A Broad-Minded Student of Life

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”_Henry Miller

Henry Miller is an American writer, whom some people may not prefer to be their role model. 

While I understand the reason behind such reasoning, yet, in a quest to be an all-round student with a broadminded heart, I feel we can learn a thing or two from him—and anyone for that matter—on how to maximize our own potential in life.

Remember, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. And if we are truly committed to personal growth and improvement, we can extract wisdom in anything and from anyone— at any time.

Therefore, I have collected ten insights from some of Henry’s work. The first seven relates to the rules he used to guide his practice in particular, and the last three relate to his take on life in general.

Now let’s get down to the business of learning.

  

Seven Rules of Work

1} Work on one thing at a time until it is finished.

2} Forget the books you want to write; think only of the book you are writing. In other words, focus only on the job at hand, whether it is writing, painting or building.

3} Work according to your plan and not according to your mood; then learn to stop at the predetermined time.

 4} Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers. In other words, be bias toward making the current work more solid and sound. Don’t diffuse your efforts.

 5} Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only. In other words, do great work, but make it fun.

 6} Concentrate and narrow down on what really matters. Get rid of the non-essentials.

 7} Work calmly and joyously on whatever is at hand.

 And lastly here are Miller’s insights about life.  

Profound Views on Life

“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, serenely, divinely.”

“If there is to be any peace it will come through being, not (through) having.”

“Everything hinges on how you look at things.” In other words, when the perceiver changes, that which is perceived also changes.

I hope you can find at least one idea quite useful in your own world.

Cheers!