My next book and subject to attack: The Four-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. Why did I get this book? I read his blog which has very original ideas related to successfully taking in massive amounts of information or otherwise controlling the flow of it in order to actually achieve what we all give up ourselves into technology for: a simple and enjoyable life.

Essentially, from what I know about the book and its philosophy is that it will offer ways for you to distance yourself from trading time for money by working on systems for your business instead of doing work directly. He also lays out ways to only check your email a couple of times a day (or in a more recent post, never check your email by teaching other people to think like you and respond for you). There is a theme in his message about outsourcing tedious and time-consuming tasks.

What do I expect out of this book? Well, while it seems a big more geared towards CEOs or entrepreneurs on their way to businessdom, I still know that I can soak in and apply some of his ideas to other random areas of my life. I fear the idea of a businessman hippie although I do enjoy checking and responding to emails throughout my working and playing day; it is seemingly a part of my reputation as a worker/nerd/geek. I also respect professors and professional contacts who will respond to my emails within a few hours, or at least the same day. Any other professional contacts who take longer than a day or two to respond, I can’t really take them seriously in life or in mind – just an effect of growing up in these modern days I suppose.

My thoughts on this topic can be summed up by: laid back and meditative, but idly spinning ideas and communicating to others. Of course, we will see what I actually get out of the book.

Yesterday I woke up at 10:00 am. Today I wake up at 4:30 am. Another week driven by my senses. Although the picture opportunities are nice, I wish that it would cease raining so that I could visit the forest comfortably.

Finally, I get paid to do what I love. This was exemplified on Tuesday of this week as I went along another typical day, creating fire models for the Fire Dynamics course and readying my lecture handouts. Later in the same day, I was told that would be my first paid working day. Instantly a feeling of satisfaction came across me. I quickly knew that something had gone right. In doing what I like to do, day after day, that day was no different. I learn, grow, and build, and I was doing just that, regardless if I was getting paid or not – what is known as value. A value of my own. Missing lunch on accident because I am too drawn into the dynamics of fire. Getting lost on a certain topic during a lecture that is newer within me. That value then translates to others. A value for others. It was a good day.

Mind wandering is easy, yet taxing. And value is deep inside the quiet.

I lead you to two articles from Meditation on Meaning. I think that you will like them. They came at a good time for me.

She Said Thank You

Time

This weekend is comprised of me reading some books from the library and studying a fire dynamics book with no obligations, really. It’s quite pleasant. I am currently reading ‘The Making of a Philosopher’ by Colin McGinn:

Here are some of my favorite selected quotes from the book thus far:

“I lived alone in a tiny, depressing bed-setting room [...] but I had more freedom to pursue my interests. Since I had no money there wasn’t much to do except read and talk (does poverty encourage literacy?).”

This is a very good one for now. I’m sort of limited on activities this weekend because I await the receipt of many checks and money from school and work, yet I have access to this boundless sea of knowledge around me in these wonderful books, thoughts, studies, and equations. A simple walk around Gaithersburg during a nice sunny Saturday or the contemplation of such an above quote while staring out the window for thirty minutes are the parts of life that are invaluable to me, yet I see myself and others skipping over these parts when everything is going ‘normal’.

“It is hard to exaggerate the importance of this type of contact between students and teachers; for you to believe in yourself, someone else you respect has to believe in you first. I try to keep my eye open for students who could benefit from this kind of attention and encouragement, while avoiding favoritism and excessive ‘mentoring’.”

I love this quote because I can speak firsthand about this. If it weren’t for the great mentors in my life, I would not be here working with the top scientists in the world. And, as one progresses in thought, mind, and book smarts, it is easy to forget that there is an obligation you have to ‘mentor’ the newer people coming in, no matter what level you have achieved or what field you are in. This is what makes the concept of thought work in life.

And finally:

“There is a period in one’s twenties when philosophical discussion with a friend can be the most delightful of experiences, and an ideal way to make progress in one’s thinking. And it helps relieve the solitariness that is so much a part of the contemplative life.”

This last one speaks great truths. Sure, I can perform all of my intellectual work within myself and solve great mysteries, but even sharing that with one other person in an eloquent way will serve to grow not only their mind, but yours. This happens as you try to come up with the words, writings, and gestures which translate your thoughts into something externally beneficial to another person.

So, what is a boring weekend to others sends me adrift in the universe in thought, wisdom, and a really fun time.

And people wonder why I read a wide range of subjects, such as philosophy books. Or they wonder what philosophy has to do with my life or fire protection engineering…

Have a pleasant weekend.