Category: Resilience

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Embarking on a New Chess Learning Journey: Renewed Strategies and Small Steps

Hello to my cherished readers,

Since penning down my thoughts on neurofatigue and reflecting on how it used to encumber my progress while immersing myself in the world of chess, the idea of revisiting my chess studies has been brewing in my mind. However, this time, I’m inspired to leverage the invaluable lessons I’ve garnered in the realm of forming habits, establishing routines, and making incremental progress toward my goals. The conception of this endeavor excites me, and though it will necessitate some time to craft a practical approach, the anticipation only fuels my enthusiasm.

Delving back into chess, I want to ensure that my methodology is refined and well-structured. The planning process is crucial, and I intend to devote considerable time to it. My aim is not just to rekindle my acquaintance with the game but to deepen my understanding and mastery of it. The prospect of embarking on this journey fills me with anticipation, and I am eager to explore chess’s myriad possibilities.

I am currently in the process of sketching a rough outline, delineating what I aspire to achieve and the strategies I will employ to commence this journey. One of the initial steps I am contemplating is to identify ten chess openings that will be the focal point of my study. These openings will form the foundation of my learning, and I plan to dedicate a week to delve into the intricacies and nuances of each one. This approach will allow me to build a robust base and gain a deeper insight into the diverse strategies and tactics employed in the game.

Setting a definite start date and allotting regular time for study are also integral components of my plan. Consistency is key in any learning endeavor, and by establishing a routine, I aim to ensure that my studies are systematic and productive. I am in the process of fine-tuning the details, and once the plan is more concrete, I am eager to share the specifics with you all. Your insights and feedback will be invaluable as I navigate this exciting journey.

The prospect of rekindling my passion for chess, armed with newfound knowledge and strategies, is invigorating. I am keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Still, I am equally cognizant of the rewards of perseverance and dedication. This endeavor is not just about revisiting a past interest; it is about evolving my approach, enhancing my skills, and achieving a deeper understanding and appreciation of the game.

I eagerly look forward to this journey’s myriad of learnings and experiences. The world of chess is vast and varied, and I am excited to explore its depths, uncover its secrets, and share my journey with you. The planning phase is a time of reflection and strategizing. I am embracing it with open arms, looking forward to the possibilities that await.

In closing, I am enthusiastic about this new chapter and am diligently working towards crafting a well-thought-out plan. The journey promises to be enlightening, and I am eager to share my progress, learnings, and experiences with you. Keep an eye out for updates as I continue to refine my approach and embark on this exciting venture into the captivating world of chess.

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Cultivating the Mind: The Art of Mental Pruning for Self-Improvement

From the recesses of my earliest memories, I’ve battled the demons of intrusive thoughts and impulses. While I have successfully tamed the majority, a few still slip through the cracks, especially in moments of distraction or heightened stress, leading to undesirable actions. To mitigate such occurrences, I practice what I’ve come to call ‘mental pruning.’

Mental pruning is a conscious, deliberate effort to suppress and eventually erase impulsive, negative thoughts. The process demands envisioning the person I aspire to be; this mental portrait serves as a benchmark against which I assess the nature of my impulsive thoughts. It acts as a guiding light, illuminating the counter-thoughts that help me weed out the undesirable ones.

For instance, there have been occasions when I’ve snapped at my wife unreasonably. Recognizing this as contrary to the person I strive to be, I visualize the action, recoil at the thought, and reestablish a mental image of my ideal self. Through repetition, I notice such impulses diminishing as if I’ve pruned that branch of thought to the extent that it no longer overshadows my desired thinking.

This strategy of self-training may resonate with you. While it’s no easy feat and demands constant vigilance and mental effort, I can vouch for its efficacy in my journey. It may well be adaptable to your pursuit of self-improvement, helping you become the person you aspire to be.

By becoming conscious of an intrusive thought, I focus my willpower on suppressing it, aiming to expunge it from the recesses of my mind. This task necessitates the formation of a mental image of my ideal self. I employ this image as a comparative tool to assess impulsive thoughts and as a wellspring for the counter-thoughts that cleanse my mind of negativity.

Such a mental pruning exercise is not merely an act of suppression; it’s a cultivation of the mind, nurturing the positive and curbing the negative. The analogy of pruning is apt, as it embodies the essence of selective elimination and regrowth, creating room for the blossoming of desirable thoughts and behaviors.

