It's been rough, lately. Choppy waters require strong medicine, and I have been especially vigilant to keep up with my mindfulness practice.
Making sure to sit every morning first thing, for thirty minutes each time. And upping opportunities for informal practice throughout the day. Driving, I concentrate on driving, and nothing else. Walking to work, same thing. In between clients or meetings, I 'steal' a few minutes to sit, and reconnect with breath, and myself. Drinking a cup of coffee, I resist the temptation of checking messages on my phone, and I turn that time into another meditation. etc, etc . . .
That way, I can start each day from a calm, centered place, and I am better equipped to deal with the turbulences.
How do you deal with the rough seas in your life? Do you practice? Do you escape? Do you react?
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I do all three ... but when I do the first two, I'm usually (if I'm lucky) soon reminded that practice is the only real option.
ReplyDeleteI drive to work with my radio off. I helps me prepare for the day and any "rough seas" I may encounter. I am a therapist who uses DBT to treat addiction and encourage my clients to find their calm, "wise mind" throughout the day. Great post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful reminder and great suggestions Marguerite. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMetta,
David
David A., yes, indeed, it is the only option. And as you pointed out, life will have many ways of reminding us if we don't. Forgotten wallet, car accident, key left on the door, words spoken too fast, unskillful exchanges, sprained ankle, headaches, hives, . . . these are some of the ways that I have been reminded in the past.
ReplyDeleteLIly, thank you for doing the work you have chosen. Mindfulness is such a great way to open the door to sobriety for a person living with addiction.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I am glad these few lines are helpful. Metta back to you!
ReplyDelete"Drinking a cup of coffee, I resist the temptation of checking messages on my phone"
ReplyDeleteWoosh. That one hits home. :D
Thank you.
Bill
I try to slip in a few moments here and there when I can. It's not always easy and it shows when I can't. Recentering and reconnecting sems to calm the choppy waters. Smooth sailing from there.
ReplyDeleteBill, yes, small things that keep taking us away from ourselves . . . if we are not mindful.
ReplyDeleteOne Bad Pixie, that's the wonder of practice, isn't it? this experience of vastness that can hold everything. May you continue in your practice. May you be well!
ReplyDeleteI almost do the same things like resisting the urge to check messages on phone and fb and turning off the radio while driving. But i will loose control on my thoughts by mid-day right after the lunch ,I am planning to do fasting or eating less to keep things under control. some times digestive process is making me heavy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your practice. It is amazing how often the mind needs tune up in order to maintain awareness . . .
ReplyDelete