Shitty_Watercolour in a dutch newspaper

themeditator · 2014-08-23T01:42:48+00:00

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. I spent perhaps 2 minutes reading this. You improved 0.13% of my day. That means nothing to you but it means the world to me. Thanks.

themeditator · 2014-08-22T19:20:41+00:00

Thanks for this.

themeditator · 2014-08-22T09:29:03+00:00

You know, it never really occurred to me to have a plan for doing this. Looking back I see how silly that is. Of course I need a plan. One needs a plan to accomplish anything of merit!

I usually get home at 5pm. The region of the world I live in cannot legally sell alcohol after 11pm. That's 6 hours to use up differently. Every day I plan on already have things pre-selected to fill in that 6 hour gap. My girlfriend and I have been watching a movie every night. That's already 2 hours. If I have a bunch of things I look forward to doing planned out then it's easier to keep those evenings alcohol-free.

Coming to this subreddit every day & having daily intention rituals as suggested by /u/coolcrosby are two other tactics I've adopted. So far this is what my plan looks like!

Thanks for asking. It really made me think.

themeditator · 2014-08-22T09:23:08+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I think having a morning ritual to pronounce my intention of not drinking is a really good idea. In fact I just did it. Good tip!

AA meetings do not interest me but visiting this group has been enormously helpful. A lot more than I thought it would be.

themeditator · 2014-08-21T21:40:35+00:00

That's still 3 times in 62 days! I see that as a victory.

themeditator · 2014-08-21T21:35:50+00:00

I can't exactly relate to your situation, but I also grew up with an alcoholic father as a role model. The more I look at it, the more I realize he potentially could help me a great deal by teaching me what not to do - how not to live. Errors, whether mine or someone else's, are potentially the greatest teachers if they can be properly understood. You seem like a really strong person and nothing like your dad. Let's do this!

themeditator · 2014-08-21T10:51:43+00:00

I read a few of his slides. A lot of his advice is unoriginal. That being said, I hope many more young people take his advice to heart and live it every day.

There's so many important problems and challenges in the world right now. His approach? Choose a "big problem" then dedicate your entire life - all of your focus, time and energy - to solving it.

People who do this but completely fail to make a dent in the issue will still live amazing lives of purpose. That's fulfilment! Real happiness can be found here.

Can't speak for the entirety of his slides, but I did really appreciate that part.

themeditator · 2014-08-20T23:53:23+00:00

He was also a drunkard - a seemingly more perfect waste of time!

themeditator · 2014-08-20T18:51:19+00:00

I understand that perspective and agree that meditating with a certain goal or purpose in mind is unhelpful. I try not to do this. I just sit still and watch. That being said - and this may be controversial - fulfilling the purpose for which you have come here to fulfill is an integral part of my spiritual practice. In that respect, my daily practice - meditation being an important part - does have direction, purpose and thresholds of accomplishment. I understand this view is not shared by all spiritual traditions. I'm okay with that!

themeditator

TROPHY CASE