From: altamira (altamira@ecpi.com)
Date: Sat Jun 17 2000 - 14:28:29 MDT
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-extropians@extropy.com
> [mailto:owner-extropians@extropy.com]On Behalf Of john grigg
>
> I do feel "trapped" in the area of working and providing for my
> basic needs
> but than that is a good thing.
John, I don't see how feeling trapped could EVER be a good thing (I know you
were sort of joking, but I sensed a bit of belief there as well)!
When I moved recently(no choice) that drained my finances to
> where I could not afford the conference.
As long as you're alive there are always options for the future. And since
you apprently are healthy and not in prison, the number of options you have
is so great as to almost seem infinite. I've found that realization to be
one of the most exhilerating thoughts I've ever had. I cherish the
lifestyle I have right now, and part of what makes it good is that every day
I remember that I could choose to walk away from it and do something
completely different.
If you feel trapped, it might be an interesting exercise for you to think of
something really different from what you're doing now that sounds like fun,
and mentally go through all the steps you'd have to take to accomplish it.
Like...ummm...how about moving to Winnemucka, Nevada and getting a job in a
small engine repair shop. The steps to do this might include visiting
Winnemcuka to find a job, going back to Alaska and selling your furniture,
renting an apartment in Winnemucka, etc.
Or you could search the internet for something you're especially
interested in...if it were me, I think I'd do a search on the genetics of
peach trees. I'd find someone doing research in that area and imagine
trying to get them to hire me to assist with their work. If that strategy
didn't work, maybe I'd sign up for graduate school there and try to get a
fellowship or a teaching assistantship.
You mentioned that you wanted to get an education. I got the impression
that you meant a university degree. So maybe you'd want to figure out what
university would be fun to attend, again maybe do a search on something
you're really interested in and find someone or ones who are doing research
in that area. Then imagine writing to them to find out more about their
work and about the school, maybe going for a visit, taking the SAT or
whatever it is you have to do to get in, selling your furniture, renting an
apartment in the university town, finding a job there, etc.
As for next year's conference, you could start saving up money right now so
you'll be sure to have enough to attend.
> I am one of those people who don't like leaving my comfort zone
> and living
> in Alaska, my girlfriend and my little job here are a big part of
> that.
Well, that's understandable. Maybe you don't need to completely leave your
comfort zone. Just stretch it a little at a time. Here's something
interesting I noticed when I was learning how to fly airplanes. When I was
working on getting my landings smooth, I used to spend fifteen minutes or so
just sitting and thinking about landing the plane. I'd close my eyes and
picture myself turning from the downwind leg to crosswind and then onto
final. I'd imagine how I'd have to head a bit into the wind to keep lined
up with the runway and how I'd slip a bit to lose altitude if I had some to
spare. And so forth. I found that these pre-flight imagination sessions
dramatically improved my actual performance.
So I'm thinking that if you just mentally go through the steps of picking up
and moving, you might get so used to the idea that when you finally DO it,
you'll be taking your comfort zone with you.
Bonnie
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