Daily reporting for 2 January

Day 2 of getting 7 hrs sleep (sleep by 11pm and waking up at 6am).
Slept at 11pm & woke up at 7am - improvement!

I did wake up at 6am but my still couldn't quite keep awake and went back to sleep a bit more (which was fine since I had to work at 9am). Still felt slightly tired from time to time today.

Will keep up my good habit!

Great to hear how everyone's progressing - keep it up!

Well, I did do it! I think I have it my head it has to look a certain way and I think I was taught this morning that it doesn't. This is something I can do everyday....I feel awake and ready for the day.

Make it 3 out 3. Just finished my meditation for today.

Have a great day all

--Leki

Just finished my twenty (actually more like twenty-five) minutes of zazen upon waking. I felt a bit cloudier than yesterday, despite having had a few more hours of sleep.

I had to remind myself, again, that it is the practice itself which is of importance, and that there is no bad practice.

Three other things:

One - I think I need to do something about my posture. I sit full lotus. My legs are without pain, but my right ankle always causes me trouble. It's fine while sitting, but upon rising I realize how painful it is because I'm straining it somehow.

Two - In the past, I have sometimes experienced a very mild form of hallucination when sitting for more than about fifteen minutes at a time. The room around me takes on a slight orange-golden glow just at the periphery of my vision. Two days in here and nothing of that sort has occurred. I think this is a good thing.

Three - As I settled in this morning, I imagined thousands of others all around the world doing the same, and remembered that the sangha is not necessarily a physical place as much as a faith that a community of others who share one's practice.

3 for 3~ More focused at the beginning now, losing focus towards the end. That's okay.

Pleasant surprises - food choices are easy and "cleaner", unexpected money is coming in the mail. Yes, I do attribute it to meditation. :)

I did better than yesterday. I got up at 6.15am. My goal was to get up before 6am.

My goal is to be in bed by 11pm; I was in bed by 11:20 so I'm counting that as a success since it's about 2 or 3 hours earlier than normal! My trigger is my husband going to bed since he's an early riser and that worked well. My 10 minutes of activity towards my goal will be to work on a bedtime routine today.

OK - I didn't check in yesterday because I did not take the time for ten minutes of prayer/meditation. Today I did. I feel great. Like one of the previous posts said - daily thoughts try to intrude but I picture myself standing in a gentle stream and i push them to one side and let them float past. I love my morning alone time and I think I will have to get up at 4 30 once we are all back to work. Anyway - great day here in Placentia!

I guess when I report it will be a day later considering I do it right before bed so then will post in the morning. I have kept it up . The only problem I am finding if hubbie goes to bed later he messes it up so I wake up to a few things on the counter. First thing I do in the morning then too is clean it all up . Throughout the day if it is messy and I go by I take a minute or two to clean it up.

I'm 3 for 3 with flossing my teeth nightly before bed. It's getting easier each night to banish the thoughts of skipping it entirely. Knowing that I'm holding myself accountable on these here message boards is a huge help!!

Day 2 of my challenge to exercise every day. I did pushups today. If it wasn't for this challenge I probably wouldn't have done anything, so I'm really glad I started this!

3/4 Had a great practice session yesterday. Woot!

Yes, did 60 minutes of capoeira class today and felt great. Did nothing yesterday, but important thing is I did it today. And I'm going to keep exercising at least 30 minutes a day for 30 days!

I walked my dog this morning for 30 minutes, and I didn't even mind the cold.

My - all these folks getting up early in the morning! I am not a morning person, but for some reason, I was up and about early this morning, too. Maybe it's some universal vibe?

I have done my ten minutes of yoga, and am giving myself an extra pat on the back as it looks to be a "town day" and that frequently throws all habits into chaos. It's also very cold and I'm very crunchy. The yoga seems to have helped some though.

Late last night I also managed to sit myself down and do my sky drawing. I just might manage to keep both new habits!

Summer

I woke up early but did not go to gym because I was afraid to step out in cold. But I will go to gym in the evening.

I am 2 for 2! Sweet time of prayer this morning...looking forward to more!

Today I've been to the gym for the first time in a month! Just some cardio, but it felt really good!