There’s an old Taoist story I love.
Khing, the master carver, was asked by the prince to make a bell stand of precious wood.
When he finished, it was so magnificent that everyone said it had to be the work of spirits.
Asked for his secret, the carver said:
“I am just a simple workman. I have no secret.
When his majesty asked me to make this stand, I went into silence and kept all my energy inside.
I did not waste my spirit on trifles.After three days, I forgot success and failure.
After five, I forgot criticism and praise.
After seven, I forgot my body and mind.I forgot the prince and his court.
I had forgotten everything but the bell stand.I went into the forest to see the trees in their natural state.
When I saw the right tree, I saw the bell stand inside it.
Then all I had to do was reach out my hand and begin.”
Feel good now.
If you want to do your best work — which is simply to live a good life — forget the noise outside.
Forget success and failure. They’re just perspectives.
Forget praise and criticism. No one else has the right to judge your life.
Feel good now.
Keep your focus inside.
Don’t chase.
Don’t force.
Feel good now.
Then let opportunities appear. And because you’re clear and calm, those opportunities will glow like Khing’s tree with the bell stand inside.
You won’t need to figure it all out. You’ll just see it, reach out your hand, and begin.
Feel good now.
Your life will be so radiant, people might think it’s magic or witchcraft.
But you’ll know the truth: you didn’t waste your spirit on trifles.
You felt good now.
And everything unfolded from there.
Time to go meditate in silence for seven days and learn woodcarving,
Jack
P.S. If you want to know the 10 rules I follow to feel good every day — and align with the frequency of my dream timeline? Download The 10 Commandments of Bliss. It’s free, short and full of light.