On Compassion

One journey leads to another, and sometimes one journey leads back.

Hi guys. It has been a little while. As you know, whenever I get involved in theatrical productions (which is my job), I leave some of the internet activity I have to a dull roar. I try to balance for myself so that I do not become consumed by any one thing.

Compassion, a much talked about action (not emotion) in the Jedi community, is a powerful and connecting entity in our philosophy. I have also found in my research that compassion is dependent on the self as well. Too often we see people who fall to one extreme or another: they lose themselves to others and discard their identities. In this way, sometimes they do not see themselves as an object and end up not taking care of themselves. Shaggy hair. Not eating. Never showering. I've also seen the other extreme. People so self-obsessed that their presentation is more important than any action they would ever do. This gluttony and greed can lead to places I've been, personally. Self-obsession is equally as criminal as self-deprecation.

I have come to learn that a balance is needed, as in all things. Taking care of the self is essential to the care of others.

To update you and to be transparant on the actions I've taken since January 20th when last my leave was taken:
1. I have begun a weight loss journey. It has been mildly successful.
2. I have begun training under WilliamKaede at the Force Academy. I am not a Sith.
3. My training between Brother John and myself has been stalled, BUT it should be reinstated with my return as per my request from when I left.
4. I never had the chance (due to the opera) to have my ceremony for Minister license. I am still interested in that.
5. I have embraced balance in my life. Over the winter and fall of last year, I was consumed by greed and laziness. I was constantly treating myself to lazy days and never "doing" anything of value. I am writing this from a Denny's in downtown Bloomington, IN. It is a miracle I even made it outside of my dorm on this particularly dreary day. I consider it a great success of my reintegration into humanity. I shaved. I have cut nails. I won't get into the grittier details of where I was (it's not pretty). But, on my road to recovery, there has been found a peace.
6. I have completed my second mainstage opera. This is an accomplishment!
7. I have stifled my food addiction for the moment.
8. Oh yes! I have begun writing a musical. It should be workshopped this summer. I'll post videos.

So, all in all, I'm back. Until the next show takes my life (I anticipate that to be in September or October), I'll be around working on my training.

Thanks,
Connor.

Well that's great to hear Good for you! And good luck on your musical. What's it going to be about?...if you don't mind me asking.

Welcome back!

Hello Connor...

Nice to see your return....

Make sure not to spread yourself too thin...

Wasn't that the point of the post? lol

It's good to see you back Connor.

I've noted what you said about the ceremony and I'll look to get that sorted out for you at some point.

I'm glad to hear that your time away has been productive

Thanks V. Much appreciated.

Connor Lidell wrote: Wasn't that the point of the post? lol

Honestly, im not sure what the point was....

I just figured you were reintro-ing yourself...

You left, citing a full scedule, yet found time to become William's student...

If you have another show looming, (there's always another show, lol), I was just cautioning you from taking on too much...

Regardless, I am glad for your return....

hahhaa. I see. So the communication was lost.

I wasn't reintroing myself. I was stating that I was rationing my time. And, currently, my time is rationed here.

And, being WK's apprentice comes from the FA, a site I didn't leave when rationing time. BUT, I am currently not at the FA because my schedule deemed it was time to be here.

Oh, right, evidently!

Congrats on your apprenticeship to WK....

There is no time limit....

You must get bored easy, lol...

Me, I try to stay focused and work one thing at a time....

I have two apprentices which are just occasional visitors, but, I will hold their spots as well...

Its just how it works if you ask me... lol...