gratitude Archives - Finding Swamy

#114 Morning Pages – A Useful Technique For Anyone Interested In Improving Their Lives

I first heard about Morning Pages from Julia Cameron, an American teacher, author, artist, poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker, pigeon fancier, composer, and journalist. Needless to say, she’s a BAD-ASS, a term I grew up with, used to describe someone that is amazing at what they do.

She was also married to Martin Scorsese, who happens to be the director of one of my all-time favorites movies, Goodfellas (RIP Ray Liotta).

Julia Cameron describes morning pages as spiritual windshield wipers. She said morning pages should be spelled mourning pages. It’s a farewell to life as it was, and an introduction to life as it needs to be.

Morning pages is a writing exercise to conduct first thing in the morning.

#90 Luck – Finding Extraordinary in the Ordinary!

When someone wins the lottery or survives a head-on collision we call it luck.

The human species has an interesting way to paint stories to tell a narrative of beating the odds.

If you are reading this and not in the hospital trying desperately to beat cancer, you could also be beating the odds.

If you had clean water, a hot shower, and a few meals today, then you’re lucky.

#80 Don’t Beat Yourself – Failure Is Not Fatal

In my teens, getting in F was akin to Armageddon.

In my 20’s, a screw up at work made me feel tense and anxious for weeks.

Now in my mid 30’s, failing to do something correctly has become an opportunity for growth.

Failure is good. It’s the litmus test needed to grow our intellects, wisdom and spirit.

Did you screw up at work? Trust me, it’s not as bad as you think.

Did you upset someone? Don’t worry too much. Thankfully, you don’t have the power to perceive how others think.

Did you overeat and not exercise? Put a stamp on today and let it go.

Tomorrow is a new beginning.

Our failures, when acknowledged, can help us strive to be better.

Failure is not fatal, so fail as much as you can.

Having the tenacity to get back up after every downfall builds mental muscle.

It’s failures way of working for us, rather than against us.

#54 Gratitude Is All We Need

I was one of the lucky ones. I had two loving parents that gave me more than one could ask for in a thousand lifetimes.

We had some tough times, but what family doesn’t? Even when those tough times were happening, I was never worried. I always had a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on my plate. In a society where seeking more is the norm, it’s easy to take these simple blessings for granted.

#53 – 9 Ways to Stop Being a Fucking Douche

I’m a saint and I’m a hell-bent heathen. I’m Dr. Jekyll and Mr. fucking Hyde. A few of my favorite books include Walden by T-Dub, the Upanishads, Freedom from the Known by Jkish, and Meditations by Marcus A.

#48 The Mark of a Servant

“‘I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.’” – R. Tagore

Yesterday I got to work earlier than normal because a customer from the East Coast requested a call. Just when I was about to get to the office, he canceled. I wasn’t upset in the slightest. The extra time was spent walking aimlessly through the streets of San Francisco, which was a favorite past time of mine before I moved to greener pastures in the Pacific Northwest.

#47 Self-Awareness Tips to Get Through 2020

While walking through 2nd and Mission Street at 6:00 in the morning, I noticed a large flock of birds flying towards the Bay Bridge. There had to be over 200 of them and from my vantage point, they looked synchronistic.

#44 Practical Ways to Be Present

I’ve been practicing meditation with formal and informal training for a few years now. Today I wanted to share practical things that have worked for me and may work for you.

Now before I begin, let me just reference that meditation is much more than sitting in one place with your eyes closed for extended periods of time. Although, I do this for about an hour a day, it came with practice, and making the decision to live as a monk for 10 days, I’ve learned that moments of joy and bliss are open to us at all times.

#35 Morning Rituals — a Gateway to Clear Thinking

I wake up between 4:30–5:00 am 7 days a week. It’s come to a point where staying in bed past these hours is incomprehensible. Because I am trying to create a livelihood through writing and other creative projects, having a system in place where I can stir up inspiration is a necessity.

#25 Timeless (No BS) Lessons to Live a Better Life

Is the glass half empty or half full? I’m sure you’ve heard of this expression. It’s a simple concept and it carries its weight in truth. To live, breathe, and embody the belief that the glass is half-full is another story. Today I wanted to help you understand, and in no particular order, why this is so. The topics I will touch on today are:

Taking a 30,000-foot view
Everything is energy
Forgiveness is a selfish act
Contemplating death
Presence is the only drug you’ll ever need