I wake up. I smile.
I read my morning mantra in my head.
The ending of it is always different.
I can think about the things I am grateful for, an affirmation for the day, a prayer to keep my loved ones safe.
But the beginning of my mantra is always the same.
“Today I got lucky. I woke up. I have a gift of this human life and I won’t be wasting it.”
We got lucky.
Many people didn’t. Today they didn’t wake up. It is important to remember this.
You woke up and it means that you still have the power to change whatever you intend to change in your life.
You woke up and it means that you have another chance to enjoy your privileges.
Inhaling a fresh morning, seeing the faces you love, and learning about this vast beautiful world.
Rise early, go outside and just stand.
Stand and do nothing.
Let your self disappear in the bliss of nature.
Feel the sunlight on your skin.
Listen to the noises of the world without analyzing them.
Just BE.
Be in this isness.
It might take some time, but eventually, you will start to notice that the voice in your head that keeps mumbling, and judging, and nudging your thinking to take control begins to fade away.
This voice isn’t the real you.
YOU ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS.
Your thinking mind can be a tool that you use to shape your reality.
Or it can be your worst enemy.
Just for a moment, give yourself permission to do nothing.
No movements of the body.
Only the movements of your soul.
Observe them.
It doesn’t matter if the world ends tomorrow, your worries won’t help.
You can’t control the economy.
You can’t control COVID.
I understand that these are some crazy times.
But if there was only one thing that you should control, it really must be your own mind.
Control it to be resourceful - to find and utilize the tools of meaning.
Refuse to give in to the fear.
Channel the energy of your attention into things that make you a better, happier, more centered human.
Meditate on the role of control in your life.
Tomorrow.
Today just unplug.
Take a day off.
Give yourself permission to let go.
Ease your grasp on reality and you will see that the first thing the reality will do is reciprocate.
It will ease its grasp on you.
Stay safe wherever you are.
And be strong.
We’ll be just fine.