Morning Meditation "Just for Today"

[LubovArt]

This is a message I read every morning before I start my day,
It is simple but very helpful.

Just for today
I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problems at once.
I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today
I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that,
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Just for today
I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.
I will take my “luck” as it comes, and fit myself to it.
Just for today
I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer.
I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.
Just for today
I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out;
if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do – just for exercise.
I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt: they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.
Just for today
I will be agreeable, I will look as well as I can: dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything, and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.
Just for today
I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.
Just for today
I will have quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.
Just for today
I will be unafraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

[Ron Alexander]

Wise thoughts - thanks for adding this - I will cut and copy to my daily reminders! loving kindness, ron

tI wrote this for the Vipassana group site today:
Not transcendance, not trance, not out-of-body, not egolessness, although these states happen in meditation, in Vipassana, our goal is equanimity according to Goenka.
To me equanimity is real peace, real joy, real balance, and is the middle road that Buddha teaches. metta, ron

[Silja Saareoks-Kaldre]

Thank you so much! This is very beautiful message. With love, -Silja

[Carlo Ami]

I love this, Lubov. And use a more brief daily starter and ender myself.
Two ideas for your possible consideration:
First, using the word "try" sends the wrong information to the brain and tends to be counterproductive. "Trying" implies to the mind that one will not get done the intended action. It's like when someone tells you they will "try" to come to your party, do they generally show up? "I intend to...." tends to be more productive. Likewise, using the word "trust" is more effective than "hope".
Also, research has shown that making a negatively charged affirmation such as "I will not be a mental loafer" sends confusing and anxiety-producing messages to the brain. The brain does not "get" negative affirmations. If the statement includes the mention of something you do NOT want, then anxiety can often be the result. So "I am a free breather." works better than "I am smoke-free".
Humbly,
Carlo

[LubovArt]

Hello Carlo,
Thank you for your reply.
I agree with everything you said. The text, I found in an old brochure, and didn't INTEND to change it, but after your comments, I feel that it could be changed. With that I would need help as English is my second language. I would appreciate if you would be willing to edit it and make it more positive.
Best,Lubov

Carlo Ami said:

I love this, Lubov. And use a more brief daily starter and ender myself.
Two ideas for your possible consideration:
First, using the word "try" sends the wrong information to the brain and tends to be counterproductive. "Trying" implies to the mind that one will not get done the intended action. It's like when someone tells you they will "try" to come to your party, do they generally show up? "I intend to...." tends to be more productive. Likewise, using the word "trust" is more effective than "hope".
Also, research has shown that making a negatively charged affirmation such as "I will not be a mental loafer" sends confusing and anxiety-producing messages to the brain. The brain does not "get" negative affirmations. If the statement includes the mention of something you do NOT want, then anxiety can often be the result. So "I am a free breather." works better than "I am smoke-free".
Humbly,
Carlo

[Silja Saareoks-Kaldre]

I do agree with it, as on the subconsciousness level the words are taken literally. I see that you deeply understand these things. I have also found that it is good to bring the desired future into the presence, even if it's not yet happened. So instead of "I will" or "we will" it would be more powerful to say "I am" or "we are" with the full feeling as if it has already happened. I have found it to be one of the best ways to start with something completely new, as it usually brings the fear to unknown with it. Then we can embrace it with love inside of ourselves when saying those powerful affirmations. Thank you, -Silja

Carlo Ami said:

I love this, Lubov. And use a more brief daily starter and ender myself.
Two ideas for your possible consideration:
First, using the word "try" sends the wrong information to the brain and tends to be counterproductive. "Trying" implies to the mind that one will not get done the intended action. It's like when someone tells you they will "try" to come to your party, do they generally show up? "I intend to...." tends to be more productive. Likewise, using the word "trust" is more effective than "hope".
Also, research has shown that making a negatively charged affirmation such as "I will not be a mental loafer" sends confusing and anxiety-producing messages to the brain. The brain does not "get" negative affirmations. If the statement includes the mention of something you do NOT want, then anxiety can often be the result. So "I am a free breather." works better than "I am smoke-free".
Humbly,
Carlo

[LubovArt]

Thank you Silja,
I love your reply. I am adjusting the text (for myself) according to comments from you and Carlo.
Thank you to both of you, as the text becoming much better.
Lubov

Silja Saareoks said:

I do agree with it, as on the subconsciousness level the words are taken literally. I see that you deeply understand these things. I have also found that it is good to bring the desired future into the presence, even if it's not yet happened. So instead of "I will" or "we will" it would be more powerful to say "I am" or "we are" with the full feeling as if it has already happened. I have found it to be one of the best ways to start with something completely new, as it usually brings the fear to unknown with it. Then we can embrace it with love inside of ourselves when saying those powerful affirmations. Thank you, -Silja

