how to be aware in an unaware world

Category: Quotes

Action
“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation, even so, does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.”
– Leonardo Da Vinci
By design, some people think more and some instinctively act more. The head and the heart are at play in every decision we make.
But no matter how we approach the Book of Life, we have to write the chapters ourselves, we have to take action for our character.
Whatever we call it, inaction, laziness, or sloth, the result is the same.
Our minds need attention, purpose, and pause to stay vigorous.
For instance, reading can bring vitality and imagination to a stagnant mind. Whereas movies, television, doom scrolling, and social media do little to engage our minds in an active, rigorous way and can actually be detrimental to the mind.
Practicing mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, and paying attention to our thoughts and sensations without judgment.
The Book of Life represents the unfolding story before us, with each moment and experience being a page or chapter.
Mindfulness encourages us to live more fully and consciously, recognizing the significance of each moment in our life story.
Reflection
Even waking up earlier can be the catalyst to a bright, purposeful day, with time to set our intentions and focus our energy.
There are 5 things I try my best to do every single morning: Wake up at six (much harder than it sounds), take a cold shower, work out, meditate, and journal.
I know that after doing those five small things (in under an hour and a half), I have set myself up for a great day.
And I’m not alone. The happiest people on the planet have a morning routine (see the link at the bottom).
Routines require rigorous action. It doesn’t have to be a giant, exhausting action either, often the smallest choices make the biggest impact in the long run.
It’s kin to building a house brick by brick rather than plopping the whole structure down at once, each brick laid is a deliberate voice, ensuring quality and craftsmanship.
Every small action relies on another even smaller action to complete.
Complete? But that’s not the right word. Is anything ever really completed? Are we ever finished with something, no matter the size and detail?
There is continuous improvement, evaluation, and backtracking to every endeavor.
These small actions, like brushing our teeth, rely on even smaller actions, like buying toothpaste or a toothbrush, which relies on going to the store, which relies having the means and health to travel, which relies on the knowledge that brushing your teeth is good for you, which relies on the ability to comprehend that knowledge, which relies on working memory to store that knowledge, which relies on an intact brain to store that memory, which depends on, well, you get the point.
This reminds us to understand the complexity of the world we live in and the propensity to often take it for granted.
It also points to a fascinating topic that some people study their entire adult lives: behavior. If we are a collection of our daily choices, then doesn’t that give us so much possibility to affect our behavior?
There is little fluctuation in behavior when we are grounded in self-disciple and good-natured, daily choices.
The one thing that is a constant in life is that everything changes, and the observation of that change over time is called mindfulness.
A person’s practice of observation (meditation) is at the core of every action, no matter how small.
Encouragement
I encourage us to pick up a good book today and read for a while, maybe go on a long walk in the woods or paint aimlessly, draw something completely random, pick up an instrument, or play a challenging game!
No matter the choice of action, make sure to focus on the intentionality and to note as always how you feel in the process.
Links
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September 30, 2023
Kindness
“Compassion has no limit and kindness has no enemy.”
What comes to mind when you think of a compassionate act?
What about a kind affirmation or encouragement?
When bestowed upon you, how do compassion and kindness feel?
Compassion and kindness are so similar that they often occupy the same space in the mind. A space that is essential to a healthy, happy life and needed every single day.
Though they may seem synonymous and are necessary all the same, there is a difference between the two.
Compassion is more about not wanting someone to suffer, not wanting someone to experience something negative and downtrodden.
Kindness is more about wishing that someone was well, hoping that someone does experience something positive and uplifting.
Equally, compassion and kindness must begin in ourselves, for ourselves.
Self-compassion is not wanting ourselves to feel unhappy, struggle, or have difficulty in our body, mind, and situations aka tender loving care (so we do the things that make this a reality).
Self-kindness is wishing ourselves well, telling ourselves that we are able, we are content, we are happy, and we are good aka affirmations (so we say the things that make this a reality).
Both are self-fulfilling prophecies (it sounds cliche, but it is resoundingly true).
If we wish to be more kind to others, we must speak kindly to ourselves.
If we wish to be more compassionate to others, we must show compassion to ourselves.
What we feed the mind is also key (equally cliche, but needed now more than ever).
When we feed the mind with sustaining and nourishing things, we speak with kindness, move with gentleness, encourage others, and overall feel amazed with ourselves.
On the other hand, when we feed the mind degrading and rotten things, we will speak with malice and spite, move with angst and anger, discourage others, and overall feel like shit about ourselves.
Despite what the world tells us on the internet and in the media, kindness is an innate quality that every human possesses.
We may lose sight of kindness or forget that we are born with it, but kindness is shown in every corner of the earth and every vessel of our hearts. The more we are aware of that fact, the more we can start to show kindness (beginning with ourselves).
The trouble is remembering that these qualities already exist in the mind and that we already have the desire to exhibit them.
For example, how do you feel when someone is truly kind to you?
Do you feel there is an inclination to do or say something kind back?
