29 posts tagged with "habit"

Life has a way of getting hectic, and sometimes, our favorite activities take a backseat. For me, writing and meditation have been two pillars of joy and self-expression. However, recently, I've been struggling to keep up with these practices. I will share my journey of rediscovering the joy of writing and meditation and present an action plan for the next 30 days to reignite these passions. I wish to embark on this journey of finding balance and nurturing my creative and mindful selves.

The Struggle to Keep Up​

Writing and meditation have brought me immense peace and fulfillment in the past. However, amidst the demands of daily life and a busy schedule, I found myself neglecting these activities. The joy and sense of accomplishment that writing and meditation once provided started to fade away. It became evident that I needed to prioritize these activities to regain the balance and serenity they brought into my life.

Action Plan for the Next 30 Days​

1. Establish a Routine: Consistency is key. Block out dedicated time slots each day for writing and meditation. Treat these activities as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as you get back into the groove.

2. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your writing and meditation goals into achievable tasks. Whether it's writing a certain number of words per day or meditating for a specific duration, set goals that are realistic and attainable. Celebrate each milestone achieved to stay motivated.

3. Create a Sacred Space: Designate a peaceful corner in your home as your writing and meditation space. Personalize it with inspiring quotes, soft lighting, and comfortable seating. This dedicated space will serve as a sanctuary for your creative and reflective pursuits.

4. Embrace Mindfulness in Daily Life: Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routines. Practice being present in the moment, whether it's savoring a cup of tea, taking a mindful walk, or engaging in deep breathing during moments of stress. This will help cultivate a sense of mindfulness beyond the dedicated meditation sessions.

Rediscovering the joy of writing and meditation requires dedication, intention, and a commitment to self-care. By implementing an action plan for the next 30 days, I hope to gradually reintroduce these activities into my life and restore the balance that they bring.

Finding time for what brings us joy and peace is an essential part of self-care and personal growth.​

In our fast-paced world, where distractions abound and mediocrity often prevails, the pursuit of relentless focus and impeccable quality in personal tasks is a rare and admirable trait. I have learnt this from my father, who embodies these qualities in his daily life. His unwavering dedication and commitment serve as a constant source of inspiration, reminding me of the profound impact that can be achieved through unwavering focus and a commitment to excellence.

Setting High Standards​

From as far back as I can remember, my father has consistently set high standards for himself in every task he undertakes. Whether it's completing a household chore, working on a personal project, or pursuing a hobby, he approaches each task with unwavering focus and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. His dedication to excellence serves as a guiding principle in all aspects of his life.

Attention to Detail​

Impeccable quality is a hallmark of my father's approach to personal tasks. He believes that no detail is too small to be overlooked, and he meticulously attends to every aspect of his endeavors. Whether it's a DIY project or preparing a meal, he invests time and effort in understanding the intricacies, ensuring that every element is executed flawlessly. This unwavering attention to detail is what sets his work apart and elevates it to a level of excellence.

Cultivating a Sense of Fulfillment​

One of the most remarkable aspects of my father's relentless focus and impeccable quality is the sense of fulfillment it brings him. Seeing him immersed in his personal tasks, fully present and engaged, is a testament to the joy that comes from pursuing excellence. His work not only showcases his talent and dedication but also brings him a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list.​

Gloaming​

How many sunsets have you lived? - I asked this question to myself. And no, it is not a rhetorical question. I remember some distinct evenings when I was mindful and present. It felt like time has gone still and nature so serene. Sunset are reminder of rhythms in life - the cycle of rise, shine, set and repeat.

I do hope to observe sunsets more frequently. I do not need to be on a beach to do that. Only need to be present in the moment and look at the marvel of nature and its rhythms.

Chasing Daylight​

Eugene O'Kelly, talks about gloaming in his book Chasing Daylight.

The last rays of light and the shadows that fall just before the gloaming that follows. Gloaming is when shadows disappear. It’s not completely dark yet, but there are no more shadows. Gloaming is what separates day from night.

Spring time​

String is the season full of life, growth and activity. It is a season that is marked by warmer temperatures, longer days, and the blossoming of flowers and trees. And Holi, in a way, marks the beginning of Spring season.

Intelligence in plants​

Plants are intelligent, albeit in a different way, but they are able to sense and respond to their environment, communicate with each other through chemical signals, and even solve problems. The next time you see a flower or plant bending towards sunlight, growing towards water - be amazed by the existence of intelligence all around is. In a way, isn't that what life is all about?

Converting for good​

Many a times, we take decisions which are tough, binding and for life time. These are moments of conversion, and if supported by willpower and change of identity, they are permanent. Some examples of converting are:

• Picking a new hobby - cycling or running
• Quitting smoking for good
• Becoming a reader

Zeal of the converted​

The process of converting from an old you to a new you is confusing, scary and comes with a lot of temptations. Building a new habit is tough, it is slow and requires an honest conversation with your self. But after you convert, it becomes pride and something you are indeed proud of. The converted you is zealous for the following reasons:

• It is energizing to do something new, hard and personal.
• Being successfully on the other side gives you immense confidence and self worth.
• Having struggled and failed, you are more willing to help others in their journey.

A zealous and converted me talking about morning swimming

While I wait​

I wait for many chunks of 15 minutes during the day, these slots are not sufficient to start a new task/work but sufficient to engage in superfillers. For example, I might wait during the day:

• For household helps (cook/maid) to complete their task at hand.
• A meeting or call to start in 20 minutes
• A friend is late to meet at the coffee shop

Superfillers​

A superfiller is an activity or habit that has the following characteristics:

1. 10 minute atomic Habit
2. Asymmetric long term benefits due to daily compounding
3. Aligned with personal goals

How I wait​

I have found a few things to be highly satisfying superfillers. In the last 1 year, the top of my list would be:

• Reading a few pages of my current book on Kindle while I wait
• 10 minute meditation while I wait
• Walk in the office/society/hall while I wait
• Return calls to friends or family while I wait

While I wait - Meditation at Langkawi Sky Bridge 2022

A unique experience was meditating at Langkawi Sky Bridge - I could feel that the curved cable-stayed bridge vibrates/oscillates ever so slightly.

Happy Birthday Abhi​

Happy Birthday Abhi! I hope you have a great year ahead and enjoy the day in pool with our lovely Oshee at Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah. Wish you all the happiness in the world!

India Visit​

See you soon, have a great year ahead! 😀

Who cares about Handwriting?​

I have always had a below average handwriting. I did not write like doctors but the letters were ill shaped, flow zig zag and consistency missing. And indeed it did not obstruct work in any manner, but it definitely could be 10X'ed.

What to do about Handwriting?​

In 2022, I started a simple practice on pen & paper with the aim of improving my handwriting. It was a 5-min exercise of writing alphabets, patterns, and passages/poems.

While I do not see any measurable improvement in my handwriting yet. I do feel happy about reading some poems again. Poem in handwriting above - All the world's a stage

Beginnings​

Gaurav Parashar's personal blog & Interests started as a result of post lunch browsing today combined with an idea which has brewed for months now. I have pondered about structuring my thoughts for a while now and have been using Obsidian, I look forward to public note keeping.