This is the day before Christmas Eve, known by some people as Christmas Adam. I am continuing my Soyal retreat for reflection and brainstorming.Agenda:
1. Read a novena
2
Light a candle for discernment
3. Read "Sound Tracks"
4. Soyal retreat practices for discernment
5. Learning brainstorm
6. New narrative for the week
7. Piñata party
1. Read a novena:
I've been reading this Creation Novena from the Indian Catholic Matters site:
Day 8: A Prayer for Vulnerable People
Creator God, we give thanks for means to care for the poor. We give thanks for their resilience, for their strength, and for their example. We give thanks for the opportunity to know them, to serve them, and to love them.
As climate change troubles those who live and work so closely with nature, help us grow in solidarity. Help us follow the words of Proverbs, to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Help us speak truth in the presence of corruption, selfishness, and short-sightedness. Help us speak prophetically to our brothers and sisters, and to reflect on Your truths in our own lives, that we may change our habits to truly care for all Your beloved children.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
2. Light a candle for Discernment:
Discernment: Think before acting; listen within deeply, and seek clarity; make wise choices, with an open mind.
Today I light a white candle for Discernment, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world. I ask:
What is my inner guide saying to me? How can I open to new, creative perspectives? How can I foster my curiosity?
Who is helping me towards clarity? How can I best seek the practical wisdom I need?
What new skills might be useful in the new year? What specific new skills do I need, to complete my goals, priorities, and leadings?
What areas of study will lead me to my mission in life? What topics are of interest to me now? What topics will be a challenge to my usual way of thinking? What do I want to learn so I can teach it?
What study will help me to understand myself better, and help me to grow? What social skills do I still need to work on? What will make me more resilient?
What are some current events or issues I should understand better?
What kinds of resources can I use (books, videos, podcasts, workshops, etc.) and what is my timeline?
3. Read "Soundtracks":
I am finally starting this book by Jon Acuff (2021), with the subtitle, The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, which says I can turn overthinking in to a superpower. I hope this might help me move from overwhelm to action more fluidly.
The first chapter is I Think I Can Do This. He lists off all the kinds of overthinking one does: Worrying about something I said 10 years ago, making plans for how to proceed but not proceeding, and obsessing about the details. He says you can change that by "recognizing your thoughts for what they really are - personal soundtrack for your life." The playlist of my thoughts covers my relationships, my goals, how I behave, and how life treats me.
Overthinking is the result of persistent, repetitive thoughts, such as "It's not fair" and "I am socially inept". These broken soundtracks fill me with negativity, dread, worry, and remorse. My brain builds this overthinking by lying about my memories (our memories are not at all accurate); by confusing fake trauma for real trauma; and by believing what it believes.
So this book is another take on shifting perspective. I get to choose new soundtracks to listen to. "Your brain is waiting for you each day. It's waiting to be told what to think. It's waiting to see what kind of soundtracks you'll choose. It's waiting to see if you really want to build a different life."
3 steps to tap into the power of overthinking:- Retire broken soundtracks.
- Replace them with new ones.
- Repeat them until they are automatic.
4. Soyal retreat practices for discernment:This Christmas I am using the Soyal Way of Being as a guide for my days; that is, I'm keeping Mother Earth in my thoughts as I move quietly and respectfully about my days, in order to establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe. Each day I will fit in some reading and writing, some focused walking, and some order-creation. At the end of the day I will brainstorm some goals and resolutions for 2026, based on guidance from God.
My practices today are:- Reorder and re-dedicate my book shelf, clearing away books I'm not finding important right now.
Make a mind map to brainstorm areas of study and personal interest for each of my life priorities, and challenging projects for the New Year, as well as creative learning techniques, sources, and motivations (podcasts, classes, documentaries, going to a museum, attending a lecture or discussion group).- Waltz Walk to the locksmith (using the mantra Guide-ing-Light), and use movement and mindfulness to connect to creative energy and my guiding light.
- Grub just a bit to gently connect to Mother Nature; move leaves to the west side path.
5. Learning brainstorm:
Mental nurturance comes in the form of life-long learning - the process of acquiring and expanding knowledge and skills throughout my life. Learning is just as nurturing as is eating good food; if you give your brain something fascinating and challenging to digest, in small bites, you will be amazed at the insights and ideas that will bubble up, and the new mental strength and clarity you will gain.
Journal: My focuses for learning in 2026 might be Perspective, Order, and Empathy. I want to develop new habits to help me become disciplined with equanimity, and have energy for order (mental and physical). Also, I want to dive into study of nature every week, with a deep curiosity, with both book and practical work. Some ideas:- Continue my reading rotation of 7 books each week, with the topics of spirit, health, order, perspective, empathy, creativity, and nature.
- Begin to share my Nature-Culture book with some people, to help me understand where I need to stretch. Take classes in practical nature-culture (bee classes, flora and fauna ID, native plants, regenerative agriculture, natural living, etc.).
- Study pre-K process art and nature ideas, and write more about my Grandma School.
- Grow in equanimity and communication skills, and how to shift my perspective to positivity.
