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Mencius: 30 Questions · Journal Pages

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1. Page 1 · Do I Love to Argue?

   Is there something you feel you “have to say” but haven't said yet? Why does it matter, and how could you say it both clearly and kindly?

2. Page 2 · Climbing a Tree to Catch Fish

   Write down one goal you're working hard toward, and the method you're using. Is that method at the water's edge, or up a tree?

3. Page 3 · Fifty Paces Laughing at a Hundred

   Where have you recently comforted yourself with “at least I'm better than someone”? If you stopped comparing, what would the real standard be?

4. Page 4 · He Saw the Ox, Not the Sheep

   Who is the “unseen sheep” in your life? What small thing could you do this week to actually see them?

5. Page 5 · One Day of Sun, Ten of Cold

   Which sprout in you is getting one day of sun and ten of cold? Who or what is chilling it? What ten minutes of sunlight can you give it tomorrow?

6. Page 6 · Look Back at Yourself

   Think of a recent setback. Hold it up to the three mirrors of kindness, wisdom and respect: where could you make one small adjustment?

7. Page 7 · In Hard Times, Keep Yourself Good

   Are you closer to a blocked season or an open one right now? Name one thing you want to hold onto in it.

8. Page 8 · The Small Difference

   When today did you simply react, the way any animal would? If you had paused, what would the small difference have had you do?

9. Page 9 · What We Know Without Learning

   When did your inner light last say “you should,” and you looked away? What was it about?

10. Page 10 · A Child About to Fall into a Well

    When did your heart last jump for a stranger? Did your hand follow?

11. Page 11 · Four Sprouts

    Which of the four sprouts is most alive in you? Which one have you watered least lately?

12. Page 12 · Like Water Flowing Down

    Where in your life are you pushing water uphill? If you let go, where would it flow?

13. Page 13 · The Trees of Ox Mountain

    What are the axes and grazing goats in your life? How many minutes can you keep clear for your dawn air tomorrow?

14. Page 14 · Rightness Pleases the Heart

    What recent word or deed made your heart say “yes, that's how it should be”? What does it make you want to do more of?

15. Page 15 · Go and Find Your Lost Heart

    Where have you lost your heart lately: gone numb, careless or cold? What one thing could you do this week to bring it back?

16. Page 16 · Though Thousands Stand Against Me

    Recall a time you stood your ground. Did you check yourself first? If it happened again, how would you look within before going on?

17. Page 17 · My Flood-like Spirit

    What recent act left you feeling deflated inside? What small, right thing could you do today to fill the air back in?

18. Page 18 · Pulling the Sprouts

    Which sprout are you pulling at right now? Write down one small bit of daily weeding you can do without checking the result.

19. Page 19 · When Heaven Has a Great Task

    Write down one thing that's gone wrong lately. What ability you didn't have before might it be adding to you?

20. Page 20 · All Things Are Complete in Me

    Tonight before bed, write down one thing you did sincerely today. In that moment, were you missing anything?

21. Page 21 · A Person of Great Stature

    Riches, hardship or pressure: which one moves you most easily? Describe one real situation.

22. Page 22 · The Fish and the Bear's Paw

    What is the bear's paw in your life? Have you recently set it down for a fish?

23. Page 23 · Three Joys

    Write down your own three joys. Which one can you act on this week?

24. Page 24 · Four Kinds of Sage

    By temperament, are you closer to Bo Yi (pure), Yi Yin (responsible) or Liuxia Hui (easygoing)? What recent situation actually needed one of the others?

25. Page 25 · Like a River Bursting Its Banks

    Write down one word or deed that moved you recently. What is the smallest thing you could do because of it?

26. Page 26 · Anyone Can Become a Sage

    Name one thing you often say you can't do. Honestly: can't, or don't? What is today's “walking slowly”?

27. Page 27 · Good, Then True

    What recently made your heart say “that's good”? What small version of it could you do yourself?

28. Page 28 · Beautiful, Then Great

    Who is a lamp in your life, and what about them makes you want to be better? What oil is your own lamp missing?

29. Page 29 · Sage, and Beyond Knowing

    Who transformed you? Write down one good habit you received from someone, and what you hope to pass on next.

30. Page 30 · Know Your Heart, Know Heaven

    Look back over thirty days of notes. Which page changed you most? Then write one sentence: where you stand right now, what is your calling?

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