“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Happy New Year! Welcome back! Yes, it’s been quite awhile since we last met here at Mountain Zen Den. And while a lot has happened, I’ll save some of the details for upcoming shows, but just so you know, all is well, we’re back and better than ever, broadcasting from the foot of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful snowy Colorado here on New Year’s Day.
I’ve heard from so many of you thanking us for creating this mindfulness in nature podcast. I really appreciate the gratitude you’ve expressed, and all the encouraging messages and stories about how you’ve been inspired by the meditations and insights offered here. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you!
For those of you who’ve been asking if we were going to be doing more shows? The answer is, “Yes”. We are picking up where we left off with even more of a focus on helping you tap into Nature for mindfulness and personal growth in your life – Naturally!
Now if this is your first time at Mountain Zen Den, “Welcome to the Mountain!” It’s really good to have you here.
You’ve discovered a daily show where, in a nature setting, you have someone who is committed to helping you stay motivated and inspired to slow down, breathe deeply and be in the moment daily. Someone who loves nature as much as you, and who is learning alongside you all the beauties and benefits of living with and among wildlife and the natural world. Someone whose life purpose is to grow, and become the best version of themselves, and help encourage and guide you to do the same along the way. Are you with me?
So for those of you who’ve been with us before and want to know what’s new? Last time we met I mentioned several changes and improvements that were coming.
In Episode 73 I promised exciting additions :
Things like more features on beautiful and interesting creatures and plants, and the natural world around us – what they are, how they live and grow, and how their very existence impacts us in our daily lives for mindfulness and personal development. I also talked about featuring interviews with nature experts, biologists, writers, film-makers, rangers, and naturepreneurs, (that is, those who make a living in and around nature).
All that’s still going to happen, as we strive to help you incorporate even more Nature into your life and meditation practice in the New Year!
But first off, more than ever before, we really want to emphasize, inspire and encourage you to become the best version of yourself. Imagine what the world would look like, and how we could impact our families and friends, our community, our country and the planet if we all made the decision that in 2019 we would choose to become the best version of ourselves, whatever that was!
“Life is difficult. This is a great truth. One of the greatest truths.”
In his classic, “The Road Less Traveled”, psychiatrist and best-selling author M. Scott Peck opens with this enlightening statement –
Sounds discouraging doesn’t it? But he gives hope in the very next sentence.
“It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.”
And that’s the point of today’s episode – transcending the difficult by purposeful decision making. Learning the difference between making Decisions vs. setting Goals. So let’s jump right in.
How do we transcend the road blocks, difficulties and tough situations that seem to suddenly appear once we have set a goal to be or accomplish something? Have you ever noticed that? This reality has caused millions to give up before they even start, or just as bad, to not set any goals at all.
But there’s good news. Rather than set a goal, why not make a decision?
Life coach and best-selling author Tony Robbins points out that “the minute you make a new decision, you set in motion a new cause, effect, direction, and destination for your life. You literally begin to change your life the moment you make a new decision.”
Whereas, on the other hand, New Year’s resolutions and goals have come to be associated with failure after the first month, week or even day after they have been made, a decision is a done deal when you have absolutely committed to achieving something. Once you’ve decided, truly decided, and are persistent and relentless in pursuing your decision, nothing can stand in your way.
So the question is, what do you want to do, achieve, learn, accomplish, experience or become in the New Year? In what areas do you want to grow?
Don’t be put off by this simple question. It doesn’t matter if you’re 12 or 102, we all have dreams and ideas of what we would like our ideal life to look like. The fact is, anything that is alive is either growing or dying.
As Wallace Wattles says in “The Science of Getting Rich”,
“Every living thing must continually seek for the enlargement of its life because life – in the mere act of living must increase itself.”
(An amazing, foundational book on personal development, by the way).
So with all of this in mind, let’s enter the first meditation of the new year with a passionate pursuit of growing to become the very best version of ourselves.
Meditation – Mountain Sunrise
We’re going to enjoy a mountain sunrise.
So, when you’re ready, get into a comfortable seated position with your hands folded or in your lap, and gently close your eyes.
Take in 3 or 4 deep cleansing breaths, breathing in pure, fresh oxygen, and exhaling warm carbon dioxide for the trees and plants to recycle.
Now, allow your breathing to return to its natural rhythm as you anchor into the moment by focusing on your breath.
Feel how the chair or floor beneath you is supporting your body. Lean into it fully so that you can completely relax and just be.
Now, do an entire body scan, starting from your toes…up your legs…and hips…torso…chest…fingers…arms…shoulders…neck…face…up to your forehead…
Listen for any sounds you may hear…near or distant…
Whenever you notice and pay attention to the sounds around you, or feelings in your body, or focus on your breath, you are living in the present moment. When you do this you are not distracted by anything that may have happened in the past, or that may occur in the future. Your mind is not anywhere but in the present. You are being totally present.
Allow yourself to remain in this state as you breathe in and out, just paying attention to your breath. Remain here for a while, just taking in the peace and enjoying the tranquility of the natural world. If your mind wanders, don’t worry. This is a very natural thing. When it does, just bring it back to the present moment by focusing on your breath.
You find yourself seated on a magnificent mountain top just before sunrise. The slight chill in the air causes you to notice the cool air as it enters your nostrils, and its warmth as you exhale. This observation enhances the deep peace that begins to flood your body and soul.
Below is a rich, deep forest of pine and deciduous trees that spreads down the mountainside for miles to the east. Beyond is a dark line delineating earth from sky along the horizon… a deep indigo holds your gaze. For some time, you sit and allow yourself to just “Be” in this present state as the stars slowly fade one by one from the early morning sky.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the sky before you begins to change colors, from indigo to purple, pink, orange, gold, yellow and blue as the sun slowly performs its miraculous rise over the earth.
The wind blows gently through the trees below, and you feel a peace deeper than you ever imagined possible. The calm and stillness here is thick and palpable.
From this vantage point you can see for miles…hundreds of miles and get a clear view above all your worries, troubles and obstacles that may appear to be standing in your way.
It suddenly dawns on you that every sunrise brings with it the reality of new opportunities and new possibilities; and that for every problem there is a solution; for every goal or dream that is desired, there is a decision to be made.
What are you going to do? What problems are you going to solve? What are you going to experience? Who are you going to become? The choice is yours. It’s up to you to decide.
On this mountain, you are learning to use your focus muscle, and at the same time are strengthening your “Decision Muscle”. You smile and rise, setting off down the mountain with the newborn confidence that whatever decision you make today, you will be able to follow through on, and achieve your goals. You are a Quantum Creator. You are fire-starter. You are a decision maker and a goal-achiever. You are the new you, the best version of yourself that you envision, and decide to be.
So here’s our QUOTE FOR THE DAY.
“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Wonderful! Allow this peace and tranquility to remain with you deep inside as you go about your business today. From time to time as needed, bring your mind back to this mountain sunrise and allow it to give you strength, energy and joy for the tasks at hand. Remember, you can access it any time you like.
Hey, I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with you today! Thanks for making the decision to show up, and for the gift of you, your time and presence!
Remember – Life is a gift, Nature’s a gift, and You are a gift back to the world. Happy New Year my friend! We’ll see you back here tomorrow!
Photos by Brett Wilson for Mountain Zen Den
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