One of the most persistent habits isn’t laziness or distraction—it’s the belief that what we seek is somewhere outside ourselves. We reach for love, clarity, or fulfillment, not realizing these are already within us. True growth isn’t just about striving or achieving; it’s about pausing, listening, and connecting with that inner silence where real answers reside. Take action, express yourself, set goals—but then, remember to rest. Breathe. Allow yourself to simply be. What you’re searching for isn’t ‘out there’—it’s here, within. Find that, and you’ll realize it’s been with you all along.

This morning, I woke up early—3:30 a.m. early—with a pounding headache. The first urge was to bury myself back under the covers, hoping sleep would come back. But I got up, took some ibuprofen, made a cup of hot milk, and took my supplements. After a shower and a quick meditation, I lay down and, sure enough, drifted back to sleep. I woke up later to the first light of dawn—not from an alarm, but from the natural break of day. And that felt better than any alarm ever could. Lately, I’ve been making conscious choices to avoid the habits that once felt like crutches. Take cannabis: it used to be a go-to in my morning routine, something that got me "in the zone" back when I was an art student. I’d have my coffee, maybe a quick hit, and get to work. But this kind of routine came at a cost: a crash, every day by 10:30 a.m., right in the middle of class or a meeting. When you’re surviving on four or five hours of sleep, it doesn’t matter how strong the coffee is or how energized you feel—you’re setting yourself up to burn out. And I did, over and over. But that was then. Now, the focus is on a different kind of clarity. No "wake and bake," no coffee-first-thing; just awareness, energy, and intention. I’m finally setting a tone for my day that doesn’t rely on artificial boosts but instead builds on real, mindful choices. Waking Up with Purpose, Not Just Going Through Motions The best part about waking up to natural light is that it feels like a quiet invitation, not a demand. Rather than lying in bed, staving off the inevitable, I got up with a sense of purpose, not from external pressure but from an internal restlessness—a drive to do something. The point isn’t just getting up; it’s what I do once I’m up. Today, that included some gentle stretches, lifting my legs and bringing my knees to my chest, preparing both my mind and body to be fully present. Each small action matters because, in the end, each choice is a seed for habits, whether good or bad. The Power of Small, Intentional Choices

Breaking bad habits in practice means setting boundaries that keep you focused. For me as a bass player, it’s about resisting the urge to jam or go off into creativity during practice time. Staying disciplined builds skills and lays the groundwork for more creative freedom later.

Morning Productivity List (6 AM - 12:30 PM) 1. Wake-Up Routine • 6:00 AM: Start the day with a hot cup of water and milk. 2. Personal Care • Asanas - push ups 3. Organization and Cleanliness • Cleaning and organizing around the house. • Cleaned windows, kitchen, and floor behind the oven. 4. Journaling and Reflection • Write morning pages (750 words). 5. Music Practice • Bass practice session. • Practice Mike Longo’s hemiola exercise on the djembe. 6. Physical Activity • Go for a walk. 7. Household Chores • Laundry and tidying up. Summary: Productive start to the day with personal care, music practice, journaling, household tasks, and physical exercise—all completed in 6.5 hours.