Day 43 - Variety - Uniformity

 Variety             (Goal Number:         )            Uniformity

openness to newness, diversity, inclusivity                           closed, homogenous, conformity

  AWAKE TO THE GENUINE VALUE: 

In your view, the old adage is true – variety is the spice of life. You are open to new people, new ideas, and new ways of doing things. You also use common sense to ascertain which new things are wise choices. Your openness leads you to have a varied and interesting life. You find it exciting to explore new ideas, new recipes, new cultures, ec. You have a diverse group of friends, tastes, and life experiences. You include others in your circle easily and with an open heart.

 PARTIALLY ASLEEP TO THE GENUINE VALUE: 

You tolerate some variety, but you prefer more constancy. You are not opposed to others or new tastes or new experiences, but you rarely seek them out. You have some variety in your circle of friends, but you have some clear limits.

LIVING IN THE IMPOSTOR VALUE:

You are adamantly closed to newness in any area. You insist that people agree with you on any issue or idea upon which you have concluded you know the truth. You like things just one way, no new recipes, no new ideas, no new kinds of people or cultures. You think that if everyone were like you, it would be a better world. It is important to you to conform to whatever it is you are part of, and others should too. You are almost afraid to have an enquiring mind.

Look at your life. Which is the most true for you?   ____ 1   _____ 2  _____ 3

What to do:

DECISION

Choose. Which do you want for yourself and your world? Which way would you like life to be?

FOCUSING YOUR MIND

Going for the target you have chosen

To shift in the direction of variety, select some or all of the following and copy them in order to have them with you. Live with them. Think about them. Absorb them.

·     There are over 8 billion people on earth, each unique. I find this exciting.

·     I am open to new ideas, new tastes, and new experiences.

·     I see the sacredness of each person.

·     It is fun to try new foods.

·     Travel is thrilling and expanding.

·     It would be boring if everyone and everything were the same.

REINFORCING BEHAVIORS

Action steps to take to get off the log

·     Decide to explore a belief you have closed as settled. For example, you may say that the Bible is inerrant. You find out that there are over 5,800 different manuscripts and fragments so far found, with over 500,000 variants. Which is inerrant? Or pick some other topic upon which you have placed the closed sign,

·     Pick a cuisine you have never tried. Find a restaurant or some recipes, and try out some of the dishes.

·     Learn about a local group you know little about.

·     Attend meetings in different groups that you usually avoid, from book studies to charities to other religions. Attend not to make them wrong, but to listen and understand that there is another way to look at things, many other ways. Each finds the way for them. Your way is fine, and unless their way causes harm, so is theirs.

·     When you feel yourself closing up, stop, take several deep breaths, and tell yourself to let go. You are not in charge of others and their ways. It is a big enough job to be in charge of yourself. Think of Jesus’ saying about getting the log out of your own eye before the speck in someone else’s.

Remember Variety