Calmer in 5

Links from the Episode: How to be a Calm Person by Psychology Today and Carrie Barron M.D. Questions of the Day: Are the majority of the people I hang around with calm? Do I watch the news, and why? Do I define myself by calm or drama? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

Most people start and end their days stressfully. So much so that they don't know what calm is. Today I talk about ways to determine your stress, and how to change it. Links from the Episode: How to be a Calm Person by Psychology Today and Carrie Barron M.D. Questions of the Day: Do you know how to listen to your body? Do You know what that means? Are the majority of your thoughts more in the present, past or future? How much do you worry? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

"The Universe reveals itself when you are calm." - Thom Walters Links from the Episode: How to be a Calm Person by Psychology Today and Carrie Barron M.D. Questions of the Day: How calm is your life? When was the last time that you experienced a profound sense of calm Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

Hey my friends and thanks for coming back to Five Minute Mojo. I am your host Thom Walters and this is your peaceful ride home.My goal is simple. Help you achieve calm and peace of mind each day. The best way to do that is to help you think about what works in your life and ditch what doesn't. Let's get right into it today by talking about authenticity. There is a very common belief that adds stress to your life. That belief is that you need to wear different masks depending on who you are speaking with. You have to change bits and pieces of who you are, in relations to where you are. For instance, when you're at work you are supposed to act differently than you do when you are out with your friends. When you are spending time with your parents you are supposed to act differently than when you are spending time with friends at a club or sports event. Those are just two examples. I would imagine that many people change who they are at various times of the day. Is that accurate for you? Of course, on some level, the foundation of who we are stays the same, hopefully, but language and how we carry ourselves may change significantly from situation to situation. You might not think so, but all that monitoring of where you are, and who you are with, is exhausting. The energy you expend molding yourself to your surroundings takes it's toll on your energy and your pysche. To the bigger point, how calm do you feel when you are exhausted; when you feel like you have been struggling all day? I'm thinking not that much. If your goal is to become calmer then you need to do things that aren't going to give you a huge return on your investment in regards to your energy levels. Accordingly, it's not going to serve you to waste energy changing who you are, depending on where you are or who you are with. One way to be calmer is to become authentic, meaning who you are stays constant throughout the day. The person you are at work is the same person you are at home with your significant other. The way you act at the gym with your buddies is the same way you act when you are hanging out with your parents. I have a brother, Jack, who is the true embodiment of authenticity. What you see is what you get. he doesn't put on airs or pretend to be something he is not. Whether he is with me on the phone or hanging out at Dad's, he is the same person. He is kind, generous, sometimes opinionated, sometimes frustrated with people, but wherever he is, he's the same guy. And I have to tell you, it's refreshing to see. In fact, I would say he is the most authentic person I know. So why do people change who they are depending on where they are? And is there a way to not do that so that you can become calmer, have more substantial relationships? People change so that they are accepted as part of the group. We all want to belong, and therefore blend in to the confines of the group so as not to be booted out. However, that is not going to be serving, because if you are changing who you are to fit in, then are you being true to yourself? The answer is a simple no, and in time you may even doubt who you truly are if you bend so completely to the group. The next answer is easy to answer but not so easy to put into effect, because it does go against hereditary conditioning. Quite simply though, determine who you, and stay true to that understanding, regardless of where you are or who you are with. To fully understand who you are though, you need to spend time alone in silence, determining what has meaning for you, who you are and what you bring to the world. If you want to know how to go about getting those answers, then begin a meditation practice. If that is your goal then ZEN commuter in the morning will serve you well. My friends, think about how authentic you are, without judgment. How many different masks do you wear in a day? It may be just one, which is awesome. Regardless, stick to being the person you are, without apology, and you will clearly live a calmer life. This is Thom Walters singing off for 5 Minute Mojo. Go make the rest of the day amazing, sleep tight, and of course, sweet dreams.

"Beauty Surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a gardern to know it." - Rumi Links from the Episode: Rumi - Wikipedia Questions of the Day: What was the most beautiful thing you saw today (no people) What is one thing you saw today that was beautiful that not everyone would agree with you on? Actions of the Day: List five things that are beautiful about the building in the picture above. Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

"Because of your smile, you make life more Beautiful " - Thich Nat Han Links from the Episode: Thich Nat Han - Wikipedia Questions of the Day: When was the last time you smiled broadly Do you like your smile? When was the last time you made some one smile with your smile? Actions of the Day: Help someone to smile today. Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each others' eyes for an instant?" - Henry David Thoreau Links from the Episode: Friendship by Henry David Thoreau Questions of the Day: Who is one person you could forgive right now? Who is someone you disagree with at this moment? Is there a way to see through their eyes about a certain situation. Is the way you live your life perfect for everyone? Actions of the Day: Spend five minutes visualizing the life of someone you do not get along with. See them with their family at a holiday dinner. See them spending time with a member of their family Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

