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
=^..^=
9 comments:
The process of gaining health", that really struck me. Thank you for teaching me about SERF. I am doing SERF goals daily and would love to get to the point where it is effortless.
Thanks for your post. So much of this is where I am at. So need this and support from blogs again
I sure know what you mean, Kat. I would love to not have to have lists and reminders and post-it notes all over, with lists to remind me to look at the lists!! Okay, maybe a tiny exaggeration there, ha ha. But really, it would be wonderful to finally get to a place where the details fall into place, with just minor occasional course corrections. Thank goodness for the simplicity of the SERF approach! :-)
Hi Jules! I'm glad you found something useful in the post. I know I find it encouraging when I know others understand the struggles, and we can support each other on the journey. Email me anytime, my sweet friend!!
Hi, Retta.
Here's a link to the song, "Good, good Father."
Our Father God just wants you to know that you are loved by Him, that's who you are.
Thank you, Just Mom. I found it on youtube. I appreciate that.
Oh, no! I forget to paste the link! so sorry. Just goes to show that God uses even cracked pots. I'm so glad you searched out the song! And, I do apologize that you had to go to that effort. Youi are loved by the Father---that's who you are.
Hey. I was wondering when your surgery is scheduled. I've prayed for you and it just in case you've had it done and didn't post about it. Deb
Sorry to take so long to answer you, Deb. Under a deadline for an art project. But I appreciate the prayers. I finally got in to see the endocrinologist. She said the "rush" timeline from the surgeon to lose a bunch of weight for surgery by March is totally unrealistic.
In fact, since my food plan was all changed (by the Endocrinologist and by the nurse at the Coumadin clinic) I've actually done worse, and gained wt. Ack! Wrong direction. So... I'm going back to what I know worked before, albeit very slowly. I'm trying to get someone to authorize a blood test for cancer markers (CA-125 test) that will tell me how slowly this is or is not progressing, and hence how long I can safely put off the surgery, to work on the wt loss thing.
I was talking to my sister a few days ago, and she heard something I didn't hear myself saying. Basically, I was making excuses, waiting for one of these "professionals" to come up with some kind of magic bullet, and "rescue" me. I didn't even catch I was doing that until she pointed it out. Aargh... so, if they can help, great. If not, I'll do my best to stay on plan and just make healthy choices. And the results? In my Father's loving hands.
Again, thank you for the prayers, that's very kind of you, and I truly appreciate it.
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