Tracesea and I are participating in Philosophers Notes 50 Day Challenge.  This means that we will read or listen to the synopsis of philosophical and practical self-help texts for the next 50 days.  The outcome of immersing ourselves in other people's ideas will be increased mindfulness as to the gaps between those ideas and the quality of our lives.  Some people might say that this is a set up for discouragement, but we believe it will be invigorating as it helps us redefine the direction of our lives and this work.

The first two philosophers were Don Miquel Ruiz and Stephen Covey.  Together they form a foundation for mindfulness.  The first through keeping agreements with ourselves, and the second building on those agreements with habits of outlook and action. Ruiz suggests we build the integrity of Self in our words, center on our own track refusing to take personally how others react, forgo making assumptions and playing hard and with commitment to whatever we do (he calls this one "doing our best").  The gap for me here was the idea that I did not have to kowtow or pay lots of attention to others reactions

to and about me, most importantly I do not have to feel badly if others don't like my actions as long as they are in alignment with my highest ideals and promptings from my Soul.  I have always been sensitive to derision, and while I know in my heart that strong leaders will always find disfavor with others, it is hard for me to be strong in the face of someone's scorn.

Covey builds on that with a set of habits that keep us moving in the right direction. Of the set, the ones that brought up gaps for me had to do with refilling my inner self through regular activities in line with my ideals.  I feel guilty when, rather than working on this website, I spend time finding pictures for a mind map I am making (more on that another time).  Pictures cement me in potential because they are not concrete yet they communicate the essence of an idea better than words.  Covey helps me realize that by setting aside regular time for activities that work with my ideals I become stronger, and more effective.

Through the two I realized that while outwardly strong, my inner life has grown a little depleted.  Time to do something about that!

Next on the list we did an exercise on how we want to be remembered at the end of our lives. My answers had to do with people remembering me as being helpful, friendly, and fun. The biggest gap in these is fun - in order, it is easiest for me to be helpful to others, I think most find me at least friendly - but only my closest friends have the best idea of when and how I am fun to be with.   Said another way I feel inhibited to let my fun self out until I am comfortable with people.  Funny, sad, but true.

Going back to these philosophers, do they have components of their work that will help me address these two gaps - first to feed by inner self more through expressive fun activities and second to have more fun with a greater number of people?  Here are some thoughts:

• Ruiz says we need to be aware of the problem in order to solve it - GREAT my awareness has been raised.
• Somehow I assume I have to know people well to let my hair down and to be silly or spontaneous - Ruiz would say both don't assume and don't be gided by others reactions - if I think it is fun - follow that and see what happens.
• Covey would say I need to be proactive and make commitments to improve the amount of time I spend having fun and feeding my Soul with activities that incorporate my ideals of beauty and mindfulness.

Covey says that things are created twice, first in our minds then in reality.  The Mind Valley team that distribute Philosophers Notes have a tool where you check off something for which you are trying to create a habit every day you do it.  I will start my commitment to incorporate more fun and artistic time in my life by starting that tool.  Today I will continue to work on my mind map in between working online with students I mentor - a bit of work a bit of fun - Iook forward to it.

And how about you?  We look forward to comments and suggestions about the "Mind the Gap" series in general and this post in particular as we go ahead.