Clarity
Simplicity
When considered the coming year, these two words came to me. Then I thought about what they mean to me and how I may shift to accommodate them. I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. What really set me to look at this was my recent back injury, not the just the change in calendars.
Clarity – It’s about knowing what is important. Injuring my back has really made me look at my health and lifestyle. I had settled into patterns that, while not horrible, were not the most healthy for me. Things like staying up late surfing the net. Watching too much TV on hulu.com, eating late in the day, not exercising; that sort of stuff. I am much more clear now about where I need to make changes and am starting to do that. Now that I am nearing fifty, staying fit has to be more of priority.
Simplicity – This is about getting back to my core beliefs. What are my motivations for the doing the things I do? What is important to me, not just day to day, but for my lifetime?
Every few years, I make The List. I put it in Excel with columns for what, why, benefits to me, my family and others, do I do it out of obligation, duty, or pleasure, and how much time it takes. I put down everything I spend time doing, from the basics like eating and sleeping to things like work, volunteer activities, etc. Then I can look at where things are out of balance. Does something need to be culled? Or do I need to do more of this or that? It helps me see clearly why I am involved with what I do. I can explore my motivations, both good, bad and in between. I can better explain to my family and friends, when that needs to be done. And I can make intelligent choices based on sound reasoning.
Going through this exercise doesn’t mean that I don’t keep some things just because they are fun! That reason goes in the Why column and is vitally important!
What came up to change now…
Doesn’t that list look awfully familiar? Isn’t most people’s list around the New Year very much the same? I guess it just shows that most of us humans have similar challenges.
A few solutions I’m trying…
Now the real trick will be to keep up with these efforts to shift these patterns into something that sticks. It takes forty days to create a habit, so stay tuned. And if you want to make your own version of The List, I would love to hear about it.
Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.
Take a few minutes today to create your own Thankful Thursday.
How:
Visit these other blogs that often participate in Thankful Thursday:
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Fabulous post! It will be very helpful to others who just do not know how to begin, or need something to hold onto in order to continue.
I sure would like your knowledge of herbs, and most all of your recipes.
Yes, that’s one of the things that I am VERY grateful for, my long experience with herbal remedies. I started capping herbs for Herb Tech in Seattle when I was 21 or so. I got paid by the 50 count.
And I learned about all the various formulas that Yogi Bhajan was having them create. Most were based in Ayurveda.
Years later, working for Golden Temple, I blended the same formulas, as Herb Tech had been merged into the larger company. Then I worked in R&D and did more, custom blending.
Aside from all of that, I’ve been to a number of practitioners for my own health over the years and found what works for me and what doesn’t. I really love having the power to work on my own healing. When I go to my regular GP, or any other medical doctor, they always say that I am perfectly healthy. It’s not enough for me to be healthier than your average person. I want optimal health.
I’ll post links to some excellent references here later today. As in all things of this nature, it is a personal journey that one has to take full responsibility for. I am not a certified anything, so can’t give personal advice. I will offer resources for you to make your own choices though.
Oh and the recipies were in reference to your foods…
I’ve been thinking of adding posts about recipes. Which ones are thing thinking of?
Foods can be healing too!
Getting those things down in The List is a real eye-opener, I’m sure. So often we think we know, but until it’s all down on paper, we really may not see how time, priorities and love are lost. I’m going to do the same. A coach once told me to create my “ideal day” on paper. Hour by hour. It so looked NOTHING like what I was actually living. Still trying.
I have no idea which foods… some yummy comfort veggie/Simrat foods. I’ll never forget that sandwich Gurunam made for us at the 50th.
Zebrafinch, I thought “The List” would strike accord with you. It seems like such a great tool.
Alright, I’ll think of what recipes to share.
For now, I’ve started an Amazon store to feature book from own library. There are only a few so far, but see the Personal Health page for a couple of excellent books by a friend of mine, who is a master herbalist.
http://astore.amazon.com/simkhafinartp-20
Herbal Defense should be on everyone’s shelf!
Didn’t see herbal Defense on your amazon page
I’m still figuring out how to set up my shop over there. It’s under the Personal Health link on the left. See if this works.
http://astore.amazon.com/simkhafinartp-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=1
Yep found it. Now to wait a bit before i can get it. Today was a big shopping day to stock up on food etc for the storms we are suppose to get starting they say, tomorrow.
I’m a little late coming to visit, but I wanted to say what a great post this was! I love your idea of a list – for me, the power of a visual aid really helps me to see where i’m imbalanced. I definitely feel like I’m very imbalanced right now, so maybe a list is in order? Thanks for the great idea.
You are welcome, Michelle. I have been meaning to make an Excel template with instructions to post here. Would that help?
Yes, Simrat! An Excel template would be fantastic….although I suppose I could just make my own! Lol.
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