For the past two weeks, the collective eyes of the world have been fixated on the mysterious city of Beijing. I, too, have been enamored with this year’s Olympic games, both for the majesty of the athletes and the complexity and wonder found within the country of China. The pageantry of the Opening Ceremonies combined with the effectiveness of the games, has presented the world with a new way of seeing the Chinese people, or more accurately has enabled the world to see behind the curtain which has shrouded them for so long.

Of course, there has been much written about the lessons that China needs to learn, particularly in regard to political openness and human rights. Many were upset that President Bush did not boycott the Olympics, or even that we sent our athletes to compete. I understand these stances, although I’m sad to say that due to recent history, the United States finds itself in a precarious position in lecturing any other country about human rights. Certainly, the Chinese must amend their way of treating dissidents in order to be fully accepted by the world community, but are there things that we can learn from China? I would briefly suggest two such items: citizen involvement and civility in public discourse.

Some estimates say that China had one million volunteers who helped make the Olympics possible. These were individuals who had pride in their country and wanted to make the event successful. In fact, I was surprised to learn that the Chinese National Anthem is entitled “March of the Volunteers.” This type of citizen involvement seems to be embedded in their culture, despite a limited ability to voice opinions or participate in any political process. While Americans certainly have a strong history of volunteerism, we would do well to learn from these Chinese people who choose to volunteer, even though their voice is limited. I’m afraid that our sense of a collective, national vision has been lost, leaving most of us dispassionate about the state of the union and our ability to affect positive change.

Secondly, the Chinese seem to have a standard of civility in their interactions with others that is frankly lacking in much American discourse. Again, this can certainly be influenced by an oppressive government, but I think this goes deeper. The Asian concept of “Face” may come into play here. All the reports were of a Chinese people who were polite and accepting, respecting the other even if they disagree strongly.

Now, our eyes turn to Denver, Colorado where the advanced, American political system will be put on display. Will this system demonstrate the hope and civility that we saw from the east the last two weeks? Or will we hear empty rhetoric and cheap one liners about those on the other side. I, for one, hope that we will be presented with a passionate vision for our nation, not a barrage of insults against the Republicans (however deserving they may be). Perhaps we can learn this from the Chinese. And perhaps, if we learn to be civil, more of the rest of us will want to volunteer and get involved in making our country better.

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Each Saturday evening, my family and I settle into a time of relaxation which we call Sabbath. This practice has it roots in the ancient Hebrew tradition in which God instructed his people to work six days but rest on the seventh day. We choose to do this by limiting our activity, spending time focussing on one another, praying together, and most importantly, taking a long nap! We have found this practice essential to our life of faith. For the next few weeks, I’m going to post a Sabbath Meditation here each Saturday ev

ening. Feel free to use it in your own journey and practice.

Today’s meditation comes from the Taize community in France. If you’re not familiar with Taize, they are an amazing, monastic community to which thousands make pilgrimage each year. They are best known for their practice of meditative singing. Also, they provide a number of prayer resources, including the Prayer for Each Day, which I use often.

“For the person most devoid of knowledge, just as for the most cultivated, faith remains a humble trusting in God. If faith were to become a spiritual pretension, it would lead nowhere.” Brother Roger in the book “Peace of Heart in All Things.”

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The soothing, hot drops of water were falling on my back as I stood in the shower this morning. Then, without warning, this stream’s massaging power was reduced in half, leaving my vision on an ideal shower unfulfilled. I stood there, filled with frustration and indignation at this horrible inconvenience. I was well aware of the source of my discontent. Natasha, my wonderful wife, had decided to do dishes in the kitchen.

Normally, this dual usage of the water system would not be an issue, but our home has this slight water pressure problem. This is always frustrating particularly when you find yourself in the shower when it happens. I get very agitated and incensed at the insensitivity of the individual on the other end. How dare they interrupt my time of personal hygiene!

But today, I had to stop my frustration train in its tracks and take in a bit of perspective. Not only did the usage of water on the other end affect my output, but my usage of water affected the others output. In other words, not only did my shower suck, but Natasha was unable to do dishes as she desired. The actions of both us produce less than stellar results for both of us, since we share the same, limited source of water pressure.

