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See the original image at thinksimplenow.com —

How to Gain Clarity in Your Life - in One Day

thinksimplenow.com — Do you ever get so busy with the details of your life that you end up feeling exhausted and disconnected? Here are tips for getting your head in a clear state again.

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  • ScottMcIntyre, on 07/31/2008, -10/+16Practical suggestions on how to develop clarity of thinking.

    To encourage clarity, the article gives ideas to spend a whole day disconnected from the information world and the many distractions of modern life, in order to connect within yourself.

    On this day, the writer suggests trying the following activities (quote):

    * Brain Dump - Start writing on a piece of loose paper all the random thoughts coming out of your head.
    * Hiking - Spend a few hours communing with nature.
    * Biking - Ride your bike around the city or park.
    * Working Out - Head to the gym and get a good workout.
    * Swimming & Running- great stress releases and excellent cardio workouts.
    * Writing in a Journal - Record your thoughts and current state of mind in a journal.
    * Yoga Class - Take a yoga class at your local gym or yoga studio.
    * Book Store - Browse through a bookstore.
    * Clean Up - Take some time to clean up and clear out the physical clutter in your living space.
    * Read a Book - Curl up with a good book you’ve wanted to read.
    * Reorganize - Reorganize your bookshelf or CD collection
    * Listen to Music - Put on something you enjoy and try just sitting there listening to the music.
    * Meditation and Breathing - Try a guided meditation or spend 10-30 minutes in silence.
    * People Watch - Sit quietly at a café, restaurant or park, and observe the people around you, the people walking past you.
    * Draw a Picture - draw or paint.
    * Take 100 Photos - Select a random number, say 100.
    * Sitting Outside - On a nice day, sit on your patio or balcony with a refreshing drink.
    * Communing with Nature
    * Spend Time with your Pet
    * Stretch
    * Discover Your Life Purpose
    * Goal Setting - Write out your goals.
    * Soak in a Bath
    * Visit the Zoo - Random, but can be fun.
    * Simplify Your Life - Gather unwanted or unused stuff into a box. Donate it.
    * Visit the Library
    * Gardening - Spend a few hours puttering in the backyard.
    * Gratitude - Focus on the things you are thankful for.
    * Get a Massage
    * Symphony - Attend a symphony or local music event.
    * Meet 2 Strangers
    * Do your laundry
    * Mindful Eating - Cook a healthy meal and practice eating mindfully:
    * Dance in the Living Room
    • subterfuge, on 07/31/2008, -1/+3Oh, all i need to do is "Discover [My] Life Purpose" in order to gain clarity in my life? and all this time i thought gaining clarity was a hard thing to do!
    • username7410, on 07/31/2008, -0/+13* Masturbate
  • ZenMoments, on 07/31/2008, -7/+4Create a clarity day for yourself. This is a great idea.
  • WordsnCollision, on 07/31/2008, -3/+31This is cool, tomorrow i'm telling my boss i need to take a Clarity Day, and that he should take one too.
    • eastcoast, on 07/31/2008, -5/+1which boss is that?
    • soot, on 07/31/2008, -0/+25Tomorrow you're going to be fired.
      • WesleyD, on 07/31/2008, -0/+1I guess they'll be giving him more than just one day for clarity lol.
  • simplyhealthy, on 07/31/2008, -6/+0Clarity in a day! And then repeat it...LOVE IT!
  • guillebravo6, on 07/31/2008, -10/+2Here’s an example of how I spent this past Saturday, when I deeply needed clarity and to connect with myself:

    * Basics - From 8am to 8pm. I was doing everything on my own, without friends or family. All distractions such as cell phones, home phones, computers, and TVs, were turned off.
    * Salon - I’ve always enjoyed getting my hair done. My favorite salon straightens my hair at each appointment. I sat there with my eyes closed and enjoyed being there. The girls kept asking me if I needed a magazine, and I would say “No thanks. I’m happy just sitting here.”
    * Walk - I walked out of the downtown Salon and drifted randomly uphill to the Capital Hill neighborhood. The day was so beautiful. I enjoyed looking up at the sky and passing by families of tourists and Saturday shoppers.
    * Café - I found a comfortable corner seat by the large windows at a local café. I pulled out my book and my journal. Periodically, I would sit back with my book in my lap and enjoy watching people. People are so interesting, and if you try, you can sense what people are feeling. I had a fantastic seat for people watching and deeply enjoyed the experience.
    * Meet a Stanger - I started talking with an interesting new friend who sat next to me. We talked about happiness, art, and creativity. It was very simulating and felt good to connect with another human being; they add meaning and dimension to your life.
    * Read - I read Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle. A short but enlightening read. It is full of bite sized wisdom to help find the stillness within you.
    * Meditation - 35 minute guided meditation. When I opened my eyes after the meditation, I felt like I was seeing the world with new eyes. I felt calm and happy. I followed this up by lying down on my yoga mat and visualizing all of the things I am grateful for. I got up feeling incredibly centered and present.
    * Journaling - with my new found clarity, I wrote out my thoughts and feelings. In doing this, it gave me a chance to organize my thoughts (which were the source of my problems), along with options for dealing with them. I’ve learned that recording emotional events and personal realizations in a journal can be a fulfilling experience. Especially when you read the entries several years later.
    • scy1192, on 07/31/2008, -1/+1hey you spent Saturday the exact same way as the author! Were you that stranger he met?
    • drgmdp, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2yeah, i can click the link to the article too
  • thxfuture, on 07/31/2008, -8/+1Another great post from ThinkSimpleNow about clarity.
  • tulanian12, on 07/31/2008, -8/+2Exactly what I needed at the moment...
  • RadiatedAnt, on 07/31/2008, -9/+1salon? you mean barbershop
  • MalTheObscure, on 07/31/2008, -16/+10Stupid hippies.
  • sockpuppets, on 07/31/2008, -14/+10* Leave Digg.
  • toastmonster, on 07/31/2008, -7/+2That was a lot of bullet points from a site called "Think Simple Now" about gaining clarity...
    • Sumtin2Say, on 07/31/2008, -1/+1Yeah, I need a Clarity Day to recover from the article
  • igotlaidoff, on 07/31/2008, -10/+499% of digg won't do this because it might require them to "Disconnect from the interwebs and start Living life!!!!!!!!1!"

