Hah, no joke!  It needs streamlining.  I begin at 6 & leave the house at 7:30.  Usually choose from one or two: stretches, Qi Gong or walking.  Or, decrease the time to 5 min each.  Even with those adjustments, I'm still regularly late to work by about 10 minutes due to my extensive self care regimen ;).  So, I've tried going to bed earlier but that doesn't make a difference.  

What's yours?

Ideally, I do all of these things.  If I sleep in (since I don't use an alarm) I have to pick and choose.

1.  While still in bed, I spin around to do a sort of inversion where my legs are flat against the wall and I lay my body flat on the bed with my arms behind my head along the bed (an "L" shape).  In this position I take deep breaths/meditate for 5 minutes.  It gets the blood flowing to my brain and gives me good energy to get up on the right side of the bed.

2.  Then, get a big glass of filtered water & start drinking while I begin my floor stretches for 5-10 minutes.

3.  Qi Gong at least 15 minutes.  

Got it, I appreciate your explanation. 

Yes ~  I'd seen this paraphrased somewhere some months ago and couldn't remember who said it or where I'd found it, I'm really glad you posted this and as it was originally written.  I know it couldn't be more true.   

The quote I use in tandem to this, is by the (anonymous) author of "Cloud of Unknowing"...it goes:

"Be so fervently occupied in spirit that you take little heed or none by what men say about you or by what they do."

I haven't read Aurelius' other meditations but would like to know what Random means by him "never reaching full satisfaction".  One thing's for sure, it's tragic when people don't try at all.  I'm guessing he did reach full satisfaction.  

What I tend to think is that the most introspective people have many of the answers worked out within and what they express outwardly are merely tests, ruling out what they're quite sure is wrong to begin with.  Judging them by this, you'd think they were struggling.    

The past couple of posts are really valuable to me & of course I think it's phenomenal.  I printed this one out to make plenty of notes and then apply it.  Visualizing your path as a trajectory is quite powerful in and of itself.  I'm still grasping the part about the variables that should be going up & the cloud on the horizon but it looks like they are directly proportional.  When there's a cloud life is generally plumetting and if life is plumetting, a cloud awaits.  Being proactive is an excellent solution.  Sincere thanks.

Thanks for pointing this out.  Time does suck unless you have the wherewithal to enjoy the process. Worst case scenario might be that one is consistently, zealously & willfully chipping away at ones' goals, when a new reality dismantles everything.  It feels detrimental but as long as core values are solid, I think ideals can be adapted.  A more specific & realistic vision must evolve in response to the change.  Past efforts & experience become prerequisite. This is probably common sense but it recently happened to me. I adore your blog - it is one of the most positive parts of my day :-)  Thank you.

Neat.  Never heard it put this way!

I'm grotesquely, neurotically, perfectionistic so this is a useful idea.  In more words it's having a willingness to be average (or 80% perfect) vs not at all, in order to achieve a greater goal.  

Perfection is so peculiar...the consensus seems to be that it's a worthy yet unattainable goal.  However, I felt its existence was alluded to when I read: "Procrastinating for perfect -- when you actually can't get it there for whatever constraint -- isn't the way".  Personally, would love to hear more on this.

To me, highly creative days are more conducive to risk taking whereas lower functioning days almost require specificity for any positive gain.  I'm exploring this now by seeking definitive results in the form of knowledge & information rather than conducting my days around meaning & transformative experiences/relationships.  Personalities always seem to be my obstacle, so when obligations are pulling and I'm not effectively connecting with people I will turn to the certainty of my personal craft or hit the books for satisfaction.  When I'm incredibly on, it's way more worthwhile to utilize the spontaneity and intuition, especially when working with unpredictable &/or closed minded people.