Here at the frontier, the leaves fall like rain. Although my neighbors are all barbarians, and you, you are a thousand miles away, there are still two cups at my table.


Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life.

~ Wu-men ~


Sunday, December 01, 2013

Advent Challenge 2013

Today begins the season of Advent in the Catholic Church. It is a time of waiting and preparation for Christmas. Advent begins four Sundays prior to Chistmas and ends on Christmas Day. Advent lasts for a little over four weeks.

As a warm up for the Lenten Challenge, I would like to issue the Advent Challenge.

Beginning today and through Christmas, in spite of the business and general insanity of the season, find a way to train every day. Do what you have to; move heaven and earth, but train every day. Even if it's just a little. No excuses.

These challenges are a form of Shuugyou Renshuu, or "Austere Training." There is a very good article about Shuugyou Renshuu right here.

I plan on tracking my progress each day on Lift, where  I've created an "Advent Challenge" habit.

Won't you join me?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you very much.
I really need this right now

Rick Matz said...

We all do.

walt said...

Water reaches its goal by flowing continuously. The superior man follows its example; he is concerned that goodness should be an established attribute of character.... Everything depends on consistency, for it is only through repetition that the pupil makes the material his own.
-- I Ching

Therefore, despite an unusual cluster of pending obligations and appointments, I accept your challenge. It'll be good to know others are working at it as well.

Rick Matz said...

It is because of the pending obligations and appointments that I think this is relevant.

Compass Architect said...

It is an idea whose time has come. ...

Rice Store said...

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