Often, when I walk out of my building into broad daylight it is as if I am born anew into a clear confusion. Maybe it’s something about the coolness of the morning air or the brightness of the just risen sun but upon stepping out of the close, dimly lit confines of my tenement it is literally as if I have left the house and forgotten to put on my clothes.
Rather than allowing my nakedness to slide heedlessy into unskillful reverie I have often found that I will begin to finger my wrist mala and somewhat automatically begin reciting a medditation word such as “metta” with each bead. Certainly I have conditioned myself to do so and it has a real benefit but, were I to make it an actual practice to set my intention for the day each day before I opened the door to the outside world how much more grounded and effective might that be?
In the coming days and weeks I’d like to experiment with consciously intending my day before I step out the door. May I be mindful enough to do so and, if I succeed, I will surely let you know how it went.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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