"It is not God's will merely that we should be happy, but that we make ourselves happy" - Immanuel Kant Questions of the Day: Are you happy more times than not? What was the last thing you bought to pick up your spirits? Do you know of anyone, including yourself, who looks for things outside of who they are to make themselves happy?? Whether that is a thing, a relationship or even a substance? Actions of the Day: Review the last five purchases you made and determine if you bought them out of need or from a desire to boost your spirits. Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life" - Socrates Questions of the Day: Are the majority of your days busy or productive? Do you know the difference between the two? How many breaks do you take in a day, if any? Actions of the Day: Schedule at least one 10 minute break in your day tomorrow. Determine the biggest priority for your day tomorrow. Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

"Men must live and create. Live to the point of tears" - Albert Camus Questions of the Day: Have you ever cried tears of joy? Do you feel you are living a full and passionate life? If so, how did you get to this point? If not, what 5 minute thing can you do to start getting there? What is one thing you created today? How did it make you feel? Actions of the Day: Sketch for a minimum of 5 minutes Spend 5 minutes daydreaming about the happiest day in your life Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

Today I passed by a memorial that was surrounded by four cannons. They looked nice until I thought a little deeper. Why is it that we are so attracted to weapons? Let's talk about it. Questions of the Day: Have you ever held or fired a gun? Do you feel this life, in human form, is the only one you have? What is the last thing you killed, if anything? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

Until you understand why you buy the things you buy, your life will feel empty. Our culture has distorted our understanding of need and want, so instead of obtaining things for function, we go all out to try and buy happiness. Let's talk about where that will lead.

Today is throw-back Tuesday...yeah, yeah, I know it's supposed to be throwback Thursday, but I am a man who plays by his own rules...lol. This rebroadcast talks about the benefits of thinking in ways that are not always so cut and dried.

Hey my friend, thank you for coming back to Five Minute Mojo. I am going to do my best to help you get home in a relaxed way, and the cool thing is, working together, you are going to understand yourself better when you get there. That is the 5 Minute Mojo way, relaxed and wiser, more introspective. Today I am going to talk about the last time you got fired from a job. Don't you worry; it's not as ominous as you may think. I'll start with a concept that will blow your mind. Some of you may even think I have lost it altogether. But hear me out and you might just possibly have a new way of looking at things.

I fully understand that some people are unhappy; maybe for a short time and maybe longer. But there is a way to be happy, and it's a simple first step. Let's talk about it today.

Questions of the Day: Are you a competitive person? What was the last competition you were in and how did you feel afterwards, shortly and long afterwards When was the last time you competed with yourself? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

One of the most profound lessons my Mom ever taught me was that all people are worthy of kindness and respect. Today, I share a story with you that helped me reaffirm that belief. Questions of the Day: Do you treat absolutely everyone with Love, kindness and respect? What was the last lesson you learned from an unexpected source Have you ever dismissed anyone in your life? If so, why? How did it make you feel? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

The more successful of us, have goals. They wake up each day with a solid idea of what they want to accomplish. They wake up knowing the direction they are going in. The even more successful have goals but are also wise enough to know that plans can change. They realize that the future is not set in stone. Questions of the Day: Are you a person who has goals? Not fuzzy in your head, but planned out with steps. What was the last goal you accomplished? How did it come about? Are you adaptable? Able to change course as needed? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

If you are a contemporary of mine you might know what it means to go for the brass ring. If not, no worries. I'll explain it in this episode of 5 MM. More to the point, I will talk about how it fits in with your life, and making it better. Come listen. Questions of the Day: Do you give your all to everything you do? What was the last thing you had to strive for; put a plan together and accomplished. What keeps you from going for the brass ring? In what ways do you play it safe, and why? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line. If you are a contemporary of mine you might know what it means to go for the brass ring. If not, no worries. I'll explain it in this episode of 5 MM. More to the point, I will talk about how it fits in with your life, and making it better. Come listen. Questions of the Day: Do you give your all to everything you do? What was the last thing you had to strive for; put a plan together and accomplished. What keeps you from going for the brass ring? In what ways do you play it safe, and why? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

My Mom taught me a significant lesson when I was growing up; how you start the day is how you will experience it. When you wake up and set an intention for the day, you take the steps to create that reality. Today, I share with you that wisdom that Mom shared with me, and if you empower it, you'll come to understand how you can create your days Questions of the Day: Do you start your day intentionally? Do you feel the day is of your own choosing or do events, good or bad, determine your mood and outcome? How did you start your day today? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

Im pretty sure that all of have put off something at one time or another. Some people may be doing it right now. But why is that? It's not laziness; it's fear. My Mom certainly was not one to sit around waiting for things to happen. She made them happen, without expectation of course. Is that your jam, or are you the type of person who has to get everything in line before you act?Let's talk about it today. Questions of the Day: What is one thing you are procrastinating on now, or the last thing you spent way to much time completing? Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? If so, does that serve you? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

I'm not sure about you, but I have experienced some pretty profound changes in my life. Not just changes though, I have seen both ends of a spectrum. One day, barely eking out an existence, living paycheck to paycheck, and within a week doubling my salary. Another time, I was in a job I barely tolerated, and now working for myself, happier than ever. What was the cause of these swings? My ability to change. The exact same ability you have as well. Today, I help you understand your ability to change. Questions of the Day: What is one thing you would like to change about your life right now? What keeps you from making that change? What is one small step you could take to begin that change now? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line. Photo by Sean Pollock on Unsplash

