The other day, I received a beautiful and thought-provoking gift from J.B. Pritzker in one of his commencement speeches. Its impact took a while to truly sink in. 🎁✨

We have an innate animalistic quality that played a vital role in our survival and success as a species: it is in our nature to become suspicious of everything that feels unfamiliar to us. 🐾🌍

During one of my well-deserved Headspace pauses, I had the realization that it's alright to have a busy mind sometimes, feeling restless and resistant. 🤔🌱

This newfound understanding sheds light on why I occasionally act irrationally in certain situations. It's an instinct beyond my control, deeply ingrained in my DNA. Or is it? Overcoming this ancestral instinct demands curiosity, intention, and sustainable effort, as Andy Puddicombe often says. 🧠

Equipped with this insight, everything makes so much more sense. I can navigate recent challenges with greater clarity and utilize a powerful tool to expand the space between stimulus and reaction. ⚡️

By practicing stillness, I manage, at times, to observe the inner workings of my mind, deepening my understanding of how it operates and enhancing my ability to empathize with others. 🧘‍♀️🌟