Marlow's Musings 11/05/23
Insights, adventures and fun stuff from this week.
Audio narration by David Marlow
My maternal grandmother used to love to go barefoot all summer long.
When she was young, she and her eight siblings received one pair of shoes each year. When the weather allowed, they went barefoot to save the precious shoes for school and church.
Growing up on a farm, she thought it was fun to walk through the fields without shoes. It was a habit she happily continued well into her last years.
Today I have three pairs of shoes just for running. Check that; I have a fourth pair for running in icy conditions.
Abundance and prosperity are spreading, which is a good thing in many ways. When I was a boy, 40% of the world lived in abject poverty. Today, it's less than 10%.
Still too high, though a dramatic improvement.
This increased abundance is represented by more than things like shoes. Knowledge is spreading. We can access data and information in seconds that would have taken years of research to pull together in the not-too-distant past.
With so much information available, some good and some not so good, the knowledge era might end, and the age of choice begin.
We won't just decide what we want to buy. We will determine what we fill our minds with, how we live, and how we impact the world.
What life do we want, and whom/what do we want to 'be' in that life?
As designer Dieter Ram said, “We want to make things better. What we need is less, but better."
There are few things of value; focus on those things, grow those things, and make those things better.
🌀 Less but better.
🌱 This is how we have harmony in all we do.
Word of the Week
Zetetic (n and adj.)
ze·tet·ic /zəˈtedik/
1: As an adjective meaning proceeding by inquiry
2: As a noun meaning a skeptic, seeker, a philosopher
An individual who approaches life with unbridled curiosity and an unwavering commitment to exploration and learning.
Check it out!
In case you missed it…
"The Ikigai Lexicon: A Dictionary Of Purpose" e-book has just received a fresh update, and it's better than ever.
In this latest version, you'll find an expanded collection of new words and concepts that will help you dive deeper into the world of Ikigai and explore the profound benefits it offers.
Whether you're on a journey of self-discovery or simply seeking to enrich your daily life with purpose, this updated e-book is here to assist you.
Ikiquest+
This week in Ikiquest+…
I went deeper into this Ikiquest post with extended audio explorations and bonus content for Ikiquest+.
Plus, subscribers can check it out here.
In addition to the updated Ikigai Lexicon, plus subscribers received an updated Ikiquest+ Directory.
This directory compiles all the posts, meditations, and resources exclusive to your paid subscription in one easy-to-access location. It's your personalized toolkit for your journey to a more purposeful life.
Quote I’m Pondering
Whenever I think I’m ‘done’ with this book, it draws me back in, and I uncover something ‘new.’
“What a long time it can take to become the person one has always been! How often in the process we mask ourselves in faces that are not our own.
How much dissolving and shaking of ego we must endure before we discover our deep identity-the true self within every human being that is the seed of authentic vocation.”
Parker J Palmer
Comment of the Week:
This week’s comment comes from Cindy who has followed me on LinkedIn and is a new subscriber to Ikiquest.
I connect to your posts and sincerely appreciate your perspective and insights. You introduced me to the concept of Ikigai and I was so engaged when I was watching Netflix and saw an entire episode on it watching Secrets of the Blue Zones.
Thank you, Cindy. The mention of the Netflix documentary Blue Zones reminds me that many of you have asked what I thought of it.
Still have an episode to go, and once complete, I will share some thoughts on the series.
Fun Thing I Saw This Week
Every so often, I need a creative diversion to reset, and I found a fun one this week playing with Stained Glass Creation. By clicking on the background, you create lines, segments, and ‘breaks’ in the glass. Here are some stellar examples of people's creations alongside my rather rudimentary effort.
Final Thoughts
Weeks often develop themes for me. Frequently, my ‘musing’ and events throughout the week are perfectly aligned in ways I don’t even realize until I write about them.
Last week is a good example. Read the musing and final thoughts and see if the connection doesn’t leap off the page at you. It did me only after I wrote it!
This week, the idea of wanting keeps popping up.
Ever have one of the dreams that you can’t wholly recall, and yet something about it won’t leave your thoughts?
In my dream, God came to me and asked me what I wanted. Don’t ask me what God looked or sounded like; frustratingly, that’s the part I can’t remember.
I sensed that whatever it was I wanted could be mine. Sounds like a fantastic dream, right?
The unsettling part, even in the dream, was knowing what I wanted, which is what I’ve been pondering all week.
Not what I should or ought to want. Nor things like a McClaren Mercedes SLR. I've never had a strong desire for one in Inferno Red or anything. 😉
It has forced me to consider what I want in my life.
Because I’m working on my answers, there is no finish to this other than to invite you to consider the same question.
What do you want?
🌀Quest well
You can learn more about Ikiquest+ here.
For Plus subscribers, you can access your Ikiquest+ resources here.
Need help creating your Ikiverse? Explore 1-on-1 coaching here.
Great segment David and proud of your taking the next step to share a thoughtful reflection on God. The Triune God…and if one like Solomon had any wish what would it be. I pray each day for not just wisdom as he did which limited him because we do have also free-will…but add to that humility, perseverance and Agape Love towards others and really all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We can certainly ask for much…it is up to Him knowing what’s best to give us, what we really need! Enjoy your day! Lux, Pax et Amor IHS