Start Again

Start Again.

I first heard these words during a 10-day silent meditation retreat. Our teacher, S.N. Goenka, would repeat them over and over during our sessions. As the days dragged on, these words became a mantra that kept us going.

It took me a few more years to understand the deeper meanings behind his words. With time, I realized that we are always starting again in everything we do. Every day, we have new choices to make. Choices that determine which direction we want to give to our lives.

Another truth that unveiled itself to me is that our work never truly ends. We never reach a stage where we are exonerated from doing the work. This is tough to swallow. But the sooner we understand that reaching the destination isn’t the goal, the sooner we can start appreciating the now.

The third message is that our only task is to show up consistently. Whatever our responsibilities, practice, or craft, we have to start again every day. Sometimes, I don’t want to meditate, write, or do what's important. But every day, I recommit and show up to the best of my abilities. I write down “START AGAIN” in capital letters to remind myself that this is day one. That we will always remain beginners.

We will never be perfect or excused from showing up. Every day, we decide how we want to play the game of life. Every day, we are given choices and possibilities.

And in every moment, we are starting again.