First World Problem I

Recently, I've found myself thinking:

I've always loved ideas and concepts, ideal things... things which are beyond the every day physical experience, things which are 'out there' but at the same anyone with a mind can access. I love spending time thinking, reading, contemplating, and writing about these ideas, puzzles, theories. And yet, the everyday work-life seems to be pulling me in the other direction, drawing me towards the mundane, towards the routine, the boring: bills, household chores, groceries, calendars, commuting, to-read lists, to-do lists, etc. It's bloody endless. 

Every now and then, I'd try to focus and to read, to think - properly, like I'd used to. But one must admit, it does take a good amount of willpower and discipline to 'find the time', or to somehow incorporate these simple activities into one's working life. You're only five minutes into a book, and then you realise there's something meaningless and boring you have to do... this calls for this, surely: 

 

Frustrating it is, yet I am sure there is another way of living life where you can live an intellectual, mindful life whilst balanced against the great pull from the mundane tides of life. I am almost certain that many had, and have faced the same struggle as they go on to write all these great books and accomplish all these great things. How did/do people cope? Is it money? Sheer willpower? Or some magic time-management golden rule?

...

But isn't it almost immoral, to complain about a 'first-world problem' when others are facing life-critical 'mundane' problems, like poverty or disease? What possible rejoinder can I possibly come up with, to this?

An exercise on self-identity

If I were ask you to write down an exhaustive list of beliefs (and principles, if any) that you have relied on for making all the important decisions in your life...

...what would that list look like?

The very activity of composing this list will reveal inconsistencies of beliefs as well as acts of hypocrisy, I'm sure, for I doubt few can train themselves to be so mindful of their own thoughts and behaviour such that they can lead a perfectly consistent one. You might find yourself for instance to be avidly opposed to others consuming dog-meat, yet at the same time find it agreeable to your conscience for them to consume other forms of meat. It's inconsistent, but it's an easy one to miss.  

...Anyway, it shouldn't matter if you realise you have held or hold contradictory beliefs. In my opinion, it's probably a sort of trait typical of the human race that we're unlikely to ever get rid of, regardless of the x amount of money spent on education.

But back to the list - wouldn't this list be a good picture, a good representation of who you are?

What would be the first few items on my list?

1. Always keep an open mind to ideas and be wary of ideology... 
2. Let reason guide your important decisions, but do not neglect the importance of what your emotions tell you...
3. It is better to be sad, conscious and wise than to be ignorant, happy and living a 'programmed' life...

I very quickly realise that these beliefs and principles are - to some extent - what I aspire to adhere to, than ones which I actually use to guide my decisions in life.

And then I think, had this list been completed, how accurate would it be as a representation of me?

Maybe that's another way of asking, how well do I know myself?

Note to self: when I do find the time at some point, I'll definitely finish off that list and post it on here.