Zen Habits: Most Popular Posts (Castify)

Even the most motivated of us – you, me, Tony Robbins – can feel unmotivated at times. In fact, sometimes we get into such a slump that even thinking about making positive changes seems too difficult. But it’s not hopeless: with some small steps, baby ones in fact, you can get started down the road to positive change.

I can’t claim that my home is completely minimalist, but it surely isn’t cluttered, and most people I know would call it a pretty minimalist home. One recent visitor saw my kitchen and remarked, “I’ve never seen a kitchen that looked so clean, so clear of stuff!”

“Simplicity is the peak of civilization.” – Jessie Sampter A simple life has a different meaning and a different value for every person. For me, it means eliminating all but the essential, eschewing chaos for peace, and spending your time doing what’s important to you.

“Everything has been figured out, except how to live.” – Jean-Paul Sartre I’m nearly 35 years old, and I’ve made my share of mistakes in my life. I’m not a big believer in regrets … and I have learned tremendously from every single mistake … and my life is pretty great.

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – Ben Franklin, famously “Put no trust in the benefits to accrue from early rising, as set forth by the infatuated Franklin …” – Mark Twain Recently, reader Rob asked me about my habit of waking at 4:30 a.m.

So you’ve followed the Short But Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion, and have chosen something you’re passionate about. Now you need to make it a career – but are perhaps a bit lost. I have to admit I was there, only a few years ago, and three years later I’ve successfully done it, even if I’m a bit battered from the attempt.

“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” – Albert Einstein It’s easier than ever to be creative, to create, to imagine and make what’s imagined become reality. It’s also tougher than ever, with distractions surrounding us in ways never before imagined.

“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for contructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.” ~Rollo May Creativity is a nebulous, murky topic that fascinates me endlessly – how does it work? What habits to creative people do that makes them so successful at creativity?

“Empty-handed I entered the world Barefoot I leave it. My coming, my going – Two simple happenings That got entangled.” ~ Kozan Ichikyo Yesterday morning I ran a few miles in my Vibram Fivefingers, designed to mimic barefoot running (see my guide to barefoot running).

The beauty of an empty inbox is a thing to behold. It is calming, peaceful and wonderful. An inbox that is overflowing with actions, urgent calls for responses, stuff to read … it’s chaos, it’s stressful, it’s overwhelming. A friend recently posted: “Help! I’m drowning in email!”

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu Consider the above quote from Lao Tzu, (perhaps mythical) father of Taoism: how can it be true? Is it possible to never hurry, but to get everything done?

‘The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh These days we have an abundance of luxuries, but I’ve found that excess actually decreases my enjoyment of life.

At the moment, I’m in the last phase of my Bellyfat Challenge – I’ve lost a good amount of fat but I have about 10 pounds to go (or so). I’m enjoying getting lean, but those last few pounds are always the toughest. And so, I’ve called in some experts.

“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.” ~Zen proverb In the chaos of the modern world, there is a beauty in simply doing. We’re buffeted wildly by whatever emails, conversations, news, events, demands, that are going on around us.

“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.” ~Eckhart Tolle Today I’m going to suggest a small change in mindset that could change your life. I won’t keep you in suspense. Here it is: think of nothing that happens as either good or bad.