Admit it ... you wonder -

You can stay in the moment - even immerse yourself in the present ...

But -

You're plagued by those critical thoughts still rolling around inside your head. You know - the ones that embarrass you. You keep to yourself. Never tell anybody else about ...

Like when you reach for your favorite book. Find it missing. Then secretly lash out at the borrower: If she wanted to keep it, why didn't she buy one!

Or -

You check on that mountain bike ordered three weeks ago. The clerk updates you: Sorry ... It'll take another two. Your first thought? Can't trust this store! before giving the assistant a piece of your mind. 

Still worse -

Your coworker friend ...

Procrastinating - for more than a year - with that relentless promise to take you on a cruise to Majorca ... an excursion that still hasn't happened.

You hold your tongue. Silently fume - waiting for the day to justify exploding: He'll see who's boss then!

But - you wonder ...

The book borrower aggravates you. The bicycle-shop assistant irritates you. That Majorca-trip coworker frustrates you ...

And -

Not a single emotion in line with those spiritual values-of-compassion you're growing into ...

How can I live in a toxic world that isn't always kind to me? 

The Painful Truth about Becoming Spiritual

The world is overrun with negativity ...

But -

Spirituality is free of negativity.

Fear, anger and sadness have no hold inside loving-kindness. Neither does an aggravation, irritation or frustration.

So -

Beware -

Venturing into the spiritual side of life has its challenges ...

PAINFUL-TRUTH #1: Accept the Inconvenient Truth

Becoming a spiritual seeker is a relentless job -

Because -

Spirituality has no regular schedule ...

It shows up at the most unexpected time. Often, most inconvenient - and ... comes with expectations:

Interruptions are par for the course ...

Waking-up to the softer - gentler - innate part of you is like an old trusted friend who comes for a visit unannounced. Knocks. Then waits for the door to open so you can engage in a conversation -

But -

Deciding to open that door - or not - rips you apart.

You can ignore the knock - your friend will come back. But, the longer you delay, the longer it takes to discover those tiny little morsels your friend is eager to share. 

You're on call 24/7 ...

It doesn't matter if you're: 

You're never fired ...

Compassion and loving-kindness never atrophy or die.

And -

The spiritual side of life has infinite patience.

It waits for you ...

Until -

You get tired of delaying its invitation. 

You're on your own ...

No one can navigate the journey inside yourself - but you!

You're the explorer ...

Charting unknown territory -

Scrounging through the debris of life experiences. Beliefs. Habits. Attitudes ... all unique to you -

So -

You can salvage what's already in sync with the most sacred universal values. Set aside what's not ... and figure out what to put into the vacuum left behind. 

PAINFUL-TRUTH #2: Excommunicate Your Most-Trusted Friend

You know ...

The one who interrogates you every step of the way -

That incessant mind-chatter that just won't leave you alone:

Maybe ...

Most worrisome of all -

PAINFUL-TRUTH #3: Foolproof Success is Up to You 

Maturing in spiritual ways is cumulative.

No short cuts. No butts in line.

You can't climb over, circle around or dig under any barrier standing between where you are now - and that greater goodness you want to live from.

You have to roll up your sleeves. Do the work. Then, come out the other side stronger for the experience - in a more loving, compassionate way.

So -

What if?

What if you step into the shoes-of-compassion?

Wiggle your toes inside its gentleness. Then, feel so comfortable - so sure of your new identity - you risk taking loving-kindness for a test-drive into the world of negativity still plaguing you.

How to Look at the World through Different Eyes (and Transform into a Spiritual Warrior)

There's a little-known secret that makes the difference between a seeker of the spiritual path and a wannabe:

Authentic spiritual seekers - early in their journey - discover the confusion swirling around intentions.

Find the missing piece

An intention - in the everyday world - is, more often than not, used interchangeably with a goal. A goal-intention focuses on material gain. A new car. Different job. Or, simple change - like a stylish haircut. 

A goal-intention is easy to recognize.

Switch Your Lens

To get a toe-hold in the vast terrain of your inner landscape shift your focus.

A spiritual-intention isn't: What can I buy that'll make life easier? More comfortable? Give me a chance for more freedom.

