Create #62: Should there be more to life than this?
1. Announcements/Offers
(From David) Do you struggle with insomnia?
I’m personally taking on five clients who are having trouble sleeping for more than a month. This is so I can pass on to others how I healed myself from this scary and debilitating condition. Price will be no barrier for these five positions – you’ll pay whatever you can afford.
Please email me directly at david (AT) getpaidforwhoyouare.com, telling me your current situation and 3 month goal that would light you up!
I’d also appreciate you forwarding this invitation to any friends with insomnia and/or anxiety.
2. FEATURE: Should there be more to life than this?
I was sitting unhappily with the thoughts:
“My life is not enough”
“This is not enough”
“There should be more to life than this”
More money. More partnership. More energy. More contribution. More success. More sex. More fulfilment.
If I had more of those things, my life would surely be perfect.
And then it started to dawn on me just a glimpse of the experiences that were actually available to me: right here, right now, this second.
I considered all the things I could do in my house in the next 5 minutes that might feel good or be fun. Then I thought of several things I could do within 5 minutes walk of my house that would be interesting. Then I thought of everything I could do within a 30 minutes drive or bus of my house – things that cost no money, or less than $5.
Then I thought of all the people I could invite over, or go and visit within a 30 minute radius, and multiplied this number by the number of activities I could do, I had an extraordinary number of people/activity combinations (e.g. Walk in the park with myself, make pancakes with Brenda). When I included phone calls as an activity, that included pretty much everyone I knew in the world.
I then considered how many movies I could watch – which would transport me into other worlds. Or the number of day dreams I could have to create my own worlds. Or the number of books I could read to learn or feel.
I considered the sunshine, the smoke of a log fire, the feel of rain on hot skin, the thrill of a volleyball game, calling to contribute to someone who’s lonely – even when I am too, and the simple joy of peek-a-boo with a neighbor’s child.
Most of this not even requiring money.
In any second we have an almost infinite number of experiences available to us – most of them not even requiring money.
What’s fascinating is that my mind is still able to hold the thought: “There should be more to life”…
And to actually believe it.
“There should be more to life”. Do you agree? Or disagree?
What, if anything, is shifting for you right now?
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Action
Post at the comments below if you agree or disagree with the phrase, “There should be more to life” and share any shifts for you.
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Enjoy!
P.S. Got a comment on this article? Add it to the comments below.
3. The Personal Touch
Well – it’s been SO long since the last issue.
I put my EVERYTHING into a book launch. What went well: raised $60,000 for Rainforest Foundation and One Laptop Per Child; self published a high quality book; raised profile and platform, including strong media mentions; contributed to thousands of lives; pioneered a new type of viral technique (with the google pin maps); developed loads of new content and product. What didn’t go well: Made a slight financial loss overall due to various reasons including investing $150,000 in the project to start with! And I burned myself out. But I’m glad I did it – I needed to get that out of my system. And it may ultimately make a profit in the looooong run.
Now I’m in a quiet/vacation mode waiting to see what energy arises next. What’s been coming through consistently is to help people cure their insomnia (and anxiety). I just took on one insomnia coaching client who is already having huge breakthroughs, and I’ve created 4 more coaching slots where I’ll take on people with serious insomnia for whatever they can afford. If this is you, just email me directly at david@getpaidforwhoyouare.com. I’d also appreciate you forwarding to any friends with insomnia, and inviting them to contact me.
Love, David
You can get on the Create a Life You Love newsletter list by going to: www.SolutionBox.com/freedownload.htm
Photo by Marc Smith
October 14th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
David,
There have been lots of people asking the same question. There was even at least one song, Is that all there is? Then let’s keep dancing.
As a matter of fact I help people who have that feeling, that deep down feeling, that there is more to life. I help them find it.
In reality, sometimes there is more but we just don’t see it.
In other times, less is more. As Ezra was saying tonight.
Sometimes it comes down to being truthful and honest with reality and ourselves.
Some say there is an after life and if they are right, that is really is more to life.
