Around 2 years ago I started adding something new to my blog. Not only thoughts about tarot, but also thoughts about new (to me) ideas. I made it a New Years resolution to read something new and perhaps unusual every month, and then write it up, so we could share these ideas and new (to me) knowledge. I've written about a variety of things - the Ruby Payne Chart, the Dunning-Kruger effect, Just in time vs Just in case - as well as others. I've enjoyed doing this and am continuing my learning journey.
So todays thoughts are about the concepts telic and atelic.
Telic activity is goal oriented, atelic activity is for the moment, with no goal necessary (also, weirdly can mean revolting and disgusting - so activity with no goal becomes repulsive. How's that for a twist!) I walk to increase my step count (telic) I walk to wander in the woods (atelic). My goal is to read 2 books a month (telic). I just like to read (atelic)
If we become too goal oriented, we lose sight of just being in the moment. If we read 2 books but didn't like either of them, what have we accomplished? If we read one book over 2 months, but we just love it, is that enough?
Philosopher Kieran Setiya writes about the problem with telic activity, especially as it pertains to aging. If you 'fail' at the goal (your walking/counting of steps didn't lead to weight loss) then the entire activity is a failure. You have no satisfaction from the action, only from the outcome. Whereas atelic activities have no goal, it's impossible to fail at them, and you are doing them for the here and now. I like walking, I am walking, walking is a pleasure for me. No pressure and no purpose.
It's akin to my problem with monetizing all our hobbies. If you do something with no financial outcome - quilt, make jewelry, write fanfic - people quite often will tell you you are wasting your time and should be out selling/marketing/promoting it to get ahead. But all this goal oriented purpose driven activity can be crushing. Let's just sit for a minute, watch the birds, see the fire crackle, walk the dog, and let ourselves return to our bodies and get some peace.
