Love the one you’re with

“If you can’t be with the one you love … love the one you’re with.”

While ‘make your passion your work’ is a good idea, it’s a little simplistic. And sometimes unrealistic. Thankfully, an article in yesterday’s New York Times titled Rethinking Work, shows us a better way — we can put some passion into our work.

Work that is adequately compensated is an important social good. But so is work that is worth doing. Half of our waking lives is a terrible thing to waste.

My bringing mindful attention to our jobs, our flying, we end up happier. By putting more into a job, or a flight, we end up getting more out. Remember: If you’re bored flying, you’re not paying enough attention!

credit: New York Times

How the best become fulfilled

A creative man is fulfilled by accomplishments and a competitive man is fulfilled by beating others. I’m all about accomplishments. Ride the biggest wave. It has to do with me. I can always grow and keep accomplishing things.

 Laird Hamilton

Fascinating article in the Huffington Post by Sasha Bronner about maybe the best surfer in the world, and why he does not enter competitions. Outside of Reno Air Races and some silly US college competitions there aren’t many competitions for pilots. And that’s good. The real competition is with yourself, not against others.

Flying is a multi-dimensional set of skills that are hard to judge qualitatively. Or as Laird puts it:

It’s very difficult to judge surfing because surfing is art.

Laird Hamilton