Day 9 - Right Diligence - At or with me (2010)

When I first listened to this Jack Jonhson's song from To the Sea (2010) album, I laughed so hard and felt this lively, silly and perfect song was a portray for what life has brought to me. If you see the youtube video of JJ fighting against Andy Samberg from Saturday Night Show, it is hillarious. "The mellow guy" (as Samberg calls Jack Johnson in his show and in the video) finally decides he has had too much and lets the fists fly: awesome fight between the two, featuring lots of smashed glass and broken furniture. This is a battle for survival, a metaphor of  life, when we are fighting for a space under the sun, to be recognized and fit in.

I heard from a person in academia that the academic world is cruel, a battle for recognition in the field we think or other thinks we are experts. Sometimes we can't fit in, but we try hard, we try until we win our first battle, then we believe, yeahh we can fit in. But stop a second and ask this reflective  questions: Can this battle field bring joy, and still be good for one's body and soul at this point in our mid-career life, after all...?

If yes is the answer, great, keep on the kick boxing and kangoroos movements, otherwise, if the answer is no, then better stop the useless fight that goes around and around the ring, and become the free-bark (Day 8)!  In another word, it is worthy battling if that still makes you tick inside, unless you are happy, or had enough punches and feel your body is not so healthy either, then it is time to leave it.

Being aware of what is good for oneself, what brings us joy, that is about right diligence.

If we run around the clock for fame, money, or recognition, that is, for sure, not right diligence.
Do what makes us feel happy and work on things that call our deepest interest. Somehow find the balance on what bring us joy in our work, while bring us close to our family and loved ones, that is right diligence.

So let's meditate on the steps we shall take in the path of joy, beauty and wisdom... Enjoy this funny song that inspired me to take things less seriously but with right diligence: I love kickboxing movements and dance wildly .

"At Or With Me"

Are they laughing at or with me
Ah baby those are such great shoes
And I think that I’m so happy now
And I think this is a better you

Are they laughing at or with me
Why can’t we just say what we mean

People are just trying to fit in
But is there something telling you
You can’t trust anyone in this town
Ah baby those are such great shoes

Are they laughing at or with me
Why can’t we just say what we mean

Don’t put your money where your mouth is baby
We don’t want to see you choke
Nobody’s joking around here anymore
Nobody’s broken any high scores
No dancing shoes have touched these dusty floors
For such a long long time
For such a long time

Are they laughing at or with me
Why can’t we just say what we mean