Start. Practice. Practice.

Bruce Lee threw 5000 punches and 2000 kicks every day. I can't even visualize a hundred without being bored (not to mention tired). But you can pretty much assume that Bruce Lee really knew how to punch and kick.

I write 2000 words a day. That's my punching. I've learned that the more you practice something, the better you're likely to get at it. Thus, writing is one of those areas where I've put so much practice that I can write whatever needs saying at the drop of a hat.

Practice is a kind of meditation.

My Fun Little Videos

If you've noticed, I produced a bunch of little videos lately. Less than five minutes long, the whole process involves thinking up a simple storyline, shooting the footage, editing the clips together, choosing music, and publishing it to LinkedIn and YouTube.

I practice with each production. Sometimes, it's trying to get a shot. Often, it's how to get a shot fast without a lot of fuss. Other times, I'm aiming to sync the music and the visual without drawing attention to it. I'm trying to sneak in a bit of what Edgar Wright does. Just a sprinkle.

I also try to steal from Casey Neistat. Through these pilferings, I learn. But through practice, I make something my own.

Buddhism is About Practice

I practice Shambhala Buddhism, but lightly, about as badly as I used to be a Catholic. Only, my favorite parts of Buddhism, stuff I've learned from Pema Ch?dr?n all involve really simple things.

She said once something like (and I'm paraphrasing horrifically): it's not as valuable to practice Buddhism in a temple on a mountain top. You get more out of it when you stand behind someone at the grocery store and they don't bother taking out their money in the checkout line until the very last minute. THAT is where you can practice your compassion and patience.

That's the part I really like: the idea that life is all about multiple opportunities to practice. It's why I think of life like a video game wherever I can. You fail. You keep going. You fail. You try another way. You fail. You win - oh wait, you failed. And so on.

Instead of Goals

I saw somewhere (and I wish I remembered where) that instead of goals, maybe just get better at things. I really liked that idea, because goals are finite. I trained to run and complete a trail marathon. A few months after that, I stopped running entirely. Maybe I shouldn't have set myself up for that goal. Maybe I should've just practiced getting better and better at trail running.

Today, I feel very serene and placid. I feel like I'm not going anywhere. Not in that self-critical sense of that term. Just literally: I'm here.

I wrote in my journal: "It's okay. I don't have to fill every day with energy."

I like that, because it's practice in giving permission. People get really out of practice giving themselves permission and understanding. It's really easy to be mean to yourself, don't you agree?

A Practice Session for You

What if maybe you practiced forgiving yourself more often? You've had years of experience saying mean things to yourself. How about a few weeks in a row of being kind to yourself.

When I forget something upstairs after I've gone down to my car, I'll say (often aloud) things like: "Oh, Chris! You must have a very thought-filled brain right now! I bet you're thinking lots of things." And then I'll go up and gather whatever I forgot.

What if those times when you go to call yourself stupid, you say instead, "I'm one of the best!" Even if you don't always mean it, just say it. Because the truth is, you're not as stupid as you tell yourself you are.

Could you do this for two weeks? Or even one? Could you start by getting through one day saying nice things to yourself instead of mean ones?

What would THAT practice feel like?

Who's with me?

Chris...