  • Awspire, on 07/31/2008, -8/+2----
  • ferrell, on 07/31/2008, -8/+7"Meet a Stanger - I started talking with an interesting new friend who sat next to me. We talked about happiness, art, and creativity. It was very simulating and felt good to connect with another human being; they add meaning and dimension to your life."

    Ha. That was funny.
  • RandomFruitBat, on 07/31/2008, -10/+0***** you! Two of my friends died gaining clarity.
  • datagod, on 07/31/2008, -3/+21Here is one not on the list: stop watching junk like American Idol. That stuff is killing our whole society. Seriously, ask yourself how many people who watch that show know nothing about current world affairs?
  • tehcobra, on 07/31/2008, -1/+54Learn to not give a *****.
    • fredmv, on 07/31/2008, -13/+1My oh my, you are quite the philosopher, aren't you? I'm sure Aristotle is taking notes.
      • houndeyex, on 07/31/2008, -1/+6He should be. Caring too much about stuff is awful.
    • ferrell, on 07/31/2008, -1/+9http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wS5xOZ7Rq8
    • sailadayaway, on 07/31/2008, -1/+14I also follow this philosophy, it's amazing how much clearer your day really is when you don't worry about all the ***** that happens all day... you should try it fred
  • datagod, on 07/31/2008, -7/+1Sorry...had a browser problem...
  • igotlaidoff, on 07/31/2008, -7/+2the truth hurts
  • Gndoab, on 07/31/2008, -9/+3dugg for the hot asian chick in the thumbnail....

    no, not really.
  • D14BL0, on 07/31/2008, -8/+4tl;dr

    Would have been better if it was broken up into pages for once.
  • lacreme, on 07/31/2008, -6/+19buried, nothing more than blog spam
    if you want to gain clarity in your life, see an eye doctor
  • peterzero, on 07/31/2008, -1/+12I am sorry but this sounds like stuff you see on the magazine shelf while you wait in the checkout line at Walmart. 10 things you got to do... 100 places you got to go... lose 1000 lbs in 7 days... and How to Gain Clarity in Your Life - in One Day!
  • CosmicH, on 07/31/2008, -2/+22or you can just smoke...
    • StellaAdelie, on 07/31/2008, -0/+9Yeah, that seems easier.
    • Princeamor, on 07/31/2008, -1/+4Yea I think the THC does the job pretty well...
    • VivaLaNation, on 07/31/2008, -2/+2yeah...i was gonna say you could always just light up a j...
  • Tyrghast, on 07/31/2008, -3/+15We in the know call this pot and shrooms. Squeegee that third eye a bit.
  • cep59186, on 07/31/2008, -7/+1dugg for the hot asian chick in the thumbnail....

    no, not really.
  • kavitak, on 07/31/2008, -8/+3Lovely post.
  • scy1192, on 07/31/2008, -6/+3Wait, he disconnected all distractions such as TV, Computer, and Cell Phone, but he had a book? Since when is a book not a distraction?
  • TritonVision, on 07/31/2008, -7/+4where can I meet a stanger?
  • renemartini, on 07/31/2008, -5/+0I talked to the people in this site they are really nice and care about what troubles you they helped me overcome some issues I had. Really recommend weekly visits to the site.
  • adougy, on 07/31/2008, -5/+2first asian i've seen with anime eyes
  • Nintendesert, on 07/31/2008, -7/+2Man, ***** that site and all the ***** canned comments coming from it! Lovely post? Go ***** yourself!
  • NecroDigg, on 07/31/2008, -6/+6How'd this emo ***** make the front page?
  • ninjarabbits, on 07/31/2008, -6/+1So in the evening I decided to [Meet 2 Strangers]. I hopped in the limo and told the driver where to go. Found the first rather quickly.

