Zen Commuter

We never would want to think that we take anything for granted, let alone people.  There are people in our lives that we care for deeply.  We assume, through our actions, that they know we love them, yet we might often go days, months or even years without actually telling them.

As we go throughout our days we truly have no idea how much we impact the world.  Even in a day when we are on top of the world, we really never know the scope of impact of who we are.  You change the world for so many people, and accordingly they do the same for you.

Today is a powerful challenge that I am hoping many people will tackle.  The challenge is to write a letter to someone you love and let them know how much they mean to you.  Let them know how they have made your life fuller, better.

I am definitely not talking about an email or a text.  I am talking about good old pen and paper. Go to the post office and get a stamp and mail it.  Why am I so insistent that it be an actual letter? Mostly for impact. An email is impersonal, regardless of the words you express.  It is still void of all your energy. The effort it takes to write a letter and send it says so much more.  Think about it.  When was the last time you got a letter that was handwritten?  We open up the mailbox each day and are just barraged by advertisements and crappy fliers.  How cool would it be to open up your mailbox and get a letter from a friend, someone you love?

Go make someone's day, accept today's challenge.

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
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One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

You are on a roll, aren't you? You are now starting the day off moving.  You are becoming quieter with who you are, learning about why you do what you do.  And you are now more productive in the evening.

What could possibly add to that?  how about going an entire hour without complaining?  That's the challenge for today.  go one hour without complaining to anyone or even yourself.

It's not as easy as it seems. If you complain during your hour the clock resets. Drop me a line to tell me how it is going.

Warby Parker - Designer prescription sunglasses at amazingly low prices.

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

There are many times that damn box is mesmerizing.  If I remember back to when it was the most captivating, it was at a time when my life seemed stagnant.  I wasn't going anywhere in my life and what I was doing for a career was blatantly unfulfilling.  

I realize now that it was a way for me to zone out and not think about how I let my life get so miserable.  I wanted to shut down, and tv at the end of the day was the perfect solution.  

However, the only solution it provided was one of complacency and zero momentum for positive change.

Today's challenge is to help break you out of the trap I was in; watching tv for hours after dinner.

Today's Challenge: Go one hour without TV during your regularly scheduled tv time. 

Remember, you have to add yesterday's challenge as well so today is:

• Spend Ten Minutes in Silence
• Walk 20 minutes continuously
• Watch one less hour of TV

eMeals - No more stressing about what to serve for dinner.  Click Here for 2 Free weeks to try it out.

Aloha - Nutritious supplements that help you live healthier

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

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Have you ever been to a library where talking was discouraged.  It may have seemed odd at first, but after a while I bet you kind of dug the peace that you were surrounded by.  When you are in a library you have some sort of goal; studying, looking for a book, etc..  However, have you ever been quiet when you didn't have something to do?

Many people loathe the thought of being alone with their thoughts.  It's clear to see.  When was the last time you saw someone alone who was simply, by themselves, not connected to anyone else via text, phone or internet?  I bet you have a hard time thinking of anyone.

Unfortunately, our desire to be entertained at all times, comes with a high price: a meaningless life.  We grow and become better when we learn about who we are.  We find out our strengths and our weaknesses when we are alone, undistracted.

Today's challenge will help you realize that.  Spend ten minutes absolutely in silence.  Remember, you have to add yesterday's challenge as well so today is:

• Spend Ten Minutes in Silence
• Walk 20 minutes continuously

eMeals - No more stressing about what to serve for dinner.  Click Here for 2 Free weeks to try it out.

Aloha - Nutritious supplements that help you live healthier

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

Last week I gave you a huge challenge on Thursday.  I would still be interested to know who participated and who went back to the same old routine that was comfortable and safe.  It has been a while since I hosted a full week of challenges so for today and the rest of the week I am going to lay 5 challenges at your feet (one of them today, literally at your feet)

The best way to capitalize on this week is to try and make the challenges cumulative.  Start with Monday's challenge, and then on Tuesday, do it and Monday's challenge, all the way up to Friday.

I guarantee that you will be feeling differently.

Audible - Get a free audio book download to keep and a free 30 day trial today!

Amazon.com - Everything you buy using this link, helps support ZEN commuter

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

Happiness is an elusive feeling for many people.  I, of course, want people to experience joy as often as possible, but I know that it can't happen all the time.  It shouldn't.  Still there are many people that are trying desperately to obtain a sense of happiness.

Since I help people understand themselves better I sometimes need to know what the majority of people are thinking on the subject.  One way I find out is to go out to a website that specifically answers questions.  It's called Quora.com.  Today I answer a question that is on the minds of many people.

Quora

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

Habits and routines are good for making our lives easier, but they also have the ability to strip our lives of fun.  If you have the desire to truly see if you have what it takes to live a fuller life I challenge you to partake in an experiment that will have lasting benefits.

Don't worry.  It isn't dangerous or expensive.  It's simply a measuring stick for your level of balance and willingness to be free-spirited.

• Take a vacation day within the next three business days
• You are to be out of the house for 8 hours.  The house is off limits from the moment you leave
• In the 8 hours you are away you are not allowed to go into any establishment you have visited before.
• You are not allowed to have any technology with you at all.  Not on silent or off, it is to stay in the house when you leave.  Not even the radio as you drive.
• You must have a two minute conversation with a stranger.
• The Spending limit for the 8 hours is $50.00
• Any money left over at the end of 8 hours is to be given away immediately.

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

I met Kelly Downing when I became a member of Toastmasters about a year ago.  The moment I met her I knew I had met a new friend.  In the time we have known each other I have come to know her to be a positive, joyous spirit.  The most amazing thing about her spirit is its resiliency.  In 2012 she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease which left her almost completely paralyzed

Despite the countless months of unparalleled pain she has been able to greet each day as a blessing, all the while making sure those around her are happy.  Her soul is truly special and I am more than proud to call her a friend and even proud her that she has kindly agreed to share her story with us on ZEN commuter.

Global Lyme Alliance

International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society

Stand for Lyme Association

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.
Did you enjoy the podcast?

One goal of ZEN commuter is to create community.  If you enjoyed the show then keep the conversation alive and leave a comment.  It is a great way to share the episode with your fellow travelers.

Thomas Sterner is the author of The Practicing Mind.  Today I rebroadcast our interview so that we can get a little reminder about living in the present moment.

My interview with Dennis Martinez is proof that every day people like you and I do some courageous things.