Who do you know that is meek? Who do you know that simply sits back and goes along with the crowd even though their thoughts are different then those around them. Life isn't meant to be lived by settling, by playing things safe. You have to feel confident in your convictions, and use that energy to shake things up for yourself, and quite possible they world. Questions of the Day: Do You feel uncomfortable stating your viewpoint when it goes agains the crowd? If so, why? If not, why not? Who is one person in history you can think of that changed the way people thought because they were not afraid of speaking their beliefs? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line. Photo by Sean Pollock on Unsplash

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives, our own drama, that we forget that we are part of something bigger, something miraculous. Even though you are more than just human, you are part of the energy of humanity. You are the brother or sister of everyone on the planet. Showing up in your body, on this world, was no accident. You soul created it. Accordingly it asks you to connect with the energies you encounter every day. Become part of this world each day. Create community. Don't be a stranger in this place. Questions of the Day: Do you feel a kinship with every other person on this planet? What is one thing you could do tomorrow to connect with someone you don't know? When was the last time you felt connected to someone you didn't know (unromantically) Do you typically shy away from people you don't know or do you gravitate towards them? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line. Photo by Sean Pollock on Unsplash

Do you remember your childhood? Do you remember the freedom that came from having all your needs taken care of by someone else? All you had to do was play with your friends, laugh and feel good. Many people do remember those times, and that is why they try so desperately to go back. But as you will find out today, there is just as much joy now when you put your "toys" away. Questions of the Day: What is one thing you enjoy doing now that you couldn't do as a child? What is the last major price item you bought, and why? When was the last time you were out in nature totally without anything but you and the clothes on your back? Resources from the Episode: Join the ZEN commuter/5 Minute Mojo newsletter and get your meditation resource guide along with tools and tips on how to live a calmer life. Join others who are living peacefully by clicking here. Become a super-fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo and receive bonuses exclusively for Patreon subscribers. 11 Rules for a Happy and Carefree Life by Mindbodygreen THANKS FOR LISTENING! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them. If you have an idea for a topic or just want to say hey, drop me an email. The best part of producing ZEN commuter and 5 Minute Mojo is talking with listeners. Don't be shy. Drop me a line.

Today I want you to think about ways you treat your best friend, that you might not be treating yourself. My mom offers up some great advice for living a happier life.

Hello my friends and welcome to Five Minute Mojo. Yesterday I was returning home from my morning jog. As I was shutting down the app that calculated my distance and calories I came around to the back of my house. As I was taking off my gloves and locating my keys I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face. It was radiant. My mind didn't register it. I had to find my keys and get my day started. In that moment I heard a voice in my head; it was clearly from higher self. "Why are you wasting this moment?" As off-putting as it may sound, I answered. "I have things that need to be done." The voice went on to ask why I jog in the morning. It then hastened to recall a conversation I had with my Mom and Dad. "You told them you jog so that you can greet the day, to feel the sun. Well, there it is. You feel it on your face. Take in this moment. You longed for sun for the past three days and now that it's here you are too busy to feel it" I knew in a moment that voice was right. I stopped looking for my keys and instead turned my face to the sun. I closed my eyes for a moment and felt it's warmth. Upon opening my eyes I took in the entire vista; the clouds against the deep blue sky. Bare trees adding a different texture to the panorama. The sun was shining on my car, right on my windshield. As I turned to assess if the rays were powerful enough to melt the frost off of it I was stopped in my tracks by the sight on the glass. There was frost on the windshield, all over it. But it wasn't a simple frost. The elements and glass conspired to create a masterpiece. Thousands of ice crystals patterned my windshield. They were absolutely beautiful, so ornate; truly a work of art. Their beauty was intensified by the rays of the sun, each one a prism, bending the sunshine. The window was clean so I could also see the branches of bare trees reflected on this masterpiece. The silhouettes of the bare trees coupled with those of pines overhead had me catching by breath. Any other day, in an equal rush I would have raced out to the car to get the scraper to de-ice it and head off somewhere in the future. In this moment, thanks to the link I have to my higher self, I was able to stop and see something truly magnificent, something I would have glossed over in any one of the hurried moments I sometimes find myself in. It made me think of all the things that we miss by trying to do too much, trying to do to much in the future. I talk about the beauty of being in the present moment on several occasions, however in this moment the teacher became the student. I was humbled and happy. Question of the Day: What was the last thing you saw that was seemingly commonplace but became beautiful by being completely in the moment? When were you fully in the moment and what did you see? Don't skim over this opportunity to learn about yourself, answer the question with thought. If you found today's episode helpful then share it with your friends. Help them become better for themselves as well. This is Thom Walters signing off for Five Minute Mojo. Go make the rest of the day amazing, sleep tight and sweet dreams.

