s definition are imortant.  Aligning work with our core values fuels our intrinsic motivation.  Distraction agree environment let’s the right set of neurons fire together.  Without focus and eliminating distractions it is hard to develop neural connections.

As stimulating as I find these ideas, I am wracked by regret about not discovering them earlier in my life.  Despite the agonizing regret, I wonder if I am able to appreciate Dispenza’s and Newport’s writings without the pain induced by that regret.

Am I looking at regret’s positive tints?  Am I looking at the foundations of redemption ?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Foundations of Positive Psychology

-
    Authentic Happiness,  Martin Seligman's intriguing book on positive psychology, is full of hidden gems.  A good example is his portrayal of the valiant efforts to lay solid foundations for this youthful branch of psychology, Inspired by the precedent set by the DSM III, Seligman helped spearhead the efforts  to "sponsor the creation of a classification of the sanities as the backbone of Positive Psychology".  This entailed tapping from the rich wells of religious and philosophical writings that included The Bible, Talmud, Koran, Plato, Aristotle, and the Upanishads. This wealth of thinking traditions that traversed three thousand years was used to create a universal taxonomy of six core virtues: -         Wisdom and knowledge -         Courage -         Love and humanity -         Justice -  ...
Read more

On My Birthday

-
 I have stopped celebrating my birthday long time ago.  I am not saddened by that; it is the way it is. For some reason, this morning, I decided to blow out imaginary candles and make a wish as I did so. The only thing that came to mind was continuing to ship my writing out regularly.   It has been five days since my last blog.  Everyday life seems to get in my way regularly and let the days march by without shipping out anything. As I blew those imaginary candles (two candles: one in the shape of 5 the next in the shape of 4) I make that wish to be able to do whatever it takes to post a blog regularly.
Read more

Love What You Do

-
I despair and simultaneously get elated when I hear mantras like "love what you do".  This particular mantra comes from Seth Godin's The Practice.   In that book, Mr. Godin writes:            "Do what you love" is for amateurs.            "Love what you do" is the mantra for professionals. I despair when I read words like those because I often find myself stuck on what Brian Tracy called "Someday Isle".  At that isle, I sit and dream about publishing a major work and enjoying the perceived glory that comes with it.  While living in that enchanting  isle, I envision myself spending my days doing what I love (writing), while back on Mother Earth, days are slipping by with minimal shipping (Mr. Godin's expression for sharing our work with the world). On the other hand, I get elated by the advice because it describes my journaling experience.  I often get up early in the morning and start typ...
Read more