As a newcomer to Buddhism,
you might not know what you should be doing day to day. But there is no need to stress about this because pushing ourselves too hard might have adverse effects on our spiritual development. Instead, we should begin slowly and carefully, taking our time to learn about Buddhism. Such an approach will definitely have positive results for our study and practice of the path to liberation. Some common mistakes made by newcomers include unrealistic expectations about achieving enlightenment in an unreasonably short timeframe, not taking seriously the commitments to try one’s best to avoid negative emotions and their ensuing harmful actions, and failing to apply one’s knowledge of Buddhist teachings into everyday life. The teachings of Buddhism are as vast and deep as the ocean and it is true that we are not perfect, but we should try our best to bring positive changes to our lives by sincerely observing the teachings of the Buddha in our hearts. Wise advice and teachings are not simply there to be admired or as mere decorations for our bookshelves. Although we may not be able to practice everything perfectly, the moment we wake up, we should commit from our hearts to try our best from morning till night to avoid all acts of non-virtue and engage only in acts of virtue. This approach is one of the best ways to start the day!