Life - part Deux

Fun.
Stress free.
Enriching.
Sanity.
Quality.
Endless possibilites......

....all these sorts of words are back in my work-life. They had somewhat disappeared over the past year or so. In fact, I no longer really differentiate between my work-life and other-life, it's just that fun. I think I am slowly regaining my balance and calm. Let me add one more for good measure - awesomeness! :-)

The Dharma Bums

The Dharma Bums is a book by the most well known writer of the beat generation, Jack Kerouac. I recently re-read this book. I couldn't remember large parts of it from the first time I read it. What I do remember thinking is that the writing style was unique and free flowing. It took me a while to get adjusted to it the first time but the more I read, the more I liked it. I hadn't read too many books until then where the words just flowed so smoothly, as though pouring in directly from the author's thoughts into paper. No big words, no flowery language. Just an open mind and free flowing thoughts with no specific goal or story. A glimpse from his life and experiences...

Like most of Kerouac's books, this one is also autobiographical. He lived a rather Bohemian life, wandering around with his belongings in a rucksack, climbing mountains, spending time with like-minded people, writing poems, doing poetry readings, discussing philosophy, drinking wine and trying to discover the meaning of life. He was heavily influenced by Buddhism and truly a child of the free-spirited generation of his times.

While some of the content is somewhat trippy and his version of Buddhism can be a little new age-y, I still enjoy his books and writing style. But Kerouac isn't for everyone. Some of my friends find his works kind of pointless. It really depends on your personality as with everything else in life. Anyway, if you ever find yourself wanting to try one of his books, I would recommend this one.