exhale

I'd like to hear how/where individuals meditate? In bed? On your floor in your room? Outside? In your car? Also, Does anyone use any form of shrine or routine sensory support (music, incense, crystals, etc.).

@lostmedstudent I can relate on some level, as I am a veterinarian, and had followed a similar, lengthy path to receive my medical training. I was fortunate to obtain the residency I desired, so I can only empathize with your disappointment. I think your feeling of overwhelm, disappointment and displeasure with the system are understandable. Make sure you remind yourself that this pain will reduce with time, there is some relief that comes with knowing the pain will subside. My recommendation would be to reframe the circumstance. Your options (in general) are two. 1) Move forward in family medicine, embrace it as the path that has chosen you. Focus and recognize all of benefits, and except some of the drawbacks. It seems that half of what a family medicine doc does it help people with mental issues (anxiety, depression, etc.). With a special interest in psychology/therapy, you can provide a lot of value for your patients on the front line. Perhaps it isn't what you envisioned, but on some level you can work in a similar capacity and really help your patients. 2) Do the family medicine residency, then continue to pursue a psychology residency. Target two psychiatry programs and spends weeks to months volunteering with their teams. You have to play the game. They will rank you higher if they like you.

I have struggled with a similar mindset. I work in a medical field and I used to get really "up" when I had good patient outcomes. It would boost my ego, and I took it personally. Then, when I had an inevitable negative patient outcome, I would take it personally, and it would deflate my ego, and it would consume me. With time, I continue to tell myself to not take so much credit when there is a good outcome, and not take so much blame when there is a poor outcome. Essentially, I recognized this pattern, and I reframed my self-talk and focused on taking pride in my communication and work ethic opposed to outcome. It doesn't completely excuse my feelings from being engaged, but the magnitude of my emotional engagement has been greatly reduced.

I am not going to waste my time watching the video. Though, as stated before, actualized does have a recipe that is consistent with early cult formation. The idealization and unquestioned acceptance of Leo's teachings by some (not all) is a concerning starting point. As Leo stated, there are cults and cult-like organizations. Actualized is the latter in this situation. I have benefitted greatly from Actualized and Leo, and do not say this with any defamatory intent. But we all need to be careful with how this group moves forward. I believe Leo has also stated this in the past himself.

@Inder That isn't what I said. I said that happiness can be found in any situation, in theory. Though, if you can change your circumstances to a more positive one, you should absolutely do that.

@TheSomeBody Maybe you don't understand my question. You state that "you know the material perfectly", but you "failed" the exam. So, how did this happen? Did you literally hand the exam in thinking that you aced it, but then when you got the grades back, you failed. Or, did you know when you handed the exam in that you probably didn't do well (poor exam performance).

@TheSomeBody Do you have any insight into why your grades are poor, and you feel like you know the material perfectly? What is the disconnect? Do you have text anxiety, or challenges performing on examinations?

@Inder It is possible to find happiness and contentment in any situation. If you have the opportunity to change (improve/upgrade) your employment situation to a more favorable one, you should do that, there is no reason to continue with a unfulfilling job on principle. Though, it should be said that having a fulfilling career isn't a panacea; it helps to improve the quality of your life, but it doesn't cure all.

Is English your second language? Is it possible that some deficiencies with your grammar/spelling and punctuation is a contributing factor to your challenges (lack of success) with examination?

@ROOBIO : Ha! I asked this same question some time ago. I can say that (although I appreciate the input of others) I still don't have clarity on this issue. I do wish Leo would do an episode on it. The thing that is troubling is that I have pursued things that I fear are the wrong decision for me, and they have turned out to be wonderful choices for me. If I would have followed my intuition, I would have not pursued them. Life would have been fine, but I probably would have regret about not doing these things because my intuition told me that it was not the right decision for me. Life is complex

@Annoynymous I believe it is, but I do not know how Canada would relate to other countries. To be successful, your entrepreneurial activity needs to provide value to the consumer. Therefore, it is the quality and uniqueness of your "product" that matters. Shitty generic ideas won't work in even the most entrepreneurial society.

@Annoynymous In Canada, There are very few situations or employers that would request your specific grades, having the distinction (bachelor, masters, phd, etc.) is typically sufficient. How you present with your resume/CE, your writing skills, your language skills, your interpersonal skills and general communication skills are more important than grades.

@StarStruck People are probably more confused by wondering how you financially support yourself without said job, than actually being confused why you don't have a job.

