Frequency
Of the number of different definitions that appear in the dictionary for the word “Frequency”, the definition I would like us to consider is the following:
“The number of occurrences of a repeating event over a period of time”
One common example of frequency for all humans would be our heart rate, measured in “beats per minute”. How about another example, time! 60 seconds per minute, 60 minutes per hour, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year…you get the point. These are all examples of frequencies.
Impermanence
Let’s also consider frequency in the context of “Impermanence”, which is defined as:
“The quality or state of being mortal; of ending or dying”
When looking at the above examples of frequency, a heartbeat, a second, a minute, an hour, a day, or a year, all of these frequencies are impermanent. They begin and end, never to reoccur again – but (hopefully) replaced by a new heartbeat, second, minute, hour, day, or year.
There are some frequencies in life that we celebrate or mark their passing with rituals; for example, a Birthday, a Wedding Anniversary, a Funeral, or the ending of one year and the beginning of a new year.
As we come to the end of the first month of the year 2011, a year that replaced the old year of 2010, consider the relationship between frequency and impermanence.
For most of us, at the passing of one year and the beginning of another, we reflect on our lives; we take inventory so to speak, and compare and contrast where we are…with where we would like to be. Whether it’s losing weight, improving our overall health, increasing the quality of our relationships, doing better at work, or any number of goals, wants, needs, and desires; sometimes, we experience the déjà vu and regret of similar reflections from years gone by. It’s at these times, that we are reminded of the impermanence of the frequency of time and of the quality and the impermanence of our own existence.
Frequency
Here is where frequency can become our best ally when we’re ready to take action to achieve the outcomes we desire. Once you’ve decided that you want a change or a specific outcome; frequency, is the first logical step towards success.
Let’s look at some potential examples:
Do you want to lose weight?
– Increase the frequency of…
- Drinking water
- Eating cleaner foods (complex carbohydrates, fruits & vegetables)
- Visits to the gym doing combined cardio and strength training workouts
- Exposure to the things that motivate you –
- Increasing your knowledge about fitness
- Exposure to positive role models
- Working with a coach or mentor
- Celebrating every successful “baby-step” and “win” that you achieve along the way
Want to feel better about yourself?
– Increase the frequency of…
- Keeping promises to yourself
- Treating yourself like your own very best friend
- Reinforcing to yourself how great you are
- Believing in yourself…you’ve come this far…you can do anything
- Creating, reading, and thinking, whatever positive affirmation you need to keep you moving you towards your goals
Want to have better relationships with others?
– Increase the frequency of…
- Showing people that you care
- Telling people how you feel about them and why they are important
- Saying to those you love, that you love them
- Surprise gestures of care, friendship, and love
- Giving the gift of time
- Laughter
- Hugs
Frequency & Impermanence
From the perspective of frequency, nothing listed above, is overly difficult or necessarily hard to do. And in the case of improving your physical health, your emotional wellbeing, and the quality of your relationships…approach your goals from the aspect of frequency “first”, keeping in mind the impermanence of life. Once you have tackled “frequency”, you can start fine-tuning the other aspects of goal achievement, such as quantifying, duration, intensity, quality, and measurement, among others.
What’s Your ‘Frequency’?
Do you have an example where frequency was a key component of your success? I invite you to discover more about your unique ability to create the results you want in life, by contacting us for a consultation. Take the first ‘baby-step’ in your journey.
Take action, and act now… ‘Contact’
We want to hear from you…what are your thoughts?
Yes thank you Greg. It is amazing how doing something repeatedly is so powerful. We can count on the fact that whatever we spend time doing over and over will impact our lives and the lives of those around us, so that means we have to be mindful of what we say and do and even what we think. We all have a great responsibility to create the life we want and the world we want to live in.
Thanks Rebekah…being mindful takes “frequent” practice and the affect can have a significant improvement on life!
Such a timely article, Greg. Thank you.
We are so much in our heads (both when trying to review the past and then when attempting to prepare for
the future) that we so easily miss the rythm or frequencies of life all around us.
Our breath centers us when we become present to its frequency and impermanence. The sunrise and sunset are never the same twice.
Everyday is a miracle. Within its similar traits (daily activities) is hidden endless unique opportunities.
Seize the moment everyone and enjoy your day.
So True! Thanks Catherine.
Hey Greg – excellent article. Makes me think how waves are made up of frequencies and magnitudes, or intensity. For example a wave in the ocean has a frequency (how often it hits the shore), and a magnitude (how big it is). This concept applies here as well to your excellent examples. Let me proposed the following:
– Keeping promises to yourself – do you dabble (small wave) or… really commit and follow through (big wave)
– Treating yourself like your own very best friend – do you accept yourself a bit (small wave) or… achieve full acceptance of your self (big wave)
– Reinforcing to yourself. i.e., how great you are – do you give yourself a tiny pat on the back (small wave) or… fully accept your gifts (big wave)
Great work.
It’s true! The more I frequent karate the more I remember and improve… Baby steps.