I've missed one day, and stayed on one lesson for two to get it right. 10 days were workbook-scheduled review days of the first 50 lessons. So, I'm on lesson 66 today instead of lesson 68. Not bad at all.
I approached the workbook differently this year, and it has had a substantial effect on my focus.
The original plan for practicing the workbook lessons was to do one lesson a week, for seven years. The intent was to really let each lesson sink in as a devotion to mastery. But it was too slow—allowing for the ego to adapt and undo—and apparently, unnecessary. I adapted the intent of mastery in another way that has been working for me.
Before I started a new lesson for the day, I recited, from memory, the lessons of the previous days. I'll say them in my mind, out loud, or write or type them out. The result is that I can now recite all 56 distinct lessons, in order. (Again, ten lessons were workbook reviews of the first 50 lessons).
Similar to my familiarity of the textbook, which I've read numerous times, I find myself reflexively recalling certain lessons when relevant thinking arises in me.
As an exercise in memory, it's exciting to have all the lessons ideas with me at any time. But it's almost overwhelming to think I'll be reciting 100's of lessons daily.
As of today, one lesson and an idea related to another stand out.
Lesson 48: There is nothing to fear.
After working through the 47 lessons, this one actually had a noticeable and remarkable calming affect on me. I've declared similar statements before, but this time, there was a spark of genuine faith.
The other idea that has resonated with me is that we should evaluate each decision by one test: Will it make me happy? With this, a spark of genuine belief strengthens in me. But let me clarify what I mean by "happy."
This morning, on a subway train, I saw someone reading a paper. On a page facing me, there was an article with a headline to the effect of: "Low mortgage rates tempts home owners to refinance."
My reaction was two thoughts:
- By definition, temptations are negative—they may be selfishly gratifying in the short terms, but we're keenly aware they can backfire badly.
- Those home owners have no reason to be tempted if they're honest about all the facts. Either refinancing is a good idea or it is not.
Happiness is not a fleeting thing that comes with a promise of fear and pain later, as temptations do. So when I evaluate my choices of action, it's that much clearer to me that I want to make the decision that doesn't hide a lie that I'd have to keep looking over my shoulder to defend against.
A happy decision has no regrets. A happy decision is always in the opposite direction of procrastination. A happy decision is complete.
I'm getting something out of these lessons (but of course, I want more).
Onwards.
