How to start the day with energy, courage, and inspiration.
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We all have a lot to do. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and freeze when I even think about what’s on my to-do list. I wonder if I can actually do all the things I hope to. Am I capable or just a capable poser? Will there be something in my email or voicemail that will scare me? (I scare easily.) I wonder if I’ll be good enough, smart enough, and, gosh darn it, if people will like me.
I’m not even on cup of tea #2 before I’ve talked myself under the desk, afraid to come out.
Then I remember the one question that, when I ask it of myself, snaps everything back into focus. This question calms me down, returns to me my enthusiasm for my own life, and gives me courage to own my aspirations. Are you ready?
What kind of good can I do in the world today?
That’s it. Not what kind of good can I do FOR the world or TO the world–but in it. How can I jump in to the craziness and joy and despair and mystery and possibility and try to meet what comes at me with authenticity and kindness? What do I need to do so that I can go to sleep at the end of this day knowing that I did something, anything to leave the world in the tiniest bit better shape (or greater) than when I woke up? Even if I’m the only one who knows it?
It could be something as simple as weed the garden so that it creates more beauty for the neighborhood…visit a sick friend…get myself to the gym so that i can remain healthy for myself and those who love me…or something as grand as start that book proposal that shares my knowledge with the world…write a giant check to charity… or, best of all, try to meet every being I encounter in the next 24 hours with openness, patience, curiosity, and delight? (Those last two, curiosity and delight, are synonyms…so don’t worry about having to like everyone or always be nice. You can be grumpy and judgmental. Just take an interest in the whole shebang and don’t believe any of it.) This openness creates goodness within you, around you, and for you.
When you contextualize your activities as efforts to increase the good, something pretty magical happens. It doesn’t change what is on your to-do list, but shifts the intention behind it all. In this shift is tremendous energy.
Check it out and see if it does the same for you. Try asking yourself the question, “what kind of good can I do in the world today?” every morning for a week or so.
Seriously. If you open your heart, you can change the world. I’m not joking about that. You can do it! You! Yes, you!!
Let me know what you come up with.
13 comments
Oh, Susan! How did you know that this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today? Thank you so much!!
So glad!!
Yes, very apt. I find heat can be overwhelming, too, strangely. For me, lately, doing Yoga first thing seems to prepare me to be of service – gives me a sense I have “taken care of myself” and attunes me, ready to benefit others!
Thank you! So delightful to read this post on a very reflective curious morning for me…when we keep it simple the answers are right there waiting for us….with gratitude, Beth
http://livingfromyourheart.blogspot.com/
This fits well with my belief that I am the owner of what I do, how I react, and how to lead interactions to a positive outcome. Sometimes simply choosing to listen allows me to understand differently. Attending to other people with respect for them as fellow human beings allows them and me and opportunity to suspend judgment and hold a juxtaposing viewpoint with my own.
Doing good in the world begins within. Thanks for clearly marking it for what its all about- intention. Opening the heart to make a difference in our interactions with others, even when working in my garden (attempting to beautify a piece of earth for the enjoyment of all).
Thanks for writing from your heart.
Thank you Susan. Thank for “What good can I do in the world today?” That’s great.
I found you when I searched “What does ‘being Zen’ mean?” – in response to a friend saying I am very Zen. I had my own idea of her meaning, but I thought I’d see someone else’s idea of what ‘being Zen’ means. And here I find a most wonderful thinker and writer doing ’something good in the world’ and inspiring me to do the same.
Thank you very much.
what is it about mornings that often causes one to ‘fear and tremble’ upon awakening and thinking about their day or life?….molehills become mountains, anxiety not enthusiasm is the greeter…glad to hear i’m not the only one.
but yes, you’re right, susan: it’s always in focusing OUTSIDE of ourselves that we find our balance….a link to some wonderful quotes below from notables that share your wavelength and serve to be a good reminder to us all:
http://www.joyofquotes.com/doing_good_quotes.html
Joe, you are definitely not alone! And thanks so much for the lovely quotes link–
Thank you Susan! I’ve been wrestling with this question in general a lot lately, the “how can I be of benefit” question. This of course leads to the “is what I’m doing now of enough benefit” etc. etc. and you can imagine the wormhole of doubt and second-guessing that leads to. But, as you frame it “…good IN the world” it softens the pressure, the push, the arrogance, frankly. Thank you for this post, and for all that you make available on your site and blog. I think, truly, that the good I can do in the world comes from just being my sweet, relaxed self; that spontaneous inspiration arises to benefit the moment in the moment. So, I will take your challenge. One week… every morning. And I’ll let you know…
Hugs and love and fireflies and all the messy hard stuff too,
Heather
Heather, do keep me / us posted…
Sending love, S
[...] How to Start the Day with Energy, Courage, and Inspiration – via Susan Piver – another one of those posts I needed to find my way to this week. The universe is sending me messages loud and clear! [...]
an inspirational message!