It is serendipitous that May 4th marks the launch of this journal as it would be considered a blasphamas mockery by any of the original masters. Life is different now and we must adjust to the societal norms of the lives we now lead. While the Jedi code is still at the core of my thoughts (There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony.), my daily focus is concentrated into to four simple principles. I look forward to sharing this knowledge with my comrades and evolving the heart of the Jedi order.

I had the opportunity to mentor a young padawan that was stuck in a mental state of failure after some preliminary Jedi trials. The frustration was blinding them to their true path and potential. It’s not an uncommon stage in development and can hamstring even the most talented prospect. My message is always the same… “your future is not the culmination of what you have done, it is the sum of what you practice daily”. It’s a reminder that today is the most important day in who you will be in your future state. Our minds are constantly rewiring themselves based on experiences, thoughts, and the habits we practice. By practicing specific thoughts, behaviors, or skills, you can actively shaping your brain and its connections, reinforcing desired outcomes. Practicing positive self-talk and focusing on your strengths can erase the negative thought patterns that create stagnation. In each of us, there is a deep power that we can only access through repeated efforts and focus.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.’

Two words that I mediate on daily as they are deciding factors in how we choose to live our lives. A quote from one of my favorite books reads  “… Failure is an answer. Rejection is an answer. Regret is an eternal question you will never have the answer to.” In the same breath, we must never dwell and ruminate over the past. You win or you learn.

The past can be a powerful motivator for developing discipline. By experiencing the negative consequences of a lack of discipline, Padawans can be spurred to make changes in their behavior and adopt a more disciplined approach to their lives. This can involve learning to delay gratification, setting clear goals, and developing routines that support those goals.

“We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.”

The greatest battle most of us face is conquering ourselves. if this battle lost, so is the path. There are no shortcuts as it is built on daily habits; on daily commitments to the vision of our optimal future state. It is more powerful than motivation and frees the mind juxtaposed to darker alternatives.

Success and regret both result from small daily habits repeated consistently over time. Success comes from positive, disciplined actions, while failure stems from repeated neglect. Each path compounds gradually, eventually leading to significant outcomes—either great achievements or irreversible setbacks.

In today’s society, it’s easy to lose track of the now in pursuit of the future. The playbook for success will push you to sacrifice your best years for the well-advertised promises of tomorrow. Money and possessions have become the measure of success foregoing the beauty of complete presence. I pass no judgement to the why but pose the “when”. At what moment does the present reveal its value? In 40 years, you would likely trade all the money you have to come back to this moment. To have the youth, strength, and more time with those you had lost along the way. I challenge each of you to take a 15 minute walk today to appreciate the present. Do not look for a perfect moment… take this moment and make it perfect.

Carpe momentum.

We are half way through another year full of external distractions and constant change.   Another cycle where personal goals and progress can easily vanish from focus.   It’s a great time to audit monthly progress and make the small adjustments that will deliver the experiences and/or outcomes we intended for this cycle.  

Here are four questions a mentor shared with me to provoke action?  

– What did I do this month that directly created results (Not just busyness/activities)? 

– What uncomfortable task did I avoid and what did it cost me?

– What part of my identity held me back (“just how I am” is a death sentence… get uncomfortable if needed)

– If I live this exact month 6 more times, how will I live up to my intentions? 

Ask these of yourself on a monthly basis and make the adjustments that address the answers you don’t like. 

An old Jedi Master was teaching his grandson about life and the force within.

He said, “A fight is going on inside all of us,” he told the young boy, “a fight between two wolves.

The Dark one is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The Light Wolf is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you grandson…and inside of every other person on the face of this earth.”

The grandson ponders this for a moment and then asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?“

The Jedi Master smiled and simply said, “The one you feed”.

As you reflect on your week, which wolf are you consistently feeding and how will the words you speak manifest into your life force?

I find myself looking back at friendships over the years and dissecting the stories of the ones who have taken a darker path. All future states are shaped by an event, interaction, or response that came to define the rest of the narrative. It is a fascinating study to look at the protagonist in each story and try to understand what separates the villain’s path from that of the hero. Often, the two characters grow up in the same town, study at the same school and suffer similar hardships in their development. One theory is that the response to trauma is to become angry and vengeful or to use it for learning and personal development. Our antagonist, who carries the pain, often seeks a path to unload it to others; to pass the very anguish they feel on to the world. Our hero has learned from the effect of such distress and vows to protect others from having the same experience: same pain.. different response.

It creates a guiding principle that we should all remember as we traverse the difficult cycles in life. That which does not kill you can empower your inner hero if knowledge (rather than emotional scarring) is the end result.