How long does it take to create a new habit?
That depends on what kind of habit it is
and how badly you want it.
But if you don’t start, it will never become reality.
I tried a “100 day Zhineng Qigong Gong”.
At this moment, I’m at day 85!
85 Days in a row, doing the “Lift Chi Up, Pour Chi Down” exercise, once a day, for 20 minutes.
I used to think that I was too busy
for a daily commitment of 20 minutes.
“Gong” is a Chinese word that is often generally translated
to mean cultivation or work.
In qigong, martial arts, and other practices,
accomplishing a Gong is considered the most effective way
to truly change old patterns and integrate new ones.
A Gong consists of doing a chosen practice
for a pre-selected, consecutive number of days.
If you skip one day of a Gong,
you have to start all over again…
So I did the Lift Chi Up on our marvelous boat trip in June,
I did it in the airport in Paris during our 30 minute transfer,
I did it on the beach when I was there
with a friend and our dogs... And I'm still doing it!
I must say: often it is not until after midnight
before I get around to do it, right before I go to bed.
But I do it!!!
(I have to admit though that I needed a little push
from my husband to do it at the crowded airport 😉 )
I still have questions about certain parts of the exercise,
and I’m still learning.
But I do it, and it gets better every day.
This morning, I even dared to do it in the park
when I was walking my dog Mister.
The sun was shining, the area beautiful, and I thought:
Why not….
If I would have waited to start the Gong
until I knew all the finesses of this exercise,
I would still be waiting…
Why does this work,
and why does it never work for me
when I try to squeeze in some time to go to the pool,
or trying not to eat chocolate?
I think it is because:
- It is not forbidding something.
If I try NOT to eat chocolate for one day,
all I can think about is chocolate.
- I know how long it will take.
I follow the DVD from Asta
and it always takes 20 minutes.
- I told my friends about it,
some are even joining me in doing this Gong.
- I can choose my own time,
unlike going to the swimming pool.
- After 5 days, I really noticed my body and mind
started to feel better.
- The penalty behind the Gong-system:
after a couple of days,
you don’t want to have to start all over again.
- Last but not least: The nice chart that goes with it:
every day I have done my moves,
I can finish a smiley on the paper
that is hanging on my door:
To make it possible for you
to feel as proud of your Dutch improvement as I feel
about my Gong,
I created a “30 Days of Dutch” challenge for you!
Even better: not just one, but two to choose from,
so pick the one that suits you best.
How does it work?
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- Start working with the flashcards of your choice.
(Cards will come with a manual).
- Color the next
Dutch flag on the sheet that will come with your cards.
- Do this for 30 consecutive days.
- If you skip a day, you'll have to start all over again.
- Of course, you can always mail me your questions
that may occur when
playing with the cards.
That’s how easy it is!
The sets you can choose from:
1) 52 Real "Learn Dutch Fast" flashcards with Dutch Clichés, suitable for all levels.
Amaze your Dutch friends by starting to use
these clichés yourself ;-)
Order a set here for only €21,50
(including postage within the Netherlands,
mail me for rates for orders from abroad)
2) 44 Flashcards with Dutch verbs in present and past
(suitable for all levels,
beginners can start with just the present tense).
a. Receive a FREE file per e-mail which you can
print, cut & paste into cards.
b. I have 10 sets of real cards left for sale for quick deciders: €17 (including postage within the Netherlands.
If you have joined a Total Immersion 2 recently,
you may aleady have those cards in your special box.)
When will you start?
The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago,
the second best time is TODAY!
Drop me a note and I’ll send you the details.
Please make sure my email address is added
to your save sender list if you would like to receive my reply 😉. In case you still don’t hear from me,
please call me (035-6923960).
If you live in Holland and would like
to experience the “Lift Chi Up, Pour Chi Down” exercise
live with Asta and me,
you are welcome to our joint event in Bussum:
August 22nd, 10-12 a.m.
2-50 persons.
For every level of Dutch & every physical level.
Outdoors if the weather is good.
Only €20,- pp including a Dutch DVD with the exercise
(starring Asta) and the full script plus English explanation.
To see the participants of the last Total Immersion practicing,
have a look here.
