So, I was talking about my Serenity yesterday. That is, my ability to stay centered and calm.

I didn’t do out of sheer strength of will.

I did it with a team. A Mastermind team.

My Sifu, John Graham, taught me that no one gets to the top by themselves. You need a team to do that.

The same holds true for Serenity.

If you want to stay stable, once you reach that stage, you need a Mentor. Someone that you will listen to. That means you have to be willing to submit to their advice and wisdom. You have to be willing to accept that you don’t know everything (despite having the internet in our phones!). You need someone that is willing to get to know you in all your seasons of mania and depression. You have to listen to them when they say, “Hey, I think you need to slow down. You’re getting a little too revved up.” Then, you have to act on what they say.

Next, surround yourself with good friends who will stick with you through thick and thin. They might not always understand you, but they will stick with you when you think that not taking a bath for two weeks is somehow a good idea, and they aren’t shy about telling you to take one. Expose yourself to them on a daily basis. Don’t shut yourself off. Open up.

Lastly, learn to laugh. Humor is essential to getting better.

I know it isn’t fair. We didn’t get a vote on this. But we are stuck with this hand, and I’d rather listen to the lyrics of a George Carlin album than Pink Floyd’s The Wall any day. The Wall depressed me. Carlin made me laugh hysterically. Guess which one improved my outlook on life?

Finally, make your peace with God. I don’t care how you accomplish that, but do it. Once you’ve done so, then try out what a relationship with Him looks like. You’ll be surprised.

Take it from someone who has reached Serenity.

This is possible.

I promise.

Until next time…

Be Real.

Todd Doyle