Affirmations at the start of our day, as a wake-up exercise, bring out this inclination more and more.
There are many incredible affirmations out there, but there are five affirmations that I have used for the past year or so, and I can truly say they have transformed my life:
You are capable (of anything you put your mind towards).
You are calm (using your breath as your anchor when stress arises).
You are clear (knowing where you are and where you’re going).
You are content (already having all you need to succeed).
You are compassionate (finding ways to speak your love languages).
Be sure to use the third person as if you’re talking to a dear friend (trust me, it works wonders).
And whether you believe these to be true or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that you simply say them, over and over every day.
Kindness towards yourself needs no reasoning.
Compassion towards others needs no justification.
A few more things:
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September 23, 2023
Fruit
“But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. And the greatest of these is love, for all things abide in love, and all things must have love; for without love, no relationship would exist.”
– Galatians 5:22
Whether or not you believe in God or ascertain to Christianity, the Bible is a grand book filled to the brim with wisdom and life lessons applicable to every one of us.
For example, this verse in Galatians lays out the foundation for an intentional, purposeful life.
It’s quite logical that without love, no purposeful life would exist and no relationship would exist either (unless transactional, which I’d argue is no relationship worth holding).
Defining each fruit of the spirit for ourselves provides a better grip on their meaning with the intention of including them in our lives.
I firmly believe that all of these fruits are able to grow in us if their seeds are planted at birth. They may already be abundant and ripe in your own life today.
Below are definitions of each fruit, my personal definition, a question, and examples of how to include them in our lives.
Love
- An emotion of a strong attraction and personal attachment.
- A virtue representing human kindness, compassion, and affection.
- The unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.
- Compassionate and affectionate actions towards others and towards one’s self.
Love is driving three hours to visit a sibling in the hospital without the slightest hesitation. It is the most innate expression we humans possess, a gift that has profound impact.
What does love look like to you?
Show a friendly smile, lend a helping hand, or give your time and attention to someone in need.
This is love.
Joy
- A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
- The natural reaction to the work of God, Higher Power, or Creator, whether promised or fulfilled.
- Joy expresses God’s kingdom and influence on earth.
Joy is a grin from ear to ear for no apparent reason whatsoever.
What people, places, or things make you joyful and jubilant?
Write down three things you’re grateful for each day, and tell them to a person you admire in your life.
This is Joy.
Peace
- Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
- An occurrence of harmony characterized by lack of violence, conflict behaviors, and the freedom from fear of violence.
- The absence of hostility and retribution.
Peace is fear and worry washed away like the receding tide.
What can provide a peace that surpasses all comprehension?
To calm the body and mind, breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth several times.
This is Peace.
Patience
- The ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties.
- To suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.
Patience is the contentment in waiting on a loved one for hours and then exclaiming with a smile, are you ready?
How can you show patience today?
Next time you’re waiting for someone or something, notice your immediate environment with curiosity, what do you see, hear, smell, and taste?
This is Patience.
Kindness
- The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
- A behavior marked by ethical characteristics.
- A pleasant disposition and concern for others.
Kindness is the simple act of sharing a smile while passing by a stranger. It should not be understated, especially in these tumultuous times.
What is a random act of kindness feel like to you?
Give someone a genuine compliment, open the door for someone, or bake a loaf of banana bread for your neighbor.
This is Kindness
Goodness
- The quality of being good, in particular: virtue; moral excellence, qualities of character or conduct that entitle the possessor to approval and esteem.
- Goodness is the simple word for the general quality recognized in character or conduct.
Goodness is listening deeply to your conscience.
What makes something right or wrong to you?
When you next consider the implications of a choice, consult a true friend or therapist before deciding.
This is Goodness.
Faithfulness
- True, devoted, staunch, constant, and loyal behavior.
- Implies qualities of stability, dependability, and devotion.
- A long-continued and steadfast fidelity to whatever one is bound to by a pledge, duty, or obligation.
Faithfulness is the overwhelming feeling of gratitude expressed when you are loyal to a friend for years.
Who is that person in your life?
Commit to being there for a friend the next time they request your assistance.
This is Faithfulness.
Gentleness
- To be mild in temperament or behavior; kind or tender.
- To be noble or having the qualities attributed to noble birth; courteous; chivalrous.
Gentleness is the care of a mother for her child as it sleeps soundly in her arms.
How can you show a gentle gesture today?
Provide some words of encouragement, give someone a hug, or listen intently in your next conversation.
This is Gentleness.
Self-control
- The ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires, or the expression of them in one’s behavior.
Self-control is the release of anger despite the inclination to lash out at your coworker for not doing their job.
How can you show self-control in the next difficult situation?
Write down how you feel when you feel (no really, it makes a massive difference).
This is Self-control.
Links for daaays:
Thank you deeply for your time and attention reading this post, it is a rare gift these days. Feel free to comment, like, or share it. You can also support me by Buying Me A Coffee. Thank you in advance!
September 15, 2023