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. 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, I am invited to see what I do gently, with openness and compassion for myself.

I like to practice these two activities in conjunction with daily journaling. I find it very helpful to start with an aspiration and come back to it from time to time as the day progresses. I also try to record observations of my inner state related to the aspiration, or just in general, throughout the day. Thus, the “second activity” actually takes place throughout the course of the day.

Frequently my aspiration has something to do with reducing my reactivity, for example: May I refrain from giving life to reactivity through my thoughts, speech and action.

Or perhaps the aspiration is related to mindfulness: May I remember to just pay attention or May I bring awareness to the flow of experience. Some days I am more successful than others in living according to my aspiration. On the days I am less successful, I have the opportunity to meet my own direct experience with curiosity, gentleness and compassion, trusting that tomorrow will bring another opportunity to try something different.

03.2026