b'16WALT SHELTONtimes, I rush through it and negate its helpfulness, fall asleep, or get distracted. When my practice grossly deteriorates or I reach a point of exhaustion, I take a break for a day or two, then crave a return to purposely starting my day. I might also change up how I go about initiating my days, reminding myself that the goal is not the ritual itself but effectual groundwork for being whole.I always struggle to live gently and peacefully in the moment, regardless of the time of day. Yet my batting average to ap-proach such a rich life experience goes up when I seek to fol-low an intentional routine of beginning and rebeginning each and every day. The right cluster of daily first-thing deliber-ate activity and inactivity is a personal matter. Although each persons search for and experience of the ideal mix will vary, the outline Jesus offers us from his effective routine long ago offers powerful tools for a more meaningful, moment-to-mo-ment life.'