The journey of mental pruning is far from a stroll in the park. It demands resilience, patience, and a relentless pursuit of self-betterment. The fruits of this labor, however, are profoundly rewarding. The diminishing of undesirable impulses and the flourishing of positive thoughts are testaments to the transformative power of this practice.

I hope that sharing my experience with mental pruning may inspire others to embark on their journeys of self-discovery and improvement. The road may be arduous, and the pruning shears may sometimes feel heavy. Still, the prospect of cultivating a mind enriched with positive thoughts and actions is a compelling motivator.

 

I encourage you to explore the potential of mental pruning. Adapt it, make it your own, and witness its transformative power on your journey toward becoming the person you wish to be. After all, the mind is a garden. It can flourish into a sanctuary of peace and positivity with careful tending.

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The Art of Routine Maintenance: Transitioning from Lawn Mowing to Leaf Collection

Hello, my cherished readers,

 

Summer is bidding us farewell, and as the leaves adopt their autumn hues, it’s clear that my yard maintenance rituals must evolve with the seasons. The final lawnmowing session is just around the corner, leaving a void in my weekly chore schedule. It’s funny, but if I let that void linger, it would likely get filled with some other task—only to be jettisoned again when it’s time to rev up the lawnmower come spring. Such unpredictable interruptions can be the bane of any well-oiled routine, risking its total disintegration. Fortunately, Mother Nature lends a helping hand. As the grass growth halts, the leaves cascade down, offering an obvious segue from mowing to leaf collection.

 

Yet, leaf collection, too, will lose its seasonal relevance, leaving me in search of another activity to occupy that time slot until mowing resumes. You see, disruptions to a routine can be a real headache, but if you can foresee them, it’s easier to soften the blow.

 

This concept of seasonal chore substitution takes me back to my kitchen adventures. If you’ve ever found yourself a key ingredient short while cooking, you know the allure of using a stand-in. But here’s where it gets intricate; a good substitute must fill the missing element’s roles. To illustrate, let’s say you’re making cookies and find yourself walnut-less. You might think, “Ah, walnut extract can do the trick!” True, it will imbue that nutty flavor, but what about the crunch that whole walnuts provide? Throw in some peanuts. But peanuts bring their own quirks, like added saltiness or a different oil content, leaving you with a greasier cookie than you’d imagined.

 

Drawing parallels to yard work, replacing lawn mowing with leaf collection is a logical swap. Both outdoor chores focus on the yard’s upkeep and require similar time commitments. However, there’s a catch. Lawn mowing doubles up as my cardio workout for the day, something that leaf collection, while not a cakewalk, doesn’t quite match in physical exertion. So, I’ll have to supplement this new chore with some extra exercises to meet my fitness needs.

 

The takeaway? Whether in the kitchen or in the yard, an ingredient or task rarely plays a single role in our lives. While there’s usually one primary function that captures our attention, the secondary parts shouldn’t be discounted. Neglect them, and they’ll soon demand to be noticed.

 

So, as you transition from summer to autumn chores—or face any routine disruption, for that matter—remember that the key to a smooth transition lies in identifying the multifaceted roles each activity serves. Finding an adequate stand-in becomes much simpler once you’ve done that.

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The Joyful Side of Routine: How Game Day Keeps Me Balanced

Hello, Lovely Readers,

When discussing routines and habits, I often zero in on the tasks we’d instead not do. You know, those not-so-glamorous chores that are essential but hardly bring us joy. Even though completing them offers satisfaction (mostly because I can finally strike them off my weekly to-do list), I have aspects of my routine crafted for enjoyment. For me, that includes a bi-weekly virtual game day session with some cherished friends.

Growing up, gaming was my jam. Whether it was solo or with pals, I relished the strategic thinking and competitive thrill games offered. However, that intrinsic motivation to play took a hit after my stroke. While I still enjoy games, it’s different now. The solo adventures don’t beckon as they used to, but the social element keeps the fire alive. So, I have these pre-set gaming rendezvous with my old buddies, and it’s a part of my week that I look forward to ardently.