Of course, this made me think about the mighty Rio Grande River. You’ve heard of it, right? The long body of water which forms the border between the US and Mexico. But, did you know that for a period of time each year, the Rio Grande actually runs out of water before it reaches the Gulf of Mexico, leaving a sandbar in its place? Why does this happen? Because dams, irrigation, and personal use upstream takes too much, so there is nothing left over by river’s end. Communities in eastern Mexico and Texas are forced to go without that water which they’ve depended on for hundreds of years. This is a sad example of our Independence Addiction.

Here in the USA we’re quite fond on independence, in fact you may say we’re obsessed with it. Each summer we schedule an entire day to celebrate the concept. Rugged American individualism is one of our most admirable qualities. Yet, independence is in reality a myth. It is a juxtaposition, defined only by its opposite; dependence. Thus, for us to depend on anything outside ourselves is considered weakness. For example, how often in the last month have you heard that phrase, “depend on foreign oil.” I would suggest that beyond the implications of gas prices, there is a critical philosophical statement being made about who we are. We are pill-popping independence addicts, and it’s killing us.

I would suggest that we enter treatment for this addition and turn, not to dependence, but to a healthy understanding of interdependence. Interdependence recognizes that we are all (humans, plants, animals, etc) connected, that we share the same water, air, land, culture, and more. It teaches us that our actions have influence on the ecosystem and network of relationships around us, as do the actions of others affect us. Perhaps the Dalai Lama says it best, “I believe that to meet the challenges of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for oneself, one’s own family or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace.”

The Ecological Model of Psychology may help us begin to think in these terms. In the late 70’s, Urie Bronfenbrenner, used the image of the Russian nesting dolls to explain how individuals exist within a particular set of interactive contexts. He described multiple levels which surround the individual the Mesosystems of family, religious group, or organization to Macrosystems of nationalism, cultural values, and social conditions. This way of thinking places the individual properly within a series of interdependent relationships, treating them thus and not as isolated, independent individuals.

But, how do we break that down into our daily lives? We’ve been addicted to indepence for so long. I’d like to throw out three brief suggestions and would love to hear additional ideas from you. Personally, I find it helpful to increase my awareness of the world in which I am connected through spiritual practice, connecting my actions to their consequences, and recognizing the ancestry of my stuff.

Spiritual practice is always something which opens ones eyes up to the larger world. By engaging in prayer and meditation, I acknowledge that there is a reality bigger than Chris. I’ve found great joy in praying collect prayers from a variety of faith traditions. When I practice these words, I know that people all across the world are praying simultaneously. This reminds me that I am a part of a larger body of humanity, interconnected and moving together towards a common goal.

Independence addicts rarely consider the consequences of their actions, particularly not the seemingly insignificant ones. It’s easy to throw away a plastic bottle when you have completed your usage of it to convey liquids to your thirsty body. But, what happens when I throw that bottle in the garbage? It ends up in a landfill, breaks down into toxic chemicals, and litters our earth for several decades. When you think of it this way, you realize that your smallest action has great impact. I try to think as much as possible about the grand and long-term effects of what I do on my relationships, my community, and the environment, which gets me out of my utilitarian independence and, hopefully, helps me act in a way which produced positive results on the world.

Finally, we have a tendency to think that everything we have magically appears before us for our consumption. Wal-mart is the suppository of all this stuff, and we simply go there to buy whatever we need. But, do we ever stop to ask where that stuff came from and how it arrived in our plastic bags at such a bargain price. Not only do our actions have consequences, but the actions of others act upon us. Try this next time you eat a french fry. Draw your attention to the ground in which the potato grew, the rain and sunlight that fell upon it, the farm worker who tended and harvested it, the plant worker and truck driver who brought it to the store, and the people at the store who worked hard to stack it nicely on a shelf for your convenience. In this light, you can never just eat a french fry again, because everything has history, everything comes from somewhere, and everything we enjoy reminds us of how interdependent we are with the rest of our planet.

For us to survive the next century, we need a cure from our independence addiction. We must recognize that we are not isolated warriors, but interconnected family members. I hope we can learn to be interdependent, to help each each and to rely on each other. How have you seen this at work in your life? In your community? Share some thoughts. We’re all in this together.

