I was inspired to pop into your feed to send you this message today: Find the Sacred/Joy/Happiness in the mundane or you’ll go insane

The last few weeks have been marred with anxiety and sadness in my personal life (I’ll spare you the dramatic details, LOL). As if the heaviness of the world wasn’t daunting enough — with the COVID-19 pandemic, BLM and the political pandemonium — climate change has forced us to change even more.

A week and a half ago, fire, lightning and smoke storms intensified that apocalyptic feeling here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dry lightning strikes sparked more than 600 fires, raining ash down upon us, and a fog of smog continues to linger in most of the Bay Area.

It seemed like even more of our freedoms were being stripped away — the simple, mundane pleasures of going on a walk, jog or working out at the park have been thwarted.

Part of my spiritual practice is to notice discomfort when it arises, so after engaging in a pity party for a few moments last night, it hit me. I took a deep breath and it was as though a little voice told me, “calm yo-self, boy.”

I noticed I missed things that seemed super mundane before the fire and pandemic’s pause gripped our lives — going out for a stroll without having to check the air quality, eating at restaurants, meet-ups with loved ones, friend’s homes, entertaining beloved at my abode, concerts…. The list goes on.

These freedoms seemed to be snatched from us without notice. Here’s a download from the divine that I wanted to share with you in today’s video diary: “Find the sacred during the mundane.”

Take Action

1. Luxuriate in the now — Don’t let our socialized ideas of happiness get in the way of true, simple joys: chats with loved ones, the feeling of your pajamas or sheets, a warm cup of tea.

2. Gratitude journal — Write down five things you’re grateful for. It will train your brain to be on the lookout for the simple joys every day brings.

Here’s what I’m grateful for:
-being able to meet up with soul brothers Kevin Lee and Lonnell Williams

-a random phone call from former student and now friend Erin Sitt

-the joy of receiving a handwritten letter

-spectacular but smoky views

-yummy meals

-my friend Lee’s secret garden (letting me staycation at her abode)

-Carolyn Myss’s book “Anatomy of the Spirit” (current read)

-my daily meditation practice.

3. Breathe — Take 10 deep breaths to reboot your mind, body and spirit. Then you’ll notice more of the daily mundane happenings that bring you true happiness that exist in the small morsels of moments that are sacred.

What mundane things are driving you insane? And do you see the sacred in these moments? Please share and tag me @toanlamtv & @goinspirego

Xx
Toan

The post Finding Sacred Moments in the Insane Mundane appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

To be real, I’ve been vacillating between the two ever since the pandemic put us all on pause. Every morning, I sit still for a moment in meditation. Some days I feel like I’m slayin’, others like I’m stayin’ stuck in the same place.

That’s when I go to my breath and breathe — and realize that no matter the pauses or full-stops I’ve encountered in my personal, professional and spiritual life, I was always OK — then came through the other side better than I could have ever imagined.

I wanted to share some major downloads that came early this morning after being awakened by a huge Bay Area thunderstorm at 4 a.m. The lightning, thunder, wind, rain and cacophony of birds chirping was weirdly peaceful and a metaphor for what I’ve been weathering in my life since the pandemic hit in March.

I ran out to my living room to witness nature’s show and went into meditation right away. The perfect storm gave way to some insight on what’s been going on and how to process the pandemic’s pause. I really needed this (thank you God) to finally process the “new normal.”

Now, press play to download some wisdom, boo:

Take Action

1. Meditate! Start with 10 deep breaths. If you want to explore more, I love the Insight Timer Meditation App. Also, I mentioned the Wayne Dyer Manifestation Ahhh Meditation.

2. Gratitude journal. Do it. It works. Start with just five things you’re grateful for daily. When you’re grateful, you manifest more good things to be grateful for.

3. Sharing is caring. Share a story about how you are dealing with the pandemic. It may just change YOU and someone’s life for the better.

Be kind to yourself and others. The negative self-talk only puts you on a lower vibration. So vibe up. You, me, we will be OK.

Xx
Toan

The post Mourning the Former Pre-Pandemic You appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

How many of you subscribe to this way of thinking? New diet? New job? New boo? Do you set new personal, professional and spiritual goals during the new year?

So cliché, no?

I personally don’t set lofty goals just for the new year. Why? Because of a pattern of disappointment and feeling like a failure. Instead, I do check-ins periodically throughout the year. I call them “intention-setting sessions” and do them with my two soul sisters, Kate and Keely.

