A major paradox of life is we chase happiness by always looking forward, yet we’ll never really know happiness unless we look back and reflect, particularly on our many achievements.
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We’re so flat out achieving that we never look back and really enjoy what we’ve done. There’s always the next appointment, the following day, and the new thing. Our appetites are quite insatiable. And the peculiar thing is we not only have a huge craving for the usual things, we also have an increasing appetite for work; to the point of burn out. And if it’s not work that we’ll burn out on it’s our social life.
We’re so flat out achieving that we never look back and really enjoy what we’ve done. There’s always the next appointment, the following day, and the new thing. Our appetites are quite insatiable. And the peculiar thing is we not only have a huge craving for the usual things, we also have an increasing appetite for work; to the point of burn out. And if it’s not work that we’ll burn out on it’s our social life.
s
I wonder how often people make their lives busy simply because they don’t feel comfortable about something deep within themselves. We tend to get bored easily -- I know I do. One thing I am learning however, is the art of reflection... to be still and just be. When we get to this sort of state, and it takes some effort which is ironic, we’re perfectly set up to enjoy reflecting on where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and on the awesome wonder of creation and our place in the world.
I wonder how often people make their lives busy simply because they don’t feel comfortable about something deep within themselves. We tend to get bored easily -- I know I do. One thing I am learning however, is the art of reflection... to be still and just be. When we get to this sort of state, and it takes some effort which is ironic, we’re perfectly set up to enjoy reflecting on where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and on the awesome wonder of creation and our place in the world.
s
I find the following a good recipe for reflection:
I find the following a good recipe for reflection:
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1. Get away from people and distractions.
1. Get away from people and distractions.
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2. Find the best time of the day – when you feel relaxed and least burdened. I prefer first thing in the morning, though if you’re more a day or evening person you might consider reflecting later.
2. Find the best time of the day – when you feel relaxed and least burdened. I prefer first thing in the morning, though if you’re more a day or evening person you might consider reflecting later.
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3. Do your reflecting with the least stimuli to distract you. Perhaps limit it to a pen or pencil and a journal, and possibly a Bible or one thing to read to reflect on.
3. Do your reflecting with the least stimuli to distract you. Perhaps limit it to a pen or pencil and a journal, and possibly a Bible or one thing to read to reflect on.
s
4. Play some light, relaxing, and calming music or even burn a candle or incense. Fire and running water from a small fountain are very mesmerising and perfect for getting into your reflective zone.
4. Play some light, relaxing, and calming music or even burn a candle or incense. Fire and running water from a small fountain are very mesmerising and perfect for getting into your reflective zone.
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5. When you’re relaxed, and this’ll take at least 15 minutes to achieve, then you can use the rest of your time to calmly read, muse, and journal. It’s a wonderful peace in this place.
5. When you’re relaxed, and this’ll take at least 15 minutes to achieve, then you can use the rest of your time to calmly read, muse, and journal. It’s a wonderful peace in this place.
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6. Be really aware of ‘drifting back’ to the world. The ability to remain in your reflection zone is enhanced with practice. Try and keep your focus off the issues ahead of your day or following day. If you drift, simply re-focus.
6. Be really aware of ‘drifting back’ to the world. The ability to remain in your reflection zone is enhanced with practice. Try and keep your focus off the issues ahead of your day or following day. If you drift, simply re-focus.
s
The point of reflection is to keep things simple. Its objective is to slow you down enough for you to be able to smell the roses -- it leads to joy, hope and thankfulness, which is difficult to explain. And who cares? Peace, joy, and an unstressed day or night’s sleep is ahead of you.
The point of reflection is to keep things simple. Its objective is to slow you down enough for you to be able to smell the roses -- it leads to joy, hope and thankfulness, which is difficult to explain. And who cares? Peace, joy, and an unstressed day or night’s sleep is ahead of you.
s
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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