2 posts tagged “guidelines”

GUIDELINE: Maintain what you own

In the last few years I've been striving to reach my goals; at the same time, things are falling apart around me.  I've been telling myself that when I get to a certain point, I'll take care of everything.  But I think it's left me a bit scattered.  I don't have the energy I had ten years ago; I certainly don't have the free time I used to have.

I don't enjoy maintenance.  It's against my nature.  I tend to let things run down and then buy a new one.  But I think it's also been a way to avoid being "in the moment" (see the next guideline).  As I start to reduce my commitments and take more time to myself, I'm starting to enjoy cleaning and repairing what I do have.  And it's a good way to enjoy accomplishments instead of always looking to the next target.

There is an associated GUIDELINE: Only own what you can maintain

All of this self-reflection is leading me toward a minimalistic approach.  I have too many possessions that I don't care about and it's blocking me from those I do care about.  I have too many projects in the design phase and it's blocking me from delivering on larger projects.

GUIDELINE:  Experience life fully, as it happens

I have a couple habits that block me from this.  I am the king of critical.  As I am doing something or involved in an activity, my brain is constantly evaluating it and thinking of better ways for it to happen.  I am discovering that this is a way to "leave" the event, instead of "experiencing" the event.

Evaluation is for another time...and then only to achieve a certain goal.  "Should I go there again?" -- evaluate the last trip.  "How can I make that better?" -- evaluate it.

The other (related) habit is to dwell more on negative feedback than positive.  Negative feedback gnaws at me for weeks.  Positive feedback blows by in a second.  Time to hold on to the positive.  I always felt a little guilty about enjoying positive feedback.  Time to let that go....

I am convinced that the dream I had the other night contained a message for me: you cannot create a vision until you have examined your desires and beliefs.

Since that night, I have had "guidelines" popping into my head.  Of course they represent a bit of a revolution to me. (Thus the rules themselves tell you something of my life up to now.) There is an implied "Contrary to what you have believed your entire life, ______."  Here are a few of the guidelines:

GUIDELINE: Respect your wants, needs, wishes, and desires

You are a child of God.  Accept without judgment what it is that your heart seeks.

It's incredible how afraid I am to admit what I want.

GUIDELINE: Take care of yourself first.  Help others out of excess.

Or as my friend just commented: "Affix your own oxygen mask before assisting others."  I do enjoy helping others.  I need to do it with surplus...not to burn myself out.

GUIDELINE: Nurture your whole self: emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual

This is the key to creating a vision for my future.