Now, here’s an interesting angle. My wife, my eternal confidante and adviser, shared that engaging in some games could help mend certain brain functions disrupted by my stroke. I feel like I’ve gained some of that therapeutic goodness. But it’s not just about rehab. Knowing I have a gaming session nudges me to be more proactive about my daily chores. It acts as a dangling carrot, a self-awarded prize for slogging through the more mundane parts of my day.

This is something you can adapt to your own life. You know that book you love but have yet to find the time to read? Or that new restaurant you’ve been meaning to try? Let that be your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Turn your favorite activity into a reward for accomplishing your less thrilling tasks. That way, you don’t just get things done; you also have a tasty incentive.

I’ve employed this tactic before. When I took up running more regularly during my time in Portland, Friday became my doughnut day. Each run I finished during the week equated to a doughnut. Three runs? That translated to three doughnuts waiting for me at home. And because weight loss wasn’t a specific target for me, indulging in my sugary trophy didn’t clash with any other goals.

In the grand scheme of life, blending joy into our routine is crucial for maintaining a balanced life. Especially for me, given my medical history, these game days serve as more than just a leisure activity. They’re an affirmation of my abilities, a balm for my brain, and a reward for the necessary, albeit dull, tasks that fill the gaps in between.

So, next time you find yourself bogged down by the monotony of everyday tasks, remember to sprinkle in a little joy. Life, after all, should be a game we all want to play.

Cheers,

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How Audible Made My Chores Fun

Hello, dear readers,

Today, I’d love to share a little secret that has completely changed how I do my daily chores. It’s Audible! Every morning, I slip on my headset and listen to an audiobook while making breakfast and taking medicine. It’s not just mornings, either. If I’m running, mowing the lawn, cooking, or cleaning, you bet I’ve got an audiobook playing in the background.

Before my stroke, I was an avid reader and could quickly lose myself in a book for hours. Unfortunately, one of the lingering effects of the stroke was double vision. Thankfully, that has improved thanks to some eye exercises; another hurdle was that my concentration took a hit. I found it frustrating to read because I got easily distracted.

But you know what? My love for books never died. I still had a long list of books I wanted to read. And this is where Audible became a real lifesaver for me. I’ve worked through that list with Audible while getting other things done. It’s been a win-win situation!

Here’s the cherry on top: Audible makes my chores enjoyable! Imagine that. There have been times when I’ve started a task I’d been avoiding to listen to another chapter of the audiobook I’m enjoying.

I understand Audible may not be for everyone. Still, I encourage you to find whatever tools help make your daily tasks easier and more enjoyable. If you’ve been avoiding your chores or have a reading list gathering dust, why not try Audible? It might improve your life, as it did for me.

That’s all for today. Until next time, happy listening!

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Turning Setbacks into New Beginnings: The Art of Maintaining Streaks

Hello Dear Readers,

As you strive to build successful routines and habits, there will inevitably be days when obstacles throw you off course. The weather, unexpected emergencies, or simple fatigue disrupts your meticulously planned performance. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I recently faced such a challenge when I could only complete one set of exercises instead of the scheduled two. While you can’t rewrite the past, you can control how you navigate the future.

A Chinese proverb wisely states, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is now.” This aphorism reminds us that although we can’t undo our failures, the next best thing is to act immediately to rectify them. Resilience isn’t just about avoiding loss; it’s about your recovery speed. Dusting yourself off and getting back on track is what truly counts.

Losing a streak can be disheartening, especially when you’ve invested significant time and effort into maintaining it. For example, I’ve consistently practiced Japanese language exercises on an app for over 250 days. Although I take immense pride in this achievement, I must acknowledge that this isn’t my first streak. It is, however, the longest one I’ve maintained. While I aim to continue without interruptions, life sometimes cooperates with our plans. Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the most entrenched habits.

When setbacks occur, the key is not to dwell on them but to take them as learning opportunities. The first step is to evaluate the reason behind the break in your routine. Once you identify the root cause, you can develop strategies to prevent similar interruptions in the future.

The art of maintaining a streak lies in its renewal. A broken streak isn’t a dead end; it’s a junction that points you toward a new path, offering you a chance to build a longer, more robust streak. It’s like planting a new tree in your garden of habits; the more you nurture it, the more resilient it becomes, capable of withstanding future storms.

