Below is an audio clip of some thoughts I had regarding a call I listened to this morning. The topic is on being committed to not being committed. I’ve never done any sort of audio clip like this and it’s definitely stepping out my comfort zone as the complete clip is unedited. I’m ok with speaking that’s planned, but off the cuff speaking like this kind of freaks me out a bit.
The concept of committed to being uncommitted comes from Aaron Ross who runs the Unique Genius program I’m a part of. I think at times we can kind of freak out and get stressed when we start to think about what it is we want to do with this one, precious life we have….and we don’t have an answer. What I’m realizing is that this is ok. This is actually good b/c if we are asking ourselves this then we are starting to get in a different mind-frame. Instead of this constant outward focus that we generally have, we are starting to turn inward and reflect a little more….and more importantly, we’re allowing space to open up to see what arises.
The clip is 6:31 in length
NOTE: I believe you have to click the ‘download’ link in order to get this to play. If you aren’t getting anything, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
Committed-to-Being-Uncommitted.m4a
I’m Nate, a writer, mindfulness practitioner and student of the inner workings of the mind.
Nate, the question “Why” is so very important. Not only for the big things in life, but also for smaller things. It can be a good cure for procrastination, too. (“Why am I surfing around aimlessly?” etc.)
Also, Skype doesn’t do your radio voice any justice! I’m impressed! I’m really not much of an audio person, but I’d love to hear more of this. Michael Nobbs is doing micro podcasts from time to time that only last a few minutes, and I think that’s a great concept.
Fabian | The Friendly Anarchist´s last [type] ..How To Become a Productive Night Owl
Hi Fabian – thanks for the kind words. Yeah, doing something like this was definitely getting out of my comfort zone. I’m used to writing and editing and revising, etc, but not just talking in an unedited fashion such as this.
Yes, I do think it is an important question. I also think that it’s totally fine to not have an answer. It kind of gets to the committed to being uncommitted. So instead of this “holy crap, I have to think of something to do now” feeling or that you HAVE to have an answer you can allow yourself and really be at peace with maybe not having an answer right away.
As always, thanks for your comment!!
Hi Nate, very interesting ideas today. Love the audio btw, you’ve got a great voice for it!
You’re so right, I need to stop and take some time.
When I started listening to what you were saying I felt a sense of relief and freedom at the thought of being committed to being uncommitted. It was a really freeing thought. Then at about 4 minutes into it part of me started asking “isn’t putting off making a decision, making a committment, procrastination?”
I know it is my fearful self talking here but I admit I didn’t have a good answer to this one. I know I’m so conditioned to be on the right path, to make good decision, to be in control, to know what I’m doing. People and myself label me as responsible and someone who has “her head screwed on”.
I listened to this while eating my breakfast and initially I thought I’d sit down and search the job sites, as I’m still desperately seeking a new path. Listening to what you’ve had to say this morning has quenched that almost addictive need to search, so thanks for making me feel better
Mirella´s last [type] ..The Frustration of Creating Change
Hi Mirella! Well, I think when you’re committed to being uncommitted it isn’t necessarily putting off making a decision. It’s kind of a fine line….but I think that it’s more of a way of being that allows a person to simply open up to possibilities…to see what naturally arises instead of making decisions from a more ‘closed’ perspective (if that makes sense).
I can certainly understand what you’re going through with looking for jobs…and it’s definitely important if money (or lack of) is an issue. So, it’s not so much that you should necessarily stop looking, but more of looking from a different perspective. Really kind of looking at your motivations, not forcing any particular ‘thing’ to happen and from there seeing what happens. If my talk helped you a little bit then I’m definitely glad!