“Your Daily Dose” is a quick two minute read packed with bite-sized wisdom from all the great teachers. But you could also choose to turn it into something more… a powerful daily practice for personal growth. Give it a try!
A message from today’s meditation:
Elizabeth Gilbert is our teacher for this week, and today’s message really is a two for one!
Her wisdom is a refreshing antidote to our culture’s obsession with perfection. She reminds us that creativity, far from being the exclusive domain of artistic geniuses, is an inherent human capacity, and we can infuse everything we do with a touch of creative magic. It’s the spark that ignites our imaginations, propels us forward, and infuses our lives with color.
And when we embrace our creative nature, we’re also more likely to embody our playful side. Life happens, and when our carefully laid-out plans crumble, and our dreams seem to shatter into a million pieces, this is where Gilbert’s philosophy truly shines. Instead of succumbing to despair, she invites us to playfully embrace the messiness.
1st – You are a creator whoever you are!
“Creativity does not belong exclusively to professional artists and geniuses; it is the birthright of every single human being. Creativity is our common heritage. You don’t need to quit your job and move to Paris in order to lay claim to this heritage – all you have to do is clear some space in your life for whimsy, invention, sensory pleasure, and play. Most of all, you have to learn how to follow your curiosity more than your fear.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
“Creativity itself doesn’t care at all about results – the only thing it craves is the process. Learn to love the process and let whatever happens next happen, without fussing too much about it. Work like a monk, or a mule, or some other representative metaphor for diligence. Love the work. Destiny will do what it wants with you, regardless.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Think about it: every problem you’ve solved, every conversation you’ve navigated, every meal you’ve improvised from leftover ingredients—these are all acts of creation. You are already a creator, whether you acknowledge it or not. The spark that ignites your imagination and propels you forward isn’t hiding somewhere outside of you; it’s been there all along, waiting for you to give it permission to play.
2nd – We can have fun even with the things that go wrong.
“The world is like a dropped pie most of the time. Don’t kill yourself trying to put it back together. Just grab a fork and eat some of it off the floor. Then carry on.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
“Mistakes will be made. Failure will occur. You pick yourself up and carry on.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Make this a goal for yourself this week: If your pie happens to fall, will you remind yourself to grab a fork, sit on the kitchen floor, and feast on the best parts of this broken pie while you have a laugh, or even a cry? And then clean up the mess, pick yourself up and get right back to what you’re creating.
This isn’t about lowering your standards or accepting defeat. It’s about recognizing that life’s messiness isn’t a bug – it’s a feature. When your carefully laid plans crumble, when your dreams seem to shatter into a million pieces, you have a choice. You can exhaust yourself trying to restore everything to its original state, or you can grab a fork and discover that some of the best flavors are found in the unexpected places.
There is magic in you! And sometimes it takes serious focus and dedication to pull it off but remember, magic is only ever enjoyed with the heart of a child. You have the capacity for both.
A few mantras for self-reflection:
- “Sometimes life is like a dropped pie, I choose to enjoy the flavors rather than mourn the mess.”
- “Creativity is my birthright, I give myself permission to play, experiment, and create without judgment.”
- “I love the process, I trust that always showing up matters more than controlling the outcome.”
- “I embrace imperfection as a catalyst for growth, my mistakes are portals to new possibilities.”
You are a creator! You possess the power to shape your reality, to turn challenges into opportunities, and to find beauty in the ordinary. Embrace the process, love the work, and let go of the outcome. And when life inevitably throws you a curveball, remember the dropped pie. Grab your fork, savor the moment, and keep creating.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Jumpstart the week!
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/1AoC5crMiZk 2025
https://youtu.be/hC-Oz7WOHMU 2023
https://youtu.be/1Pao68CusJA 2022
Practice the “Daily Dose”
Let’s put it into practice! Choose what works for you – daily, once a week or whenever inspiration strikes. Putting pen to paper wires the neural pathways that will create your new habits.
