Everyday

Everyday: 

that I do things everyday, certain things, not habits, but mindful activities that bring me joy - it was many years ago, maybe I was still in my teens and I can no longer recall the exact source, but somehow the message has stuck with me, deeply so, as I read that if something is important to you than you do it daily, never missing a day for any excuse nor reason other than an absolute emergency. This is less obsessive than it sounds, although some obsession will bring us to the edge of mastery, it's all held much too lightly for me to be worried about compulsions. 

again, these things bring me joy. 

so everyday I meditate, a morning session and once more later in the day, I have for almost 30 years. I have written daily for well over 20 years now, never missing an occasion to put even just a few words on a page or screen. It's the same with exercise, everyday I train, something I've done since childhood, although I can occasionally be talked into a rest day, but really, not too often. Is any of this healthy? Compulsive behavior? Maybe so, honestly I don't analyze it too much myself, and those who know me seem to understand it. 

I'm just wired this way. 

weird, most certainly so. 

 and what brings me the most joy is in simply being myself, having self-permission to do the things that are most joyful, and doing so without reproach, nor worry of social concerns. Feel free to be weird is my only message to others, and it certainly works well for me. Yet I'm not talking about success here, this isn't the key to mastery, it's not instructions on how to get ahead in the world and beat the competition. Mostly, this is about relaxing, although in a contradictory way. I don't have to do any of the things I've mention, I'm not compelled to do so, and I'm far from having a driven personality, most who know me would confirm that this is so. But there are a few things that I love intensely, quietly so, yet deeply, and it brings me great joy to devote myself to their practice. None of it is done with any great need to be better, it's not self-improvement, I'm not seeking enlightenment or even fulfillment. It's just the simple joy of doing a few things with a sure and deep pleasure, giving myself away, completely so, to the moment that's at hand and the practice that I'm performing. If I happen to miss a day I truly wouldn't be concerned, there's always another moment at play, another opportunity for the silence of meditation to reach me, for words to be expressed, or motion to be enjoyed. 

everyday...is another point of joy. 

~

Peace, Eric