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There is a great deal of talk about vice presidents these days. Many of us are sitting on the edge of our chairs in anticipation of who Obama and McCain will pick to fill the second line of the campaign sign. Many names have been thrown out, analyzed, and scrutinized, but today I would like to suggest another name for consideration. Mine. So, without further ado, here are five reasons why the presidential candidates would be wise to consider Chris Michael Kirk as candidate for Vice President of the United States of America.

1. I have strong foreign policy credentials. In fact, all my policies are quite foreign to the American way of thinking. All the time people inform me that the way I think is way out there. This establishes my ability to deal with far out places like North Korea, Iran, and Montana.

2. I’m from Kansas. Much talk has been given to Obama’s Kansas roots, and two others with Kansas ties have been mentioned as possibilities; Kathleen Sebelius and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. If being from Kansas is a key, then I qualify. I was born and raised in the Intelligent Design State. Plus, I voted for Mr. Kaine when I was living in Virginia, so he owes me one.

3. I am quite adept at hiding away and not drawing too much attention to myself. I don’t own a gun or go hunting, so I will not be shooting anyone in the face anytime soon. I’d be happy to simply hang in the Lincoln bedroom and play Tetris for days on end if need be.

4. I am quite certain how many houses I own.

5. My last name is one syllable long which lends itself to a catchy phrase. Try it: Obama-Kirk. It sounds wonderful huh? Even McCain-Kirk doesn’t sound too bad (at least for McCain). In the age of the sound byte, this may be perhaps the most important qualification I have. Additionally, my last name is short which will cut down on sign size and ink usage, allowing the candidate who chooses me to beef up their environmental credentials.

So, there you have it. Five excellent reasons for choosing Chris Michael Kirk as a candidate for VP. Please stay tuned. I expect CNN to pick up the news of my self-nomination any moment now. God bless America.

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Many volumes have been written in recent years about the subject of happiness. Certainly this is nothing new as philosophers and poets from Aristotle to Shakespeare have hypothesized about happiness, it’s role, and how to find it. Recent years have brought this debate on happiness to fever pitch. According to the Pew Research Center, 85% of Americans claim they are happy, yet clinical depression remains a serious problem in our country, affecting 10-14 million people each year (NAMI). Much of the literature presupposes that happiness is possible for all and can be generated if only the right steps are followed. But, is this talk of happiness all it is cracked up to be?

In “Against Happiness”, Eric G. Wilson takes on the Western ideal of happiness and defends the benefits of moderate melancholia. He argues that if we continue our quest to eliminate sadness through positive thinking, consumer bliss, and drugs, that we will eliminate the valuable role that melancholia plays in creativity and social change. Wilson writes, “Soon, perhaps with the help of psychopharmaceuticals, we shall have no more unhappy people in our country. Melancholics will become unknown. This would be an unparalleled tragedy……. With no more melancholics, we would live in a world in which everyone simply accepted the status quo, in which everyone would simply be content with what is given.” Wilson seems to argue against synthesized happiness, at least at the expense of an honest assessment of the world. Yet perhaps our ability to make ourselves happy is a powerful and necessary tool for shaping our world.

Dan Gilbert, Harvard researcher and author of “Stumbling on Happiness,” sheds some interesting light on this topic with his theory of the “psychological immune system.” In his 2004 TED talk , Gilbert reveals the findings from his research which indicates that humans have the keen ability to create happiness to some degree. The human mind demonstrates the ability to manipulate the way we feel about certain events. Further, Gilbert found that the less freedom a person has, the more likely they are to synthesize happiness as opposed a person with a great deal of choice. Thus, prisoners or survivors of tragic events often tend to report greater contentment after the fact than those without such negative stimuli.

It may be helpful here to consider the work of Laura Carstensen, of the Standford Center for Longevity. She has discovered that the elderly tend to give selective attention to positive images more frequently than do younger people. Carstensen suggests this may explain why older people are less likely to be depressed and report less stress in day to day life. I would suggest that this finding connects with Gilbert’s study because aging can be expressed in terms of a limited amount of choice and freedom as compared to younger ages. Something about situations which are beyond our control leads us to synthesize a more positive view of our lives as opposed to have a great deal of freedom and choice.

