Hi, Bunk Struts! So, would you advise us to want what we DO have then? I had a guinea pig once…

I want a million dollars. And a capybara.

OK, RA, you have my official permission to want $3 mil instead of $1. This offer only available to residents of New York, and certain parts of California and Hawaii. Thanks for the Frankl mention, I have read his work, and he offers a compelling story to back up his philosophy. Indeed, attitude may be not only all that we can control, but the only reality there is! As for controlling the illusion…oh, my…gee…wow. I’ll have to give that some thought! You’ve turned things around, and now I’m standing on my head! Maybe getting some blood to rush up there will do me a world of good. And thanks for the wikipedia link. I read there that there is to be a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast next year, originally suggested by Frankl. I’ll have to follow that story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl

GREAT post, Muse. Such a fun ride. I’d like to add that when we’ve tried all else, there is one thing we can control that no one can take from us. To quote Victor Frankl “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” For those who don’t know him, he survived a concentration camp by finding ways to find meaning through his mental life, a power he said we all have. Might we call it a control over illusion rather than illusion of control, perhaps?

I’m glad – you’ve given me something to meditate on. I guess the real answer to these questions will come in a full-fledged post…

—all relative, yes?

Indeed! We are, of course, now looking toward CERN, if there is any doubt at all that we have but a mere pinhead of knowledge – that will show it.

In tools, you are correct, I did mean those, too.

Hmmm, I think you’re right that many people don’t know what they want, leap. Is that OK, though? I like your list of the things you like doing. You bring up a good point in observing that many, even if given all the time, money, etc. they could need to cover basic survival issues would not budge from the sofa. Without the motivation of “having” to go to work, a lot of people would become depressed and listless. How did we get to such a state? I feel that breaking up life into sections such as work:leisure:family, for instance is artificial and part of the problem. Maybe because I grew up in an area of small family businesses where the owner’s kids were running in and out of their stores, work always seemed more village-y and organic to me.

Hi, Edward. While I don’t usually publish comments from people linking to business enterprises, you actually had some comment content beyond “nice blog” which I found refreshing! I liked what you said about needing to feel inner truth in ones heart. Thanks!

yogini, I appreciate it. Peace Om.

VS: Me, me, me! “Who’s the dreamer, and wherefore the dream?” I do believe you have defined reality.

That’s a fascinating concept, Will, The Cynic! “We haven’t invented the tools to do so.” Hah! And of course you’re referring to mental as well as physical tools. Your “speed of light” illustration is so apt, here. Physics has “proved” this is impossible; therefore it is—until it’s not. We used to think that the four-minute mile was impossible too. Light speed, Mile speed; Kilometer speed; —all relative, yes?

You need goals to shoot for, Shane? Well, that’s a great reason to do anything! You’ve found something that motivates you and gives you meaning. Indeed. As for money, sure, go ahead and do that research to see if it actually buys happiness, would you? Then report back here, if you would. I’d really like to know. Wasn’t it Mae West who said “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor…Believe me, rich is better!”?