By Amy J. Lepine
This single line from Desiderata expresses the basic reason I practice at wellness. The habits that we cultivate in our lives, whether consciously or not, are very powerful. Most often, we are not aware of the patterns of the mind. We’ve developed shortcuts for our perception that rob us of the true import of the moment. But in the same way, developing positive habits that bring us back to the present moment can erase those tendencies and bring us closer to reality, and wellbeing.
Our minds are amazing trees that bear fruit of whatever we put in them. If we habitually start our mornings reading something inspirational, such as Desiderata, we immediately improve our outlook, as compared to starting the day with the headlines. That’s not to say we should bury our heads. But the headlines will always be there. Why not nurture the strength of spirit before taking on the problems of the day? When we do, we’re a little more grounded when faced with tragedies — Buffalo, Uvalde. We’re better able to withstand the blows. And, like anything, a positive morning routine can be addicting. Who knows, you may want to spend more than a minute doing it.
Bio: Amy J. Lepine is a trial lawyer and litigator. She came to the legal field by way of advocacy for victims of domestic violence before starting her own firm in 2006. Amy focusses on oral contracts and select civil rights cases, and she also maintains a consistent family law practice. Amy leads meditation groups for the SBCBA Wellness Wednesday and the Dharma Bum Temple.