Hello and welcome to Five Minute Mojo. Today I want to talk about autonomy, or actually the perception of autonomy. We like to think that we are captains of our own ships; that the decisions we make in the day are strictly of our own choosing, uninfluenced by the wishes and whims of others. However, if you look a little harder, and more honestly, you might find out that your decisions are not always your own. One of the goals of this podcast and in the things I talk about alone and with guests is about becoming aware; becoming aware of your actions, thoughts and feelings. I never want anyone to come to the end of their life and say, " That wasn't really my life. I just followed what everyone else was doing, what everyone else thought I should be doing" Awareness will help you avoid that somber declaration. we are all influenced each day, by society, our families and our friends. Pretty much everyone has a hand in our decisions. You may be thinking you're not some namby-pamby toady kowtowing to the wishes of everyone else but without introspection, true introspection, you just may be. Let's look at an example; your car. What do you drive? As I ask that question I want you to truly feel how you are going to answer. Did you answer to yourself matter of factly? or for a brief moment did you feel the need to answer the question like you would if someone asked you at a party or event. For many people a car is a symbol of status. Whether or not you own a "luxury car" when you see one you may feel a pang of desire. You may judge the owner of the vehicle. Let me get back to my point. Regardless of what you drive, your decision to choose that car was not fully your own. Now matter how much you would protest it is. Let's start with the first question, new or used. If you had unlimited money to buy a car, would you buy a used car or a new car. Most people would buy a new car. Their thoughts are that they know it is untouched, it belonged to know one else. The car is their car. That perception of ownership is the first decision you made by thinking of others. You may believe that a new car is free of issues. You know, or think you know, that it has never had mechanical difficulty. But the truth is a value judgment has already been made. New is better than used. Who says that? Everyone pretty much. But why is new better. Is that true. Have you ever really thought about it for yourself. Not many people have. That thought has been instilled in us for centuries. But is their truth in it? If you buy a new car and drive it for a week and go to sell it you have to say it's used. The car, even though, like new, is not. Therefore it has less value. Even if that new car sat in your driveway for the week, it would still be considered used despite the fact that mechanically and in every way it is new. Yet new is better than old. Ask anyone. What about the make of car you have? Why did buy that. You can rationalize possibly that you bought it because you liked it and did research. But can you honestly say that you never saw an ad for it on TV or in a magazine? Be honest now. Can you say with one hundred percent honesty that you never thought about how you would be perceived in your car? Here's a great question to help you. Would you drive around in a car that was absolutely brand new in every mechanical way yet had the interior and exterior of a car that was twenty years older? maybe even dinged or faded. No rear camera, no internet connectivity. A brand new car internally but externally it was 20 years older. I could go on to ask you questions about the color and the size, but I will leave that up to you. In fact the question that I will leave you with is the premise of this episode. Question of the Day: Why did you buy the car you bought. Even if you did buy a used car, why did you by that car. We like to think that we make all our decisions in a vacuum, on our own. But in subtle and overt ways we are often swayed by others. Becoming aware of when that is and what is truly important to just you is the way to live a life that truly is yours. If you found today's episode helpful then share it with your friends. Help them become better for themselves as well. This is Thom Walters signing off for Five Minute Mojo. Go make the rest of the day amazing, sleep tight and sweet dreams.

Hello my friends and welcome to Five Minute Mojo. I use the word autopilot a lot in my writing and podcasting because it is a fitting word for talking about how the majority of people go through life. That's not a judgment. I don't know what anyone is here to experience on this planet and I never will. The only person who knows why they are here is that person. Ironically enough the only way to determine why is with introspection and awareness, not unexamined reactions. The other day I was giving a talk about ways to become calm. In my presentation there were the typical, or not so typical depending on who you are, ways to become calmer in the moment. Deep breathing was mentioned as was taking a walk or smelling essential oils. One thing I mentioned though is outside of the scope of commonplace and that is why I want to share it with you today. It has to do with the places where you spend your time. We all have places that we go to regularly for food, gas, banking, etc. But have you thought about why you go there? For many people it's convenience. The supermarket is on the way home from work so it's a quick stop in and you are on your way. Think of this though. Have you ever wondered what else is going on when you go into any place? I'm not talking about anything sinister, I'm talking about energy. I don't want to sound all woo-woo but there is a benefit in understanding that every place we visit has an energy about it. Skeptical or not, you can't tell me you haven't gone into a store or restaurant and felt that something was "off". Each place holds the energy of the people who have frequented there. That energy is definitely from the people who are there everyday, working, but it's also the people that go in and out and frequent there. Become aware of the ways you feel wherever you go. Don't be judgmental but when you enter any place, feel how it resonates in your gut. Your gut is your intuition. Depending on where you go you may see a variety of people that you may not typically associate with on a regular basis. It's important to point out that judgments about a place from people's physical appearance should not enter into your assessment. Don't allow any biases or prejudices to cloud your determination of the energy of the places you frequent. If the energy of the place seems light, meaning it creates a sense of calm and joy within you, then by all means continue spending time, energy and in some cases money there. Do business with establishments that provide you with a sense of wellbeing. Conversely, regardless of convenience, if you find there are some places that seem heavy, the energy of the patrons and staff are angry, confrontational or brusque then simply make a decision not to go there. Doing so negatively impacts your sense of calm and peace. I have an analogy that I share with people. it's like this. Places with negative energy are like places with radiation. You wouldn't spend time anywhere that was rife with plutonium, right. Convenient or not you wouldn't pick up a loaf of bread from a store that had radiation. It would damage your health. The same goes for places that have a negative energy about them. They too create stress and impair your health. Once you determine a place has a less than positive feel, stop going there. Let me bring it home for you with the question of the day. Questions of the Day: Where was the last place you visited that left you uneasy. It could be a store, office or even a home. Is there a place now that you routinely visit that leaves you feeling restless when you leave? Why do you continue to go there? Convenience is not an option. Remember the radiation analogy. These questions are for you and your growth. Answer them honestly for yourself. There are no right or wrong answers. The questions are a way of you becoming better at understanding who you are. If you found today's episode helpful then share it with your friends. Help them become better for themselves as well. This is Thom Walters signing off for Five Minute Mojo. Go make the rest of the day amazing, sleep tight and sweet dreams. THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

