Humility isn’t a shortcoming . . . (Click image for video)

Procrastination is stagnation. 

It’s also a choice. 

We know a task awaits. We know because it’s right in front of us, just lying there with no inclination to wander off in search of someone more responsive. There’s no desire whatsoever to let us off the hook.

We all have reasons for putting things off. Basically, we don’t want to do any of it. It wasn’t our idea. We’re busy with other things. We’re tired. But we better find the energy or we’re going to be lugging it around like Marley’s ghost dragging his chains.

We need two things. (1) Inspiration. (2) Technique. Technique is whatever works. For some, To Do lists transform dreaded tasks into little bundles of joy. Ahh, the triumph of ticking off one more item! Some people have even been known to complete a task then add it to the list just to be able to check it off.

And the inspiration to get it all done? It comes from experience: “The task is not leaving. I’m tired of looking at it. And, gosh, what a relief when I get stuff done!”

Often a gift for us . . . (Click image for video)

Constant mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha 

is like always thinking of the person 

we have fallen in love with. 

Remember the first time you fell in love?

You couldn’t stop thinking about the person. You kept recalling past conversations. Imagining future ones. Wondering when you would see him next. Wanting so much to spend all your time with her.

Essentially, thoughts of your loved one were ever present. While you didn’t go around murmuring your loved one’s name all the time, that very existence touched every aspect of your life. One way or another, your thoughts kept magnetizing happily to that most important person. Nothing else seemed as important. You did your daily stuff but never lost that awareness of your loved one.

Well, this is what constant mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha is like. Yes, we regularly chant his name. But even when not chanting, he is always on our mind. Not because it’s something we have to do. But for the sheer happiness of always having him with us.