The Toothbrush Test

Everyday I brush my teeth in the shower, in the morning. I use a sonic care toothbrush. It is electronic and operates in four (4) 30 seconds cycles. Each cycle ends with a slight pause, before the next cycle begins. If you have such a toothbrush try this test. Begin the 1st cycle on the lower back teeth. When the 2nd cycle starts, move to your front lower teeth The 3rd cycle will be the back top and the 4th will be the front top. As you begin, focus on what you are doing through all the cycles until all your teeth are brushed. I doubt you will be able to do it the first time. Why you say? You will forget what cycle and what area of your teeth you should be at, because you will allow your mind to wander off. You will begin worrying about your day, you will delve into the NEXT moment or you could be thinking about what self help topic you may need to read or have just read. It can be a thousand different things and because of it you have gone to sleep. Oh, you're awake physically, but you are mentally asleep. Try the toothbrush test. It only takes 2 minutes. When you finally come to that time when you have devoted your focus to all cycles and all teeth, you may now begin your day. Now approach the next few moments doing the same thing. Be aware of what your doing. Just stop and pay attention. Be aware of your presence and it's relationship to everything. Be on the alert for those passing cloud thoughts that want to interfere, just let them pass. Conduct your day the same as your toothbrush test. They are the same thing and there is nothing more practical than being aware of what you are doing. I will leave you with some help from a very important man in my life. He is not with us anymore, but his works are abound.

"Straighten yourself up, look around you.
See what's there
See that person, see those people
Walk alertly and awakedly.
Don't dose
Don't dream
Don't wander around
Don't rush!

Read this once a day. It will help you rise above your fears. It will remind you of something higher you should be doing. As a spiritual student, it is time to stop taking orders from lower places."

Vernon Howard

Blessings, r