Practice

Find your practice and practice it. —James Finley

The following from Contemplify, which I enjoy, especially the non-required reading lists, vibes with what I’m leaning into as Hannah and I tend together. Specifically the day, week, month, year (I’m pondering the season tag) exercise.

“Practice makes practice. Paying attention to which practices are makingus is a big deal. So when contemplative teacher James Finley writes, “Find your practice and practice it,” I think there is an unspoken a priori that you first take an inventory of what practices (contemplative or otherwise) are dogeared in the pages of your life. So my small word of guidance is to review this past year before seeking out any new practices. Make a list. Lay it all out there, the good, the bad, and the unmentionable. Reflect on what deliberate practices (meditation, PTA meetings, running, Eucharist, sex, gardening, etc) you engage in a day, week, month, season, and year. Make those the five columns you parcel out your deliberate practices into. Write them all down. Then reflect on what reflexive patterns (Netflix binges, church services, scrolling, journalling, work emergencies, etc) you unthinkingly participate in a day, week, month, season, and year. Another list with the same five columns. Your lists will be unique to you. Let them sit for twenty four hours, return to the lists, and jot down any additional practices and patterns that come to mind. Look over the lists with a soft gaze and a wry sense of humor. Neither is inherently right or wrong, both lists are capable of carrying enough water to quench you or drown you. Ask yourself, what practices and patterns do you notice bringing you life? Stealing the zest of life? Which one of these paints a big smile on your face? And which causes you cringe and look over your shoulder to make sure nobody is catching a glimpse?”

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