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Instead of forever climbing the mountain of success, we need to descend into the valley of our true selves to weed out false beliefs. To live intentionally, we must dig to the deepest why behind the want. This requires pausing to think not only about why we want something, but also who we are or need to be to get it, and whether being that person appeals to us.
day. One day I’m scrubbing pots with the gusto of an overeager apprentice when a senior monk comes up to me. “We’d like you to lead a class this week,” he says. “The topic is this verse from the Gita: ‘Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps, and whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.’ ” I agree to do it, and as I return to
You can’t be anything you want. But you can be everything you are. A monk is a traveler, but the journey is inward, bringing us ever closer to our most authentic, confident, powerful self.
to adopt this new routine because I was committed to the process. The fact that it was hard was an important part of the journey. Eventually, I learned the one infallible trick to successfully getting up earlier: I had to go to sleep earlier.
He didn’t take their behavior as a reflection of himself, or of their respect for him.
Q.T.I.P. - quit taking it personally
careful with when and how we give our trust. We either trust other people too easily,
Q.T.I.P. - quit taking it personally
The externals will never be perfect, and the goal isn’t perfection. Life is not going to go your way. You have to go your way and take life with you.