Some say what we do here determines how prepared we are for the life after we drop the earth suit.
David I want to thank you for the inspiration you have been to me. I am a life coach and I am looking for a better me. You help me be a better me.
I signed up for GPU for inner freedom.
COACH-DAYTON
October 14th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Hi David and all,
I love living by this…
all there is is this moment,
and this moment
and this moment
and this moment…
there is nowhere to get to… I am whole and complete
this gives me the freedom to create from nothing in each moment… don’t know how it works but it works.
What is shifting for me right now is the feeling of being driven, what is present is peace and focus
thank you, I get to give my “stuff” up,
ciao for now
Lisa
PS my web link is for my weebly site set up for my project. I now have 97 people following on fb (54 I don’t know and got my first comments from a dad, boy did I do a little dance!!)
October 14th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
The more for me is “Him.” I was made for a personal relationship with the living God who sacrificed His son Jesus to purchase that relationship.
HE is all the more I need and I believe that the resounding statement of “There should be more to life” is the call of a loving God speaking into our hearts that He is there to meet that need and that HE wants to be apart of every moment of our lives.
He loves us for our person not our performance and being loved like that is more than I could ever ask for. All that He requires His son has fulfilled for our sakes. That is crazy love and it makes me crazy in love with Him.
October 14th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Lisa,
I love that.
all there is is this moment,
This moment is precious.
I can tell that you have something good before that moment because of what you said after “all there is is this moment”
I know many, that to them “all there is is this moment” means anything goes because tomorrow we die.
Sounds like you cherish this moment
coach-dayton
October 14th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
1.proven fact: if you say every day just to 2 people or to yourself a few words of appreciation you will feel in 30 days 25% happier…
2.this is exactly why Buddha left the palace:) just sit naked under the tree… just to realize…. well, i’m sure you know the rest!
good luck! its a great place to be (i mean to ask those questions::)
October 14th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
There should be more to life. Hmmmm. Whenever I see the word should I think of rules and laws. I should do this or I should do that. I prefer the word could. There could be more to life. Could implies I am choosing not that I am somehow required. I could choose to have more to my life. I choose to see the beauty in the mundane and at the same time I choose to connect to something far greater. By seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary my life is automatically elevated no matter what I am doing. When raking the leaves I choose to see it as a dance rather than a chore. Shirley
October 14th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Hi David,
I enjoyed reading your “Should There Be More To Life Than This?” and I say it is what we make it. As people choose to move out of fear and living a more authentic life I believe this question will be asked less and less.
I am facilitating an event this weekend to help people do just that. It is through clearing/healing our fears, connecting with the Divine, ourselves and others that we can move into seeing the magical mysteries, sacred moments and miracles.
As you say, there is a plethora of activities that people can do if they could only see them. The problem is they are mired down in the illusion of “I can’t, I won’t, It isn’t possible, I will never, They will never” and on and on.
If they could just stop for a moment, turn on some fun music and dance out of their body all the yuck they are feeling then dance into their body their new intention of “living, loving, and being who they really are, their authentic self”. It would create a shift of I am enough, I am the one I have been waiting for, I can do anything I really desire to do, the possibilities are endless.
Movement is key. We have to start moving our bodies. Our bodies are meant to move and the more we move with intention the more we will see the positive shift that a lot of people are looking for bringing back the sacredness of life.
Much love and Blessings,
Magdalene Althea Morgan – Priestess on the Move – Dancing in the Sacred
Dragonwillow Journeys
Facilitates experiential events, workshops and multi-dimentionally transformative bodywork journeys
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragonwillow-Journeys/156761641007730?ref=sgm
October 15th, 2010 at 12:02 am
Hi David
I agree with your statement – re your opening email
I agree “that there is more to life” but I consider it is already there for us but with so many committments we fail to recognise it
I believe to recognise all we require to be still and contemplate (or that works well for me)
(You beautifully described in your opening email what activities we could think of that needed little or no money right under our nose)
I have been studying Philosophy for many years and this has made a huge difference to my quality of life – I find that doing service for people (with no gain to me)is excellent
This gives me fulfillment and satisfaction beyond belief
I believe I am on a spiritual journey to find my true nature and to try to put truth first in all that I do (not an easy task but very worthwhile)
Personally I have found that to try and make life as simple as possible and to be connected with the soil e.g. growing flowers/ vegetables/ fruit
If its going to be it’s up to me
Be present/ truth first to build a better me
Cheers Helen
October 15th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Yes! There’s a lot of good stuff in life. A LOT. It’s all here for us for the taking. In fact I’m trying to share it with 300 million Americans. Mail me your e-mail address and I willcut you in on it. I will want you to join in with me in the endeavor. Awaiting your response.