We are a social people, wanting to belong. However, there are times when belonging is not the best thing. many times we give up who we are become a member of a group. In those cases, following is definitely not the answer. Today, I discuss how following can help you or lead you down a not so friendly path of unhappiness. Question of the Day What are two groups that you belong to now Why did you join? Have you ever been asked to squelch your thoughts or personality to stay within the group? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Hello my friend and welcome back to Five Minute Mojo. What would you say if I told you that at some point in the day you would be told that you aren't good enough? Would you believe me? You might be thinking that I am strictly talking about yourself, that each day you tell yourself at some point that you aren't good enough. Well, I totally understand that many people hear that from themselves, but believe it or not I am talking about another voice outside of your inner dialogue. It's much more insidious, wildly subtler. Now what would you say if I told you that you willingly ask to be told you are not good enough, that you are lacking? Would you believe me then? I hate to say it but if you own a TV, subscribe to magazines or even surf the internet you are confronted with messages telling you that you don't measure up. And the saddest part of all is that you willingly invite those comments. If you have self-esteem issues of course there are any number of causes. But regardless of origin there are so many times in the day where those messages keep repeating, and you ask for them. If you turn on the TV and a car commercial comes on, what do you see? Chances are good that you see one of four things. A wildly attractive younger woman, an equally young and handsome man, a couple consisting of each of those two or a young family with a couple of kids in tow. Of course all of them are smiling with perfect hair and white teeth. Are any of these people actually saying you are lacking? Well, yes and no. Our nature is to compare ourselves to the world around us. It is part of our reptilian brain. We need to know where we fit in. It's part reptilian brain and part ego; both of which are looking for you to create a sense of identity. Unfortunately both of these sources look to do so at the expense of your actual wellbeing, you sense of happiness. Your reptilian brain is simply hereditary behavioral carryover, a process that has been with you since it was important to know where you fit in, and I mean a long time carryover, since caveman days. Of course your ego is drenched in humanness. It doesn't look to find commonality with people, in fact it does the exact opposite. It is constantly scanning to see how it can inflate itself, how it can be made to feel superior. It judges. Hopefully you can see how neither of these two are going to be helping feel good about who you are. Getting back to the car example, the advertisers pick happy, shiny good looking people on purpose for two reasons. They want you to feel inferior and they want you to know that they hold the key to your feeling beautiful, one of the happy people. The car that sexy or handsome person is driving is your ticket to belonging, to boosting yourself up over a majority of people. Some of you might be thinking, "Thom, of course I know that. Everybody does. That's advertising". Well, I am not sure that everyone does know that. However, if you do know that then why would you willingly turn on the TV, read magazines? I said before that those influences are subtler and insidious, and I meant it. You may think that you are simply turning on the TV, but the reality is that you are slowly giving away your sense of happiness by being subjected to these images each day. That's just one example. Those images and intents aren't just on TV; they are in magazines and on the radio. So what do you do? You start to become aware of your surroundings. You look to see where you are happy and encouraged and where you are losing your peace. You examine the things you do everyday and look at them to see if they are moving you forward or moving you backwards. Everything you do has one of those two outcomes; you are either growing or stagnating. There is no neutral. You assess the places, the people and the things in your life and you simply ask if they are making you happier, adding to your life. It seems really simple, and it is. But the majority of people don't do it. After you ask the question though you need to take action. if they move you forward you keep doing them, if they aren't then you need to find an alternative that will. That is the most important thing to point out. You are never trapped. You can always make choices to be happier. Are you willing to start? Of course you are! You're here. That means you are already somewhat familiar with wanting to be better, and that is awesome. So now the time has come for me to ask you some questions to think about on your ride home or wherever you are. I want you to be honest with yourself and realize you are the only person who is going to know your answer, there is no need to answer them for anyone else. Here goes: Question of the Day: What was the last thing that you did that did not move you forward? Why did you do it? and is there another way that could give you the same result but also move you forward, help you grow? Spend as much time as you need to answer that completely. This is your time to grow. If you found today's epi

