Comments on: Midnight Blogging from the Bathroom: Do We Have to Choose?

By: Zoë

Zoë — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:05:19 +0000

Bobby, I’m definitely with you that life’s meaning is simply our own meaning — whatever drives us and makes us happy.

“Overall, humanity is slowly nudging itself into a hopefully enlightened consciousness and beautiful ecosystem of prosperous nirvana. On the other hand, we are in a sense animals. Humans inhabit places they shouldn’t be (boy that’s a hard thing to say but is true).” <– I too hope we are moving toward expanded consciousness, but it’s so important that we don’t place ourselves above the rest of this world. Arrogance is our most dangerous flaw, but I do believe expanded consciousness can guide us to making the best of what we are given.

Like Jonas Salk said, “If all the insects on earth disappeared, within 50 years all life on earth would disappear. If all humans disappeared, within 50 years all species would flourish as never before.”

Now I really want to read your political post — it’ll give *me* some food for thought!

By: Bobby Revell

Bobby Revell — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:09:38 +0000

I suppose I gave up on revelation or spiritual enlightenment long ago and stopped fighting against my own goals. I say do both Zoe. I think in many ways, creativity and social consciousness go hand in hand. Ultimately–to me–life has no meaning other than your own meaning. One-hundred trillion years from when our solar system has been sucked into a black hole, none of this will matter; however, this is not to be taken negatively. Since we really have such a minute spec of time to live, we should do what we love. Overall, humanity is slowly nudging itself into a hopefully enlightened consciousness and beautiful ecosystem of prosperous nirvana. On the other hand, we are in a sense animals. Humans inhabit places they shouldn’t be (boy that’s a hard thing to say but is true). In America, the social consciousness is at war: individualists versus communitarians. One big question is: should an obviously corrupted government be the driving force behind making life better for the poor, or should individuals dedicate themselves to helping the less fortunate? It’s a paradox of the highest order. It’s easy to dismiss if you lead a comfortable life or were born into riches. I’m betting that it’s individuals doing their part in whatever way they can to help others combined with government. Though I am not rich by any means and struggle to eat and pay my own bills, I am extremely lucky to have food and shelter. I’m even more fortunate to own a computer, have Internet and be able to write. Living in a base mode of survival sucks. I know because I’ve been there. I’ll stop here. You did prompt me to write a long comment. I’m going to write a political explanation about what America’s going through based on your food for thought

Bobby Revell´s last blog post..My Upcoming Transgressional Fiction Novel

By: Zoë

Zoë — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:11:56 +0000

@ Franis – Thanks so much for sharing your story — you offer a very different path that has led to the very same questions. I think asking them is extremely important, and the sense I’ve gotten in other responses is that if you act with your full heart and energy in it, your questions may not get answered but things will fall into place. I think it ends up being constant evolution in the end, anyway!

@ Kenya – Your celebration mode is contagious! I have to agree with you that there was some very wise counsel left on this page… I’m blown away.

@ Barbara – I think you’re very right to say that the energy and time we have to put into it is something we make. I’m left with a very strong sense of empowerment after reading all these comments… minds of abundance — it’s wonderful!

By: Talented young thing: Zoe Westhof | curiousliving.com

Talented young thing: Zoe Westhof | curiousliving.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:01:20 +0000

[...] Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing one of my favourite bloggers, Zoe Westhof of Essential Prose. I first discovered Zoe’s blog by accident and was immediately struck by her unique writing style. her lifestyle choices and her honesty. Zoe is a talented young thing who decided to forge her own path instead of following the rest of the sheep. Zoe lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand and when she isn’t writing Essential Prose, she’s swimming, playing soccer, doing work for one of her favourite non-profit organisations, freelancing, and writing articles in the bathroom after midnight. [...]

