KEYSTONE DAY: Ask yourself…

  • How would it be if you were to live your day, from moment to moment, just as you intended, free of delay, distractions and procrastination?
  • How much of your day is because ‘I have to‘, and how much is because ‘I am going to?‘  The former gives a feeling of great burden, the latter refreshing and empowering.  See how, even just changing the words we use can make such a difference to how you feel.  Make every moment of your day live by your will, your choice.

Here is a set of seven tasks or exercises, a personal daily programme that will help you get the best out of your day, every day.  The secret here is to perform these seven simple tasks sequentially, with minimal break between each before any distraction sets in.  I trust the principles outlined below you will find are sound.  However the specifics you may of course adapt to suit your intentions for the days ahead.

Divide the seven tasks suggested here into the time you can make available, at the start of each day, from as little as one to two minutes per task.  Building up the time for each task from just a few moments, with a minimal break between each will help you build the self-discipline to avoid those distractions and procrastinations that so easily take you off track.  So often we look back at our day’s work only to wonder why we achieved so little.

Please note: These seven tasks or exercises for the Keystone Day do not require that you move on from your first task, the ‘one minute’ Keystone Meditation, until you feel ready and motivated to do so.  That in itself, given time, will be quite enough to inspire you to take on the next six tasks.  As with any developing discipline it just requires patience and persistence, one step at a time.  Just keep it simple and brief and it won’t feel like an effort or inconvenience.  Brief, simple, often and consistent is the key to success.

In time, as your health, well-being and quality of sleep improves a program of one hour, split into your seven tasks is easily achievable, a pleasure and deeply rewarding.  The efficiency of your activities, better mental state and extra time found for this and other things will more than compensate  you.

With practise, over time, these seven daily tasks will bring a self-directing, disciplined attitude to your life, days, weeks and months ahead.

  • 1 – Keystone Meditation – Ideal 4 x 1 minute (Mindful meditation) – This brief exercise in ‘extended presence’, first thing before the day’s thoughts have cast their shadows will bring the joy of continual Mindfulness into your day and life ahead
  • 2 – Reflection on Words of Wisdom – At that moment, immediately following meditation, you are closest to the voice and ear of intuition. For the clearest path to understanding this is the best time to read, hear and reflect on words and voice of wisdom.
  • 3 – Gratefulness – Build a list and reflect on what you are grateful for – This will help to override any thoughts of past regrets or traumas.  Even the past troubling moments have their own life lessons to help you and those you care for – be grateful for those too and nothing in life will disappoint you.
  • 4 – Affirmations – mentally repeat affirming thoughts – This will bring positive direction to your thoughts – a most helpful mantra to bring calmness and peace for your day ahead:  I am – Free, Relaxed, Calm, Content and at Peace.  Your best and most creative thoughts and drive will come to you when you are most calm in mind and spirit.
  • 5 – Visualise a goal for the day as if done and complete – This will set your direction of intent for the day and provide a subconscious highlight for action.  In fact, each task you face, vision it as done and happily complete and/or new lessons learned.
  • 6 – Develop an ability, a skill, your base of knowledge – just a few moments of active development – in your skill or ability of choice – A key element of happiness – continuous, day by day, acknowledged improvement in any ability, attitude or behaviour.  
  • 7 – Exercise for health and fitness – just a few minutes at the start of the day will work wonders! 

And of course, a hearty, healthy breakfast!   Good food for body and mind…

And so…   Beginning your day with clear intent and direction – day by day, will bring Self discipline, Enlightenment, Wisdom, growth and a free heart and spirit.

Roy Maunder