On those Mondays, when the day or the week ahead feels overwhelming, I like to turn to the Japanese phrase “Ikki no mei” (喜の明) — roughly translated as “one small reason to keep going.” It helps me focus on a single, simple moment or action: a cup of coffee, or offering a smile or kind greeting to a colleague — these “micro-meanings” become small anchors that guide me through the day.

Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain de ce jour

[French translation of the Our Father: Give us this day our bread for this day]

Knowing this, a wise person lives
the present moment, unshaken, unmoved.

Bhaddekaratta Sutta (MN 131)