A Royal Mindset

Ten years ago I wrote about "A Royal Meeting" with the Queen, and today I'm meditating on "A Royal Mindset" as I reflect on her life.

1) Satisfaction – born into a unique situation, the Queen not only accepted, but fully embraced the role she was destined for in life. She was satisfied. Often we deny, fight, lament or dream about how it could have been different. Today I'm meditating on being fully satisfied with the role I'm meant to play in this world, whatever the challenges may be, knowing there is a higher arrangement behind it.

2) Sobriety – despite being so public, so powerful and surrounded by grandeur, the Queen maintained complete sobriety and integrity. Fame and fortune, success and spotlight, praise and position, can intoxicate and deviate like nothing else. The Queen, however, never became overwhelmed or overpowered . Today I'm meditating on how to remain grounded, even when everything around us becomes bigger, bolder and brighter.

3) Steadiness - at today's funeral the Archbishop commented: "Her Late Majesty famously declared on a 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the Nation and Commonwealth. Rarely has such a promise been so well kept!" That's unshakeable steadiness. I'm meditating on how I became a monk when I was 21. Now I need to dig deeper and find that same commitment and steadiness to honour my vows till the end with grace, devotion and resilience. How beautiful that would be.