Daily exercises for developing presence and relaxation

Many people today emphasize staying in touch with the body, but that advice will not help much if we do not understand what the body is showing us. The body is not there to support our endless cycles of guilt and worry, our repetitive thoughts and plans and concerns. We think it is wise to plan things out to act on our own concerns. We tell ourselves that if we know how to worry, we will know how to make ourselves secure. But all that makes sense only as long as we base our lives on grasping. It all looks different if we ground ourselves in appreciation: if we acknowledge the beauty around us and the efforts that others have made to secure our well-being. 

Day 21 – Protect Your Potential Exercise

Take a moment to reflect on the people in your life who, one way or another, could not achieve their full potential. Consider what their lives might have been like if they had been able to commit to their best selves and bring them into being. Imagine the beauty and goodness they would have added to the world.

Now, make a list of your own inner aspirations, your dreams for yourself. Look at them carefully, and consider whether they are worth a deep investment of your time and energy.

If you are convinced, make yourself a promise in the memory of all your friends and loved ones who couldn’t make their aspirations come true, you will do better: you will not give up on yourself.