October 15th, 2010 at 12:47 am
David, indeed, “there should be more life”… and I base this on “less is more”.
Would not we have more life if we stopped the hunt for the material things? Im not saying abandon it but be conscious of where they come from, where they go and most importantly – do we need them? I find the more things surround me, the more I get distracted. For me, more life is more nature, less chemicals, less artificial items, and artificial friendships, more consciousness… “there should be more to life” than what we are leaving to our children, “there should be more to life” than what we teach them.
All the best to all of you!
Hana
October 15th, 2010 at 12:55 am
I believe life is what we create for ourselves. Life for a select few can be determined by luck and what situation their born into but for most people a successful or happy lifestyle is created by themselves. Obviously there are things that are often beyond our control. However many people have a certain attitude, mindset etc that drives them to the life they want to experience. I do agree with what you say though that many people dont see the natural, free and simple things in life as something to truely enjoy and appreciate. I think a person is bored and frustrated either when they expect everything to happen all at once or they just have a negative mindset and compare themselves to others or follow beliefs and patterns that have been passed on from family, friends, their community, society and the media. Instead of just beening an individual and enjoying beening you and doing the things you want rather than the things everyone else is doing or you thing you should do because other people thing you should do this and that or other people may like you better for doing this, that and the other. Everytime I feel myself getting bored. I say the quote: A bored person is a boring person, so do something about it and get your mind or body stimulated. There are infinity people to speak to and infinity activities to do, even infinity free activities to do, I think you have to appreciate the life you have because their are people out their that have things much worst. Theres nothing wrong in growth though. Weather it wealth, personal development etc but as long as you appreciate what you have in the now as well as contributing to future changes and developments. Natalie. X
October 15th, 2010 at 1:51 am
There is more to life and then having achieved that bit more, there should always be more still. It’s all about choice and how you answer the questions of what do you choose there to be more of, what do you choose to have less of, and what do you choose to take action on. Then of course, you have to follow that up by taking complete responsibility for it all.
October 15th, 2010 at 2:41 am
Hi David,
The first thing that struck me reading your article was that pretty much all the things you mention are things outside of yourself. It is my experience that when we define the fullness of our lives totally outside of ourselves, the way we experience life is a reflection of our inner world, our inner thoughts and dialogue. If we don’t feel we ourselves are enough, it becomes increasingly hard to find the expressions and experiences outside of ourselves being enough.
It seems that in our world today we are more and more focused on ‘doing’ ~ indeed all the activities you listed you could do for $5 or less within a 30 minute radius of where you live ~ rather than ‘being’.
As soon as we feel, and really believe, that we are enough, that we can be reliable to ourselves, don’t feel guilty about the things we feel, do, say ~ then our lives tend to become that much richer, more fulfilling…
Of course that is under ‘normal’ circumstances.
Add burnout into the mix, and all of a sudden you find yourself in a situation where, for all intends and purposes you are reinventing yourself, redefining how you see yourself and how you feel about yourself and the life you have build for yourself.
So all in all, I agree. There should be more to life!
Yet for me it starts with ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’.
October 15th, 2010 at 3:32 am
The word “more” is the problem. More doesn’t ever do it, with money, sex, whatever – we’re thrilled with more for a few weeks or few months, and then our normal dissatisfiction re-emerges.
“Different, and why!” might be a better focus.
