Daily Rock – Begin Where You Are | Patti Digh's Strong Offer

Daily Rock – Begin Where You Are

January 1, 2013 in Daily Rock

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” – Meister Eckhart

We hear a lot about beginner’s mind. But I wonder if we let our striving-for-improvement mentality stand in the way of that way of being? Can we reconcile both at the same time: moving forward and having a beginner’s mind? Saadat A. Khan suggests “Beginner’s mind embodies the highest emotional qualities such as enthusiasm, creativity, zeal, and optimism. If the reader reflects briefly on the opposites of these qualities, it is clear to see that quality of life requires living with beginner’s mind. With beginner’s mind, there is boundlessness, limitlessness, an infinite wealth.”

Can you reframe this morning’s new beginning not as lack of progress, but as journey-as-beloved-process?

Love,

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

3 comments to " Daily Rock – Begin Where You Are "


Christa Oldsberg

January 1, 2013 AT 9:32AM

It is the journey. The adventure. The discovery. They mystery. Beginning, being open, being willing.

Currie Silver

January 2, 2013 AT 10:25AM

I love this Daily Rock so very much already!!! I posted my thoughts on my blog http://becurrie.blogspot.com/2013/01/2-january-2013-story-so-far.html
Thanks so much for having this nice way to transition from Project 137. Exquisite!!!

Michelle Kipka Harris

January 2, 2013 AT 11:53AM

When I started practicing mediation about 6 years ago, I never thought I would understand the concept of being still while simultaneously moving forward. I scoffed at my yoga/mediation instructor’s words when he explained that we can be present in non-judgement and yet still be on a path toward a goal. My temperament, my type-A-go-getter personality could not yet grasp how to have a goal in mind without daily striving for it. And here I am, years later, living (most days) with the lightness of being that comes from the self-compassionate place called *I am enough.* That is not settling. That is not lazy. There are still “goals” and ideals and plans. However, to be present in this moment, to seize it and experience it fully, brings so much pleasure and gratitude. The Here and Now feels like enough. And so, those places where I will be in the future no longer distract me from the pleasure of experiencing where and who I am today. By intentionally practicing Compassion, Gratitude. and (sporadically) meditation, I have arrived at *this* place. And the view is breathtaking.