Good morning everyone. Have a great weekend.
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I have been attending a few virtual Recovery Dharma meetings recently, with the intention of getting back to a regular meditation practice. At the meeting we were talking about how to build motivation, to foster a sense of wanting to practice (or do whatever task it might be that you’re struggling with) rather than feeling like you have to. The Buddhist tradition suggests four areas for contemplation and I wrote mine out. Sharing here in case it is useful to anyone else!
THE FOUR CONTEMPLATIONS THAT TURN MY MIND - i.e. my motivation for cultivating a regular meditation practice.
1. Our precious life
I am grateful to be part of a family, community and society that gives me a choice in how I live my life. My practice will help me make choices that lead to happiness rather than suffering.
2. Impermanence
I know that how things are now is not how they will always be. I don’t know how much time I have, so today I will look for the opportunities and take them while they are here, and remember that the difficulties I face will not last.
3. Karma
I recognise the people, places and creatures all over the world who play their part in making my existence comfortable. Today I commit to developing kindness and compassion for myself and others so I honour them as best I can.
4. The defects of samsara
I understand that the way I view the world is what will bring me happiness, not my external circumstances. My practice will help me find clarity, gratitude and contentment.
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I love this.
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Nice! I’ve been reading about Stoicism lately, this hits the spot. 
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I was reading up on the four thoughts that turn the mind earlier and came across a good article about it. One of the bits in it was really similar to what you’ve highlighted…
“Fundamentally all beings want to be happy; no one wants to suffer, he began. However, when we ask ourselves what real happiness is, some of the things we wish for are counterproductive. Consequently, though we want to be happy, all we achieve is suffering. What we perceive as happiness is suffering, and what we see as suffering might be happiness. This is especially true in the 21st century with its high level of material development. Many people mistakenly believe that when they possess all the material goods they seek, they will be happy. But their desires can never be fulfilled. The more they have, the more they want, and it is this constant desire, which prevents them from attaining true happiness.”
https://kagyuoffice.org/the-four-thoughts-that-turn-the-mind-from-samsara/
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Good morning everyone. I hope that everyone is doing well. My favorite time of year is rapidly approaching. I love fall. The color changes, the cooler nights and the cider mills. Lol.
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I really needed to read this about making wise decisions. Perfect doesn’t exist, we just do the best we can with what we have 
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I have to remind myself it is progress not perfection. The decision that I want to make today, will it work today? If yes then act. Otherwise I will overthink it to death. Pause and pray.
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You have nothing to lose by quitting drinking and a whole new way of living if you let it. The greatest thing about this moment is you never have to take a another drink again if you don’t want to. That is a big step and I am happy for you.
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