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The Denver Colorado recording artist Nathaniel Rateliff released a hauntingly beautiful song called - And It's Still Alright. It came out just as COVID 19 was changing everything and turned most people's lives upside down. In one of the lyrics, he sings: "times are hard and you get this far but it ain't the way that you want". How many can relate to this achingly beautiful verse? We work so long, so hard, we travel far and wide, invest so much money and time chasing what we think will bring happiness. Still, we are not satisfied; we suffer, continue the chase, pursue that shiny new thing or that new relationship, new job, always hoping that we will be happy when we get there. Why can't we get "there," and where the hell is "there"? There are many quotes about life being about the journey, not the destination, and while they all might sound a little cliche' at this point, Are there more valid words that have been spoken? We spend most of our time regretting the past, worried about the future, or fearful of what people think of us, that we forget to be present, that being in this moment is the goal, is God. Every morning, I have a daily meditation practice in my 1st hour of the day. I spend time quieting my mind, following my breath, setting my intentions, and being grateful for all this goodness in my life. When you start your day from this place, you can re-visit it that moment at anytime and feel that calm, breath deep and focus on gratitude! The line that follows that verse is, "I'll be damned if that old man is starting to count his losses." No one should ever get to the point in life where they need to count losses. OWN EVERY MOMENT! email me peter@peterhamelin.com
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 Joni Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and throughout western Canada before busking in the streets and nightclubs of Toronto, Ontario. Her 1971 album Blue is often cited as one of the best albums of all time; it was rated the 30th best album ever made in Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" In 2017, NPR ranked Blue number 1 on a list of Greatest Albums Made By Women. - Wikipedia In Joni's Mitchell poignant and soul rising song Woodstock she sings: I'm going to try an' get my soul free. We are stardust We are golden And we've got to get ourselves Back to the garden Joni wrote and was singing for a generation of people who wanted to turn off anger, hate, greed, and the division in society and turn on the Love for each other and the planet. I heard a cover of this song at a concert I presented recently, and it stopped me in my tracks. I've heard it a thousand times by a hundred different artists, but today I looked at it through the lens of an individual. What does it mean to go back to the garden? Where is your garden? Is that a physical place or a state of mind that you go to when you need to be calm when you need to feel self-love? Or is it both? My garden is my Morning before my kids wake up before the sun rises. A time when everything is slow, quiet, and still. A time when you can feel a new day coming. I can not recommend enough the idea of a healthy, proactive morning routine. Tony Robbins calls it the Hour of Power. Robin Sharma started the 5 AM Club and wrote a best selling book. And folks like Richard Branson, Oprah, President Obama all talk about the power of their morning ritual and how it has helped them become well them! Take that first hour of your day before you look at your phone before you start work, and focus on building a super-strong foundation. Physically: The first thing you should do when you get out of bed, move your body, run, go for a brisk walk, ride your bike; it will give you an instant energy boost and increased mental clarity. Exercise increases your heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. The same endorphins that make you feel better also help you concentrate and feel mentally sharp to set your day's tone. Exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline—higher self-esteem. Regular activity is an investment in your mind, body, and soul. Spiritually: A time to slow down, focus on this moment, this breath, this beautiful day. Meditate and be mindful of this moment. Thich Nat Hann said, "In mindfulness, one is not only restful and happy but alert and awake. Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality." Tome to be grateful for what you love about your life. Make a list of 5 things! And focus on how you can spend your time lighting people up how to spend your day on purpose! Mentally: A time to get yourself into peak mind-state. Listen to a podcast, read something inspiring, a great time to learn a new skill, or revisiting your goals, your 10-year plan, your legacy. Use this time to visualize the person you want to become, how you want to show up in the world, paint that picture, and then jump inside and start living it. Create your reality! Start every day as a builder: build your:
And: OWN EVERY MOMENT! Want work together on building your foundation, finding purpose, and reaching your goals: email me peter@peterhamelin.com |
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