I came across this tonight while flipping through a small book I have “Arriving at your own Door- 108 Lessons in Mindfulness” by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Lesson #29
With our cell phones and PDAs, we are now able to be in touch with anyone and everyone at any time. In the process, we run the risk of never being in touch with ourselves.
a perfect lunch spot
The theme “mindfulness” has been swirling in my mind and my life this past weekend; from an email my Dad sent, to random photographs I have found on other blogs, to my yoga class that focused on mindfulness and awareness of the choices we make each morning. As Oprah says, you often hear words of wisdom as whispers and then those whispers become louder and eventually you can’t HELP but listen to them.
Like many of you, I work at a computer all day…. and I have about 10 browser tabs open at one time. I constantly “multi task”- thinking I am doing the right things, but often rush from one task to another without really thinking or being mindful of what I just did. I wake up to an alarm each morning, get in the shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch a little bit of Ellen, brush my teeth and swiftly head out the door. My mornings fly by and to be honest I think if someone asked me what I did in the morning, I would have to stop and think about it. My mornings are about as routine as the drive to work. Some mornings I pause at my destination and think “how the HECK did I get here”?
I am fascinated by stories of people being able to live in the moment. Or stories of people who meditate each morning or journal at the end of each day. I am fascinated by these simple yet utterly difficult ways of mindfulness because I find it so hard to be mindful of what I am doing, and yet because I know this, I am working on this.
I recently bought a book (still waiting for it to arrive) called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. I bought this book for two reasons.
1. Because I am an extrovert and frankly I think I could learn 1 or 2 things from introverts, and
2. Because Jeff is an introvert and although there are times when I find this frustrating, I absolutely LOVE this part of his personality.
To me, introverts are fascinating. Jeff, as an example, is completely comfortable in his own company. When he works on a task at work, at home, or in training he is focused. He is not a multi-tasker and each activity he pursues he does so mindfully.
Another whisper came to me yesterday when my Dad forwarded an interesting podcast from NPR called “Be Here Now: Meditation for the Body and the Brain“. In the podcast, researchers from Oxford University discuss the brain and body benefits to the practice of mindfulness. If you have 22 minutes, sit back and listen.
…and finally, I came across this fabulous piece of artwork by Wendy McNaughton- a reminder everything that has happened, has happened, and that everything that will happen, will happen; but what matters is that small in between spot. The sweet spot, called TODAY.
What’s that? Is it windy outside?
Could you tell by the trees blowing horizontally or the fact that I now look like a cross between Medusa and Carrot Top?
…and with that… GotCurls is back! A little wind blown but eager to get back to the creative flow of blogging.
I have been thinking about taking a blogging break for a few weeks and each time I think about it I talk myself out of it, believing that I will have something creative, unique, and interesting to write about. But, as you have probably noticed… that hasn’t happened. I haven’t blogged regularly for some time and I feel that if I can’t commit to it properly then it might mean I need to take a break from it. Similar to running, I have hit that point where I definitely need the break. Now that I am on a break from running, I look forward to lacing up my shoes, hitting the pavement, and getting a sweat on- whereas before I took a break from running, it felt like drudgery. A constant “shoulda” versus a “wanna”. And as sad as it is to say, I have had that feeling with blogging lately. That feeling that I should post something even when I feel unmotivated and uninspired.
Knowing that the feelings of “shoulda” need to be put on the back burner I am taking a brief hiatus from the blogging world. Not sure how long this will be… maybe 1 week, 1 month, 1 year? Whatever the time, I know I need it- to journal for myself and not having that overarching feeling that I should be posting my daily thoughts.
I have thoroughly been enjoying some awesome blogs- blogs that are on my reader list and ones that I look forward to each morning with a cup of coffee. If you are looking for some inspiring reads over the next while, check these wonderful writers out- I know you will be inspired and well looked after :)
http://caitidid-designs.blogspot.com/
I often pass on links to articles, blogs, and photographs to friends and family and because I find myself with some extra time this Sunday morning, I thought I would share some of my weekly favorites. Enjoy reading, listening, watching, and looking while having a morning cuppa.
Absolutely fascinating art work created by Rob Ryan in the UK. If I had the patience, this would be really fun.