Perhaps this is why Wilson is adamantly opposed to the happiness-happy American culture. He draws our roots to Benjamin Franklin, whose capitalistic aspirations fueled the founding of our nation. Interestingly, Wilson points out that the “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” of America’s Declaration of Independence derive from John Locke’s, “life, liberty, and property.” From an early age, the American dream has been about owning stuff (and having liberty through this ownership), and this stuff being a major source of our happiness.

Yet we know it does not work that way. Studies have shown that increased wealth beyond certain limits does not increase happiness. Yet American culture seems to perpetuate this myth of wealth and beauty and success at the exclusion of an honest look at our failures, sadness, and weaknesses. It is our very freedom which allows us to distance ourselves from poverty, genocide, and unrest, yet this freedom, as we have seen, may actually limit our ability to find happiness. As Wilson writes, “The greatest tragedy is to live without tragedy.”

Wilson also interjects a spiritual point. He reclaims the image of Jesus as the “man of sorrows,” in contrast to the “Buddy Jesus” presented in many modern expressions of Christianity. Wilson writes, “Why Americans tend to imagine Jesus as some sort of blissed-out savior, untroubled because divine is beyond me. If we look closely at the four Gospels, we notice not a jovial minister, but a tortured prophet, a man who realized from early on that the only way to gain salvation is to enter the deepest shadows.” Perhaps this remade vision of Jesus has contributed to a culture of people who avoid sorrow at all costs.

The struggle in this discussion is defining true happiness. Self-reports of happiness are difficult to evaluate. I agree with Wilson that the American dream version of happiness as health, wealth, and prosperity is filled with holes and dangerous for the long-term benefit of our world. However, I would argue that there is another type of happiness which leads individuals and communities into abundant and sustainable lives, not in denial of the hard realities of life, but embracing them and moving beyond them. Further, it is my belief that we can discover ancient wisdom and modern empirical evidence which will provide a path towards increased, genuine happiness for all.

How do you see it?

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Dreariness was carried in with the morning rain and stuck around in the humid interactions between us. Today is a day of change for our family. Natasha has started a new job, leaving me in charge of diapers, baby food, and trying not to trip over slices of wooden pear. The distress is written on the faces of Ester and Justice, and more than one tear was shed this morning. Even in my spirit, I find myself down and weary, and not just from watching two needy kids all day. Welcome to another change.

Change is a difficult thing to navigate for two-year-olds and thirty somethings alike. Our family has experienced our fair share of variance in the past few years, moving across the country, adding two children to our family, changing jobs, and more. But each time we change we’re presented with a set of unique challenges which must be overcome. The hardest thing about change is that it leads you to an uncertain future. Even if your present is not everything you’d hoped, the future is still unknown and to walk boldly into the dark can be terrifying and depressing. It’s almost always more comfortable to remain in the rut where you find yourself than bringing significant change to your life.

But, change must be embraced for any progress to be made. I wonder how many people get to this yucky-feeling point and quit there, afraid of what might come and unwilling to feel the uneasiness. In my experience, once you push through the difficult time, things do get better, and avoiding the change that needs to be made only seems to prolong your torture. How often do we retreat from the front lines of change when the pressure is on, only to settle back into old habits and the familiarity of mediocrity?

In an effort to preach to myself, and share some of my experience, I’ll give you a few ideas about navigating through change. First, I suggest you have a strong support system around you. Utilize your friends, family, and co-workers to walk with you each step of the way. Change in community is infinitely more complex, yet incredibly more supported than changing as an individual. Also, remember that change often brings stress to relationships. Be aware of this so you don’t shoot your support in the back when things get heated.

Second, you need to be realistic. No change makes everything better right away as the “grass is not always greener” and often the results of change take a great deal of time to be revealed. Set clear, but reasonable expectations for the change you plan and for the interim period while the change is being made. Finally, take small steps. Don’t try to do it all at once, but understand that change is a process. Big life changes involve a million logistics. You can’t simply solve them all in one setting. Make a little progress each day and realize that each step will help you get toward the big picture of which you’ve been dreaming.

Hopefully, these ideas may be of help to you. I feel better just reminding myself of these principles. If you’ve gone through a big change in your life, what helped you get through it? What did you find to be the biggest challenge? I’d love to hear your perspective.

