Today, December 10th, marks our 1000-day milestone. We have been transformed – physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually – a transformation rooted in the once unimaginable, now completed 1000-day commitment.

Carol S., a Fellow of the Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute (DCI) shares her experience: “Our DCI Yoga practice is a lot like coming home. It calls me to be present, returning to my internal ‘home’ to stay in touch with my body, mind and spirit.”

What is something you would like to pursue for 1000 days?

1000 days of photography? 1000 days of creative writing? 1000 days of hiking? 1000 days of painting? singing? swimming? running? walking? mindful eating? meditating? prayer? Perhaps a specific activity in service of others? 1000 days picking up trash in your neighborhood? A social justice initiative? Learning to play a new instrument? Learning a new language? 1000 moments of intentional kindness? Your choices are limited only by your imagination and your desire to learn something new.

Give yourself the challenge of doing one specific thing for 1000 days. Observe the process with daily or weekly journal entries. How are you growing and evolving as a result of your challenge? Does this one committed activity provide you with a sense of mastery?

Our Kundalini Yoga sequence changed weekly giving us seven days to embody the movement and breathwork leading to a deeper understanding of our physical and emotional bodies. We become aware of the moments of clarity when body, breath, mind, intuition, emotion and consciousness all connect and integrate. Consistent. Present. Focused. Day upon day x 1000 days.

Consider your 1000 day pursuit: how will you make it substantive ... create milestones … stay focused with discipline, continued interest and passion? This is all part of a one-thousand-day journey. Will you choose to do it alone or build community with others? It is an experience staying present to the daily pursuit, celebrating the milestones, and continuing to make it your own unique experience.

It may have been thirty years or more since you’ve made a long term commitment…ages ago in your college or career building years when life was new and full of possibilities. You know you can create that feeling again.

What will your 1,000 days be all about? Your 5,000 days? Or 10,000 days? It is never too late to commit to transforming your life.

Sat Nam.

Rocky and the 1000 Day Stanford University DCI Cohort

Rocky Blumhagen, MEA Alum “28 Degrees” Cohort, Stanford DCI, (Distinguished Careers Institute, Fellow/Partner Class of 2019) is a yoga and mindful practitioner. Explore Rocky’s 1000-day yoga challenge at: https://rockyblumhagen.com/1000-days-of-yoga/