37. Two activities, one at the beginning and one at the end.

This slogan invites us to bookend our days with intention and reflection. The first activity, in the morning, is to set an intention or aspiration for how I want to live my life during the day. It could be “may I cultivate patience” or “may I practice the three difficulties” or “may I develop compassion for myself.” The second activity, before sleeping, is to reflect on the experience of the day and see where I was successful in living this way and where I lived a different way. Rather than being an opportunity for self-criticism and flagellation, I have the opportunity to see what I do gently, with openness and compassion for myself. I can digest life.

For nearly a year now, I have been practicing these two activities diligently in conjunction with daily journaling. I find it very helpful to start the day with an aspiration and come back to it during the day. I have also begun recording observations of my inner state related to the aspiration, or just in general, throughout the day. Thus the “second activity” really takes place throughout the course of the day.

I find that usually my aspiration has something to do with being present or reducing my reactivity. My current favorite is: May I refrain from giving life to reactivity through my thoughts, speech and action.

Some days I am more successful than others. On the days I am less successful, I have the opportunity to meet my own reactivity with gentleness and compassion.

11.2025