Just because we are alive doesn’t mean we necessarily know how to live effectively. If we were to start driving without understanding the car, there would surely be an accident. So too in life, we have breakdowns and accidents because we sometimes violate the fundamental rules of our body, mind, and intellect.

The greatness of people like Federer and Vishwanathan Anand is not just their talent and drive. They put in hours of practice ‘everyday’ to explore and exploit the best in them. They have understood their arena and more importantly themselves. They have recognised and respected the value of working on themselves, even when they are at the top. Life too is a game, but we need to keep practicing.

Our daily practice of centring ourselves for a few minutes when we open our eyes. Allowing ourselves to anchor within, remembering the power and strength that we truly are, and reminding ourselves of what is truly important in life, prepares us.

Knowledge is power. The daily practice of reading and better understanding ourselves, the world and our relationship with the world, gives us clarity.

Different people understand and practice meditation differently. Our ability to sit for a few minutes daily, not only gives us inner peace and balance, it unleashes a subtle ability to not only withstand the uncertainties of life, but also a dynamic creativity that often surprises us as well.

It is easy to skip our exercise routine in our busy lives. But we often forget the daily discipline of keeping fit and healthy is the pivot on which our life balances. The most powerful and beautiful car is useless if the tires are flat. We need an able body to allow life to express through us.

The daily practice of reviewing the day that went by, not only what we did but how we reacted, gives us a better understanding of ourselves and the world. World champions watch their own games for hours to learn.

Quiet time is the space we create for ourselves everyday to allow ourselves to be guided. When our actions come from the depths of faith and conviction, we find answers to seemingly impossible situations.

A good batsman never takes his eye off the ball. A good chess player knows a bad move can cost him the game. No matter how skilled and talented we may be, when we are rooted in our daily discipline, always present in the present, we scale the joys of living.

And we have truly learned to life effectively, when we have practiced living with love everyday.

(Picture-Frangipani flowers this morning)