What is my inner guide saying to me? How can I open to new, creative perspectives? How can I foster my curiosity?
Who is helping me towards clarity? How can I best seek the practical wisdom I need?
What new skills might be useful in the new year? What specific new skills do I need, to complete my goals, priorities, and leadings?
What areas of study will lead me to my mission in life? What topics are of interest to me now? What topics will be a challenge to my usual way of thinking? What do I want to learn so I can teach it?
What study will help me to understand myself better, and help me to grow? What social skills do I still need to work on? What will make me more resilient?
What are some current events or issues I should understand better?
What kinds of resources can I use (books, videos, podcasts, workshops, etc.) and what is my timeline?
3. Read "Soundtracks":
I am finally starting this book by Jon Acuff (2021), with the subtitle, The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, which says I can turn overthinking in to a superpower. I hope this might help me move from overwhelm to action more fluidly.The first chapter is I Think I Can Do This. He lists off all the kinds of overthinking one does: Worrying about something I said 10 years ago, making plans for how to proceed but not proceeding, and obsessing about the details. He says you can change that by "recognizing your thoughts for what they really are - personal soundtrack for your life." The playlist of my thoughts covers my relationships, my goals, how I behave, and how life treats me.
Overthinking is the result of persistent, repetitive thoughts, such as "It's not fair" and "I am socially inept". These broken soundtracks fill me with negativity, dread, worry, and remorse. My brain builds this overthinking by lying about my memories (our memories are not at all accurate); by confusing fake trauma for real trauma; and by believing what it believes.
So this book is another take on shifting perspective. I get to choose new soundtracks to listen to. "Your brain is waiting for you each day. It's waiting to be told what to think. It's waiting to see what kind of soundtracks you'll choose. It's waiting to see if you really want to build a different life."
3 steps to tap into the power of overthinking:
- Retire broken soundtracks.
- Replace them with new ones.
- Repeat them until they are automatic.
4. Soyal retreat practices for discernment:
This Christmas I am using the Soyal Way of Being as a guide for my days; that is, I'm keeping Mother Earth in my thoughts as I move quietly and respectfully about my days, in order to establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe. Each day I will fit in some reading and writing, some focused walking, and some order-creation. At the end of the day I will brainstorm some goals and resolutions for 2026, based on guidance from God.
My practices today are:
- Reorder and re-dedicate my book shelf, clearing away books I'm not finding important right now.
- Make a mind map to brainstorm areas of study and personal interest for each of my life priorities, and challenging projects for the New Year, as well as creative learning techniques, sources, and motivations (podcasts, classes, documentaries, going to a museum, attending a lecture or discussion group).
- Waltz Walk to the locksmith (using the mantra Guide-ing-Light), and use movement and mindfulness to connect to creative energy and my guiding light.
- Grub just a bit to gently connect to Mother Nature; move leaves to the west side path.
5. Learning brainstorm:
Mental nurturance comes in the form of life-long learning - the process of acquiring and expanding knowledge and skills throughout my life. Learning is just as nurturing as is eating good food; if you give your brain something fascinating and challenging to digest, in small bites, you will be amazed at the insights and ideas that will bubble up, and the new mental strength and clarity you will gain.Journal: My focuses for learning in 2026 might be Perspective, Order, and Empathy. I want to develop new habits to help me become disciplined with equanimity, and have energy for order (mental and physical). Also, I want to dive into study of nature every week, with a deep curiosity, with both book and practical work. Some ideas:
- Continue my reading rotation of 7 books each week, with the topics of spirit, health, order, perspective, empathy, creativity, and nature.
- Begin to share my Nature-Culture book with some people, to help me understand where I need to stretch. Take classes in practical nature-culture (bee classes, flora and fauna ID, native plants, regenerative agriculture, natural living, etc.).
- Study pre-K process art and nature ideas, and write more about my Grandma School.
- Grow in equanimity and communication skills, and how to shift my perspective to positivity.
6. New narrative for the week:
I've decided to set myself some perspective reframing goals each week. My questions today are:
- What are my current challenges, and how can I reframe them?
- How can my new story help my team and my family? How can I shift my mood from anxiety, frustration, impatience, and self-defense?
- How can I best train this habit of reframing so that it helps me succeed at life?
My theme for the week is spirit and guiding light, and my story might shift a little towards curiosity and open-mindedness.
One story reframe is "I have all the time in the world to listen to you."
7. Piñata party!Today we will have our long-anticipated party to break the piñata. It's supposed to be dry, so I will hang the piñata over a rope line and provide a stout stick.
- What are my current challenges, and how can I reframe them?
- How can my new story help my team and my family? How can I shift my mood from anxiety, frustration, impatience, and self-defense?
- How can I best train this habit of reframing so that it helps me succeed at life?
My theme for the week is spirit and guiding light, and my story might shift a little towards curiosity and open-mindedness.
7. Piñata party!
Today we will have our long-anticipated party to break the piñata. It's supposed to be dry, so I will hang the piñata over a rope line and provide a stout stick.
No comments:
Post a Comment