Whether in a static location, on the road, or somewhere between, if a person is living a full, productive, passionate existence, boredom can never be an issue. I mentioned recently about how I would like to volunteer time on a Colombian finca. There are places where a person can work the land for food and a humble dorm bed, while living in the country and learning about the land. The reply I got:
“Oh yeah, that’s a great way to keep yourself busy.”
I thought: ‘Keep busy? There are only 24 hours per day. The aim is to sleep seven or eight of those. That leaves 16 hours.
Then there is day-to-day life maintenance: cooking, showering, organizing and hopefully exercising, reading, not to mention a boatload of other possibilities depending on the person and their passions, interests, and family life, etc. Working the land could provide for incredible knowledge that I have mostly missed, especially in the tropics.’
Before I know it, the day is finished and there are a million things I could have been doing, like figuring out ways to customize this web presence, writing, reading something incredible, stretching/yoga/breathing focus, and meditating, the latter being he most challenging.
It seems that anything we can think of contains an infinite realm. Whatever a person is doing has unending potential.
You can wipe the word ‘boredom’ or ‘aburrimiento’ from your language arsenal. It does not apply. There are too many possibilities on this enthralling earth.
Enhance Motivation by Setting Intentions and Rules
Whatever it is you need or want to do, there is no reason not to motivate. Organizing motivation helps.
Set up early morning classes. Personal Rule: If I tell others I will attend, then I have to make it a priority. This works well with just-after-the-crack-of-dawn yoga classes at Sonido Selva.
Wellness Tip
Yoga is best first thing in the morning as it sets an incredibly positive tone for the rest of the day. While breathing is heavily focused on, yoga can be also be a physical workout.
I have taught many English classes at 8 am. As a student, if you attend early classes of any type, doing them first thing gets them done when the mind is the freshest. This initial motivation can provide positive momentum for the rest of the day.
Whatever you have to do, put it in front of you (if possible). For instance: cutting nails. If I notice that my toes or fingernails need clipping, I put the clipper out where I can see it. That way it’s right in front of me and will get done on autopilot since that rule is embedded in my being. If I put something in front of me, I must do it. It eventually becomes automatic. NOTE: A fist pump after completing even a tiny task like this, can add more positive energy and momentum to every forthcoming moment; which in turn sets you up for more of the same going forward. Make everything you are doing fun.
Make your bed right when you get out of it in the morning. This simple act can provide a base for motivation throughout the entire day.
Drink a couple of glasses of water first thing in the morning. One of the first things I do is drink as much water as possible, ideally a couple of glasses. This is a fantastic way to wake the organs and the rest of the body up. And it tends to aid in bowel action. It’s great to empty them first thing in the morning. It helps to put a glass somewhere so you will see it when you get out of bed.
Try not to eat until noon or later. I don’t manage this every day, but it is typically what I should shoot for. This is a personal rule that becomes super easy, fast. Daily, I typically like to strive to eat in a four-hour window. This gives my digestive tract, stomach and the entire body a 20-hour rest from processing food, and paradoxically, this non-eating creates more energy. Sometimes after I eat I think: ‘I felt better before I ate’, which has been the case even after a 20-hour intermittent rest from food.
If I want to set a half hour or hour to reading, ideally in a hammock, I utilize my old Nokia phone’s alarm clock. When the alarm goes off, I have completed my consistent reading goal. If I feel like I am able to make the time, there is the option to continue reading.
Wellness Tip
There is nothing wrong with dosing off in a hammock, sofa or bed while trying to read. Short naps are usually beneficial as they tend to rejuvenate the immune system. People who take naps or siestas are sometimes looked at as lazy, when in reality, they are smart. Things can be the opposite of what we have been taught.
There are many more habits, rules and intentions I would like to continue employing. The goal is constant baby steps. Accept setbacks because they are part of the journey. And enjoy the great improvements, efficiency and overall wellness that is created and enhanced by implementing intentions for wellness.
Are there any personal rules or intentions that you have been successful with? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Here is the full collection of 360 photos from Minca, Colombia.
