First, here is how Andy says he has always approached life. Basically, he has always wanted to get the boring stuff done so he could do the fun stuff. Of course this means there was little joy in the 'boring' activities,... he was always looking forward to the good times to come. Sound familiar?

Awhile ago he says he tried changing his approach to activity, as I had been suggesting – a way that makes all action feel 'whole' (some might even say joyful). Years ago I gave this approach a motto: 'Enjoy what you do rather than do what you enjoy'. My observations traveling in primitive areas, like the jungles in Borneo, suggest that this way was more common initially - in hunter gatherer times before civilization brought wealth, innovation and variety. This has cause our forever expanding expectations about what a 'good life' should be. We have traded enjoying activity in the moment for the increasing desire to do what we enjoy.

The Eastern civilizations have created a few disciplines that focus on turning back to action in the moment, e.g., yoga, tai chi, blowing Zen. However, they only set the stage. We, the actors, must supply the self honesty to the action. On the other hand, I've notice that the regular practice of these helps me be self honest in my life's mundane activity as well. At least, that's my hunch. For example; when I wash dishes I feel a parallel to Tai Chi and move more gracefully; for singing, I feel a song is like doing a yoga posture; the same applies to brushing teeth, pulling weeds, etc. Each action, though seemingly different, shares profound similarity with all other action - you know,... mysterious sameness. (Of course, that's what I'm looking for so that's what I see .)

The difficulty inherent in doing any 'special action', including those disciplines mentioned above, is the same that often underlies going to church on Sunday. How about the rest of the time? Doing our 'special duty' make us feel great, and this lets us off the hook for being as careful at the end as at the beginning of everything we do. In the end, self honest is crucial; without it, we are just going through the motions, holding out expectantly for the good and beautiful we cherish so.

Oh, by the way, Andy say that this being as careful at the end as at the beginning of everything he does, to the extent he can, feels much better so far! A-men