    "I haven't seen you around here." She mentioned that I must not have been looking.

    "Would you like to see my apartment?" She said that she's not supposed to. I pressed her more firmly. "Do you wanna come to my apartment or not?"

    So she gets in the limo and I place the call to make arrangements for the second stranger I would be meeting that night.

    "I'd like a girl. Early 20s. Blonde, who does couples. Couples. And I really can't stress blonde enough. Blonde."

    I hang up and give implicit instructions to the first girl.

    "You're Christie. You're to respond only to Christie. Is that clear?"

    We get back to my place and I have Christie soak in the tub for a while since she reeks of the streets. Doorbell rings and I head on over to greet my new guest. She's hardly what I requested, and I can't refrain from commenting on the fact.

    "Not quite blonde, are you? More dirty blonde. I'm gonna call you Sabrina."

    We chat for a bit. I like to [Listen to Music], so I steer the conversation in that direction.

    "Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums."

    I am starting to get slightly aroused at this point.

    "Christie, take off the robe."

    I continue explaining for their benefit. "Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument."

    The other one hasn't picked up where I'm going with this, so I have to spell it out for her.

    "Sabrina, remove your dress."

    I'm a little put off by having to interupt my explanation, but manage to quickly regain my train of thought. "In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism."

    God, this Sabrina is like a ***** fish.

    "Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little."

    The two bitches don't seem to be following what I'm saying, so I give them an example. "Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock."

    Unfortunately, the other one is no better at reading the situation, and it looks as if I'm going to have to tell them exactly what I'm looking for point-by-*****-point.

    "Christie, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your *****."

    I try on more time to drive my point home. "Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds."

    Somone obviously doesn't believe in a free meal.

    "Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it!"

    I firmly believe they have not been paying attention to my insightful analysis, yet at this time I could give a rat's ass. "But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite."
    • Rodalli, on 07/31/2008, -2/+1I really don't know what to do about this comment. I mean, it's terrible, because you obviously have no idea what the ***** you're trying to do. But on the other hand, it's an American Psycho reference, so I have to ask myself: can I *really* digg down an American Psycho reference?

      Ah, decisions, decisions...
  • zenithmbr, on 07/31/2008, -6/+6this has gotta be the stupidest ***** i've ever seen on digg
  • zenithmbr, on 07/31/2008, -6/+1why did you waste your time posting this comment? the link above CLEARLY directs us to the information you posted.
  • Cheezeburgar, on 07/31/2008, -2/+4Wow seriously, these comments suck.

    When ever I get the time to spend alone getting to know myself, I take it. Usually one day a week I try to go to the golf course alone and just hit the balls at the ranch. Theirs a family park right next to the gold course so after I'm done, I take out my camera and I practice my photography. Its a really good way to get the feel of different lenses since you don't have any distractions and you can take any kind of picture from macro and telephoto with different combination of settings. After the day is done I pick up something to eat and I go home and eat it while listening to classical music.

    In other words: Photography+Golf is what I use to get to know myself.

  • hellahyphy, on 07/31/2008, -1/+2Sure! I'll do that all tomorrow.
  • kimbomitt, on 07/31/2008, -1/+2My guess is many people (including me) are probably likely to dismiss this in their heads as stupid new-agey bull****, just to reassure themselves after realizing that the writer's issues are similar to their own. It is probably worth it to try out something like this. If it's stupid, it's stupid, but if you don't try you will never know if it works.
  • CrimsonBlur, on 07/31/2008, -1/+2Well, I can agree with her on one thing: if you live in Seattle, it is not hard to find clarity just by walking around the city (especially in the summer). I live on Capitol Hill and there is just so much cool stuff here, it's great walking around and exploring. I've lived here for years and I still find something new every time I take a walk around.

    Of course in the nine months it is not summer here the weather is not so great for walking... but I guess that's a fair compromise to live in such a beautiful city.
  • robotdestructo, on 07/31/2008, -1/+3I'd find all kinds of clarity if I could meet that girl in the picture :)
  • doub1etap, on 07/31/2008, -1/+5Clarity day used to be called "Sunday" before the invention of overtime.
    • Bersy, on 07/31/2008, -0/+0I was about to post something like this.
  • janssteyn, on 07/31/2008, -0/+1Got kids? Then forget about Clarity Day. Both of them are toddlers? I'd settle for any amount of sanity I can get!!!
  • tehjarvis, on 07/31/2008, -0/+1Gaining clarity in one day is like losing 20 pounds in a week. Wishful thinking.
  • WoollyMittens, on 07/31/2008, -2/+4ZZZzzz, spiritual floaty *****.
  • kawika, on 07/31/2008, -0/+0Somewhere along the way I heard these words, "If you can do something about it, don't worry. If you can't do something about it, don't worry."
  • Theycallmetak, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4Buried for the Dianetics flash ad in the middle of the page.
  • BrandonDiggs, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2Here's how to gain clarity:
    Drop some Acid.

    everything will make perfect sense afterwards.
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