"There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires." The Buddha Oh yeah, I started off the episode with a quote, with the quote of the day. Some of you might be saying, um, that's cool but who the heck are you, and what's this show all about? I tell you what, how about I just say that if you stick around to the end you will be better than you were when you started listening. It's only five minutes, and that's not a bad return on your investment. So let's get into it. What do you want in life? What are your desires? Do you have any? Chances are pretty good that if you are human, you have some wants. If you are like some people, you have many wants. But does that serve you? Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, would say that it may not. His belief, as evidenced by the quote of the day, seems to point to a belief that being desirous is a path to fear. Let's start with things. You work to make money to buy things. There's nothing wrong with that if you use the things and indeed buy them for that purpose. There are other purposes, like a desire for status, a desire for feelings of importance. but where does all that desire lead you? It leads you to fearing for the things you have amassed. Since I started the episode right off with a quote, I'll just keep things fresh by asking one of the questions of the day, now. How much time and energy do you spend safeguarding the things you own? Is it worth it? The desire to have more and more things, makes many people more and more fearful that those things could be taken away, stolen. Desire equals fear. It's not just about things though when it comes to desire and fear. Many people desire to live a long life. They feel it's the benchmark of a full existence. That desire has them doing any number of things to ensure that outcome. The interesting thing though, is that in that desire to prolong their lives they often miss out on actually living. They wish to live as long as possible and in the process fear anything that could possibly keep them from their goal, even if those things could enrich their lives. The Buddha was quite wise with his word choices. For instance, he didn't say "filled with wants", he said, filled with desires. Wants seem more casual, while desire has a yearning quality to it, an aching to possess. The next question of the day seems obvious then, do you want to live fearfully? If not, then cast off your yearnings, your desires, whether that is for things, people, feelings or outcomes. One of the greatest lessons I have learned over the past year has come from producing 5 Minute Mojo and ZEN commuter. The lesson is simple, allow things to happen, don't try to force them. You will become fearless when you understand that desire for a specific thing or outcome is unnecessary. Things will be as they will be, and no amount forcing, prodding or desiring is going to elicit a different outcome. If anything, not only will the outcome not be realized, but it will also come with a fair amount of stress, and, as Buddha pointed out, fear. What's the Friday moral to the story? Just relax. Ditch your desires. You can certainly work towards achieving things, even having things, but don't let it ever get to that feverous pitch of yearning. because once that happens, the fear will eventually set in.

I have to say I am not sure if this is a true buddha quote, but regardless, the message was so important and timely, that I thought I would talk about it. Just like yesterday, it's just a few words that hold so much power, and for some people, some challenges. "Radiate boundless love towards the entire world" - Buddha 7 words that could change the entire planet if everyone was to put that suggestion into effect. I have to tell you, I love this planet, this world, but I shake my head sometimes wondering why we have such huge challenges in being kind and loving to each other. I know there is a reason, but frankly, I just don't understand why skin color, orientation, gender or religion or any other marker, separates people. Why is it so hard for people to get along. I guess that is why I Love this quote so much. Today I was at the gas station filling up on a beautiful spring day (and yes, I know it's still February) when a family came walking out of the gas station mini mart. There was a mother who was somewhat plain and significantly overweight and her husband/boyfriend or just friend was with her. He was tall, in shorts, with an ungroomed beard and several big tattoos on his arms and legs. Between them was their son, I assume. He was about five years old and each of his hands was holding one of theirs. Together, they radiated love. It was so apparent. I was thinking about how nice it was to see, how happy it made me feel. Alone, each of his parents could possibly be judged, for their appearance, their size. In that moment at the gas station though, their son was so happy. His smile was so big, happy to be with people who loved him. He didn't see their weight, tattoos or dress. He just knew that he was safe and happy with people that he loved. It got me thinking. How awesome would it be if everyone could be as kind and loving as this child. He didn't see anything to separate him from his Mom and Dad; in fact, he saw unity. You could see it. There they were at the gas station, three individuals, yet you would be hard-pressed to see anything other than one energy. and indeed it was and is one energy…Love. For something so abundant, limitless actually, it amazes me how many people not only are blind to it, but are also unaware of how transformative it is. Each of us has the ability to heal the world, to without a doubt, transform it to a place of absolute splendor. And yet many times we forget that power, and worse than forgetting, at times we actually fight against it. So how do you radiate love towards the entire world? Well, I tell you what. I will answer that question on tomorrow's episode of ZEN commuter. It's an important question to answer, and since I will no doubt meditate to arrive at an answer, that will be a perfect fit for tomorrow's show. But I don't want to leave you hanging, so why don't I give you one tip for today to help you radiate love to the entire world. The next time you are feeling angry with someone, take a moment and picture them with their family. Imagine them with their own family or the one they were born into. Of course you don't know what their family looks like so visualize what you think they would look like. Picture all of them having a holiday dinner; lots of food, saying grace possibly, and smiling and laughing together. It's hard to vilify someone as a jerk when you understand that regardless of the situation you find yourself in with them, they too, are loving and loved. I am going to forgo a question of the day so that you can think a little bit more of this important topic, brought to us from the Buddha.