1 – Affirmation
Write down your favourite affirmation on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you’ll be able to see it the whole day.
- “Sometimes life is like a dropped pie, I choose to enjoy the flavors rather than mourn the mess.”
- “Creativity is my birthright, I give myself permission to play, experiment, and create without judgment.”
- “I love the process, I trust that always showing up matters more than controlling the outcome.”
- “I embrace imperfection as a catalyst for growth, my mistakes are portals to new possibilities.”
2 – A moment of reflection
Use today’s question as a journal prompt. If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, just take a moment to reflect on your response.
Your Dropped Pie Moments: Recall a recent time when your plans fell apart or something you worked hard on didn’t turn out as expected. Using Gilbert’s metaphor, what were the unexpected “flavors” you discovered in that situation? What did you learn about yourself in the process of picking up the pieces? How might you approach similar setbacks differently in the future?
3 – Quotes to share
Send a quote to someone who needs it, or share them all on social media to spread the good vibes!
4 – Q&A for deeper learning
Read through the questions and answers and write down at least one “aha moment” that clicked for you.
Q1: What does Elizabeth Gilbert mean by “creativity is everyone’s birthright”?
A: Gilbert challenges the common misconception that creativity is reserved for professional artists or naturally gifted individuals. She argues that every human being has an innate capacity for creativity, which manifests in problem-solving, daily innovations, and bringing new ideas to life. You don’t need to be a painter or writer to be creative—you exercise creativity when you find solutions, navigate relationships, or approach challenges with fresh perspectives.
Q2: How can I “love the process” when I’m naturally goal-oriented?
A: Loving the process doesn’t mean abandoning your goals; it means shifting your primary focus from the outcome to the experience of working toward it. Start by celebrating small daily efforts rather than only acknowledging final results. Practice being present during the work itself—notice what you’re learning, how you’re growing, and what you discover along the way. Remember that the process is where your actual life happens, not in the distant future achievement.
Q3: What should I do when my “pie drops” and everything feels ruined?
A: Gilbert’s “dropped pie” metaphor suggests that instead of exhausting yourself trying to restore everything to its original state, you should look for what’s still valuable in the situation. Take a moment to grieve what was lost, then actively seek the unexpected opportunities, lessons, or perspectives that emerged from the setback. Sometimes the “flavors” you discover in the mess are sweeter than what you originally planned.
Q4: How do I distinguish between giving up and accepting imperfection?
A: Accepting imperfection means continuing to engage with your work and life while releasing the need for everything to be flawless. It’s about maintaining effort and care while dropping the anxiety about perfect outcomes. Giving up, on the other hand, involves abandoning your efforts entirely. The key is to keep creating, keep trying, keep showing up—just without the crushing pressure of perfection.
Q5: What if I don’t feel naturally playful or creative?
A: Playfulness and creativity can be cultivated like any other skill. Start small by introducing tiny elements of experimentation into your routine—try a new route to work, rearrange your living space, or approach a familiar task differently. Notice where your natural curiosity leads you, even in mundane situations. Remember that creativity isn’t about producing art; it’s about approaching life with openness and willingness to try new things.
Q6: How can I follow my curiosity when I have practical responsibilities?
A: Following curiosity doesn’t require dramatic life changes or abandoning responsibilities. It’s about creating small pockets of space for exploration within your existing life. This might mean dedicating 15 minutes a day to learning something new, asking more questions in conversations, or approaching your current work with fresh eyes. The goal is to honor your natural interests while maintaining your commitments.
Q7: What does it mean to “work like a monk” while maintaining a playful attitude?
A: This paradox is about combining dedication with lightness. Working like a monk means bringing focus, discipline, and consistency to your efforts—showing up regularly and giving your best energy to what matters. However, this dedication should be coupled with the joy and wonder of a child. You can be serious about your commitment to the work while remaining open to surprise, delight, and the unexpected gifts that emerge from your efforts.