{"id":194208,"date":"2019-12-03T07:41:29","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T15:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=194208"},"modified":"2019-12-03T08:47:03","modified_gmt":"2019-12-03T16:47:03","slug":"why-improve-our-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/12\/03\/why-improve-our-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Improve Our Lives?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all want to improve our lives. But in order for what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing these turbo thoughts with ZEN OF ERIC<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally I think the notion is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to improve my life in order to maximally empower myself, in order to help others.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But is this too simple of a reason or argument? Let us dive further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Mexico
Mexico City Selfie. Ricoh GR II and flash x Eric Kim NECK STRAP<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best life is to NOT have a ‘bad’ life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is my first idea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before thinking of ‘improving’ our lives, we must first NOT have a ‘bad’ life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you feel like you have a shitty and depressing life right now, you must work hard to work yourself up to ‘baseline’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then comes the question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How far can you uplift yourself from baseline to epic?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And when you have reached an epic state — is the goal to continually ‘improve’ your life indefinitely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, are there upper-limits to improvement to our quality of life?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How far can selfishness go?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Leaf
Leaf with flash. RICOH GR II. Hanoi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I know for myself, this is what it means to improve my life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Maximal physiological strength, alertness, ability to concentrate and focus.<\/li>
  2. Maximal muscle mass, minimal body fat percentage.<\/li>
  3. Maximal physical strength (one rep max powerlifting ability). Also, ability to see progress and ability for week-over-week growth.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Improvement of life via-negativa style<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In terms of work-life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. To improve my life means to have FEWER obligations, FEWER meetings, FEWER responsibilities.<\/li>
    2. To have FEWER cares, FEWER concerns, FEWER stresses.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Thus in simple terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To improve our lives, we gotta figure out what BS to REMOVE from our lives.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      But once you have removed all the irritants from your life, and once you have a perfect zen-like calm and peace of mind, then what?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"Tokyo
      Tokyo flash. Cat on man’s shoulder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Is striving to improve our lives the wrong effort?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      This is my realization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Currently I have the best life possible. Maximal physical and physiological strength and well-being.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      But in spite of my maximal personal happiness, it “ain’t that big of a deal”. I feel quite base-line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Week-over-week I gain new PR’s in my powerlifts. Getting a new record and PR is a great feeling, yet it fades. And I know in the back of my head that I will continually strive to become stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      But what do I do once I can benchpress 4 plates, squat 5 plates, and deadlift 6 plates? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Perhaps better to think:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What SHOULD<\/em> I do with my life, on a day-to-day basis?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      \"Hanoi
      Hanoi lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      My joy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Perhaps the notion of improving our lives is the wrong effort. Perhaps the better goal is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To focus and maximize on continually being artistically innovative and productive.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n