Five Daily Measures of Truth

When you find yourself in the midst of a challenge, what simple reminders or techniques do you use to regain your focus? Motivational quotes and a peppy playlist may seem cliché, but often provide a much-needed boost that serves a real purpose. A personal favorite mood lifter comes in the form of a simple anchor. For me, it is a reminder to stay grounded and trust in a power greater than my own. I have a friend who swears by her “Miracle Morning,” which includes a fresh review of her goals, exercise, and her favorite personal development podcasts. Here are five daily rituals to reflect upon as you set out on an exciting journey this week:

Look at life with a wide lens. The world exists beyond what you can see from the camera viewfinder or screen of your smartphone. The bigger picture is often far greater than what we notice at first glance. Your actions and words have a trickle-down effect. Think before you act and choose kindness at every opportunity.

Your desk is a reflection of your life. If you have stockpiles of “to do later,” “ toss” and “someday I will file” plans, sift through and sort the contents. If your kitchen drawers are tangled up with random cords from appliances long gone, or you have chargers from cell phones that are no longer in existence, give yourself the gift of a good old fashioned decluttering.

Resolve your bad habits. Allowing yourself to run 20 minutes late because you always have in the past does not serve you or those you have kept waiting. Not managing your time wisely shows a lack of respect for yourself and others. Similarly, your habit of stretching the truth may have worked when you were a child, but not anymore. When you spin a story to your favor, you hurt your soul one white lie at a time.

Listen with your heart. When someone shares something with you, take the time to hear it, acknowledge it and respond accordingly. I saw a movie recently (The War Room) where a woman was involved in an attempted robbery (she did not get hurt), and when she told her husband, his response was numbing. He said something similar to, “You’re fine. Nothing happened to you.” The point was lost. So often in life we respond with a lack of empathy when just a few moments of concern would have encouraged a deeper connection.

Grasp the concept of gravity. Someone I admire greatly introduced me to a new perception of gravity, one on an emotional level. When you hold a weighted object in the air, it will always fall to the ground when you let it go. That is gravity. Doing it over and over again will bring about the same result. Albert Einstein was onto something when he said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Something has got to change before anything changes. It is not about wishing someone else would act differently. That is called wasted energy. It is about accepting what is and making choices and decisions based on reality. A college professor used to say, “You can predict the future by the past” and unless there is a change in effort, you can continue to count on the law of gravity.

Whether you incorporate a few or all of these truths, you will be better equipped to face what lies ahead.