Do you go on walks?
If you do, have you ever had one of those epiphanies, that hits you mid-stride and makes you go, “Daaaaaang! How did I not SEE this!?” on a crowded city street, causing passersby to pause, rapt in anticipation, awaiting the radiance of your glorious revelation?
I had one of those moments the other day. I actually try to have one of those moments everyday. I even rehearse the delivery of said epiphany, which I actually had several weeks earlier, while sitting inside and working on my 3rd undelivered TED talk.(ask me about them)
I jest.
Kinda.
Anyway, you might have figured it out by now, but I enjoy going on walks when I need to think. Sometimes I’m trying to clear my head… But sometimes I’m just getting some alone time and a change of scenery, then I’ll be struck by an idea.
The realization that led to this particular instance of “Eureka!” screaming was that after 20 years of meditation, I’ve found unconditional joy:
I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain unconditional love to other people... But what I’m realizing is that I’ve actually been trying to work out how to achieve something greater.
Peace of mind.
And it wasn’t until the other day that I realized that peace of mind came from self-actualization. I found it after building a foundation of unconditional love, learning to define success for myself, and learning to see myself as something beyond my body, achievements, and even my mind.
It’s not that I’m walking around with all of the right answers. That’s a preposterous proposition(probably). It’s that I’ve learned to walk through each moment with all of the right questions-.. for myself.
And I genuinely believe that we all can get there if we’re willing to take a little time every now and then. Some of us will need more than others. WAY more. And some of us will need a little less, perhaps none at all.
But I’m going to give you what I’ve got.
In the mean time, I’d love to know what questions you’re asking yourselves right now. The ones that are getting you through the hard times AND the ones that are bringing them on if you feel comfortable sharing.