Go With The Moment, Be Happy And Shine

Summary

The author advocates for living life spontaneously, embracing the present, and being open to new experiences, which has led to personal growth and fulfillment.

Abstract

The article titled "Go With The Moment, Be Happy And Shine" discusses the author's lifestyle of minimal planning and the joy derived from living life as it comes. The author describes a daily routine that includes essential health maintenance but remains flexible for the rest of the day. This approach to life has allowed the author to enjoy a fulfilling existence, characterized by a love for writing and editing on Illumination, a strong sense of community with fellow writers and editors, and deep respect for Dr. Mehmet Yildiz. The author reflects on significant life changes, such as moving to Spain and Japan, which were embraced as opportunities rather than challenges. Despite facing personal losses, the author emphasizes the importance of being open to life's surprises and suggests that everyone can incorporate some level of spontaneity into their lives for a more invigorating and refreshing experience.

Opinions

The author believes that playing life by ear is more enjoyable and productive than following strict plans or regimes.
Routine is important for health maintenance, but the author values the freedom to decide how to spend the rest of the day.
The author expresses a deep love for their work on Illumination, driven by passion rather than financial gain or career advancement.
There is a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among the author and their colleagues, with special admiration for Dr. Mehmet Yildiz.
The author reflects positively on major life decisions, such as moving to Spain and Japan, viewing them as enriching experiences despite personal costs.
The article suggests that life's unpredictability should be embraced rather than resisted, as it can lead to unexpected happiness and fulfillment.
The author encourages readers to be open to new experiences, whether they originate from within or from external sources, and to prioritize happiness in the present moment.

Taking life as it comes makes everything so easy

Photograph by Kat Visuals on Unsplash

I spend very little time making plans, short term or long term. I also spend very little time following advice and regimes I see published anywhere. It is not because I don’t want to get better at anything or make better use of my time. It’s because by playing life by ear is so much more fun and fruitful to boot.

Yes, of course, I have some routines. I wake up the same time every morning. My essentials to maintain life are a visit to the bathroom, followed by taking my vitals (Temperature, blood pressure) and meds (blood pressure and steroids to control PMR) and breakfast. After that, anything goes.

Lunch is a moveable feast. I go with what my stomach tells me. My hunger can hit me at noon or as late as three in the afternoon. I eat light as a full stomach makes me sleepy. The rest of the day, at least until my lovely wife comes home from work, is mine to do as I please.

I am in the enviable position of not being contractually tied to any company or person. So I can pretty much do what I feel like doing. I can work as hard or as little as I like. Of course, I keep busy all day long. And, as a reader, writer, editor, I feel it an honour and a privilege to spend many hours on Illumination. I don’t do it for the money (which is just as well) and I don’t do it for career advancement. I do it for one or three very simple reasons.

First I do it for the sheer love and joy of it. Second I do it because I have an amazing network of friends and co-writers and editors. The editing team we have is truly amazing. In all of my life, I have never met such a well-oiled team. The love and mutual support, mutual beliefs and dedication to the causes of writing, editing and Illumination are nothing less than inspiring. And of course, the mutual admiration and respect we all have for Dr Mehmet Yildiz is the icing on top of the cake. The man is a legend amongst us.

Playing life by ear is a revelation. It is something I would recommend to anybody. It makes life an adventure full of all sorts of challenges and discoveries you never ever expected. In 1995 I moved to Spain and lost a fortune but gained a whole new insight, a new language, a son, and a whole new world of wonderful friends.

Sadly I lost a fortune, a wife and a son in the process. However, in the end I came out on top, and that's because life in Spain turned out to be a mere stepping stone to another whole new life in Japan. Had I not gone to Spain, I would not have met my present lovely wife and ergo I would have had the opportunity to be where I am today, in heaven.

In both cases I had to be open to the idea and willing to accept is as a challenge. So far I would say they were two of my better decisions in life. In other words, I'm loving it.

Now I know not everybody is in my highly fortunate position. But I do believe that everybody can dedicate some of their days to living in this way. If you do you will find it invigorating and totally refreshing.

I am not dictating to you how to live your life. That is something for you to decide. What I am suggesting is open at least some small part of your life to being open to running with whatever comes at you, either from external sources or from deep within your own heart and soul. Be open and flexible. If you feel it, do it. If you think it, do it. If it’s somebody else’s idea and you like it, try it. Whatever it is, just go with the flow. Try not to fight life, she’s bigger and stronger than you or I will ever be. Things happen for reasons, reasons which may only become clear much later on, sometimes years later!

Look after yourself to the best of your ability and within your means. After that, your life will take care of itself. Above all, be happy. You are here in the here and now, and that is all that you have to play with. Yesterday has been and gone and tomorrow may never happen. So just live for the now and run with it.