Of course. Inaction often leads to "S--t happens."
Choosing 'not' to do something is still a choice.
Marti, I'll accept philosophizing as a form of inaction.
It all depends on the circumstances. Sometimes inaction is the best option ---by a wide margin. An example is allowing my wife to choose what she wants as our kitchen is remodeled. Every time she asked my opinion, I got busy doing something else.
Does it lead to any surreal experiences Len?
In reviewing my life , I find that most of the major changes happened more or less on their own or through chance or circumstance . I tend to be a pretty pro-active guy , or at least think that I am , so unless I am deluding myself , it seems that to me that we have much less control over the events in our lives than we think we do .
posted by Dirck
over 2 years ago
My perspective is more Taoist when it comes to action/inaction. My experiance strongly suggests that good things usually come about by their own accord if we can just let them. Bad things often come about because we try to use some rude force to "press our luck" in our favor or if you prefer "mar the jade".
This is not to say I insist on complete inaction. But I think twice before injecting my raw Will, too strongly, into the flow of things.
For me, good or bad outcome is not the issue. The issue is feeling in control of my own life. Those times I take action I feel in control whether good or bad outcome. Good things that have occurred by happenstance are not really very satisfying.
I suppose for me feeling in control of my own adventure through life is more important then the outcome - good or bad. (Of course really really bad outcomes like death of a loved-one nullifies everything I've said above.)
Just today my inaction got me free delivery on a French door unit because I had been unreachable to pay the delivery fee ahead of time and I drug my feet once I did get the message. I was unknowingly re-billed for $80.00 less, then the balance was applied to the delivery company. (Obviously they were anxious to get rid of their summer merchandise as I had already stalled an extra week on the pick up)
..Wait now, is someone going to suggest my $80.00 savings came because I finally decided to do something about the old door with blankets for an astragal in the first place?
posted by hooda
over 2 years ago
I think you got some good karma or something, hooda. And yeah, you took action.
I've been under the impression that stuff usually works out better for me when I at least respond to things in a timely manner. Yet there are those who don't do that, and they oftenget by just as well, if not better.
