Living as a hedonist, every now and then, has its benefits as well.As long as there are no long-term negative consequences (such as fromthe use of drugs), focusing solely on the present can rejuvenate us. Inmoderation, the relaxation, the mindlessness, and the fun that comefrom lying on the beach, eating pizza followed by a hot-fudge sundae, orwatching television, can make us happier.
The Four Quadrants
On four consecutive days, spend at least fifteen minutes writing abouta single experience or a period of time during which you resided in one ofthe four quadrants described in the following paragraphs.
If you are moved to write more about a particular quadrant, do so,but do not write about more than one quadrant a day. Do not worryabout grammar or spelling--just write! It is important that in your writingyou include the emotions you experienced then or are experiencing at themoment, the particular behaviors you engaged in (i.e., describe what youdid then), and the thoughts you had during the time or currently have asyou write.
Here are the particular instructions for each of the quadrants.
RAT RACER:
Write about a period in your life when you felt as if you wereconstantly chasing some future goal, living in the rat race, unable to enjoythe day-to-day.
Why were you doing what you were doing? What, if any were someof the benefits to living that way? What, if any, was the price that youpaid?
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