“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!
