"Peaceful Warrior" and My Own Shortcomings

One of our only breaks from Hurricane Ike coverage was to watch the film "Peaceful Warrior" on CINEMAX. While it had a lot of made-for-tv cheesiness, I really tuned into the message. It's based on the book about a gymnast who meets(?) a stranger who runs(?) a convenience store. The gymnast seems to have it all, but the stranger, improbably but rather effectively played by Nick Nolte, provides the spiritual insight that helps him get to a whole 'nother level.

That insight involves living in the moment and determining what it is that makes you happy and then devoting yourself to that endeavor. Like most books, short stories, speakers, and films that purport to be motivating at least in some way, it left me mildly depressed. (Yes, motivational speakers depress me, which is a subject for another post at another time.) But this time it also gave me the insight as to what it was lacking in my own self motivation.

I have known for some time what one of my weaknesses is: Laziness. Okay two weaknesses: Laziness coupled with procrastination.

But this film suggests another weakness. I have been confused about what I'd really like to do. With my life I mean. Everybody knows that if you are doing what you love, it ain't like working. Well I want to create nifty stories. But that has translated itself into making a ton of money. Yes, I want to make a ton of money, but for most people, certainly me, this has not translated into actually making a lot of money. So I am going to try to refocus myself on creating neat stories.

Now by creating neat stories I can hope that I won't starve. And the outcome probably can't be any worse than working in five separate and distinct industries, for 30 different companies, over the last 36 years. I mean I'm selling BMWs now. A fine product to be sure, but one that is targeted largely to pretentious moneymakers or rich person wannabes.

I'm not sure where I can take this, but rest assured I will take it someplace. I mean, I've just finished my first two posts to SwoboBLOG in a couple of years. That's worth something. Thank you Dan Millman.