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2011/12/watch-rob-ryan-work.html
I loved reading this post and especially its title “Simple Pleasures”. Makes me want to dust off the journal and get writing again.
http://www.chookooloonks.com/blog/2011/12/18/on-the-7th-day-of-chookooloonks-simple-pleasures.html
Rachel, from Funnelcloud studio and a native of Annandale, VA “Go Cougars”, is quite possibly the most creative person I know. Check out her DIY Rope Bowl.
http://funnelcloud.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-rope-bowl.html
All I can say about this post, is Amen Brotha!
http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/
I love love love this idea. Creating a video for Christmas. This family has really outdone themselves, but it is amazing.
http://vimeo.com/32954901 via http://caitidid-designs.blogspot.com/
A neat idea in NYC… Haiku Traffic Signs. Wonder how they are working out?
http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/12/haiku-traffic-signs.html
And finally, I came across this fabulous quote. I am considering taping it to my chest and wearing it everywhere I go. :)
There aren’t many workplaces in the world where you can start your morning seeing this.
Sometimes having a blog can be tough. There are a number of personal things that I keep to myself, which I think is key when writing a blog, but I think it often masks the true person. However, I don’t want to reveal too much. There are some things best reserved for family, close friends, and confidantes. But here is the truth, I am not always cheery, not always able to pass on words of wisdom or great quotes, and I don’t always feel in control. But in the end I think that is what makes us human. We all have flaws, worries, anxieties, fears…
Lately I have been dealing with a lot of internal anxiety and worry. I am not entirely sure where it is coming from and trying to pinpoint it is the hard part. My anxieties and worries really come from my own thoughts that gradually manifest themselves into something larger. Trust me, it ain’t fun.
But, I have started to write down “trigger” points of anxiety which I won’t divulge, but they have helped me in identifying ways to alleviate the anxiety. For example I have written down a few things that I believe will help me out.
1. Schedule in time for ME throughout the week. Whether it be a yoga class, reading, going for a solo walk… it’s the ME time that is important. Even 30 minutes a day. So I have slotted that in to my daily schedule.
2. Meditation. I have talked about meditation before and I really am a fair weather meditator. As in, I rarely do it :) So, I downloaded a recommended app “Simply Being”- one that offers 5 minute, 10 minute, 15 minute, and 20 minute meditations. The goal is to try to do at least 10 minutes of a guided meditation each morning.
3. Email. As my family will tell you I am a CONSTANT communicator… I have a knee jerk reaction to email. I receive an email and feel that I need to respond immediately, provide that instant feedback or response. I have decided to check my personal email only twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. I am not sure how long this will last, but I am hoping that it helps.. baby steps.
4. Exercise- especially outdoor exercise. I always feel great after going for a fast paced walk through the woods and I have decided to make this more of a priority. I tend to default to the gym because of the weather- it’s too cold, or wet, or … again, it’s the excuses. But, I do realize that when I get outside, I feel much better. Fresh air, clear mind.
Those are a few of the strategies I hope to employ. I really do need to LET GO of a few things, loosen that feeling of needed control, and really just be present.
I hope this isn’t a debbie downer of a post. But it’s where I am at right now… and I thought I should share. You never know who is reading and who might benefit.
Have a great weekend. Full of gratitude, thanks, and hopefully some YOU time.
I came across this 2008 article profiling a favorite blogger of mine- Joanna Goddard from a Cup of Jo. You can read the whole article to get a sense of who she is.. but the piece that really caught my attention was her response to the question:
She responds with four statements:
1. Be nice to people.
2. Learn from criticism but don’t take it personally.
3. Just do it.
4. Take time for yourself.
For the full details on each statemtent, you can read the interview here: @ Imprint Magazine.
The second statement “Learn from criticism but don’t take it personally”, I really need to work on that. Unfortunately I feel like I take everything personally, but I do realize that I need to let go.
Thanks for the wise words Joanna and for offering great daily posts @ A Cup of Jo.
Okay confession time.
I just ate dinner at 5:00 pm.
Why?
Wait for it…
So I could feel okay about having dessert… which I secretly wanted over dinner, but I am a “follow-the-rules” kinda gal, which means you have dessert after dinner.
So I followed the rules, by eating at an obscenely early time.
And, I did it all for an Ice Cream Sundae.
