Now our minds and bodies continue their quest for more sunlight, we’ve marked the first day of spring. As I took my morning walk today I contemplated my own personal organization system and what I find appeals most to me about it. I have a schedule that stays on time, a to do list that is up to date and keeps me on top of things and a clean and uncluttered living space.
A while back I posted about Simplicity and organization and talked about mental debt and keeping the mind free and open.
While having systems such as to do lists and calendars in place to put the things that come to our minds, the reminders, the constant nag that you have something to do, safely away, I realize that doing that is not enough. We need to have a mind that flows and a mind that seamlessly is integrated into our body, keeping it calm and free of stress. A mind that flows with movement, that can be calm but powerful when need be. It occurred to me that we need to have a “Mind Like Water” state.
Letting go - Having a mind like water
A much famous quote from Bruce Lee:
“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.”
The common way of thinking about this is that organizational or productivity system is the path or goal and the Mind Like Water is the destination. Having this fluid organizational system becomes something to attain.
The possession of anything begins in the mind
-Bruce Lee
To obtain anything, we need to possess it, own it and begin the process of integrating it into our minds and bodies.
I believe Bruce is right: possession of a mind like water begins in the mind. It’s not productivity first, mind like water second. It’s the other way around.
Find your calm places, find things to do that encourage peace and calm, rather than anxiety and anger. Empty your mind of the thoughts of busy and do not latch onto actions and interactions that cause unrest and turmoil.
A calm and adaptable body and mind are essential for health. Find yours.
Tags: Life Hack, Mental Debt, Stress