Carlo Ami said:

I love this, Lubov. And use a more brief daily starter and ender myself.
Two ideas for your possible consideration:
First, using the word "try" sends the wrong information to the brain and tends to be counterproductive. "Trying" implies to the mind that one will not get done the intended action. It's like when someone tells you they will "try" to come to your party, do they generally show up? "I intend to...." tends to be more productive. Likewise, using the word "trust" is more effective than "hope".
Also, research has shown that making a negatively charged affirmation such as "I will not be a mental loafer" sends confusing and anxiety-producing messages to the brain. The brain does not "get" negative affirmations. If the statement includes the mention of something you do NOT want, then anxiety can often be the result. So "I am a free breather." works better than "I am smoke-free".
Humbly,
Carlo

[Carlo Ami]

Thank you, Lubov. I am big on brevity. This is the major aspect of my written and audio works at yourpausebutton.com
The more power I can put into as few words as possible, the more impact. So here is my response to your challenge:

Today I am present and accepting of what is.
Today I am happy.
Today I am humble, and still in my loving power.
Today I am learning things that are useful to me and worthy of sharing with receptive others.
Today I am aware of opportunities to be of genuine service to others.
Today I am focussed on what is important and on what will bring my visions into creation.
Today I am with my feelings and my experiences, seeing them all as teachers.
Today, I am seeing the beauty and Love in everyone and every thing, including my Self.
Today I trust everything in front of me as an opportunity to practice Love.


Lubov Ovtchinikova said:

Hello Carlo,
Thank you for your reply.
I agree with everything you said. The text, I found in an old brochure, and didn't INTEND to change it, but after your comments, I feel that it could be changed. With that I would need help as English is my second language. I would appreciate if you would be willing to edit it and make it more positive.
Best,Lubov

Carlo Ami said:

I love this, Lubov. And use a more brief daily starter and ender myself.
Two ideas for your possible consideration:
First, using the word "try" sends the wrong information to the brain and tends to be counterproductive. "Trying" implies to the mind that one will not get done the intended action. It's like when someone tells you they will "try" to come to your party, do they generally show up? "I intend to...." tends to be more productive. Likewise, using the word "trust" is more effective than "hope".
Also, research has shown that making a negatively charged affirmation such as "I will not be a mental loafer" sends confusing and anxiety-producing messages to the brain. The brain does not "get" negative affirmations. If the statement includes the mention of something you do NOT want, then anxiety can often be the result. So "I am a free breather." works better than "I am smoke-free".
Humbly,
Carlo

[LubovArt]

Hello Carlo,
What an incredible and thoughtful editing.
The words are more powerful, more direct and positive!
That will be my new morning meditation.
Thank you.
Best,
Lubov

Carlo Ami said:

Thank you, Lubov. I am big on brevity. This is the major aspect of my written and audio works at yourpausebutton.com
The more power I can put into as few words as possible, the more impact. So here is my response to your challenge:

Today I am present and accepting of what is.
Today I am happy.
Today I am humble, and still in my loving power.
Today I am learning things that are useful to me and worthy of sharing with receptive others.
Today I am aware of opportunities to be of genuine service to others.
Today I am focussed on what is important and on what will bring my visions into creation.
Today I am with my feelings and my experiences, seeing them all as teachers.
Today, I am seeing the beauty and Love in everyone and every thing, including my Self.
Today I trust everything in front of me as an opportunity to practice Love.


Lubov Ovtchinikova said:

Hello Carlo,
Thank you for your reply.
I agree with everything you said. The text, I found in an old brochure, and didn't INTEND to change it, but after your comments, I feel that it could be changed. With that I would need help as English is my second language. I would appreciate if you would be willing to edit it and make it more positive.
Best,Lubov

Carlo Ami said:

I love this, Lubov. And use a more brief daily starter and ender myself.
Two ideas for your possible consideration:
First, using the word "try" sends the wrong information to the brain and tends to be counterproductive. "Trying" implies to the mind that one will not get done the intended action. It's like when someone tells you they will "try" to come to your party, do they generally show up? "I intend to...." tends to be more productive. Likewise, using the word "trust" is more effective than "hope".
Also, research has shown that making a negatively charged affirmation such as "I will not be a mental loafer" sends confusing and anxiety-producing messages to the brain. The brain does not "get" negative affirmations. If the statement includes the mention of something you do NOT want, then anxiety can often be the result. So "I am a free breather." works better than "I am smoke-free".
Humbly,
Carlo

[Silja Saareoks-Kaldre]

Lubov,
And now I have rearranged my own affirmations too. Thank you for bringing up the subject. You have showed in a brilliant way that we have always something to learn from each other.
Blessings, -Silja