By: Barbara Martin (@Reptitude)

Barbara Martin (@Reptitude) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:50:09 +0000

You wrote: "I want to write great fiction. And create sustainable communities. And explore questions of art and creativity with smart, provocative people." So what is stopping you? How could you weave these together? Explore sustainable communities in your fiction, explore these questions in your fiction. Life experience and discussions will wend through and inform your writing; the smart people will follow, and precede. What am I missing? Living the dream -- I don't see these as mutually exclusive. A time management and energy management issue, perhaps, but in terms of meaning making, do-able. Barbara Martin (@Reptitude)´s last blog post..Responding to Criticism

By: kenya

kenya — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:57:30 +0000

wow! there is so much fabulous counsel here. to add to these wise words, i would say: the power is in your choosing. and, also, that it is not — nor ever will be — either/or. it simply is. follow your heart; that is the choice. do your best; that is also the choice.

you have magic in you … choose to engage it!

you are so very much on the right path.
(also, i’m in a major celebration mode and absolutely feel that all is possible … you may want to temper my advice with that last bit of info

kenya´s last blog post..good film, great friends, rich gifts

By: Essential Prose | Zoë Westhof | Life Isn’t About Finding Yourself

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:50:15 +0000

[...] by the time I washed it all down with a glass of water I realized this completely ties in with the midnight questions I asked a few nights ago, and the ensuing [...]

By: Franis Engel

Franis Engel — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:26:48 +0000

Well-said! I had asked the question of myself also, but never put it the way you have articulated here. The way it happened for me was because I had people who died on me when a teen, I resolved to always take advantage of the personal contact so I might never miss what we had to offer each other. Then had a blinding insight that if I couldn’t beg off of the personal contact from a fear & regret of loss, if I always put ahead the personal things I could do for others as my first priority, what this meant was I would never be able to work on my many natural talents so a wider audience could benefit.
My problem was that I had too many talents – they all clamored for attention. So by putting others first, I could evade the whole question. It took a long time to learn to take my talents for the ride they deserved. Even now, I’m still picking up on dreams I thought were impossible.
Now I find myself asking the same questions as you are here. What sort of person exactly should I aim to benefit? Who is in a position to take advantage of the benefit of my experience? Would I make more of a difference in life from lifting up a few souls who could really use what I have to offer with personal contact – or is doing that merely risking the unappreciated trials of re-parenting? Shall I reserve what I have to offer for those who appreciate it? How do I find these appreciative? If I work on polishing my own stone, who will know what I did?
Fascinating questions you’re stirring in us who read you. Thanks.

Franis Engel´s last blog post..What To Say When…

By: Zoë

Zoë — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:24:33 +0000

Tobey, I value your opinion no matter where you live or where you work! I think you’re right, that we need to be aware of when one area requires more of our energy, and when the energy can be more evenly balanced.

By the way, I love the new look of your blog

Mako, I think we’re all going onto the track of synergy here, which I love. The idea that our different energies can nurture each other instead of compete. I think you gave a lot of valuable examples of this and of chain reactions, which are important. But I also was trying to highlight structural, sustainable changes, so I guess it’s a matter of figuring out which actions/energies can produce the strongest domino effect.

I’m glad you brought up the idea of bringing creativity into the lives of those w/o basic human rights. I meant to address that in the post, cause it’s a natural progression from this discussion. I actually work with an NGO here that does art workshops for disadvantaged groups, and it’s amazing work to see. The value of engaging the arts is something I wholeheartedly agree with and love to support.

One thing I was trying to touch on in this post was also “personal” creative endeavors — not necessarily just supporting creativity in general, but also working on personal creative projects (a novel, for example). I think that fits into the idea of different energies nurturing each other…

By: mako the funky duckling

mako the funky duckling — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:45:59 +0000

oops, I meant every action has a reaction. And have you thought of bringing creativity into the lives of those without basic human rights?
Check out “Born into Brothels” if you haven’t yet, about a photographer who teaches children who are born into the sex trade in India. Very inspiring and beautiful movie.