Several people have asked me what happens during these special intention-setting sessions, so I’ve decided to share with you. Remember, this is all about what works for you, so feel free to soak in what works and expunge what doesn’t resonate with you.

The Pow Wow — Setting Intentions

Intentions are like planted seeds. While strategizing and taking action are the sunlight and water, your intentions need to bloom and manifest. A few years ago, Kate, Keely and I decided to meet up every six months to have an intention-setting sesh. Why six months? We figured we could bookend the year with a session and check in mid-year in June to see how we are doing, what we like and don’t like about our lives and how to course correct. Swerve with us….

Why meet with folks?

There are no rules. This is designed to be in-the-flow and fun. If you like to be zen and do it alone, more power to ya. No need for soul sisters and brothers to bounce ideas off of. Just do a sole intention sesh with yourself. I find it to be helpful to talk it out, share insights and brainstorm ideas on how to take action on our intentions, strategies and solutions. It also helps to “talk about it” as you are more likely to stick to your intentions if you have others holding you accountable.

Pre-Planning, Homework Before the Intention-Setting Session

A few weeks before we meet, we do a little pre-sesh homework. We each create a document that works for us. I like to write, so I have a Word doc that outlines six months of adventures, travels, highs, lows, etc. Keely likes visuals, so she includes pie-charts, graphs and photos. Kate likes to draw, so she does everything by hand, with colored pencils and pens.

If you need more structure, you could use a year planning booklet such as YearCompass. (Thanks Kate for organizing us and for the tip). This free downloadable gem of booklet helps you organize life events, goals, milestones, etc. from last year and the year ahead. It’s chock full of awesomeness and reminders to “Arrive, Put on some relaxing music, Pour yourself a hot beverage, Let go of all your expectations, Start when ready.”

How It Goes Down

We generally start out the morning with a brisk walk, 15-30 minutes.

Kate hosts the sessions in her San Francisco apartment.

We meditate for 10 minutes.

Next, we spend 40 minutes reflecting on the past six months.

Break: Kate makes us an amazing Japanese-style breakfast — yum!

Then, we spend 40 minutes reflecting on what are intentions are for the next six months. They range from personal, professional and spiritual things we want to manifest.

For example, one year, I wanted to find more truth to my journey personally and professionally. I wrote in my intention journal that I wanted to find an easier, more user-friendly platform to record conversations I have been having with friends.

I remember thinking, “There are so many life lessons and spiritual learnings from these conversations. How do I record these on the fly and get them out to a wider audience?”

Voila! My dear friend Celeste Perry, a radio DJ in San Francisco, connected me to the amazing folks at Strawberry Hill Productions. We created the TruthDare podcast, a series of illuminating conversations with badasses who took the leap of faith to follow their true calling. The goal of the podcast is to inspire listeners to dare to find their truth.

Fast-forward a year — woo hoo! I have had so many soul-stirring conversations with truth-tellers like Ari Afsar, who stars as Eliza Hamilton in “Hamilton,” Carlos Gaytan, the first Mexican chef to earn a Michelin star and Juliet and Kelly Starrett, who are legends in the CrossFit world.

As I journaled about my past year, I was overwhelmed by all the miracles and blessings. My cup runneth over with gratitude. When you speak your truth, the universe helps you find flow to support your journey.

Friends and strangers connected me to the amazing lineup of interviewees. I found support through sponsors like Moeloco (most inspiring flip-flops that are good for your soul and sole), Weal Life (an app that makes it easier to coordinate care for your loved one) and MobilityWOD (“the ultimate guide to eliminating pain, preventing injury and maximizing athletic performance”). Thank you Jesus!

After reflecting, we close out the session with an hour of sharing what worked, what didn’t, how course correct to make changes that support our journey and how we support one another. I’ve learned we are not alone in our journey. I’ve also realized the key to joy is in finding that truth that excites you and taking actions to manifest and follow it — knobby knees, heart palpitations, sweaty palms and all! When you use your talents in service of others, somehow, someway, God, the universe, a higher intelligence guides you.

This last part may or may not be for you, but since Kate, Keely and I believe in God and the divine, we pull a few angel cards, which correspond with words that may signify the year to come. My words this year were “Love,” “Unity” and “Forgiveness.” Each word corresponds with ancient wisdom in an accompanying booklet on how this angel will guide us in the coming year.

That’s it! Remember, there are no hard and fast rules to the intention-setting session. It’s your intention, so go with your gut. Create a session that works for you. Be in the flow — write, draw, play — as long as you are setting intentions that align with your values and wildest dreams. Good luck and happy new year!

