Perhaps my biggest struggle right now is a lack of time for clear uninterrupted contemplation. Sure, I have tons of free time, but it's not set up well. I think best (clearest) in the morning. My thinking also requires a lot of silence and alone time. I'm not one of those quick-thinking-on-the-fly type people. And, not only does my present job not allow me time for slow contemplation, it doesn't require (or even want) me to be thinking. I'm just supposed to 'be there', and clean stuff. Very early in the morning. It is what it is.
The fragments I've had lately brought me to the title above.
Somehow I got to looking at Robert Pirsig's book 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.' It's a book I've always wanted to read, but as yet have not. However, in reading about it, I stumbled onto his idea of "gumption traps." A gumption trap is an event or mindset that can cause a person to lose enthusiasm and become discouraged from starting or continuing a project (more detail here). Ha! Yes!! This has been my story for several years now.
I also recently stumbled onto this article in Psyche 'Why We Shouldn't Push A Positive Mindset on Those In Poverty.' It's an incredible piece if you're interested in understanding not only the way the mind works, but poverty cycles and such as well. One point in particular was the term "locus of control." This is sort of the belief one has in their own power. In this case, thinking one has the power within themselves to change their circumstances or 'lot in life.'
The above article was quite eye-opening in regard to free-floating mindsets. The idea that - whether regarding poor people, unbelieving people (in the church context), or really in any area - that we can change people by merely getting them to think differently. A new mindset. The authors question this philosophy.
Anyway.... there's much more there for me to contemplate. But it really brings to light the understanding of poverty. Being poor. I can't find the quote, but real poverty is not merely lacking in money, but in hope. You can't maintain anything, because you have the mindset of having no power over anything. And it's not as easy as simply changing your mindset if you don't believe it will make any difference. ...
I have no answers for any of this. I'm moreless just trying to understand it. Process it. Because... that's about all I can do at this point.
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"Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways." - Proverbs 28:6
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