Sticking to the Jan Plan

KEEPING TO THE PATH

It's been two weeks now since starting the new routine. The plans have worked out well so far. We've tweaked our agreed daily routine to better enable us to both benefit from this productive time. 

Fitness

Making the decision to only do 10 minutes of Qi Gong in the morning every week day means we can use the 10 minutes saved at weekends to do a strength and cardio workout on Saturday/Sunday morning instead. Plus it means we don't get bored of the weekday routine. The 10-15 minutes of daily yoga can be a bit repetitive, but there are many factors to focus on in this routine that means it always gives back. The poses also have a multitude of health/focus benefits. 

Walking and cycling are free and can help get us back into nature if we opt to go through the woods/park or out on the common. This could also feature part of our need to get away a bit more - and replace the pubs and bars on any planned trips away. 

Diet

Starting every morning with a fresh cold-pressed juice, has kept the mind sharp and I'm seeing the weight steadily drop off. Eating less, no/minimal snacking and taking in only freshly prepared food every day also seems to be replenishing the body's depleted reserves and restoring vitality. 

Selecting reduced price items in the supermarket has also ensured the budget is being adhered to and we're much being more mindful of what we eat based on availability, flexibility (lifespan/compatibility with other ingredients to make different meal combinations) and value for money - rather than purely focusing on taste.

Education

Reading more and having a wider variety of different topics to study means there's a greater scope of knowledge available on hand. Having the breadth of mind to absorb all the information seems to be the crux here. While it would likely be optimum to stick to just one topic, this variety means I have greater scope to learn from and I select exactly what is right at the moment it comes to me. This approach to learning can still work well, but I may need to go back and re-read some of the pages to really absorb the new information. The notes options in both Kindle and iBooks apps are handy for keeping reminders of the key learning points. I'll use my page posts within the blog to write up what I'm learning about.

These last two weeks, I've been reading and writing mainly about stress. Understanding the symptoms, causes, affects and methods for coping/fixing this beast will be comprehensively written up soon. This newly learned information has been instrumental to my development over the last 12 months and invaluable to everyone for better understanding themselves and the factors affecting health.

Another study has been on the understood benefits of being 'introverted' for greater creative advancement. This field of study will again be written about in greater depth for better describing why the modern working environment is hampering creative thought and potentially contributing towards higher stress levels in certain individuals and an increase in stress-related health issues in organisations.

Creativity

Poetry has been present in some of my recent thoughts on creativity and I'll be looking at using this art form to invoke the creative parts of my brain more. Some thought provoking films (Lobster this past weekend), have really opened up my mind for allowing inspiration to flow. I'll look for more though-provoking films to watch over coming weeks. 

I've managed to get the graphics tablet working again - so potentially I could investigate digital drawing. I still have the conventional pencil to pick up and master as well as the paint brush. This is likely something I will get on to once I've secured a regular income.

Entertainment

Apart from the odd documentary, there are quite a few TV shows/series, comedies and dramas we can watch. Some will be inspiring but essentially, this part of the routine fulfils necessary relaxation time and will feature more in the week, only later in the day and on Saturday evening. Having a good book to get lost in that isn't purely educational, should be high on the agenda for coming weeks too. 

Spiritual development

Focusing on the improvements within oneself in order to benefit others - or being wisely selfish as the Dalai Lama wisely likes to phrase it. This will be the ongoing daily practise required for reaching a higher consciousness. My meditation will be taken daily.

Non attachment - This is key for beating stress. Taking on challenges rather than feeling the weight of attachment to anything tricky that life throws at us, will help to stay removed from all negative impacts. 

Vision Board - The vision board will help bring the goals to fruition as positive thoughts are channelled towards attaining the outcomes we desire for the future. 

Fortune Guidance

Not usually one for listening to the psychic messages given by oracles, soothsayers and prophets, I do however recognise that there is something strange concerning my own subtle clairvoyant abilities. There have just been too many coincidences to discredit psychic powers.

And when there's positive messages to align with from The Secret or pointers from rune stones, fairy cards or any other tool used for 'seeing' into the future or connecting to the universe, we should use these messages to give us some purpose-driven focus. We need to take action for bringing about change rather than merely sitting around and waiting for miracles to happen.

So, using the Mandala card readings from this week as a guide, I will take their meanings to help cement a positive thoughts foundation to work from:

Good luck - I am lucky and need to remember that. I have to pay attention to any negative beliefs I harbour regarding luck and money and what I deserve in life - I needn't focus on what's lacking.

Meditation - Do this daily to still my mind away from all the chatter going on. Focus on good breathing! Use these techniques for better communication and understanding of others. 

Balance Flowing - Stop giving attention to the idea of balance as it can make me unnecessarily anxious. Understand that the actions I take have positive results in my life and go with the flow. 

Work

I will continue coming at this quest for meaningful employment from a perspective where money/status is of secondary concern. Keep planting the seeds and look at ways to make some extra cash through Elance, teaching, Streetbank, impossible and doing other simple jobs like DIY or driving (deliveroo).