Tests
Today, I didn’t wake up with words falling out of me. Yesterday was one of my most challenging days. My writing, family, and business worlds collided, and I couldn’t continue in that exact manner.
So after waking up at 4:30 AM with the worst sleep I have ever had under my belt, writing and working out, working, taking the kids to school, working, eating lunch with our oldest and her family, working some more, picking up the kids from school, taking care of some phone calls and summer arrangements, taking the kids to swim practice, making them dinner, taking Scarlett to her play, working, and then sitting through 3 hours of Scarlett’s play, I brushed my teeth and fell into bed at 10:23 PM where I found a deep sleep. A deep sleep that nourished my body and helped me realize I had to turn off my 4:30 AM alarm and get more sleep.
Our minds and bodies are capable of more than we may realize, but everyone has limits. We can test those limits, but they can not be permanent, and we must remember how vital longevity is mentally and physically to obtain what is truly important to us.
I keep alluding to what I have designed — four things we must have, four things we must believe, and four things we must do to live a life of happiness and peace.
I traveled recently, and on the first airplane, I sat down next to a person with whom I shared my perceptions and philosophies. That poor guy. All he wanted to do was get across the country to play golf with his buddies. But I spent four days with myself while expanding my mind, beliefs, and perceptions. So when I boarded that last airplane, I focused on writing and eating a healthy meal.
I had some extra unopened food, and the gentleman next to me was in the right place at the right time. I kindly offered him the extra items, and he accepted. But what I would soon realize is that I was in the right place at the right time.
We sat there for hours, talking in deep conversation. It was such a passionate and beautiful conversation that I almost felt selfish for having it. That gentleman, Gary, had been visiting my hometown for the last 30 years to hang out with his best friend Dan. I learned so much about him, his life, and his passions.
My end of the conversation wasn’t fully developed, in the sense that my words and thoughts have more potential, but I could see myself having that conversation in a room full of people in hopes of changing the world.
I made a new friend that day and walked off that airplane a few inches taller.
You would have had to be in my shoes to understand and grasp what this conversation did for me.
You know those moments of life that just can’t be described? I have been having those lately.
But life is about balance, so I have also been experiencing those moments that just can’t be understood.
Yesterday, while on the phone, I was talking about parenting, and I found the perfect analogy for the type of parent I strive to be. As my kids roll through life, I want to be the bumpers along the bowling lane.
Sitting here, I am thinking these moments of clarity and moments of confusion are God and our destiny being our bumpers.
I am fasting today.
I am about 20 hours in, and one of my favorite things about fasting is the intense clarity it brings.
The pursuit of clarity of mind and spirit through fasting has deep roots throughout history. In ancient Greece, Pythagoras and Plato advocated moderation in diet and periodic fasting as a means to cultivate self-discipline and sharpen the intellect. The Pythagoreans believed fasting aided in the purification of the soul, allowing for a clearer apprehension of eternal truths.
In the Islamic tradition, the annual month-long fast of Ramadan is considered a time for heightened spiritual awareness and self-reflection.
The philosophical underpinnings of fasting often revolve around the idea that by denying the body its habitual indulgences, one can transcend the distractions of the material world and attain a state of heightened consciousness. This aligns with the Platonic view that the body is a mere vessel for the soul and that true knowledge can only be apprehended when the soul is liberated from wants and indulgences.
In Buddhism and Hinduism, fasting is also viewed as a means of cultivating mindfulness and achieving a state of mental clarity. Fasting is often accompanied by meditation, as the two are seen as complementary paths to spiritual enlightenment and attaining a transcendent state of awareness.
The intense clarity often accompanies fasting is seen as a gateway to a deeper understanding of oneself and the nature of existence, free from the distractions and distortions of physical cravings and sensory indulgences.
Why Should You Strive For Clarity?
So why should one strive for intense mental clarity? It opens the doors of perception and understanding in profound ways:
It allows you to see things as they truly are, not filtered through preconceptions, biases, and distortions. As Buddhists say, it leads to insight into the true nature of reality.
It sharpens focus, concentration, and presence, allowing you to live more fully in the moment rather than trapped in delusions.
It facilitates self-knowledge and authenticity by stripping away falsehoods you tell yourself. As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
It leads to clearer decision-making, problem-solving, and discernment by heightening your reasoning abilities.
It cultivates stillness, equanimity and inner peace by quieting the incessant mental chatter that breeds anxiety.
Clear thought is fundamental to our existence. Without the ability to think clearly, we are merely existing, not truly living with awareness and intentionality. Clear thought allows us to ponder our purpose, make sense of our experiences, and chart a meaningful path forward. It is the opposite of being numb or mindlessly drifting through life on autopilot.
“I think, therefore, I am.”
— René Descartes
A disturbed or clouded mind robs us of inner peace and skews our perception of reality. When our thoughts are in disarray, we cannot see situations objectively or respond with wisdom. A clear mind, however, allows truth and understanding to shine through. You cannot achieve true, lasting happiness, joy, peace or satisfaction if your mind is muddled by doubt, fear, negativity and delusion.
“There is nothing so ruinous as a disturbed mind. A clouded mind cannot perceive truth.”
— Seneca
Clarity opens the door to self-discovery and living authentically. When our minds are clear, we can pierce through the layers of conditioning and false narratives to tap into our core values, gifts, and life callings. Without clarity, we remain stuck in indecision and self-denial, unable to manifest our full potential. To live with purpose and passion, we must undertake the journey inward that clarity makes possible.
“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.”
— Lao Tzu
Intense clarity is the gateway to wisdom, self-mastery, and conscious living. While fasting can induce it, one can also pursue it through practices like meditation, study, solitude, and living in coherence with core virtues. It’s the prerequisite for personal growth and transcendence.
So, what step are you going to take towards mental clarity?
I started this writing with one word on my mind: tests. This word came to me while watching Scarlett’s play, the Shrek Musical, last night at 8:09 PM. Recently, I have felt like I am being tested. I am living through tests. I know they are intentionally designed by something greater than me, and I am up for the challenge, but the fact that I know they are tests makes them a lot a bit easier.
I am excited to see where we go, friends. Hugs.
With love,
Jo
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