The Freedom Of Less
Less Comparison, Less Seeking, Less Choice, More Living
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Less Comparison, More Curiosity
Comparison is born from a place of lack. The disillusion that I am incomplete.
I’ve fallen for the trap countless times and continue to do so. That is the reality of conditioning. It takes many washes for the stain to leave. Still, once you get a glimpse of clarity, the effect of comparison can never be the same. Momentarily, you may get lost in the illusion but it doesn’t last as long.
Its occurrence becomes a signpost informing you that you’ve gone the wrong way. You can thank it and return to the right path, inward to your peaceful nature. In that sense, becoming aware transforms comparison into an act of curiosity. It becomes a trigger to understand what you are seeking.
Comparison disconnects you from reality. Curiosity reconnects you.
Less Seeking, More Being
“Aimlessness does not mean doing nothing, it means not putting something in front of you to chase after. When we remove the objects of our craving and desires, we discover that happiness and freedom are available to us right here in the present moment.”
- Thích Nhất Hạnh , The Art of Living
We know now that the answer to lasting fulfilment cannot be found in the material world because if it did everyone with material wealth would be abundant in spiritual health, which is not the case. To seek happiness and meaning here is an exercise of insanity. This is not a judgement, I am purely sharing my direct experience.
Each time you reach a rung on the ladder, another step appears. Like a hamster on a wheel, it’s an endless pursuit. To make matters worse, along the way, you often end up sacrificing your wellbeing, peace, free time, or relationships.
We know what is truly important but the influence of conditioning is so strong that we continue to get swept away. This includes me too. That said, it doesn’t mean we lay down, and accept the status quo. Freedom is a practice and every time you appreciate the present moment, you break the cycle. Being yourself as you are now, will always be enough.
Less Choice, More Freedom
“Depth is where the gold is buried.”
- Mark Manson, The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck
When you separate what matters from what doesn’t, what you lose in choice, you gain in freedom.
Freedom to orchestrate a well-lived life on your terms. That is where the gold lies.
Live Free,
Niall
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LVN Stories
To support my mission of exploring and sharing what I learn about living well, I want to speak with those who have done exactly that.
Do you have a parent/grandparent who is 90+ years old? I’d love to interview them and share their stories.
If you do, send an email to lvnclubstories@gmail.com.
‘Less seeking, more being’
I read somewhere this morning that our misuse of mobile technology (I am learning how to clamber out of the bottom of this pit) means creativity in music, art & writing is waning because we seek to fill the silence that boredom or mental idling allows (away from the constant churning of the internet or social media).
I have to bury my mobile under a pillow when writing. I require silence firstly to allow words, imagery, structure to settle & form in my head but, just as importantly, to interrogate whether the words, imagery and structure are appropriate, clear or original - the best I can draft at the time - and figure how best to shape / form them.
Niall, you are gifted at the powerful one-liners, like this one today (that I am going to re-stack): "Comparison disconnects you from reality. Curiosity reconnects you."