Focus on Something You Love
What happens when you go inside and Focus on something you love? This exercise brings that into focus.
Nov
04
Oct
29
Rumi’s Thoughts on Being Human — The Guest House
This is a poem I need to read over and over as a reminder of what it is to be human. Momentary awareness changes moment to moment, pleasant and unpleasant. These moments are all mine, all a part of me and not to be missed to have all of me.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
(Translated by Coleman Barks)
Oct
24
Courage to Become Stronger
“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.”
― Sarah Dessen”
The courage to face difficulties challenges us all and has through antiquity. And yet without facing what is present we miss an opportunity to grow stronger.
Aug
06
When Does Inner Hurt Turn to Outer Hurt?
“If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be much better to turn your attention to the fact that there’s an arrow in your heart…”― Pema Chödrön
This so true and yet how easy it is to turn our attention elsewhere instead to the hurt inside. However the challenge, I find that sitting with my difficult to be with places inside eases them. I just need to slow down enough to do just that. How often do we clear the space and take the time to pay attention to our inner places? We may notice that our habit is to focus our attention outward on doing, filling our lives with activity or judging others, blaming. Our inner hurts and challenges are part of who we are, part of what makes us whole. As is our inner joy and peace.
Focusing is a mindfulness based technique that helps turn our attention to those inner places and heal them.
Jun
30
Mindfulness Meditation
You may be wondering, what is mindfulness? Or wondering how to try it?
The following is a short introduction to mindfulness and a short meditation with mindfulness of the breath:
Jun
23
Laughing Through the Years
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.”
― George Bernard Shaw
I recently attended a friend’s 100th birthday celebration. It brought back many memories of times spent together, of laughter and challenges shared. I so enjoyed seeing her laugh and laughing with her on this special day.
May
22
Meditation, Is the Challenge Worth the Benefit?
After spending time with Sharon Salzberg a few weeks back, I’ve been motivated to meditate more regularly and differently. I’ve been practicing mindfulness for years and it’s still not always easy for me. I do notice that the more often and longer I meditate, the more often it is easier. Sometimes it is down right difficult to be focused or to settle into the moment. And this is normal and the challenge and the practice. Let’s face it, it takes time. For me, it is a practice that I am willing to practice. And I am grateful when I do.
Sharon talked about the practice of letting go, i.e. letting go of thoughts that distract from the moment, from the breath. (By the way, she is very good at demonstrating distracting thoughts and is quite funny doing it.) The expectation is that we will be distracted and we practice letting go of those distractions. Then, we begin again, focusing on the breath or something in the moment. We let go and begin again as often as we need to. It is a practice and builds resiliency.
After reading from her and listening to her recordings, I enjoyed her perspective in person, in the moment. I am inspired by her to further develop my mindfulness practice. The research says that mindful meditation is good for us but more importantly to me, I feel better. We each make that choice, is the challenge of meditating worth the benefit to you?
May
22
What changes things?
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”
― Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol seems quite clear about this which makes for a better quote. Does it have to be either or? Can it be both? Time changes things and we have to change to adapt. Or we could initiate the change and not wait for time. Either way, change is inevitable. Call 919-485-9738 to get help changing yourself, either initiating the change or adapting to it.
May
14
Worrying (unfortunately) Does Not Make it Better
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
― Corrie ten Boom
May
14
Mindfulness, Another Thought Provoking Definition
“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” – James Baraz”
Letting go and beginning again.
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