October 15th, 2010 at 5:01 am
Hi David,
Reading your newsletter at 3:53am and thinking about your question. In the same way that you can hold multiple, seemingly contrasting emotions, I believe both yes and no, simultaneously.
I’m a consistent believer in ‘now is the only time there is’ yet pay attention to an inner urging that asks me to pay attention to the next step, to what else. Discerning what is inner guidance from old patterns of not being enough is my challenge.
I continue to explore who else I am while staying present and grateful for what is and, mostly, who I am now.
PeaceElyse
October 15th, 2010 at 6:05 am
There is a plethora of life.
There is only so much ‘of it’ we can tap into at any one moment in time…
Everyone gets ‘bogged down’ in their busy-ness…that is why moments taken to stop and look in all different directions (access the breadth of life) are crucial to our awareness of ‘life’.
But: makinging choices does not equal missing out.
Enjoying your own little ‘bubble’ is not a bad thing.
Life is bigger than all of us, that’s the beauty of it!
There ‘should’ only be more to life, when you are not seeing or feeling satisfied with the amount of ‘life’ you are experiencing…or sometimes, maybe, you just need to be reminded that your little bit of life suits you just fine…
October 15th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Although it’s obvious, I’ll say it anyway. We are born, we grow, we learn to think, we learn to love and we learn to do. What we do and who we are is enough if we accept life as it unfolds and are content with ourself, holding love in a humble heart. If we would desire more of anything, it could be more acceptance of our own situation in life. Acceptance clears a path towards a more contented life. We can then rejoice that we arrived with nothing and will leave with nothing.
October 15th, 2010 at 7:49 am
What if you consider a different question; “Where am I choosing Life and where am I choosing Death?” Yes a deliberately strong and pointed question asking you to be very clear about your dual nature and the way the lines get blurred between what inspires you and what drains you. It is often said that there are only two energies “Love and Fear” and in their expression those two energies can be witnessed as “Life and Death”. When I ask the question “Where am I choosing Life and where am I choosing Death” it has me looking at the areas of my life that are not moving with the grace of love. I am then able to look at and begin unraveling the story and the actions that has me choosing Death which inspires me to bring light to my Life.
October 15th, 2010 at 8:08 am
“there should be more life”, or “is this as good as it gets”.
There were a lot of lofty and wise comments by many people. Sometimes people have a journey that isn’t “fixed” with a slogan, or a savior, or a therapist. Sometimes a club foot, is a club foot and you still have to take the trip to Mordor and walk on that foot. It may be painful and miserable in many ways. Sometimes the club foot is in your mind or related to some deep trauma that makes you feel crippled and maybe there is no healing it. Maybe sometimes life “sucks and then you die”. Sometimes you just have to endure what is and not try to fix it or make yourself ‘better”. “Suffering is life’s way of bringing you deeper into yourself to find divinity” (Ram Dass) Desire for more is like tropism, it moves us toward the light. The Universe is an ever expanding organism. So wanting more is built in to the whole system. It’s the minds attachment to the outcome of the desire or not getting the fulfillment of the desire that can cause the suffering. Accepting what is regardless of the situation is the only way to not suffer. It’s not giving in or giving up. It maybe a surrender to what is. “There should be more life”, we need to take out the should, there is more to life. My life is very hard often. I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on workshops, therapy, sacred journeys, oils, herbs, weeks of silent meditation and I come back to my mental club foot when I get back into my life. So what. I have lived on the drug “hope”, I have used other drugs, relationships, sex and other mood altering behaviors. The reality is I have to be in this now with what is. Find w way to live what Rumi says “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Ride the wave.
Chris
October 15th, 2010 at 9:49 am
My thoughts on “there should be more life”, or “is this as good as it gets”.
I agree with Shirley, should creates a feeling of responsibility and rules ,etc..
