However, if we
learn to respect our own rhythms of rest and work, we will be more
productive. Many people spend long hours
working at their desk, but a decent portion of those hours is unproductive and
would be better spent resting, thus allowing for more to be done later.
Winter is the time
of the year for letting go and withdrawing.
It represents the irrepressible need for rest, as per the annual cycle. In our daily lives, we must respect the
interplay of work and rest, along with the rhythms of the year’s activities.
Consider these two
fates: that of a military commander, the strategic genius, versus the
kamikaze. The first wins their battles
with the least loss of human life, while the second gives their life up by
crashing into a target.
Studying, reading, learning
Winter is
traditionally the time for studying subjects that are interesting, reading,
self-cultivation and developing knowledge.
Often, we do not
devote enough time to our interests in our daily routine. Winter is the perfect time for dedicating
time to this. During the rest of the
year, take note of subjects you find interesting, books that attract you, and
put them aside until winter comes.
Compile all the
things that interest you into a list at the end of autumn and the start of
winter in order to develop a syllabus for learning and discovery.
“Doing less in
winter does not mean doing nothing. It
is the time for learning.”
Going out less, receiving more
Winter is neither
the time for going out a lot, nor for meeting new people. The season is best for spending time with our
closest relationships, whether family or friends. Invite them to come over, converse with them
about any and every thing, and take advantage of the long winter nights to get
to know these loved ones better.
“Winter is not the
season for going out, but that for having close friends in our homes.”
Getting ready for spring
During this active
hibernation, think back over the year that is about to come to a close, and
make sure what we did lines up with what we wanted to do.
This analysis
prepares the ground for spring, and therefore the coming year, by making sure
we are on the right track to becoming who we want to be. By examining ourselves thusly, we can track
our evolution and our expectations with regard to our lives.
By adapting our
vision of things and ourselves to the coming year, we prepare for the right
kind of self-development and daily routine.
If we have trouble
reflecting on these things objectively, turn to others you trust and ask them
for their advice and help.
You can also seek
out a mentor or teacher that has already guided you, to get help with your
research.
The strength of
our personal development lies in our efforts that we actually undertake.
“The retreat that
comes with winter is not a dead period, but a time of active preparation for
the year to come.”
Choosing a different rhythm
The creative force
from the beginning of the year feeds off the energy that accumulates during the
calm winter. The more we take this
period seriously, the more we successfully shape our choices for the coming
year.
To ensure that we
make the right choices, we must know which direction we seek to go in, in
addition to how much intensity to put into each effort.
By conserving our
strength in order to avoid exhaustion, and by searching profoundly for what we
need, we can really prepare for a productive and intelligent new year.
Like a sprinter
preparing for a big race, we must rest and concentrate our will on the action
to come.
These preparations
are often more important than the actions themselves. Many athletes, especially fighters, speak of
how much harder the training and conditioning is than the competitions
themselves.
This preparatory
period is demanding, but without it, the athletes would not be primed for
competition.
Working more at home
If possible,
winter is a great time for work as much as we can at home. Our work will benefit from the peace of our
own home, or another location where we feel at ease.
Winter is not a
good time for brainstorming in groups.
Instead, we must make decision by ourselves. Our work will also be better if we do it
alone.
For solo working
and thinking, stay at home or disengage from your environment.
It is possible to
become isolated and focused on yourself and your thoughts amidst a hurricane:
this all depends on your state of mind.
If you are focused
on your work and the problems that need to be solved, the external ambiance
becomes a white noise, a murmur that no longer distracts.
“Isolated but not
alone, we work actively, just like the energy of winter.”
Meeting and sharing
If we need to work
alone, we must also meet with those close to us. We can plan gatherings or regular meet ups
which allow us to connect a bit with those who are important to us.
“In order not to
suffocate, we must condition and motivate ourselves, uncover our goals and
create a strategy for the coming year.”
Our introspection
can extend to include our circle of family and closest friends. This sharing helps balance the retreat from
the world. Do not turn to the people
outside of your circle, unlike in spring; focus on your intimate relations.
“In spring, energy
expands outwards towards the new, so we can test and discover. In winter everything contracts, to enhance
and share.”
Doing, but not excessively
End of year
parties give plenty of excuses for excess.
However, these do not align with the spirit of winter, as it is the time
of year when we are most fragile. We
must instead pay close attention to what we eat, and arrange our lives to be
free of excess.
In this
introspective and reflective period, our awareness must be free so that we can
be efficient. Our diet must be adapted
to the season, full of vigorous vitality.
We must thus enter a ‘saving’ mode, and respect
our body abused by the cold. We must
sleep enough, by going to bed at a reasonable time. The time we spend doing things must be useful
and deliberate. By doing what needs to
be done in our daily routine, all the while sparing our strength, we conserve
the important energy that is precious to our health.
Enjoy the end of Winter and be ready for an incredible learning year of Ding You !
Learn Something in 2017 !!!
