#71: Self-Alignment

A BRIEF MEDITATION

Connecting with your inner self is similar to climbing a mountain. With every step you take, you leave behind yesterday's limitations, feeling more alive and aligned.

When you finally reach the summit, deep cold breaths fill your lungs, sharpening your vision. The essence of who you are emerges with crisp clarity, like a breathtaking panoramic view.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Carl Jung reminds us that what most value in life – love, wisdom, growth, beauty, and truth – is already present deep within us.

What prevents us from accessing it is our mind.

Our mind is full of thoughts that distract us from an inherent wellspring of energy.

Thoughts like:

• The fears of not getting what we want or getting what we don't want

• The underlying fear of other people's judgments

• The "sunk cost" belief of shifting gears from an established career or life path

• The relentless pursuit of shiny objects (e.g., wealth, status) that rarely delivers long-term fulfillment

This is simply mental noise blocking us from experiencing the innate energy of the true self.

To expand this channel, we must thin out the noise. Every time we disidentify from these distracting impulses and limiting beliefs, we sit further back into ourselves and get a deeper look into who we really are.

When we strengthen the connection to ourselves, once fleeting moments of truth grow into more consistent streams of enthusiasm, compassion, and focus.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES

• "The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind." – Caroline Myss

• "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." – Aristotle

• "When you are inspired by some great purpose, all your thoughts break their bonds. Your mind transcends limitations; your consciousness expands in every direction; and you find yourself in a new, great, wonderful world." - Patanjali

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HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR TRUE SELF USING THE 3-WORD JOURNALING METHOD

The more you get to know yourself, the more you realize that your purpose is not something you need to find but uncover.

As adapted from Deepak Chopra's "Soul Profile" exercise in his book "Abundance: The Inner Path to Wealth," reflecting on the right questions in the right way can provide immensely illuminating insights.

One thing that makes this exercise interesting is how you "journal": Chopra recommends you write as few as 3 meaningful words per answer. (This keeps you focused on the essence of the answer instead of mired in the mental chatter of the brain.)

Start by finding a quiet place, get centered with a couple of deep, grounding breaths, and give each question your full attention.

If you ever get lost in your thoughts, come back to your immediate surroundings for 30 seconds before getting back into it.

1. Can you describe a peak experience in your life, something that was a major “Aha!” moment, or a remarkable example of being “in the zone”?

2. In 3-4 words, what’s your life purpose?

3. What is your proudest contribution to your family?

4. What are the 3 most important values you contribute to a relationship?

5. What are the 3 most important values you want to receive from a relationship?

6. Who are your 3 greatest heroes/heroines?

7. How have you helped the world and the people around you?

8. What would you do if you had all the money and time in the world?

9. What is the most important thing you have wanted to accomplish but haven’t?

WHAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING

✅ Make it short & sweet. Set aside 15 minutes to explore these questions.

It's okay if you don't get through all of them – all it takes is one question for a meaningful insight to strike! Remember: Keep the writing limited to a few words.

PRODUCTIVITY TIP OF THE WEEK

Deep work sessions require deep focus for a reason. It's when we are solving challenging problems and completing big tasks.

When your thinking needs to be clear and strategic, hire AskAI to be your expert (or mentor) for your specific project.

Here’s how to make AskAI go above and beyond your expectations.

Pro tip #1: Treat AskAI like your brilliant colleague who already gets your work.

Skip explaining basic concepts or jargon. Instead, provide context about the unique considerations at play (like factors that are stalling your progress).

The more information you offer, the more tailored (and actually useful!) their response will be.

Pro tip #2: Be very explicit about what you want.

With AI, what you ask for is what you get.

If you want creative out-of-the-box thinking, encourage it to be as innovative and imaginative as possible. You have an unlimited number of chances to get more and more specific with your requests. Take advantage!

IT’S ALL GOOD (NEWS)

Here are a few stories that may spark curiosity and wonder. ✨

• ♻️ Sustainability: Old Coal Mine Has Been Heating a Town with Green Energy for 6 Months

• 👩🏽‍⚕️ Tech: Voice Technology With AI a Major Step Forward in Diabetes Detection

• 🍵 Health: Study Shows Herbal Extract May Improve Mild Dementia Using Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba

• 🍲Soul Food: 3 Cooks in Prison Honed Creativity Now Award-Winning Chefs And Businessmen