There is a misperception that may keep people from experiencing happiness. It is the misbelief that happiness lands on some people and not others. For people who struggle with joy they see others smiling and enjoying life and wonder how these people were so blessed to have a life free of stress and worry. They then wonder why their own lives are fraught with disappointment. Here's a news flash. Absolutely everyone has something they are going through. Regardless of whether it is minor or major, no one's life is without challenges. The people that seem to experience joy more consistently simply know that cultivating joy takes work. It is not a laborious task that occurs in every moment but it does take effort. Happiness doesn't just happen. What is the secret? As you may have guessed it starts with a mindset of intention. Regardless of circumstance it will serve you to begin to see the happiness that exists in every moment. Brendon Burchard, author of The Charge and the The Motivation Manifesto spoke about how his father on his deathbed with leukemia was able to bring joy and laughter to the doctors and the nurses in his care with his lightness of spirit and happiness. He knew how to bring joy regardless of his situation. His goal each day was to help people experience joy. That intention created the laughter and happiness. It's safe to say that if a man battling Leukemia has the ability to bring joy then most anyone can. Again, we all go through tough times but it is important to face those time with the intention of creating joy, not dismissing the challenge itself but by transcending it to find the source of light in that moment. I have spoken before about how each time I enter a room to speak with a group of people or just one other person I have one goal, to raise the spirits of that person or group. The intention is to focus on raising the energy of those moments. That goal takes intention and consistent focus. It becomes second nature after a while but the awareness needs to be there. That skill of creating intention is not unique to me or anyone. Each of us has the ability to enter a room or conversation with the ability to make that moment positive. It comes from: Focusing on conversations that are positive. Redirecting negative comments to their more positive counterparts It comes from choosing topics of conversations that lift the group. These topics can be of difficult times but the absolute focus needs to be of finding the positive shortly. Leaving a conversation that does not have an energy of growth. Happiness is a choice, as cliche as it seems, but the focus and intention need to be there all the time to create that joy. Yes, create that joy in all moments, good or bad. Here's the challenge: Cultivate the ability to raise the energy of every conversation you have, large or small and you will begin to see it transform your life. Create that joy in the situations around you and joy will no longer be viewed as the gift of the select few. Question of the Day: When was the last time you were able to turn a negative conversation to a positive one?

Hey my friends, thank you for coming back to five minute mojo, your evening inspiration podcast. If you are a new listener, welcome. You have found a brief, but powerful way to end your day. A relaxing way. Let's get right into our quote by the Buddha. "When watching after yourself, you watch after others. When watching after others, you watch after yourself." The Buddha I am no buddha scholar but I would say that in these sage words he's saying that each of us needs to do our best to see to our individual needs so we can best take care of others. Let's break it down. In the first line, When watching after yourself, you are watching after others", buddha is pointing to the interconnectedness between you and those around you. If any link in the chain is weak, the entire piece is frail, and that means you as well. One of the biggest challenges I had as a personal trainer was helping people see how neglecting their needs was ultimately neglecting the needs of their family and friends. Whether it was altruism or low self-esteem, most people tok care of the needs of everyone else before they took care of themselves. There are people who depend on you, who look to you for support. And it's not just in a selfish way; it's in a community way. You wouldn't think your young daughter was being selfish if she asked you to read her a story or ask what's for dinner. You are important to her. She depends on you, and when you are taking care of yourself; eating right,exercising, meditating (hint, hint) you are making sure you are there to take care of her. As a wise man would say, "When watching after yourself, you are watching after others. On to line two… "When watching after others you are watching after you." Clearly this means that when you escape the trap of ego and help others, you are helping yourself by connecting to a greater energy. that is the best way to get out of an angsty funk. When you are stressed, seemingly surrounded by issues, the person you are thinking most about, if not solely, is yourself. The best way to break the hold of a self-pity party, is to do whatever you can to help your fellow man or woman. Volunteer, smile to strangers; do anything to lighten the load of those around you, strangers or friends. It will help you break free of your worries and connect you the energy of the world. We are undoubtedly all connected, sharing the same energy, but when we think just of ourselves we dampen that connection. The only way it can be restored or bolstered back to it original magnificence is by ditching ego and helping those around you. It's a win-win. You help others and you help yourself. Someone wise might say… When watching after others you are watching after yourself. Ah, Buddha. How about I lay the questions of the day on you for your ride home. Questions of the Day What was the last thing that you did to take care of yourself? Eat vegetables, workout, get a massage? What was it? What was the last thing that you did for someone else that had no benefit for you? How did it make you feel?

Buddha and Lao-Tzu both talked about appreciating the present moment. They knew that the calm people yearned for was in the present moment. Some 2500 years later we are beginning to realize that again. Come listen to the quote that set it off, by Buddha. Questions of the day Have you ever been so captivated by something that you lost track of where you were Have you ever experienced a time in nature when everything seemed so incredibly vibrant and alive? Do you enjoy nature? Why or why not? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

