Daily Whisper: April 2-6
Archive: April 6
Confessions of an Over-Giver
For most of my life, my over-giving problem was relatively contained, limited by my own resources. But then a few years ago I wrote this book called Eat Pray Love, which sold about a bajillion copies, thus transforming me overnight into a wealthy woman, and presenting me with the amazing newfound opportunity to not merely over-give but to over-over-give. Oh, bliss! I was like an alcoholic locked in a distillery—what wonderful and terrible luck!
So of course I went on a full-octane over-giving bender. I gave to some charities and good causes, but mostly I gave heaps of money to people I knew and loved. I paid off my friends’ credit card bills, caught them up on their mortgages, financed their dream projects, bought them plane tickets, tuition, therapy, gym memberships, vehicles. Sometimes (well, twice), I even bought them houses.
In short: Giving away money to my friends was so much goddamn fun!
Until suddenly it wasn’t.
Until suddenly I didn’t have some of those friends anymore.
Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s whole story: Oprah.com
Image Source: Hannah Whitaker
OTHER ARTICLES TO GET YOUR BUTT IN GEAR:
Ethiopian man constructs benches using only his feet
Next time you want to make up an excuse why you don’t want to go to work, think of Sentayehu Teshale. He is a true craftsman, who refuses to let his disability slow him down and make a living.
“In each age men of genius undertake the ascent.
From below, the world follows them with their eyes.
These men go up the mountain,
enter the clouds, disappear, reappear –
people watch them, mark them.
They walk by the side of precipices. They daringly pursue their road.
See them aloft, see them in the distance;
they are but black specks.
On they go. The road is uneven, its difficulties constant.
At each step a wall, at each step a trap.
As they rise, the cold increases.
They must make their ladder, cut the ice and walk on it,
hewing the steps in haste.
A storm is raging.Nevertheless, they go forward in their madness.
The air becomes difficult to breath.
The abyss yawns below them.
Some fall.
Others stop and retrace their steps; there is a sad weariness.
The bold ones continue.
They are eyed by the eagles; the lightning plays about them:
the hurricane is furious.
No matter, they persevere.”
Wake up 30 minutes early every morning
Get up 30 minutes earlier than usual so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness and other unnecessary headaches. Give it a legitimate try for 30 days straight and see how it impacts your life.
Source: Marc and Angel Hack Life
Don’t Ever Forget to Ask: ‘But What Then?’
I wanted to share an interesting story from “The 4-Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferris.
You may have heard this story before – or a variation of it – but it’s definitely worth hearing/reading again. (Especially if you are reading this blog at work – occasionally glancing at the clock and wondering why your day is dragging.)
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