I would also rephrase this to: “there could be more life”, or “is this as good as it gets”. Rephrasing it this way seems to open up the feeling of so much more opportunity. My mantra every day is “I’m not who I think I am; I only experience life through who I think I am.” That phrase reminds me that everything i experience in life is based on what I’m believing and thinking. It’s those thoughts that create my experiences of life. It reminds me that the only limitations I have in life are those I have placed on my self. I know that when I am done with this current experience in Life that I can and will create more of Life.
October 15th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Wanting ‘more’ out of life is not so much about not having anything to do as it is about needing a purpose fir your life or having a goal that motivates you. I’ve been feeling this need for ‘more’ for a year or so. The kids have flown the nest, my construction related business is faltering due to the economy. I feel like I just do’t want to play anymore. At this point I’m keeping my eyes ope for the next life project to get me motivated and fired up to participate again. When I’m motivated to accomplish something, I don’t find myself thinking “there should be more to life”!
October 15th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Yes there is always more to life! Think of it as something so big that no body will ever get to the end of it. Otherwise we do not need to live the life ahead of us?
This is what keep us going everyday, every second in our life. This is what motivate us to do better, do something new, see something different.
It will be better to think of a purpose in life and take that path to your new life. Transform yourself from time to time just like the silk worms or snake in nature
October 15th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Hi David;
In my view and understanding, to agree or not agree with that statement can create a similar dilemma for one somewhere in time and space resulting in all manner of answers or constructs that may or may not be productive or progressive as very few people truly understand how the mind really works. I’m not professing that I know all there is to know so with that in mind, may I please offer the following as different perspective! Thank you.
Firstly, the phrase “There should be more to life” ALREADY exists as a belief in your mind which was adopted somewhere in time — which could have been anywhere from after conception on. That I can fully guarantee. When or where it was adopted doesn’t really matter once it has been adopted, as once adopted, it grows in power and force and eventually begins to influence many aspects of a person’s life and will always beg the question “Is there more to life?’ or “There must be more to life.” until that command belief/dictate is completely removed from one’s mind — not over-ridden or circumvented.
Secondly, shifting perspectives is very helpful but is not the true solution to such command dictates in one’s mind. Those dictates, are in the vast majority of cases, unconscious or unbeknownst to most person yet influences them in ways they aren’t often aware of and the person will always find themselves in a battle or struggle to understand why they are motivated in such and such a way or having such and such feelings when they would actually like things to be different. In your case, because of your level of development and self-introspection, you have become aware that it exists but the understanding still eludes you. (Sorry, don’t mean to be offensive but the question mark in your mind still exists.) To be truly free of that dictate/force, it truly must be eliminated as a dictate, else it will persist until fully acknowledged for what it actually is and handled accordingly.
Thank you for listening.
John
October 15th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I don’t ‘should’ on myself. I could or I may or I will. If I’m not watching my wording and I happen to ‘should’ on someone else I quickly change it to ‘could’ – it reminds me of choosing and the awesome power within that freedom.
Every choice I make, I’m learning, is creating my world of reality. If I don’t feel good inside I create crap and the consequences to clean up afterward. When I feel good, positive, up I don’t even have to put forth much effort and I’m experiencing a whole network of joyful experiences that I can tuck away in my mind to rekindle a smile if I’m experiencing negative emotions. I’ll admit it’s easier written than done in my case. For me it takes vigilance, perseverance and constant self awareness. Going inward has changed me and my personal outlook. Life’s amazing from that POV!
So what’s shifting for me right now? I’d have to say the way I operate in this amazing quantum field of light.
Love you David and all you are for us this time around ; )
Cathy
October 16th, 2010 at 12:18 am
Hi David
That is an interesting post. I have been receiving your newsletters since your early and I am thinking that perhaps you have a lot more now than you did back then and have grown into a fine person.
I used to always feel there should be more, but now I believe that
I am enough for me
I have enough, I do enough, I give enough
I am enough for me.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Hi there, David,
Such a personal, poignant question….. is/should there be more to life.
For this person, there will, always should be more to life as this inspires, drives one.
It’s a delicate balance to be happy where one is, yet strive for betterment of one’s potentials.
So, I love where I am.
And, I love where I’m going!!!!!