So, the next time you find your routine interrupted, don’t see it as a setback but as an opportunity for a fresh start. Learn from it, adapt your strategies, and continue your journey toward self-improvement. Plant that new tree today, and watch it grow more potent than the last one. With this mindset, you transform every end into a new beginning, turning setbacks into setups for future success.

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The Power of Mental Triggers: An Effective Technique for Remembering Things

Hello Dear Readers,

If you’ve ever found yourself forgetting something important, you’re not alone. Forgetfulness is a common human experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Today, I’m excited to share a nifty memory trick that has worked wonders for me. Initially, I used it to remember to stick to my exercise routine. Still, I soon realized its applicability extends to almost anything.

The Mental Trigger Technique

The technique involves setting up ‘mental triggers’ to help you recall information or tasks at specific times. Here’s how it works:

  1. Set a Clear Goal: The first step is clearly defining what you want to remember. It could be a task like doing exercises or something informational like a grocery list.
  2. Choose a Time or Situation: Identify the time or situation when you want to recall this information. This is the ‘trigger event’.
  3. Visualize the Scenario: Next, create a vivid mental image of what you’ll experience during this trigger event. The more detailed the picture, the better.
  4. Link the Goal to the Imagined Scenario: Connect your Goal to this mental image. When you encounter the imagined scenario in real life, it acts as a trigger to remind you of your Goal.

Case Study: The Grocery Store

Let’s consider a relatable example. My wife often asks me to remind her of something once we get home. In this scenario, she has already set the Goal and the trigger event for me. My job becomes easier; I only have to picture us walking through the door when we get home. I then linked her request to that mental image. The visual trigger helps me remember what she asked when we walked through the door.

The Limits of the Technique

Of course, no technique is flawless. The success of this memory hack largely depends on how closely your imagined scenario aligns with reality. For instance, I often use this technique to remember grocery items. The trigger can fail if the grocery store has a new display or a rearranged layout that diverges from what I had visualized.

Conclusion

While not infallible, this technique has proven highly effective, surpassing other strategies I’ve tried. It’s incredibly versatile and can be tailored to suit a variety of situations and tasks. If you often need help with forgetfulness, give this method a whirl. It’s precisely what you’ve been looking for to enhance your memory and simplify your life.

So, go ahead and set those mental triggers! See if this technique can become a valuable tool in your daily life, just as it has in mine.

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Unleash the Power of Mental Triggers for Better Memory

Hey, wonderful readers!

Let me pull back the curtain on an ingenious technique I’ve been using to improve my memory. Initially, I began honing this strategy to keep up with my exercise routine but soon realized its potential for aiding memory in many situations. You may already be familiar with setting triggers for remembering routine activities. This strategy works similarly and employs mental cues to help you remember anything you want.

Here’s the low-down: It starts with identifying a specific goal you want to remember. Next, you choose a particular moment or setting to recall this goal. The last piece of the puzzle is creating a vivid mental image of what you’ll see or experience at that moment. This mental snapshot serves as your trigger—when the real-life scenario mirrors your imagination, it prompts you to remember what you intended.

Let me give you a slice-of-life example. Often, while out and about with my wife, she’ll mention something she wants to be reminded of when we return home. In such instances, the heavy lifting has mostly been done by her; she has already chosen what should be remembered and when it should be recalled. All I have to do is visualize us arriving home and walking through the door. This imagery then acts as a mental anchor, linking the envisioned scenario to what my wife wants to remember.

Now, I won’t sugarcoat it—this strategy isn’t foolproof. The accuracy of your mental trigger is crucial for the technique to work. If the actual situation diverges significantly from what you’ve imagined due to an unforeseen circumstance, the mental trigger might not go off. For instance, I’ve tried using this approach to remember items we must pick up from the grocery store. Suppose the store has decided to rearrange its layout or introduce a new display. In that case, the disparity between my mental image and reality can throw a wrench into the works, causing me to forget what I intended to purchase.

But let me tell you, even with these occasional hiccups, this memory trick has proven to be far more effective than any other method I’ve attempted. So, give it a whirl and see how it enhances your memory game. Think of it as fine-tuning your mental GPS to help you navigate the labyrinth of daily tasks and commitments. If done right, this little hack could become a life-saver—or at least a memory-saver—for you too!

