The part of dignified conduct I wanted to emphasize today was not expecting an experience to be different than it actually was while avoiding nihilism. This is hopeful anticipation that things are going to be how they are blended with vivid curiosity regarding the details of how things actually are.

This is a great way to avoid fruitless frustration. So long as we don't get frustrated with the process.

I've thought some more about picking up where I left off with the 30-Day Paramita Challenge. Refocusing is exactly what happens during sitting meditation practice. We get caught up in something that seems important in the moment and then come back to being present when the awareness reminds us to.

What if each goal you set for yourself is carried out in a similar fashion? That when you realize you have lost track of the goal you just come back to the goal rather than avoiding the goal due to a pride injury. Come back to the part of you which seeks a better life. Let go of the critical part of you who whispers self defeat.

Today was a day of practicing patience, which specifically means bearing my own existence free from aggression. I had some/a lot of aggression today--I drove in rush hour. That's enough. I'm not a saint.

The Paramita aspect of patience is different than just waiting for something or someone to take some action. I think Kshanti has more to do with curiosity than anything else. Simply put, it's hard to be aggressive when we're curious. And being curious about what is going on is a great cure for boredom.

It's snowing again in Denver. The ground bears the snow with no complaint. The ground has no rush. It has been white for a while.

This is day 12 of the 30-Day Paramita Challenge!

Today was exertion. It's midnight and I'm tired. I did my best today in a lot of ways. The highlight was helping a young man get his body prepared for Marine Corps boot camp. We were out in 5 degree weather running intervals and doing calisthenics. The wind was blowing yesterday's snow in our faces. I didn't have to do that. But I did. And I know it means a lot to him.

I'm posting this a day late. I was too tired when I got home last night to write.

The Paramita of Dhyana is translated as meditation, which simply means stability of mind.

I have an intense job. I'm currently working in an environment that can go from peaceful to crisis in a matter of seconds. This happened last night. I handled an assaultive situation in a non-aggressive manner by having the personal stability to offer choices to someone instead of tackling them to the floor. This resulted in increasing trust between the client and myself while ensuring all staff members went home on time rather than staying late to complete paperwork.

Working from a strength-based point of view requires some form of mental stability practice.