This week, we are talking about the practices that mean that most to us, in our personal lives. But first, I have to tell you about a discovery I made just today- I am laughing a lot more!! For a while, it seemed like laughter had pretty much left my life, and that is a sad thing. I don' t know what happened, but it is coming back. I have to admit that I have a unique and unfortunately loud laugh, and people that I am close to, tell me that when they hear it, it makes them smile. I used to have a friend who I loved very much who told me that if he entered the building and heard me laughing, he knew it would be a good day. Sadly, he died of kidney cancer about 18 years ago at the very young age of 36.
But.... what this is telling me is that the mind exercises are working!! If they were not, I would not have come to this point where I feel the lightness and happiness in life. I find myself smiling more, and hugging more. Yes, the stressors are still there, and they will be there if I am happy and smiling or if I am miserable. How much easier they are to deal with when that feeling of peace and guidance are there in the background. Has anyone else noticed this?
I believe that the one that will stick with me the most is what I learned when I met Aesclepius. Here, I met my inner essence and guide that will be with me always. I learned to "step away" and find myself again, to re-claim my sense of peace and joy. I tried that one today after work before I started on anything else and found that it was a good thing to do. Rather than start running around cleaning before I did my studying, coming in and changing my clothes from work and taking that time to center myself worked wonders. With a clear and uncluttered mind, I am ready to tackle what come next. I believe that by listening to the flutes of Carlos Nakai I will be able to recall the instructions given and be able to recapture the feeling I had.
Another practice that I think will work for me is the Loving Kindness. Even though that one had some particularly difficuly parts, it helped me to take in the negativity and pain, and exhale it away. I have practiced it in a minor way at work, and it works. It helps me to feel towards others in a more positive way, knowing that we all have our pains and trials to work through, and we all deserve the chance to be treated and respected as the unique beings that we are.
There is really no practice that we have covered that would not be a good one to add to my life. Certain circumstances need certain practices, and I would love to be able to have them all there ready for me when I needed them.
I hope you all have a peace filled week, and that events are positive ones.
Blesssings
susan
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI am inspired with what you have said about centering yourself after work but before you start anything else. I kind of have the same routine when I come home from a long day at work. I change my clothes, let my three Chihuahuas out, clean and cook dinner before I
start my homework. I do not usually take time for myself but I feel that I should learn to do that. I am going to try this in the next week and fit it in after I cook dinner but before I work on my studies. I am hoping that this will help to clear the daily thoughts from work and help me to study more efficiently and to also be more clam for bedtime.
Jody Sackett
Susan,
ReplyDeleteit is great to hear you have your laugh back. Laughter is a great medicine. As you mentioned, it is also contagious. Your laughter puts a smile on others' faces. Hopefully their smiles infected others! I too have more clarity as I go about my daily tasks. I am not sure I get any more done, but I have a better sense of what and how I am getting things done. Thank you for sharing. Keep laughing! Joe
Hi Joe- Good to hear from you! You should hear my laugh-it's pretty different. Today, was a little rough- fell asleep after alarm went off, and Mondays are long, but I started the day off with a hug, and that made it better from the get-go. I am not sure if I get any more done eighet when i center myself and clear my mind, but I do know that what I get done, I get done more efficiently, and am not stressing when I do it. Are you done this term? If not, what are you taking next?
Deletesusan
Hello Susan :0)
ReplyDeleteLearning to take one day at a time not only helps you but helps the other person around you. I have to take one step at a time because, if I don't I make mistakes, all of us do. I am better when I am calm and my mind is free from the stresses of the day. While I am at work, I tend to stop what I am doing and do some breathing and stretch exercise This always seem to calm and relax.
That is so wonderful that you are laughing more and hugging more!!!! Your blog just made me smile. I noticed that when I am feeling good I treat people good. I do not believe it is suppose to work that way. I should treat people with respect and kindness no matter how cluttered my mind is or how lousy I feel physically. This has been my challenge this past week. I am more patient and more aware of my being. I am now able to stop my negative self talk in mid sentence and replace it with something positive. I have to be more disciplined in carving out time each day for ME and master this breathing and meditation. Ive incorporated exercise regularly and I truly believe it has made me emotionally healthier. Im glad you are able to reclaim your peace and joy. And yes, I have noticed that LIFE is still there but I am not as affected...or I do not allow it to poison my mind, body and spirit :-)
ReplyDeletePeace & Blessings
T.