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The Art of Routine Building Through Mundane Chores Like Cooking

Hello, dear readers,

Today’s post is dedicated to the unexpected but delightful art of routine building through what we often consider mundane chores. Take cooking, for instance—a chore for some, a passion for others. I’ve always had a soft spot for cuisine, an affinity that traces back to my childhood learning to make pancakes with my grandmother. I didn’t realize back then that cooking would later become a tool for optimizing complex, multi-step procedures in life.

The Complexity Behind Simplicity in Cooking

In culinary arts, one of the most essential skills is mastering the alignment of various tasks to be completed simultaneously. Even a simple dish like scrambled eggs or a sandwich requires a calculated sequence of steps, each executed at the perfect time. The difference between a skilled chef and a beginner often boils down to the knack for optimizing this workflow. It’s about knowing what to do, when, and how to do it.

Embracing Reflection: The Japanese Concept of Hansei

One powerful concept I’ve come to rely on for improving my cooking skills is the Japanese practice of Hansei, which involves deep self-reflection after completing a task. The core idea is to analyze performance, understand mistakes, and strategize for future improvement. If you’re repeating a specific recipe, it’s a golden opportunity to employ Hansei. Taste the food, ponder what you like and dislike, and consider why those elements turned out the way they did. The objective is to refine the recipe each time, adapting it to align with your taste preferences.

The Case of Mapo Tofu: A Personal Experience

To provide a real-world example, let me share my experience of making Mapo Tofu, which my wife taught me. When we first tried the dish, we found it too salty despite not adding any table salt. That led to a Hansei moment—time for some culinary detective work. After scrutinizing the ingredients, I switched to reduced-sodium chicken stock instead of the Chinese-style tori gara I had initially used. The change was adequate but not quite enough. I then dived into the sauce ingredients, reducing the quantity of one while substituting it with another, less salty ingredient. And voila! The saltiness issue was resolved, all thanks to the iterative process of self-reflection and adjustment.

Conclusion

Something as ordinary as cooking can be a playground for honing essential life skills like routine-building and problem-solving. It’s a space to practice, to reflect, and most importantly, to improve. So the next time you dread life’s ‘mundane’ chores, perhaps try to approach them as an opportunity to cultivate better routines. You may discover a newfound appreciation for the everyday tasks that make up your world.

Happy cooking and happy reflecting!

Until next time.

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The Power of Consistency: One Week of Daily Blogging and the Journey Ahead

Hello to all my wonderful readers,

Having successfully written on this blog every day for a week, I’m feeling increasingly optimistic that this latest endeavor will become a long-term habit. The methodology I employed to get this far isn’t new or complicated; it’s the same advice I’ve been sharing with you in my previous posts. To summarize, I established a clear objective, which in this case was to write a brief blog post each day. I designated a specific time to pursue this writing goal, opting for the early mornings before my day officially begins with breakfast. Lastly, I anchored this new practice to an existing daily routine—finishing my first set of pushups is my trigger to start writing.

Writing a book has always lingered at the periphery of my consciousness, but until now, it remained a vague idea that I’d yet to embrace fully. I would wait for that elusive ‘perfect’ concept to strike me like a bolt of lightning. I don’t know if such a perfect idea is even a reality. Still, my ongoing recovery journey since experiencing a stroke seems like a fitting subject to delve into for the time being. While I might venture into fiction at some later stage, the habit I’m nurturing now will undoubtedly help any future writing projects.

On this subject, one author I particularly admire is Brandon Sanderson. He is often generous with his wisdom for those looking to become writers, and one piece of advice from him strikes a chord with me. His counsel is straightforward but effective: write and do it consistently. The emphasis isn’t necessarily on the volume of words but on the practice’s regularity. Even if it’s a modest 200 words daily, the results will accumulate over time, and before you know it, you could be sitting on an entire book series or more. This principle mirrors the philosophy I’ve tried to incorporate into achieving all my life goals: Start small, maintain consistency, and the results will follow.

I look forward to seeing where this new habit takes me. Not only is it providing a platform for me to share my ongoing life experiences, but it’s also laying the foundation for potential future literary endeavors. So, whether you’re an aspiring writer or have other goals you want to pursue, remember this: Start, even if it’s with something small, but keep at it regularly. After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.