I intend

I read an article, How to Start and End the Day by Nicki Leaper, Leadership and Development Coach. You can read it here:  

https://journal.thriveglobal.com/how-to-start-and-end-the-day-right-6d6ed4f197fe

I'm not one to assert that there is a "right way" for many things, so disagree with her title but "what odds," not one to quibble. In a nutshell, here is her routine: She rises, **meditates for 10 minutes, and then writes down a broad intention for the day. At day's end, she comments in her journal around her intention and then writes what she is grateful for. 

Over the last couple of years, I've lost some hard-won habits and routines that once nourished my life. This simple approach seemed like a "way-in." 

I started yesterday after doing my usual barefoot-outdoors exercises -- which are much less exciting in summer than in winter.  I meditated for 10 minutes. It was then no trouble to set my intention -- to focus on my breathing -- because during the meditation, I became aware of how ragged my breath was and how much I was holding my breath. During the day, I stopped and berated myself several times for NOT living my intention, usually noticing that the beat-down was accompanied by a big sigh. Could I not even last one day, I wondered. Had I fallen that far? 

Last night, though, when I sat to journal, I realized that every time I'd berated myself, I'd been focusing on my breathing -- that I had lived my intention. I just need to learn to do it without beating myself up. 

**(see her article for a link to Headspace where they teach meditation)

This morning, as I meditated outside, I noticed that my breathing had changed. Long, slow, deep inhalations and exhalations moved my body rhythmically. Amid bird chirp and traffic hum, today's intention arose:  "Go placidly amid the noise and the haste..." I also set myself a goal to spend time reading the entire Max Ehrmann quotation. It is sage advice for any time, perhaps especially for our time and is timely advice for me. The phrase I shall carry with me today is "Keep peace with your soul."

Desiderata

Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.