Annually for a decade now, I've reviewed how I want to grow:  intellectually, spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, in relationship, career and health. Just like with a business plan, I then set about creating the strategies and implementing the actions to support that growth.

One of the areas I hadn't had on my radar before that time was developing a meditation practice. Recognized for health and spiritual benefits, there are many forms and types of practices available. Neuroscience shows that meditation leads to positive changes in brain chemistry and function, and that this contributes to positive moods and behaviors. As my understanding of the benefits grew, and I recognized the incredibly powerful untamed mind that I was living with, I took a more committed path to working with meditation, particularly mind training. I do this by going on a retreat.


Retreat is a time for extensive and intensive study and meditation.  Retreat means to extract oneself from the distractions of daily life and focus only on the mind training and taming.  Retreat is not a vacation or a time to flop and space out.  Retreat involves a strict schedule of practice and study, time to engage without phones, computers, social engagements, and worry about making/spending money.  Retreat offers time to focus on what really matters.

I write about this in the hopes that you are consciously looking at where you want to grow, and are setting aside time, energy and the means, to make it happen. And you might consider trying mediation, it is recognized as a key component/skill in developing resilience, and was invaluable to me in times of uninvited change.

“See"  you in September. Cheers.

It's monday morning. You're bright eyed and bushy tailed. (Oh, no, that's the squirrel outside my window.) You're barely mobile, slowing shuffling every square inch of the sole of your shoes evenly on the ground...(extreme cooperation with gravity.) Monday...Monday....(think Mamas and Papas)..catchy tune, or Munday, Munday...( still 1/2 in Sunday, if you know what I mean). What's a person to do? 

Wherever you are, take note. Are you sporting a fixed mindset, or a growth mindset? Are things already predetermined, or are you willing to look at them in a fresh way, to grow and learn from whatever is coming up? This is a key component of living up to your potential. In her research, Carol Dwecke examines the fixed mindset and the growth mindsets, and looks at how they create different paradigms for creating success.

The fixed mindset is focused on proving the self. Situations are judged, will I succeed or fail? Efforts on focused on succeeding (and also avoiding failure.) The growth mindset shifts the idea of failures to learning opportunities. The basic belief is that through application and experience, you can cultivate qualities. 

It may sound simple and obvious to you, common sense so to speak. But when examined in everyday life, how many things are we held back from by our predetermined beliefs?  So as you go into this monday morning are you willing to experiment with the belief that your true potential is unknown, and a willingness to explore it? Pay attention today to how many judgments come up for you, about both yourself and others? Observe this week, and you may unexpectedly find some learning opportunities just waiting for you.