Nevertheless, I am sensing some frustration that can't be explained away easily. I was ready to blame this on stress or the political climate, but I suspect that the cause goes deeper.
It's a good idea to recalibrate our lives and our objectives from time to time. No one is immune to inertia. When our lives and actions become routine, our direction follow a pre-programmed path. It's important to review that path in order to verify that they are still heading in the right direction. Our needs change over time; what was important years ago might need to be trimmed back to make time for new pursuits and objectives.
We feel tension when our actions don't match our desires. Our internal guidance system experiences confusion. It's as though we are driving down a busy avenue with traffic lights that show green and red at the same time. We hesitate. We don't know what to do. We fear the consequences of driving forward. Recalibration helps is get back on track. Not all of the lights will be green, but at least they'll all be giving the same indication at the same time.
Over the coming weeks, I'll be doing some reflecting in this area. I have come up with a series of questions to help guide that reflection, though I'll no doubt think of more along the way. Here are some of the key ideas.
- What things can I do in the coming year that will bring me the most satisfaction? I can focus this question on specific roles. What would be most satisfying to me as a photographer, for instance? As a composer? What would inspire the most satisfaction in my personal life? In my spiritual and intellectual development?
- What do I want to accomplish - as a composer, writer, photographer, dancer, etc?
- What would I most enjoy learning? What things would I enjoy being able to do in a year that I cannot do today?
- What are my health and exercise targets? How can I work consistently toward those goals while enjoying the process from week to week?
- Where would I like to spend my weekends and my vacation time? Which favorite places would I like to visit again? What would I like to see for the very first time?
- I have limited time to spend with my family. How can we spend our time together so it's most enjoyable for everyone? What types of things would we like to do together, and what plans should we be making now?
Questions like this can help guide our thoughts, but the process works best when we avoid the urge to rush to an answer. Think about the question. Ponder it for a few days. See what ideas come to mind when you're not really paying attention. After some time, you can do some brainstorming. But it's best to give your mind (and your heart) a chance to work out the responses.
Questions like this can help guide our thoughts, but the process works best when we avoid the urge to rush to an answer. Think about the question. Ponder it for a few days. See what ideas come to mind when you're not really paying attention. After some time, you can do some brainstorming. But it's best to give your mind (and your heart) a chance to work out the responses.
Recalibration is critical. Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living." Reflect a bit each day, but never push for an answer. The answers will arrive in their own time like vegetables from a garden. The peas are ready before the corn, and the corn before the squash.
If we gain insights within a few days, that's terrific. If it takes longer, a month or more, that's fine, too. Not every problem can be solved in a day. Ideas will mature in their own time. We simply have to ask and be patient.
If we gain insights within a few days, that's terrific. If it takes longer, a month or more, that's fine, too. Not every problem can be solved in a day. Ideas will mature in their own time. We simply have to ask and be patient.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
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