Soooo ... was Gandhi right? What about other philosophers like Epictetus, or Abraham Maslow, the Dalai Lama, -- even Jesus ("has worry ever added more than a moment to your life?") -- who all taught about the centrality of happiness and inner peace? Are happiness and inner peace possible? Do I have the discipline to do the things I KNOW (at least based on expert research) will promote and enhance my own happiness and peace?

Hmmmmm ...


Self-Assessment:

MINDFULNESS:
Last Lent, I vowed to practice mindfulness 40 minutes per day (could be divided into morning and evening) for 40 days in a row. Although I sometimes skipped weekends, I basically kept my promise to myself. I set an alarm on my phone titled "40-40 Commitment," and I took an additional 20 minutes in the morning to do yoga and mindfulness. I truly found that this routine profoundly increased the quality of my life!!

Unfortunately, I fell out of the habit / routine when I went traveling over the summer, and never re-established the habit when school resumed.

I believe I\m happier and healthier when I take time to start my day with intention-setting and mindfulness, but lately I've been opting to sleep in for that 20 minutes.

EXERCISE;
I exercise very regularly. i used to run around the Lake, but there's a beautiful redwood trail 11 minutes from my house, and so for the last 4 months or so I run 3 miles on the trail, typically from 3 - 6 days I week, depending on weather and other exercise. I also go to the gym and sometimes take classes or use the weight machines. Finally, I dance twice a week, on Friday nights and Sunday mornings, and sometimes take classes in Contact Improv during the week.

Exercise is MAGIC: no matter how stressed or tired I feel, I ALWAYS feel better physically and emotionally afterwards. And if I\'m already feeling good, then running the trails with my iPod is downright blissful. If I don\'t or can\'t exercise for an extended period of time (a week or more), I feel my life energy wane and my mood worsen. I am totally committed to exercise!

DIET
I have a pretty good diet. I generally eat non-processed and organic foods, and I eat a healthy breakfast every morning. I don't cook as much as I'd like, though, even bought 2 cookbooks over the summer to try and improve this. Currently my cookbooks are collecting dust on the shelf in my kitchen. Also, I am inconsistent re: hydration and vitamins. Sometimes I drink lots of water and take my vitamins, sometimes I don't.

SLEEP
I'm inconsistent re: sleep. Sometimes I try to prioritize it and get to bed by 10, but I'm inconsistent. My mood is definitely effected by lack of sleep, and it seems to be the "stepping stone" to other unhealthy patterns, especially poor time management. I rarely take naps.

ORGANIZATION:
This is not my strength, but generally I keep my place tidy. The kitchen is always clean; I never leave dishes in the sink. I could keep my desk at school cleaner, and practice OHIO more consistently re: clothes, shoes, books, etc.


HAPPINESS:
I am generally a very happy person. However, I have noticed that when my INTENTION-setting is clear THROUGHOUT the day, that my happiness is stronger. I definitely practice Identification of what brings me joy, and I Centralize those things. I try to Recast negative events into meaningful opportunities for spiritual growth, and get lots of support from friends in this regard. In addition, I am very in touch with Appreciation and gratitude and find it to be a powerful antidote to feeling impatient or discontent.

GOALS:

1) I REALLY want to resume my morning routine of yoga (sun salutations) and "sitting" (mindfulness meditation). SO, I want to either enlist the support of one or more of my friends (many of whom share my aspiration) or even a PACS student or too to help me be accountable.

Short-term: establish support person / people with whom I can "check in."

Long-term: Resume and maintain my morning routine.

2)