Reset and Revive

​In the '70s, I was a leader in an organization in Los Angeles that taught spiritual awareness worldwide. I also played tennis, went to UCLA to get my degree, and was raising two kids. I experienced tragedy in that decade where my mother, father, and brother all passed away. I didn't know how I was going to survive emotionally, ​but I knew it

was time to reset if I was going to move forward. That's when I found an organization and teacher that would guide me in an intentional study of spiritual awareness. I grew in my practice of unconditional love, meditation, and leadership. When the teacher talked about a new method of meditation, I listened.

His directive was to meditate 2 hours per day as a spiritual exercise. Other students came to me freaked out that they couldn't sit for 2 hours per day. Some said they set their alarms early to meditate and then promptly fell back asleep. Their concerns about doing a perfect meditation kept them from meditating at all. What was interrupting their practice was the fear they couldn't do it. It was essential to help them get started. So I coached them to meditate each day for as long as possible and let it naturally expand.

People have come to me for years to overcome obstacles because I listen differently from most folks. I don't commiserate for long, and I'm not overwhelmed by the problem's size or shape. I'm interested in discovering how to solve it, like a puzzle with a piece missing. It's a mystery, and I love mysteries.

No problem is too big or too small. 

I recognized early on that consistency was the key to success. When I learned meditation and other awareness practices from different teachers, I read that discipline is practicing 1000 days, and refinement is practicing 10,000 days. I took that message to heart because it had the ring of truth. Practice builds discipline, and discipline builds strength.

It's the same with meditation or any habit where you want to excel and build skills. 

Practice consistently.

Unfortunately, this is also true with harmful habits. Anything repetitive builds muscle. Stop and think about what you do consistently. Is it something you're proud of and makes you feel good at the end of the day? 

What are your practices? Are they priorities? I acknowledge that this is a crazy, upside-down time. AND when life is out of whack, it can be a valuable time to RESET your priorities. You can use what's happening to take a look at what you're doing and why you're doing it even if you've been doing the same practice for years. Face the facts of what's happening now, then make needed changes—little by little, step by step. 

It's our job to make sure we're building ourselves into the people we want to be. Our job is to set ourselves on an intentional path and stop building habits that don't bring us lasting fulfillment. A new fulfilling way forward may not look anything like what has made you successful before. I'm no longer with the group where I studied during the '70s, but I'm forever grateful for the insights I gained. Use this time to look and RESET. You may be surprised at what you discover. A life worth living now, in these times, in these circumstances. Let me know what you find out.

May your day be peaceful and productive.