Thursday, August 26, 2010
Friday Challenge
Today's challenge is simple and difficult. It is easy to do - really it is - as in not complicated - but it is one of those things we resist as being possibly too painful.We are going to look under the bed to see what's there. And in the closet.
And under the couch (or as we say in Canada - chesterfield) cushions.
And even, yes, don't shudder - in the cupboard under the sink.Only not in our real houses or apartments but in our mental homes.
Here's how you do it:
Get several nice sheets of clean paper (good one side is great).Get your favourite pens or pencils.
Write on the top of each paper these headings:
1. Family
2. Livelihood
3. Spiritual path
4. Health
5. Heart-work
6. Money Matters
7. FriendsNow take a few moments with each of these topics and ask yourself these questions:
What three actions could I take to improve on this area of my life?
What deadline can I give myself with each of these actions? (Be practical here not crazy hard on yourself)That's it - 3 actions times 7 and deadlines for all.
Once you've made this sheet or sheets - put it somewhere you can see it or find it - put the deadline dates in your date book or tech reminder system and then look around your inner home. Yes, it is cleaned up. It is dealt with even though there are tasks to accomplish.
If we were really smart we'd do this once a week. Yes we would. Just like we'd dust under the bed once a week. (Perhaps you do. I have no idea and I certainly don't wish to know.) Because it isn't just the dust under the bed - it is the thought of the dust under the bed and the junk under the cushions etc...which wears away at out creative selves. The belief that we are bad people with dirty houses and maybe there might be worse than just the dust there - there might be bogeymen or pinkos or ??? Best not look we think. So this is the looking and the intentions set.
Purpose of this Challenge: this challenge will give you lots of energy if you really do it. You won't believe how much more time you have. Time to write for you writers, paint for you painters, love for you lovers etc...
Now get to work and let me know how it goes. I will post the less personal parts of mine if you would like. Just let me know...I'm off to do it.
And a note on the deadlines: if you get to the deadline and you still haven't accomplished the action ask yourself if you really, really want to do this thing you've set or if you just think it is the 'right thing to do'.
*this challenge was definitely inspired by Chip Taylor's Church of The Train Wreck Motion Chart although there are obvious differences. If you don't know Chip Taylor's music - well you oughta! He and Carrie Rodriguez have some of the best Cd's out. Chips story about how got his life on track with some questions he heard on the radio is a wonderful one - check it out!
6 comments:
I think I'm going to have to try this. I've been doing some physical cleaning of closets and rooms (and under the sink too!) so this sort of fits right in with that. Thanks.
Jan - What a clear and straightforward way to face your fears about making changes you need to make in life. I like the fact that a person can break all of that down into manageable bits. Much less scary that way...
What a wonderful challenge! In many ways, cleaning house is much easier to the mental cleaning. I'm going to give this a try.
Thanks.
This is a great challenge. Lately I've been feeling a bit out of control, and I reckon this would help me feel more comfortable with what's under my bed!
I've done this challenge before, it's really great.
I'm so glad you reposted this. I have been thinking about it, from time to time, and my promise at the time of the original post of doing it once I had finished my MA. I did that, but then I went straight to Japan. So I didn't do the challenge then either. But now. No more excuses. It's on.
(Interestingly I thought about going back to read the original post before I realized you had reposted this! Great minds, I guess )
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