Go complaint free for one month
Several online movement such as gonoco.com can serve as an inspiration: a pledge, an honor system to speak of zero complaint for an entire month. Sit back and watch your life change positively and transcend its current level and improve its quality tremendously. Go ahead, write down on a piece of paper with your brush and commit to one month of joy.
Having a daily routine inspires calmness and efficiency
Did you know that Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook removed the wardrobe decision making time and energy out of his life by consistently wear plain grey tee or hoodie. He shaves off minutes and seconds off his busy day, each of the 365 days of the year. While there's no need to be so militant, having a daily routine can bring calmness in one's chaotic life. It reduces unnecessary stress from unnecessary decision making.
One male Stanford professor found that if he build in a few pushups every time after he had to use a bathroom: he was able to get hundreds of workout in as a habit. Normally our habits are hard to change. He was able to become healthier in a few easy steps. Again, routine helps.
Have a morning ritual
Did you know that we wake up our stress level is high? There are significant amount of cortisol - stress hormones in our body at the time of our abrupt awakening each morning. Slow down, and enjoy 5 minutes of a morning ritual to start your day right. May be brew a cup of beautiful green tea. Slice a buttery avocado. Slow down and be mindful of these tiny movements of the wrist. Think positively before starting your busy day.
Tea has such natural synergy with meditation and mindfulness.
Use an hourglass timer for an extra peaceful ritual.
Meditation does not mean sitting for hours
While zazen is an integral part of Japanese zen buddhism, the wise men and women of the east can practice daily zen in many forms. This may be a good news for those who cannot sit for extended period of time! My favorite is a walking meditation in a garden, a pebbled road or a labyrinth. Did you know that calligraphy, a movement of the wrist and one's heart can also be a form of meditation?
It seems that some busy young professionals even prefer mobile zen and mobile meditation. Headspace an iPhone mobile app has soared in popularity from coast to coast.
Be Tofu, my friend? - Humor can deliver a better life
Did you know that laughing yoga is a thing in India? Go ahead, Google it, and watch some youtube videos. It's hard not to laugh along. If your zen spirit is a vegetable or food, what would it be? I want to be like Tofu, tasteless, even bland at times, yet consistent, sophisticated and goes so well with many other things.