It amazes me how some wisdom seems so timeless. The quotes from the buddha that I have been reading all talk about principles that are of use today. Take today's quote for example. A jug is filled drop by drop Think about the simple wisdom in those 7 words. The Buddha is saying that consistency is key. it doesn't matter how insignificant the action may seem; if it is repeated with consistency, the goal will be achieved. It's clear that the Buddha took small consistent actions to heart. Clearly he felt that actions, no matter how small, would lead to something great. It seemed to be a common theme in China. After all, Lao-Tau was quoted as saying A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I think it is clear how both of these philosophers can add to our lives today. For instance, when was the last time you were faced with a big project, either at home or at work? Most people, take a look at a project and set their minds to worrying about all the effort it will take, all the time that will be involved. Once they have sufficiently overwhelmed themselves they turn to the nearest comfort; TV, games, eating or sleeping. But not the Buddha or Lao Tzu. Lao-Tau would say, just start. Take one small step forward and know that your first action will propel you to finish. It's sound logical. You hear it echoed by personal development coaches today. The Buddha would go on to say, "Cool, you took your first step, now keep going. Just stay with it. Your actions don't have to be huge; they just need to be consistent, like the drops of water in that jug. It's a simple message and wisdom that gets totally pushed aside by our fear-soaked reptilian brain. But it doesn't have to get lost. If you take time each day to meditate, to train your mind so see where it is flat out lying to you, you can beat any fear or any societal belief that has been instilled in you, accurate or not. Questions of the day What is one thing you want to accomplish before you die? What is one step that you can take right now to get the momentum moving. What is one thing you can do each day to keep that dream alive? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

There will come a day when the entire world knows peace. It may be right around the corner or hundreds of years from now. Regardless of when it is, it flourishes when people speak kindly with one and other. This goes for enemies as well as families and friends. Today, I talk about peace, with wisdom supplied by the Buddha. Come listen. Question of the Day When was the last time you raised your voice? What did you hope to accomplish by doing so? Did you? Is it possible to gain respect of others by speaking softly, kindly? What is the nature of your speech? Does it create a sense of calm. What is your volume, tone and speed like? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Question of the Day What resonates with you more: A life without Love or pain, or a life of Love with some pain How much of your life is suffering? Do you agree with the Buddha that the suffering you endure is because of attachment to things? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

In this final verse of the Tao-Te-Ching, Lao-Tzu talks about thee importance of lightening your load by getting rid of the things you are hoarding. Going forward, simply do not collect things. Be purposeful with your purchases.

Utopia is such a trap of a word. Many people feel that it is the absence of any crime, corruption or pollution. But Lao-Tzu encourages you to see the beauty in even the darkest squalor. It is your eyes that behold Utopia, not the vista before the rest of the world. Question of the Day Do you see beauty everywhere you look? Is there light and beauty in the slums of cities What is your version of Utopia? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Your heart will always remain heavy, unable to find peace, as long as you hold on to resentments. Learn to forgive. It's a lesson that's at least as old as 2500 years ago. Today, in verse 79 of the Tao-Te-Ching, Lao-Tzu extols the benefit of living without grudges. Question of the Day Do you harbor any grudges today? Who was the last person you fully forgave? Have you ever felt righteous before? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Think of all the things that water can do. A raging ocean is unstoppable. A serene babbling brook brings peace. It cleans, it relaxes and provides life. Sounds like something we could emulate, huh? Question of the Day Who is someone you think of that is uncharacteristically strong? Is it possible to be strong by being softer? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

The man or woman of the Tao does not hoard. Whatever he or she has in excess, he gives it to the world. Charity and minimalism are the topics for today. Come listen. Question of the Day When was the last time you gave to charity? If so, why did you? When you gave, did you tell anyone, or keep it to yourself? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

There are some traits that we desire to possess, and being easy-going and flexible are two of them. Today, Lao-Tzu talks about how being agreeable and willing to bend as ways to succeed in life. Come listen. Question of the Day Would people describe you as stubborn or inflexible? Do you think you are rigid? Is compromise a good thing or a bad thing? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

In today's world it is to become overwhelmed. There are many times when each of us feel so put upon by those around us, and by ourselves. Lao-Tzu reminds us in this 75th verse, to demand little from others. Work to make their lives and our own, unencumbered. Come listen. Question of the Day How do you take the pressure off of yourself when things seem overwhelming Do you take care of yourself? How much of your day is spent making life easier for others? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Question of the Day Are you afraid of dying? Would you want to know the exact date of your death? If you did know it, how, if at all, would you change your life? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Question of the Day How often do you find yourself in a state of hurry? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

Wayne Dyer suggests us to change our thoughts and in turn it will change our lives. He may have been thinking of this version specifically when he titled his book. You can certainly drive out your driveway on your way to work, not even noticing the majestic tree in your yard or on your street. Or you can truly look at it in awe, and wonder, positing how long it has been alive, the things it has experienced. By being curious and in awe, you will never have a boring day in your life. Question of the Day When was the last time you saw a sunset and were speechless? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.

There is a cure for everything from the common cold to the most debilitating diseases, and it is about 2500 years old. Listen to what Lao-Tzu has to say about curing your illnessses. Question of the Day When was the last time you were sick? Do you get sick often? What were the thoughts that you were having at the last time you were sick? Were they positive or negative? THANKS FOR LISTENING! Become a Super-Fan of ZEN commuter and 5 Minute mojo on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses just for ZEN commuter patrons. Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience. The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes. Of course that means more peace in the world. So please let me know what you think. I read ever one of them.