There is no better time than now.

When I have a room dedicated to my practice, I’ll start chanting every day. When I have the time, I’ll start listening daily to a Dharma talk or reading a book on the teachings. 

These are some of the things we tell ourselves. But if we wait for the ideal setting or surroundings before getting truly serious about our practice and learning, we’ll be waiting forever. The perfect conditions are not to be found here in our world. Instead of hoping for them, we need to start right now, right here, with whatever we have, wherever we are.

Don’t have that dedicated practice room? Well, since most of us chant with our eyes closed, a fully-decorated dedicated space isn’t required—just a calm mind.

And while dedicating sizable chunks of time to reading and listening to the Dharma is ideal, shorter sessions are also OK.

We don’t start with perfect conditions. We create them. 

How? By chanting and learning every day, even if only for a brief time in the plainest space. 

When? Right now. 

Why? Very truly—there is no better time than now.

Good luck? Maybe. Bad luck? Maybe.

“Accept what fate gives you

outside of your own power of choice.” 

Marcus Aurelius wrote the above. As Buddhists, we also speak of acceptance. There are things we cannot change, like decisions made by others. But there are things we can change—our mindset and habits, for example. By accepting that we cannot control or change what others are doing, we can stop wasting time fussing over them.

Try telling yourself this: What’s the point! Fussing will change nothing. I am wasted. My energy is drained. And time, so little of it available, is gone. Yes, I will accept. No more fussing, no more wasting of time. Instead, I will use it to work on things I want to work on, things within my power to change. Like all those pesky bad habits! I will no longer be negative. I will exude a positive frame of mind. Yes, the things over which I have the power to change have proven unyielding in the past, but I am not giving up. I am just as determined as they are stubborn.  

Miles ahead of pointless fussing.