Onward,
Toan

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The post How to Achieve Productive and Successful Intention Setting Sessions appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

I’ve never really made New Year’s resolutions. But last year, I resolved to do one thing that changed me (from the inside out) every day of 2012.

I finally got around to keeping a journal — why did I wait so long?!

It’s not just one of these woo woo journals for the sake of saying you keep a journal. Instead of a sole gratitude journal, I started an evidence/gratitude journal — inspired by two people, one of whom I know, another who I will know or at least meet one day: Devyn Rush and Oprah Winfrey.

I’ve always been a fan of Oprah and have always kept her crusade to inspire folks to keep a gratitude journal in the back of my mind. It sat on the back burner until December 19th of 2011 — that’s when I finally lit the flame.

An inferno of miracles ensued.

I always thought, why keep a journal? I am present now, enjoying the now already. Well, what I realized is that this is where the magic happens — when you actually put them down on paper, effervescence happens… your thoughts manifest into something tangible, something real.

My friend Devyn Rush, a former American Idol contestant who is also a national spokesperson for Hey U.G.L.Y., a bully prevention organization, told me about this journal, “Building the Best You.” If you get the privilege to know Devyn, you will walk away feeling reenergized by her infectious positive energy. At her behest, I decided to finally put pen to paper and took the penning plunge promise. My goal was to write in it everyday — I knew this would be a big feat for me because I get bored easily — but I’m proud to say I did it. Woo hoo. And whoa! Wee. Wow.

This viscerally changed me from the inside out.

What’s the difference between a gratitude journal and an evidence journal? The evidence part is when you log what you did for the day — then the gratitude part is when you write down things that unfolded that you’re grateful for.

Everyday I wrote down what I did that day, then at least five things that I was grateful for. The Building the Best You journal is a two year journal, each page is split in half. The left fold is year one, the right fold, year two.

I remember Oprah saying, “Some days I’d be grateful for seeing a squirrel in the park.” And boy wasn’t that the truth. She’s right, it doesn’t matter how simple something seemed or the lack of things you felt grateful for, it’s the fact that you’ve put this gratitude exercise into practice. And like a muscle that is put into action, I’ve become more aware and conscious of the beauty surrounding my life everyday. My favorite author, Eckhart Tolle, calls this “awareness.”

No matter how bad my day was, I found myself grateful for the lessons that came in different ways, shapes and forms. I started searching for things that I was grateful for during my days: a phone call from a loved one, discovering yet another street-corner style hero to feature in my nonprofit, Go Inspire Go, or a walk with a friend along the pier. It became habit.

I randomly flipped through my journal a couple of nights ago and was happy to see that I was grateful for “being present” and “my breath” and feeling connected to something bigger than myself were constant themes. What a big accomplishment.

Among the highlights of things I’ve logged:

1. Being more present than ever before: to nature, people and my spirit — not the “ego” or “thinking thing” rather, what Tolle calls “the watcher” — my inner compass.
2. Connections to people. I felt like the Universe sent me personal and professional connections that continue to help me grow as a person as well as progress within my nonprofit, Go Inspire Go.
3. Realization that when you become present and surrender to the ebb and flow of life, you are open to receiving more. Gratitude begets more goodness (and things to be grateful for).

What I’ve realized is that the miracles have always been there; I just became aware that they were happening — which in turn created and ignited more miracles. That’s the law of attraction at work. Ever notice how when you start the day by saying, “This is going to be a bad or stressful day” — the universe delivers a “Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?” What about those days when you say, “It’s going to be a great day!”

As a kid, I always woke up thinking, “What will I learn today? Who will I meet? What will happen?” Now I go to sleep logging the days happenings, building awareness and counting my blessings. In a sense, keeping this journal brought back the child within and has taught me to unlearn certain things we’ve learned as adults and to go back to that innocent, creative, awe-filled child’s lens we all had when we were discovering the world as children.

I’m glad I finally took action to count the miracles and enjoy them fully — I’ve evolved physically, mentally and spiritually thanks to the simple five-minute exercise of keeping an evidence/gratitude journal.

Are you aware of the miracles showing up in your life everyday? Write them down and witness them multiply.

My favorite author Eckhart Tolle says that the universe conspires to help us all. “But if the shutters are closed the sunlight can not come in.”

Cheers to a new year of counting your blessings and logging the light that comes through your window.

Happy New Year — Happy New You.

Sincerely,
Toan

P.S. What can YOU do?

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The post No New Year’s Resolution, Instead One Thing That Changed EVERY DAY of My Life Last Year appeared first on Go Inspire Go.