A Philosopher’s Adventure #20

Episode #20 - I’m Talking About Good Foundations

Good Foundations Take Time

The building progress in this episode centers around the deck that will be used as a living space while the cabin is being renovated. This is a wonderful demonstration of how good foundations take time to create and the benefits they can provide. In this case, getting the deck to a usable place takes the full week. The foundations we live on give us support for our first steps. Other examples of foundation building we see in this episode include preparing a sizable order of lumber. Martijn builds a rack where the lumber can stay while he builds the footings. It’s such a simple idea; making parts of your life easily accessible when you use them to improve your life makes every step easier.

If we think about it, most of the work Martijn has undertaken so far is foundation work for the renovation of the cabins, which hasn’t started yet. This is what I mean when I say good foundations take time. What must we do to keep ourselves on the ever-changing path while staying pointed toward our goal? Martijn has a clear vision of what he wants in his life. Personally, I had a general idea of what I wanted in life for a long time. The more refined the idea of my life, the more interest I have in its pursuit. I notice the change in motivational intensity as the definition is refined for my life’s vision. It’s not like my idea of what life looks like is that far off from my general plans; I feel like I am living my life rather than passing through the background.

Martijn the Botanist

As the greenery on the mountainside takes over the property, Martijn becomes a botanist. He starts using an app to identify the vegetation around his home. Taking an interest in the things around us builds a connection to our surroundings. I fear that we rush from place to place and don’t take the time to know or “feel” our surroundings. The act of living disconnects us from where we are living. In Martijn’s case, he has endless visual interest forever on a stage of change. Martijn also doesn’t have to spend money whenever he walks out his front door. I understand the struggle. That means we need to be more aware when we do leave our homes.

When I go for a walk during my breaks at work, I listen to the birds and watch them make their nests. There is a mud nest bird that lives in the area of my work, and it’s nesting season. A collective of raccoons live near the parking lot, and the crows seem to have become less active after the area with the long grass was mowed. These are the things I notice when I am in the world. Martijn’s version is taking coffee to the overlook that we see repeatedly, and for good reason.

Don’t let the rush of life insulate you from your surroundings.

Outro

The frame of the deck is finished at the end of the week. Lots of time and effort have been put into this deck and there is more to go of both. These foundations take time. However, a foundation here is what allows for progress “over there.” Not all our foundations can be as tangible as a wooden deck. Take the time to notice foundations that can give you control of your personal growth. When we take the time to notice our own, we can pass the knowledge on to those who have yet to find their own. I wish I had learned most of these lessons of this story earlier in life. However, one of the lessons is living in the moment, and the moment isn’t worried about what has passed, only what we can do now. The moment is super sneakily interested in helping the future. Actively living your life in the moment will heal the past and benefit the future.

Thanks for reading, see you next time.

CHR;)