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There was no warning before the black, Mercedes SUV slammed into the back of my stationary Prius, shattering glass and spoiling the spoiler. In an instant our beloved hybrid became scrap metal and our sense of security deployed like an airbag. No blood was shed, and we all walked away physically intact. (Thank God?) But, why did that car hit our car at that moment in that place in that time? Was it pre-ordained from God’s daytimer or was it a simple act of chance?

Has anyone ever told you, “Everything happens for a reason.”? Or what about, “Rotten Luck”? So, which is it? Are all the events in our lives set in a course of reason,dictated by some higher power, be it God or Fate? Or are the events which occur in our lives random happenstances, demonstrations of chance evolution?

To be intellectually honest, I have to admit that things like a car accident are probably the result of random chance. A simple calculation of number of cars, their concentration in a city, their speed, and the increase in driving distractions in our modern age could produce a number of anticipated accidents in any given year. However, arbitrary luck cannot account for the whole story. There is a great deal of human choice involved. A century ago we humans decided horses weren’t fast enough so we made cars, and then roads, and then faster cars, and more cars, and then Natasha and I decided to drive to the grocery store, and then some guy in a black Mercedes decided to not pay attention while driving, and next thing you know black SUV meets gray Prius.

However, in many ways it helps to think that God is hanging out in a corner office in the sky with a team of Administrative Assistants who have everything planned with a wonderful explanation for each event. Whether the event is a blessing (I won the lottery thanks to Jesus!), a curse (My loved one died of cancer) or in between (like our wreck), it can be helpful to find purpose and direction in these events, ordained by an omnipotent God.

But, in the end, I believe these explanations create more problems than they solve. God has power to stop things on one occasion, but is impotent or callous the next. God blesses some and curses others on a whim. What if we thought of God’s action in the world in a different way?

What if God is not the catalyst of random events,but a fellow participant within them? What if we stopped assigning responsibility to God and accepted the events of this life as random occurrences of chance as influenced by human choice? Then, what if we made God, not the distant initiator of random things, but the participant, with us, in these events, both good and bad? In this scenario, God did not give us the winning lottery ticket, but rejoices with us and pleads within us to use it wisely. God did not cause the cancer, but weeps besides us and pleads with us to find the courage to move forward. And God did not make us wreck, but helps us rejoice in being unhurt and strengthens us through the challenges ahead.

What do you think?

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In talking with my friend, Steven, today, I began to reflect on this idea of the importance of the exclusivity of Jesus that we seem to talk about a lot and which has been well discussed on the Martyr post. Two images came to mind. I’d like to present each here and get your feedback.

First, a few words of Rabbi Jesus from John 14:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.”

Jesus as a Gate

In this image, Jesus is a tall gate standing between humans and God. All the joys of God’s blessing are on the other side, but you have to get through Jesus first. This happens by approaching the gate (picture the Wizard of Oz here) and speaking a password through a peephole to gain admittance. The password is “Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, who paid the price for my sins.” (I know it’s a long password, but I’m trying to make a point here!) There is no other entrance to God save uttering these words at this door called Jesus. All other attempts at finding God end up in eternal dead ends.

Jesus as a Road

In this image, Jesus is a road that we walk upon. It has bright, green signs which say, “God’s Highway” and “Entering the Kingdom of God.” The road may be narrow and sparsely inhabited in places, but it is quite clear that to move in this direction will have one moving in the way of God, both seeking what is to come and experiencing what is at present. All are invited to travel upon this road, even if they’re not sure what street they are on (see Thomas and Philip above). This road is the only way to find God, but it can be accessed at many different points by many different types of vehicles with many different names for the road.

So, is Jesus a gate or a road? Is he a point of division to determine who is out and who is in, or is he a way in which all are invited to walk? What do you think?

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An iconic figure has opened is undergoing trial at the hands of the empire. He very well may be sentenced to death. He has welcomed this reality saying, “If I’m killed, I will be killed for the sake of God. I’ve been seeking to be a martyr for years.” I could be describing Jesus, but instead I’m speaking of a man named Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

In case you missed it, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is the alleged mastermind of several terrorist attacks including 9/11. Since 2003, he has been in U.S. custody. Today, his military tribunal trail has begun in which Mohammed shared the above desire to be martyred.