I am looking at local school options for my child (going into kindergarten). There is a local Waldorf school. In general, I had a really great vibe from this school as being warm and inviting. Also, they seem to focus on creativity, open-mindedness, character development and developing community in their mandate. Though, there is some mystery and peculiar concepts in their pedagogue and history. They are very into mythology, and (according to their wikipedia page) believe in gnomes, and have a philosophy that children shouldn't read until their adult teeth erupt. None of these peculiar items were discussed at the open house. Does anyone have experience they would share about Waldorf Schools? Recognizing that they are all a little bit different, but I want to make sure I am not being misled and am placing my child into a good learning environment. Thanks

I appreciate your input @loub @Serotoninluv There is always some apprehension that we would be doing a disservice to our kids, in that they would not thrive in a university situation (if that was the path they chose) due to the lack of conventional "grooming".

@Raptorsin7 To discover myself. @Chumbimba There is a journey to understanding that everything leads to now, no? And there is value in that journey. I am not anti-psychedelics, I am open to the rationale that there is often more value in the journey. The analogy of resistance to innovation is accurate in many respects, but there are many facets of experience that it doesn't hold up. Insert software engineer: "why actually spend time with your family and friends when you can just follow each others activities on instagram". I don't think I need to explain why this is a fallacy and has negative consequences for the human condition.

There is merit to the idea that there is more value in the journey, than the destination. Not to say that expediting the process is right or wrong. Ease up friends @Leo Gura @Raptorsin7

I am not saying to forgo your parent's financial support during this endeavor, because this is a blessing. But, the strings attached to it do complicate and perhaps compromise your judgement and decision making. There are careers in traditional philosophy, in that you could teach philosophy at a university. As far as carving our a career in what I would call e-philosophy: this is the Wild West my friend. It is the equivalent to saying I want to be a rock star. Certainly, there are many people that are rock stars, someone does have to be the rockstar--so why not you?. Though, it takes more than just hard work to make it happen, intangible things. You need to have charisma, you need to be credible, you need to have valuable and novel content, timing is a factor (by the time you study enough to have these aforementioned criteria, the platforms for e-philosophy may have all drastically changed). Ultimately, it is your life. I am 100% on board with embracing passions and following your life purpose, but you need to recognize that you would be leaving a "sure thing for financial safety" to something that has "zero financial safety". I hesitate to fully support this type of mindset, it is like a high school career counsellor telling the kid that wants to be a rock star: "forget about school, focus 100% on being a rockstar". In reality, some kids will become rockstars, but many become depressed individuals with alcohol and substance abuse problems, with no solid education or training program to support themselves. Given you offered that you want to do what Leo is doing. Consider that Leo's path took him down a "somewhat" traditional training program and career. This was part of his journey and I suspect shaped a lot of his character qualities, not to mention gave him some financial stability in his earlier years. I believe he has said that he did lots of learning/studying in his time after his 40-h job. I suspect he would not have been able to financially support himself without this early traditional training. If you love it so much, consider balancing your current education with self-philosophy study. This choice will be one of the defining decisions of your life. Be strategic and be careful. Balance the ideologic aspirations with prudence.

Is your life purpose well thought out, strategic and logical?

@Dylan Page What do you do that makes the world a better place for someone or something else?

@bejapuskas I think we are just on different wavelengths, and that is okay. I'd love to give my view on this, but I have taken a couple days to think about/contemplate what you have said so I can give a respectful reply. Though I'm still not really sure I understand what you are trying to convey, nor how to respond.

In the height of slavery, the more progressive parents would teach (directly or indirectly through their actions) that slavery/human exploitation was not consistent with their values. Their kids learned this, and society has continued to make significant improvements/progression on human rights issues. The passing on of intergenerational values has resulted in the significant improvements of millions of lives. It would be disheartening if someone in the 1800's said that "all kids die, all teachings die as well", so why bother. Especially when you are empathetic of those exploited. I don't come from an aggressive perspective when I ask these questions, I am genuinely interested in your answers. If this is your mindset, why do anything then? Why care about anything? Why have any goals or aspirations? Actualized.com is fundamental a resource that teaches. Why participate in these proceedings?

I recognize that you are not soliciting others opinions with this thread, but what about the idea of pursuing something that is slightly more conventional and predictable?

@bejapuskas Is your comment intentionally nihilistic, or am I losing something in my interpretation?

Being your family's leader whom cultivates conscious, inspired and loving children could have very significant impact for humanity.