We all have work, priorities, jobs, and daily ‘to-do’s’. We set aside space in our schedules and give up quality time for these activities. We work hard to complete these activities. Sometimes we work too hard to complete them. We lose sleep, we lose time, and we lose sight of why we do them. Like robots, we are unable to think, we just do. We become lost, we become desperate, and we become defined by this work.
Most times, we do these activities because they provide as a means to an end. But when and what is this “end”? Why is the end that we think of the true meaning of our happiness? Why do we continue to chase the carrot at the end of the stick? Why is the reward always one step ahead, one grasp too far? We are living in such a fast-paced, consumer-based, material world, that there is never enough means to supply the demand. The demanding end is a quick sand cyclical trap to a lifestyle of work, priorities, jobs, and daily ‘to-do’s’.
Alas, realistically speaking, this description of a career and daily chores is somewhat on the dramatic side. We do because we have to survive. We do because we have to provide for our loved ones. We do more because we want more. We do these things because it gives us something to do versus nothing to do at all. But what if we could manage a to-do list that is comprised of things we have to do, and things we WANT to do. Let’s take the lead from some of our world’s most significant people; people who have done significant things, but also make time to do less significant things…things that still make them significant.
- Albert Einstein – Violin
- Mahatma Gandhi – Charkha (Spinning wheel)
- George Harrison – Gardening
- Steve Jobs – Graphic Design
- Oprah Winfrey – Acting / Drama
- Sigmund Freud – Antique Sculpture Collecting
- Kanye West – Fashion
- Steven Spielberg – Video Gaming
- Salvador Dali – Photography
- Lance Armstrong – Running
Honing in on your hobbies, passions, interests, intrigues, is tapping into not only a different part of your brain, but MORE of your brain. These outlets of creativity allow the brain to create new connections, new transmissions, new pathways, and ultimately new ideas. This breath of fresh air for our brains helps rest, refresh, reset, regain, replenish, and reinvigorate our enthusiasm for everything that we do.
I have a fond interest and intrigue with fashion. My latest adventure is the creation (re-creation) of the ‘glasses safety chain’. I firmly believe that form must meet function, design and engineering can coexist, the inside should look just as good as the outside, and a piece should always aim to optimize your style of living.