FOUR FOR FRIDAY 25: SELF
“You mean I have to do something in order to feel better?”
- Julia Cameron
1. On the Quote Above
As mentioned above, I've been reading The Artist's Way on and off for a while now. One part that stood out to me was when she said, “Yes. Creativity requires activity.” I would add that to get into your “Muse,” you may need to create the right environment. To get to know yourself better, you might need to visit a therapy office. To start playing or doing art, you may need to physically move yourself into that space.
I find this to be true for me. Feng shui is very important in my life. I notice when something feels even slightly off, due to checking in with my overall sensations and vibe. “You mean I need to do something to feel better?” Yes, no one is going to fix you or your struggles. I’ve found this to be a dance often between seeking support while simultaneously applying yourself. Man, do I hear my father's voice in these words.
2. Word to Ponder: Dare
Dare—I've been pondering this word a lot lately. Some of you may have noticed that I actually have it tattooed on my left bicep. Why? Some have asked if it's because of the D.A.R.E. campaign from the early '80s—haha, not quite though I do think this is awesome. It's because I've often thought about the people I admire and look up to most in life. When I do this, one common trait I notice amongst all the men and women I respect most is that they all have a "daring" personality.
These people dare to follow their hearts and their own inspiration, despite what others might think or how they might be viewed. They are very focused on the mission and the influence this may have. They're committed to carrying this out. I highly admire this tendency. It reminds me not to be afraid to think outside the box and to ignore the naysayers, who will always exist.
A quote from Lewis Howes' book The Greatness Mindset resonates with me: "Some people are not going to understand you. They don't want to understand you. It's not about them. Focus on you and where you're going. Carry out the mission. There will be others who enjoy you and who you will inspire by being you. Focus on that and run your race."
3. Intention is everything
Another topic I've been pondering recently is the idea that “intention is everything”. Intent may mean motive, or the reason behind a carried out action. On paper, I've begun to realize that many things can look the same. Two people can say the exact same thing to the same person, but with completely different intentions. One may be trying to move a relationship closer, while another may be a projection of sorts. One may have an intent of trying to understand self better, while another can be a means towards creating distance.
In examining this, I've tried to begin asking myself the challenging question of: “What is my intention in doing this?” In other words, why am I truly doing this? What are my motives here? And can I be honest enough to be real about this? I encourage you to do the same. Not only will it help you get to know yourself better, but it may also help build the quality of ahimsa, and humility which was mentioned in last week's blog.
4. Exercise: Value Setting Exercise
A recent exercise I used was value setting, similar to the typical "create your perfect day" exercise. For this scenario, I’d encourage you to create three perfect days: A, B, and C. Each day is different but should have three awesome outcomes. Go through your day in hour blocks and increments, step by step, from wake-up to bedtime. This exercise may take about 5-10 minutes and requires active engagement.
Create Your Perfect Days:
Lay out your typical time windows from sunup to sundown.
Block in optimal activities during those time windows.
Example for Day A:
Wake up, pray, meditate, and write down gratitude activities (first 30 minutes).
Gym (next 90 minutes).
Cold shower, then off to work.
Think about what you’d like to do at work, any specific tasks or goals.
After work, what are you doing on your optimal day? Are you going out with friends, going home to your family?
Dinner plans: what are you eating?
Evening activities: what are you doing after dinner? Are you reading, watching a movie? If so, what kind of movie or book?
Repeat the Process:
Do the same process two more times with alternatives for Days B and C.
Identify Your Values:
Once you have all three days, create a rough outline from these days to identify what you value.
Look for common components such as health, family, friends, leisure, or learning.
Assess your interests: Are you watching documentaries or comedies? This can indicate if you value learning or humor.
Label Your Values:
Label the values you come up with as M (most important), SI (slightly important), or N (not so important).
Notice how you can implement these values into your life, prioritizing from most important to least important.
This exercise can act as both a time management activity and a values exercise.