Your spiritual-intention answers: How do I bring more compassion into my life? More loving-kindness? as you acquire those material goods.

And -

A spiritual-intention starts with an intangible.

Step #1: Make Sure What You Want Shouts Spiritual

An intangible can't be seen.

It's not an object. Nothing you can sit on - or touch.

It's invisible. Like joy or beauty - an intangible expresses the deepest values at the core of your humanness.

Find Your Longing

What intangible do you want more of in your life?

Create Your Blueprint: Pick the Right Intangible 

Take a few minutes to become very quiet. Relax. Set the everyday world aside.

Now ... 

(NOTE ... Other intangibles are possible. Feel free to add them. Just make sure they're truly intangibles. If in doubt - don't include them.)

Make Your Longing Sticky

Write an intention statement. Here are two clear examples to model:

My intention for today ... is to bring more peace into my life.

Or, another possibility -

My intention for this week ... is to bring as much happiness into my life as I'm giving away.

Align Your Blueprint: Target the Right Criteria

Be sure to ask yourself ...

Step #2: Get Proactive

Early in the morning - before the day starts - say your one sentence spiritual-intention deliberately, thoughtfully, in the silence of your mind ... or whisper it softly.

My intention for ... (timeframe) ... is to bring more ... (intangible) ... into my life.

Accelerate Your Spiritual Success

First, remind yourself:

What's that intangible I want more of in my life?

Then -

Remember a time when you experienced that feeling ... 

Now -

As you quietly repeat your spiritual-intention, recall that feeling once experienced with your intangible. Bring its sensation in. Hold onto that awareness for as long as it takes to say your sentence.

Most Important of All -

When you finish your sentence - let it go ...

The sentence. The intention. The intangible.

Releasing all of it puts your trust in that something greater than yourself - that something that fills the spaces of the Universe with Good.

Step #3: Join the Ranks of Real Spiritual Warriors

You picked your intangible for a reason ... right?

And -

You want more of it to find its way into everything you say and do ... right?

Protect Yourself!

You're faced with a quandary:

Break the Lockstep

You're at the intersection of waking-up and simple happiness. Where living from your spiritual-intention infuses your life with a permanent sense of contentment - if you can just stay focused.

So -

Let's demystify the crossroad ...

Show you how to think with your heart - to bring in its unconditional reward!

Once Upon a Time there was a Seeker ... Just. Like. You.

Joe's intention was very clear:

My intention for today ... is to bring as much kindness into my life as I give away.

But -

Before long, Joe came looking for an insight - to better understand why more chaos sprang up instead ...

Overcome Roadblocks

In the beginning, there's often a flurry of activity that seems to contradict your spiritual-intention. Situations become more intense. Chaos springs up out of nowhere. Confusion takes over.

This is where so many people get discouraged.

Keep at it!

Because Joe's still more comfortable with less kindness, that hard lesson - of making alternative choices to bring more kindness into his life - bombards him.

It's a Good Sign

Because Joe gets to practice over and over ... again and again.

21st century neuroscience confirms: It takes - at least - five positive experiences to overcome one negative.

And -

Repetition is the only way new patterns can quickly replace that old habit of sliding into irritation, aggravation or frustration. The one your spiritual-intention telegraphs you want to do differently.

This One Less-Traveled Road Isn't Finished Yet ...

Deciding to weave life's deeper values into everything you say and do is a daily decision.

Ideally -

One spiritual-intention a day ... can transform your life in 365 days.

In reality?

Some days are better than others.

One day you're soaring. You remember to stay focused on your intangible 95% of the time. Other days - you barely hit 10%.

Keep Your Perspective in Check

You're a human being. 100% perfection is unattainable. Averaging 51% or better - over time - equates to spiritual success!

You're Not Finished Waking-Up Either!

You step on a violet ... crush it with the heel of your shoe. What does the violet do?

Permeates the air with its sweet fragrance.

When -

You're trampled on. What do you do?

Retaliate?

Or,

Transform into a wiser - more awakened - happier you.

So you -

Leave the world a little better than you find it.