2 exercises for fall
Today is not the start of fall on the Gregorian calendar (Sep. 22) or on the lunar calendar (Aug. 7). But Labor Day marks the end of summer for U.S. Americans more than either date.
I’ve written two (1, 2) notes recently about the meaning of fall in Chinese Medicine. We all must love the idea of cleansing and rebirth, because I’ve received a lot of enthusiasm about these notes.
But both have been fairly abstract. I thought it might be a good idea to make them more concrete today. Here are two exercises to facilitate cleansing and rebirth in the fall.
Cleansing
Find some scrap paper.
Write down all the parts of yourself - habits, thoughts, biases, judgements, labels - that are no longer serving you.
For me, it’s griping, perfectionism, giving too much attention to the activities and opinions of others, resentment that some humans are ruining the world, impatience with my kids, arguments (in my head) with my partner, etc.
Try to stay away from the cosmetic stuff, like “my varicose veins” and “thinning hair.” Although, it might be a good idea to write down judgements you have about these things, if they're not serving you.
In a safe place, alone or with loved ones, make a bonfire and burn these scraps.
Rebirth
Find two more large pieces of scrap paper.
On Sheet 1, make a list of all the things that you spend your time doing on a daily basis. Now add to the list all the things that you would like to be spending your time on, but aren’t.
On Sheet 2, write three headings: High Priority, Medium Priority, and Low Priority.
I’m sure you see where this is going.
Write at the top of Sheet 2: “In light of new information, I organize the next iteration of my life as follows:”
Now add the activities from Sheet 1 to Sheet 2 and sort them by the priority you intend to give them going forward.
High Priority
These are the activities that you believe will bring you the most benefit (health, happiness, contentment). They have potency. You will do these activities before you do anything else. There shouldn’t be too many.
Medium Priority
There’s some good stuff in this list. These are the activities that are useful, critical even, but they are not as potent as the “High Priority” items. Most of these will get done, but only after the “High Priority” items have been sufficiently accomplished.
Low Priority
These are activities that are not bringing you much or any benefit or may be causing you harm. These activities will never get done. Ever. If there’s time left over, you might as well go back to the top of the list.
Here’s mine:
The Cleansing exercise comes first.
Then the second exercise will help create the conditions for positive change and growth. It’s a strategy for planning the next iteration, not necessarily becoming it yet.
Rebirth is a long process that extends into spring, when constraints help make the next iteration strong but flexible.
Now (fall) is when we create the scaffolding for it.
Enjoy.