“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:
Your mind will forever produce a constant stream of thinking / feeling content like the feed on your Facebook account. Do you double click on everything in your feed? Or do you become better at knowing what serves you and what doesn’t?
“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
A brain is such an interesting thing. No one really understands how or why it does exactly what it does but what is clear is that it doesn’t deal purely in what’s true, or reality. From weird dreams and abstract art to doing high level mathematics, the brain’s abilities are on a very wide spectrum and it will constantly throw all of this content at you.
This is just normal for any brain, but YOU get to decide how you feel about all of these ‘weird’ thoughts and emotions that are sometimes true, and sometimes plain false! Do you believe every thought? Do you believe you are broken? Or do you believe that all of this is just a normal human experience?
“When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind’s workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being – and a normal one, at that?” – Elizabeth Gilbert
“But if you can plant yourself in stillness long enough, you will, in time, experience the truth that everything (both uncomfortable and lovely) does eventually pass.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Today’s meditation is, “Come to your senses.” It facilitates a process of no longer resisting any thoughts and emotions but learning how to take a step back and really see what is there. Understanding all thoughts and emotions. Understanding the origin of these thoughts and feelings and then creating a new response to the thoughts and emotions that we’ve always been experiencing.
From this a new, supportive inner narrative emerges. And once you have created your own supportive inner narrative, you step into the limitless potential of the amazing being that you are!
A few affirmations to spark some self-reflection:
- “I am not my thoughts; I am the observer of my thoughts.”
- “Every thought and emotion is temporary – this too shall pass.”
- “I choose compassion over judgment when witnessing my inner experience.”
By selecting which thoughts we will engage with like we select our clothes, we cultivate a mindset of resilience, optimism, and inner peace. Remember, you are not your thoughts; you are the observer of your thoughts.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Come to your senses.
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/W1Nsgd1aYuk 2024
https://youtu.be/tWo96wqZKB0 2023
https://youtu.be/UIAhtgtUjoc 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.
- “I am not my thoughts; I am the observer of my thoughts.”
- “Every thought and emotion is temporary – this too shall pass.”
- “I choose compassion over judgment when witnessing my inner experience.”
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.
The New Narrative Architect: “If I could design a supportive inner narrative that reflects my highest potential, what story would I write about who I am and what I’m capable of?”
Consider the current story you tell yourself about your abilities, worth, and possibilities. Write about the limiting narratives you’ve inherited or created, and then imagine yourself as the author of a new, empowering story. What would this new narrative include? How would it acknowledge your humanity while celebrating your potential? What daily practices might help you embody this new story more fully?
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.
1. Q: How is selecting thoughts like selecting clothes?
A: Just as you wouldn’t wear every piece of clothing in your closet at once or keep wearing clothes that don’t fit, you don’t need to engage with every thought your mind produces. When choosing clothes, you consider what serves you for the day ahead – comfort, confidence, appropriateness for the weather or occasion. Similarly, you can learn to evaluate thoughts based on whether they serve your wellbeing, growth, and goals. The key is developing the awareness to pause and choose rather than automatically accepting every mental “outfit” your brain presents.
2. Q: Does this mean I should only think positive thoughts?
A: Not at all. This isn’t about forced positivity or suppressing difficult emotions. It’s about developing the wisdom to recognize that your brain naturally produces a wide spectrum of content – some true, some false, some helpful, some harmful. The goal is to observe all thoughts with compassion while consciously choosing which ones deserve your sustained attention and energy. Even uncomfortable thoughts can serve you if they provide useful information or help you grow.
3. Q: What if I can’t stop negative or anxious thoughts from coming up?
A: You can’t control what thoughts arise – that’s completely normal brain function. As Elizabeth Gilbert notes, everything “both uncomfortable and lovely” eventually passes if you can plant yourself in stillness. The practice isn’t about stopping thoughts but changing your relationship with them. Instead of fighting against difficult thoughts, you learn to observe them without judgment, understanding that having anxious thoughts doesn’t make you anxious – it makes you human.
4. Q: How do I know which thoughts are “true” versus just mental noise?
A: This is where developing your inner observer becomes crucial. True, helpful thoughts often feel grounded in reality and lead to constructive action or insight. Mental noise tends to be repetitive, catastrophic, or disconnected from present-moment reality. Ask yourself: “Does this thought help me understand something important or take meaningful action?” If it’s just your mind spinning stories without purpose, you can acknowledge it and let it pass without engaging.
5. Q: What does it mean to create a “supportive inner narrative”?
A: Your inner narrative is the ongoing story you tell yourself about who you are, what you’re capable of, and what your experiences mean. A supportive narrative acknowledges your humanity and imperfections while focusing on your potential for growth and resilience. Instead of “I’m broken because I have difficult thoughts,” a supportive narrative might be “I’m a normal human being learning to navigate my inner world with wisdom and compassion.”
6. Q: How can I practice this “thought selection” in daily life?
A: Start by developing awareness of your mental habits. Throughout the day, pause occasionally to notice what thoughts are running through your mind. Ask yourself: “What am I giving my mental attention to right now? Is this serving me?” Like choosing clothes, this becomes easier with practice. You might also establish regular moments of stillness – meditation, deep breathing, or simply sitting quietly – to strengthen your capacity to observe your thoughts rather than being swept away by them.
7. Q: How long does it take to master this practice?
A: This is a lifelong practice rather than a destination. Like physical fitness or learning a musical instrument, the benefits come from consistent practice over time. You might notice small shifts in awareness within weeks, but deepening this skill happens gradually. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you learn. Remember Gilbert’s insight about accepting that you’re “only a human being – and a normal one, at that.” The goal isn’t perfection but rather developing a healthier, more conscious relationship with your inner experience.