11 Comments
User's avatar
Peck Gee Chua 蔡佩芝's avatar

Wonderful piece! And you rightfully noted that our energy is also finite, like other resources around us. So we need to be better in saying no to the good and focus on the great - putting in the big rocks first as you noted.

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Thanks for reading and commenting, Peck!

Expand full comment
Liz Haswell's avatar

I am so familiar with the feeling of a car stuck in drive, and it’s lovely to have this list of ways to get into another gear. I’m inspired by the possibility of gaining new skills in this area.

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Thanks for reading and commenting Liz! Your writing about the stresses and strains of an academic career is valuable because it gives many of your fellow professors permission to take their suffering seriously.

Expand full comment
Liz Haswell's avatar

💚

Expand full comment
Michelle Scorziello's avatar

I like that idea of big rocks and what a great analogy: the brain like a car. When constantly in drive energy depleting, life moving past. Have you thought of telling your clients to be more cat?

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Oh darn, I missed out on the brilliant Rx to have more cat-itude! When you write the book and offer your seminar about that, sign me up. Curious minds want to know more!

Expand full comment
mark pro's avatar

I really appreciate the analogy, Baird. A timely reminder, due to my recent retirement. I'm dropping some old stressful habits that keep me in "Drive" but lead nowhere positive. Restructuring over here.

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Thanks for that good comment Mark. I agree that figuring out how to "downshift" from highway speeds to a more leisurely drive in later life is a smart move. Avoids many accidents!

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

A very impressive and useful presentation Baird. It makes me look at meditation from a new perspective and that's a good thing! Thanks!

Expand full comment
Baird Brightman's avatar

Thanks Michael. Coming from an experienced practitioner, that's nice to hear!

Expand full comment