October 17th, 2010 at 8:41 am
David,
I’ve been living a real Hell for a while now. Things went so bad with the economy that I’m in bankruptcy, foreclosure and my car died, and with very bad credit, it almost impossible to get a new car/used car. I just got one at 24.9%!!!!! I have never been this unhappy/down, the only thing that keeps me going is my daughter & my grandsons and they have no idea how bad things are. So I have to get up each day and “jump start” myself, which is starting to work, and look around and say the things that you mentioned. I have my health, my home, (hopefully) good friends & a loving family and the business is turning around! There are people out there so much worse than me… I have to thank God for what I have each day and move on!!!
October 17th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Hi David,
When I feel that way, I sometimes go back to these beautiful words of reality:
“There is no way to happyness. Happyness IS the way.”
So I try to “love what is” and let myself be. Then I realise that, after all, we live in frekking Paradise! !
Happy to hear from you again, thanks and take care!
MF
October 17th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Hi David,
thanks for reminding me of this important issue. Happiness is possible each moment, each moment has enough, more than enough, possibilities to enjoy and to experience happiness and fulfilment. Sometimes I forget. So – thanks for reminding me with a clear story and nice examples how each moment can give us happiness.
What is shifting for me right now. The awareness that I sometimes forget to appreciate live as it is, as I described above, and the awareness that I am still attached to the believe that happiness is in making more money, getting a better job, having more status. And at the same time I feel that it is okay to have dreams, to feel energized by putting ideas into action and realizing things in the material or immaterial world.
Keep up the good work,
Dennis
October 18th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Hi David,
There is always “more to life” – you have just got to know how/where to find it. The motivated ones will find their “more”, the less motivated will wonder continuously, ” is there more to life than this?”
Be good to yourself
David
October 20th, 2010 at 7:28 am
I enjoyed the reminder that the best experiences in life are the ones that are available to us daily.
October 24th, 2010 at 1:12 am
David:
What has happened with your Get Paid Continuity Program?
Did I miss something or did it go away?
There didn’t seem to be much content when I joined X number of months ago.
I will check to see if my credit card has been run for the monthly membership fee.
If my card is being used, please have one of your people contact me as soon as possible at my email address enclosed here so I can cancel it.
Cheers!
Miles
October 24th, 2010 at 1:18 am
PS.
David,
Yes, MORE isn’t always better, is it?
Are you experiencing major depression?
I am a therapist with expertise in depression and anxiety.
I hope you are in a safe place and not considering hurting yourself.
Are you safe?
If you feel like chatting about this in real time, feel free 503-816-4960.
No charge.
Be well.
Blessings,
Miles Richmond
November 19th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
thanks Miles – I don’t have any depression at all.
The point of the article was intended to be quite different.
Nice of you to offer
David
November 19th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Best to ask at our support page at http://www.solutionbox.com/support.htm
http://gpu.getpaidforwhoyouare.com is rocking! LOADS of content in there now. Plus 3 training calls each month.
D
November 19th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Wow David, great message my friend.
Ahhh, the power of gratitude and being “present”.
I just got off the phone with a good friend and partner Martin Howey, he just informed me that he has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has been given 6 months to live. Crazy right?
What amazes me about this is that Martin is and has always been so full of joy and contribution.. he has decided to spend the rest of his days traveling, speaking and inspiring others about the magic and important lessons that he has learned in life.
I’m so inspired!
As for me, this month marks my 10 year anniversary of surviving stage 4 Melanoma. see: http://MyBattleWithCancer.com Talk about feeling blessed!
I realize these are difficult times for many…
As you’ve said many times before, these challenging times challenge us to get really clear as to what is TRULY important in our lives… after all, it really isn’t all about the money is it? Life is short.. let’s count our blessings and take on the attitude of gratitude.
Thanks for all you do David, you are a good friend and a blessing to us all.
- Travis
November 23rd, 2010 at 4:34 am
That is some interesting thing. Life is all about living and not complaining and stuff like that. We should keep moving forward in life.