January 30, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
The difference between optimism and pessimism as a orientation to the world is a choice between a powering or disempowering perspective. The trick is to notice the difference. Maybe thinking the difference as being a creator or victims.
Complaining, criticizing, blaming, gossiping and comparing is an unhappy place. Simply ask yourself what you want? Victims focus on what they don’t want. Creators get clear on what they do want.
What do you want?
Upcoming Wellness Events:
- H&M Reading Circle’s begins “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown. Reading the Introduction for the Friday group discussion.
- Monday, February 14th 6:30PM – Reiki Circle
January 31, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
One other little thought is about the amount of space between stimuli and response. The greater the space the more options are available. Are you able to respond rather than an automatic reaction? Choice is an ability. So, what is your response-ability?
Today’s Qigong routine was the Eight Brocades. A repeat of last week’s work. Two things. Are you able to follow the seventeen-minute routine? Are you able to repeat for the next week? Each move benefits a major organ/system. Our own little experiment, can you feel the difference with daily Eight Brocades?
NY Post reports: A new moon in Aquarius will dawn on Feb. 1, 2022. New moons bring new opportunities to you, as well as open a doorway in your life.
February 1, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
Equanimity. From the aforementioned book ” When you find yourself off balance and life has kicked you in the butt, see how fast you can get back in balance. The more you practice this, the better you’ll get.
Day 2 of the Eight Brocades Challenge. Each move balances regulates, calms, dissipates, increases a system or an organ. The video is available from the H&M Video Library. Who’s in?
February 2, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
For the mind that generally generates negative thoughts, one of the ways to automatically generate positive thoughts is repetition. Repetition of positive thoughts rewires the mind towards calm, focused, hopeful. A simple and pleasant “mantra” or prayer is “Thank you.” What word evokes a sense of peace in a troubled mind?
Day 3 of 7, the Eight Brocades Challenge. Each time the routine is practiced, a new sensation reveals itself. Maybe a new way to execute the move, or a new muscle group engages differently. I am about change, but following a routine offers a familiar sense of peace.
February 4, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
Falling into old negative patterns is like pouring concrete on our garden (our seeds of good intentions). We want to catch ourselves before we slip into complacency. Doesn’t really matter what else you except the old habits. Breathe, take a walk, pick a video, laugh, dance, talk to someone. Turn around bad moods, break the thread of rumination, do something good for yourself.
Day 5 of 7, the Eight Brocades Challenge. After a few days of practice, all instruction is unnecessary, just do. A shorter video is now available from the H&M Video Library. Watching the original video is recommended before the condensed version.
February 5, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
It is very important to accept ourselves as we are, but it is equally important to notice when we keep doing the same thing and getting unfavorable results. Notice and quit doing those negative things or thinking those negative thoughts. It’s like food poisoning, noticing the foods bad for us and continue eating those foods. Quit doing it!
Day 6 of 7, the Eight Brocades Challenge. How is your brocades practice evolving? I practiced the seated version, twice today. Two notes when rolling down, yes, hands to the outside and back of legs to dissipate disease and when touching toes, reach deep into your bend forward, then add an arch to the lower part of the back to strengthen the kidneys and waist. Do I need to add a period or two to the previous sentence? Let’s try that again. Two notes for the roll down when seated. 1. Yes, move your hands down the backside of the legs. 2. Bring as much of your hands to the toes when rolling forward. Attempt to arch the back at the top of the roll up. Is that better?
February 6, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
“Byron Katie tells us that whenever she argues with reality she loses. But only every time.” What is, is. Nothing is going to change what has happened. And if we want to create a different future, the first step is acceptance. Let go of judgements and look honestly at life. How would you like things to be different, then take steps to that outcome. Do this without trying to change or control. Acceptance requires effort and patience but doing so decreases negative thought and worry.
Day 7 of 7, the Eight Brocades Challenge. What can you tell about yourself after a week’s worth of eight brocades? I notice my breath is beginning to flow with the movement. I feel more relaxed and a gentler rhythm. I still aim to be able to follow the routine to the point where I can do the move as the body requires. Let me know what you have discovered.
February 7, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
Eckhart Tolle offers another facet to acceptance, to act as if you scripted the event. Being the author moves from victim to creator. People are meaning making machines, we give meaning to our stories. Let’s give the most empowering slant to the event. Since we interpret life events, let’s make it good.
Thank you for participating in the Eight Brocades Challenge.
February 8, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
The Buddhist word Dukkha is getting stuck on an idea or a perspective that creates suffering. In the way that our idea or our perspective is the one and only and everyone else is wrong. It’s like being stuck in first gear when we have options. It’s like knowing based on a small piece of an object rather than attempting to see the big picture. So when we feel stuck try to see the situation from another point of view.
February 9, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #1 Optimism
During our intake interview we talked about values on a scale from 1 – 10, asking that 1 was centered. The book take the reverse approach that a size 1 or 2 person responds differently than a size 8 or 9 person. The example given is stubbing a toe or traffic. A small size person may react in a big way, maybe ruining their day. And the 8 or 9 size person may not be as effected. No need for us to be small people. The way from small to big is to live your values, bit by bit, coming more into your integrity.
February 10, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #2 Purpose.
To live a life of purpose isn’t something we’ll get around to some day. The Highest Purpose, the Highest Goal is consistently being the best we can be. Again, integrity. Be it purpose / dharma / destiny comes to us when we focus on our highest goal, we tend to be happier as well.
February 11, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes,
Principle #2 Purpose.
Abraham Maslow offered a hierarchy of needs, such as food/shelter/safety/love/self-esteem to fully express ourselves or self-actualize. This isn’t an impulse, it is a need, like oxygen. So when things don’t feel right, check in to see if you are living fully or just kinda showing up. Maslow says, “If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.” “It seems that the necessary thing to do is not to fear mistakes, to plunge in, to do the best that one can, hoping to learn enough from blunders to correct them eventually.”
February 12, 2022
Re: A Philosopher’s Notes, Brian Johnson
Principle #2 Purpose.
Dharma is one’s natural qualities, activities and behavior. What is our unique gift, what truly inspires us? What would you do if time and money were limitless? Do we have the courage to truly step into the possibility of our life? And if time & money were limitless, what would you pay someone else to do?
