What is the 'Active-Contemplative' Life?

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Leading an 'active-contemplative' life may seem impossible. This is due to the view that being active and being contemplative are mutually exclusive. While there is some reason to think that way, I prefer to think of them as being mutually complementary. 

An active life is merely one in which one does things. A contemplative life is merely one in which one thinks about things. I would like to live, and encourage you to live, a life that is full of activity as well as contemplativity (I am allowed to make up words; this is my blog)!

How can we do this? Well, I'm not entirely sure. But I suspect that 'fake it 'til you make it' will play a big part of the strategy. Do things, and then think about the things you have done. Consider the impact your actions have on yourself, and others. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this experience?" In other words, be mindful of everything you do!

Many incredible experiences in life are lost due to inattentiveness. There are many people (including myself) who live their life in a sort of distracted fog, not fully engaged in the present moment but always looking back to the past or forward to the future. So sit back, and take a moment to experience the moment. Look up from your computer screen or smartphone screen and take a look at what you're missing. You might be surprised that the person beside you has just done the same thing...