Set the scene: I’m sitting in paul next to a cute old woman reading a storybook in German. The PAUL logo is falling down, and I can’t stop placing bets as to how many days it will take to fall on the bakers head. 4 days 3hrs 46 mins $50?
This is a bunch of letters strung together to make sense to nobody else but me. As I turn the astonishing age of 25, I have come to think of an assemblage of triumphs, defeats and teachings. So what better way to start my new year with 5 questions to ask yourself or others?
1. What does hard work really mean?
I mean, rodents, clobbers, a Mackenzie suit man and baristas work remarkably hard. They work hard to protect their habitat, fed their families or egos and spread their infectious world views or disease. But I see a purpose in separating the hard from the duties. It’s dutiful to feed your soul, family and educate yourself. Whether you take the challenging route or the easy pathway, does it really matter?
My definition of hard work: Setting your purpose and intentions beforehand and achieving what you set out without giving up all without wearing socks.
My definition of easy work: Bullshitting, half-assed deliverables and poor font choice (am guilty).
Note to self: Asking for help is not selfish; how you ask is.
New, improved 25+ version of myself would say:Try soft work? What’s that, you ask? The same as hard work but gentler and kinder to yourself and your limits.
2. How much time do you give silence?
As a musician, the importance of rests promotes tension, confusion and anticipation. Even music notes and vibrations need to stop at some point so that their value is still impactive.
Silence is deafening if you listen carefully.
I was with a friend in the park recently, and she had asked me what the loudest and quietest thing I can hear is. It blew me away -from the awareness that little dog paws made to shouting teenagers and distant grandmothers, whispering about their recent nephew’s divorce scandal. I don’t give enough time for silence because I am full of noise. Even when I give silence a chance, I’m still internally singing, screaming and…