Now, for those of you enraged that I just compared this alleged terrorist to Jesus, please understand that I am not drawing a comparison between the two at the core of their message and action. Jesus was a pacifist. Sheikh Mohammed is a terrorist. Jesus said love your enemy. Sheikh Mohammed says, “Kill the infidels!”

However, I think there is a valid comparison on a larger level. Both Jesus and Sheikh Mohammed have found themselves at odds with the dominant superpower or empire of their day. As empires do, both Rome and the United States are interested in extending their power by eliminating threats to their dominance and prosperity. Jesus challenged the kingdom of Rome while Sheik Mohammed has challenged the kingdom of America.

If the US chooses to kill this man, we will make him a martyr as he desires. We have already held him without charge and probably exposing him to torture. But now we have a unique opportunity. If we show mercy and restraint, we will let him be what he is: a terrorist with a losing strategy of hate and violence. If we kill him, we will paste his face on Middle East walls for decades. While justice certainly demands that we hold him accountable, wisdom requires that we choose the higher ground, reverse the temptations of pursuing the Pax Americana with violence, and respond to terror with firm compassion and truth.

I don’t want Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to be a martyr. I don’t want his version of a hateful God to dominate. I want to be proud that my country did the right thing. God help us if we do not.

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One of the most depressing things I can imagine is to evaluate your life and find it fails to measure up to the dreams you have for it. It is tragic to reach the end of the day and realize that your time, while full of activity, was lacking in passion. And honestly, this is not that rare. How often in our culture do we get caught in the rut of the supposedly mundane or stressed at the supposedly worrysome to the point that we trudge through a work day or a night at home without really feeling connected and alive? Recently, I’ve been using a little tool which is helping me to focus on the life that I want to live. It involves using two exercices: Inention and Attention.

Intention

Oddly enough, it is possible to pass through an entire day with very little inention, simply going through the motions of habit and routine. Declaring your intention is a valuable tool in giving purpose and direction to your next moments. Much has been written in recent years about discovering your purpose in life. I agree with exploring your overall life mission, but what if we tried to live in our purpose for the next five minutes?

The Intention Exercise is very simple, but powerful I recommend doing this before each shift in task or at natural breaks during your day. Take ten seconds, think about what you’re going to do next, and declare your intention which involves both what you do and the manner in which you intend to do it. For example, after putting the kids to bed this evening I declared, “It is my intention to write a thoughtful and helpful blog post now.” This simple statement helped focus me away from the dozen other things which could grab my attention and centered my mind on the task at hand.

Of course, I didn’t say this out loud in a crowded room. It’s a small mental shift, but one which is very effective on a moment by moment basis. This exercise is highly connected to a practice of goal setting and scheduling which I do on a weekly and daily basis, trying to set my intention for the larger period ahead. The Intention Exercise helps me stay focused on these larger goals and the grand purpose of my existence.

Attention

Have you ever had good intentions, but found yourself too distracted to complete them? The Attention Exercise is a practice of living in the moment, allowing you to give your best toward your intention. It involves three parts. First, you take a deep breath and eliminate all distractions. For example, when starting this post, I closed my internet tab for the Royals game and Gmail. If I left them up, I knew my attention would be drawn to them and away from writing this post.

The second part in the Attention Exercise is give yourself fully to the moment. In fact, you have nothing but this moment. The past is gone and the future is not here yet. Live as if this second is all you have, as if this activity is the only activity you have ever done or ever will do. Finally, you have to deal with random thoughts. No doubt thoughts having to do with the past or the future will creep up into your brain. You’ll be reminded of what you didn’t do today or what you need to do tomorrow. Simply let these thoughts come and go. Don’t dwell on them, but keep your focus on what matters. If you need to write down a brief note about an important thought, do so, but then return immediately to your intention.

Remember: Mutli-tasking is the enemy here. We need to think in terms of quality, not quantity. By investing your whole attention in a task you’ll be amazed at the results and actually will accomplish more.

Intention and Attention are two amazing tools which can help you live life in the way you’ve dreamed. Take a few seconds before your next task and give it a try. You might just be amazed. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and other ideas which have proved useful to you.

Cheers,

Chris

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