Today I read a fascinating article by writer James Clear. He told the story of a German philosophy professor who had moved to Japan in the 1920's to learn Kyudo, which is the Japanese martial art of archery.
The German man, Eugen Herrigel, also eventually learned Zanshin: a state of relaxed alertness.
"Zanshin is being constantly aware of your body, mind, and surroundings without stressing yourself. It is an effortless vigilance."
In our own lives, this means "choosing to live your life intentionally and acting with purpose rather than mindlessly falling victim to whatever comes your way."
I LOVED that I read this article this morning! I had just finished trying to hammer out a new, simplified daily schedule. I need more hours in the day! I have goals and dreams, yet need to fulfill the daily practical chores and commitments. And for health's sake, that must include time for Spirituality, Exercise, Rest and a healthy Food Plan.
Later in this article (which I hope you'll read in full HERE) James Clear writes:
"The point is not to worry about hitting the target. The point is to fall in love with the boredom of doing the work and embrace each piece of the process. The point is to take that moment of zanshin, that moment of complete awareness and focus, and carry it with you everywhere in life."
For me, I would re-word one part this way: To fall in love with the process. His sentence about that struck me hard. I absolutely LOVE the process of imagining, planning, researching and creating a new painting. Love it!
Yet, have I applied that to the PROCESS of getting healthy?? Uh, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I usually have the final goal in mind! As in... lose this weight, get all health-i-fied, and get on with the rest of my life!
In fact I was just complaining this very morning to MyGuy that I needed to simplify. It's just getting too darn complicated!
In addition to tracking calories, I was trying to keep up with grams of protein, carbs and fat; exercise; supplements; prescriptions; doctors appointments; support group meetings; and now per the doctors, the micrograms of Vitamin K in every bite, and to eat those same micrograms each day. Yeesh!! Tooooo much!
Ummmm.... I need to change my attitude.
I plan to re-read this article, and see how I can do that. How I can apply "effortless vigilance" - Zanshin - to this process of gaining Health.
My book quote for today: "People don't fall off track because they do the wrong exercises at the gym. They fall off track because they stop going, just for a day or two, and then never go back. I've worked on this with thousands of patients, and it's the habit and routine of exercise that leads to success." --Younger Next Year for Women, by Crowley & Lodge
My verse for today: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" from Isaiah 43
Enjoy the journey... which I finally realize means to fall in love with the process!!!!
Retta
=^..^=
