ThoughtlessMindfulBliss

If every choice is made from where you are...
what if you moved?

 

 

What if...we chose to be fearless?  mindful?  happy?  What choices would follow?  I've made myself sick with worry, sleepless nights, bouts with the "heebee geebees" (what my mom called when it feels like there are ants crawling all over your legs), upset stomach, headaches and even shoulder pain.  When I'm afraid or angry I make poor decisions in my daily life, stay up too late, eat high-fat/sugar laden foods, snap at the people whom share my dwelling and dive into endless hours of watching mindless television or scrolling through the same social media information multiple times.

 

When I am in a place of joy and contentment (a place absent of fear, disgust or nonacceptance) I make better choices.  You may find me stretching on the floor, writing in a notebook or going for a 3-mile walk.  You may find me preparing beautiful salads for my lunch for the week, organizing a closet or planting flowers in the garden, I will wake up early and I will do my hair & makeup (this is something that makes me feel good when I do it, but many times I'd rather sleep the extra 20 minutes).

When I am bogged down with repetitive thoughts that serve no one, I am tired, cranky and can't seem to get even the smallest task done.  This has be a great challenge to me.  I've read books, listened to speakers, talked with friends and though I can not express the comfort and understanding I've come to with my studies, there's still something I didn't quite "get" and decided to try something different. 

I have been practicing meditation for nearly two months now.  At first, I found it enticing...the idea of turning off my brain seemed delectable.  After my first week I found myself frustrated with the amount of time I spent during my meditation "re-focusing" after a stray mental rambling came strolling by.  Then, something did happen...I got comfortable...I took my deep breath in...exhaled slowly and left.  I didn't leave...like leave the planet or anything.  But my thoughts and my thinking did.  I was unable to measure the time I was gone, but had it not been for the bell to bring me back, I might still be out there...somewhere (well, until I had to pee).  It is that moment that urges me on.  I've had fewer of those thoughtless moments and more of the re-focusing trials, though I have not gone a day since without taking a moment (usually several) where I take a deep breath in and mentally say "so" and exhale and mentally say "hum".  I use it when I'm thinking about things that are none of my business (i.e. a friends love life, what someone thinks of me, etc.), also, I've used it when I realize the thoughts I'm having I can't do anything about them Now (i.e. stupid thing I said with friends, I lost a gift card, all the things I have to do or all the things I have forgotten to do).  It has given me more energy.  Period.  I wish thinking could burn calories as fast as it burns energy.  It has allowed me to focus on projects.  It has allowed me to indulge in writing more.  It has given me a better night's sleep (when the dogs are obliged, of course).  And all of these things make me feel lighter, happier, more aligned...and it is here that I want to live.

Find what gets you to the place where it's easy to make good choices for yourself and get comfortable...you may be here awhile! 

"In, out
Deep, slow
Calm, ease
Smile, release
Present moment, wonderful moment."

~Thich Nhat Hanh~



Where'sTheLove?

 

It seems that living the life you want means

quite a bit of time stubbling around in the dark.

 

 

How does one become a more loving person when one is overwhelmed with the needs of the many?  Changing old behavior patterns, old thought patterns and opening oneself up to the love that surrounds us is quite challenging when there's not a break in the everyday.  Work, kids extracuricular activities, caring for home, feeding the family, being engaged in relationships with family and friends are all valued time spent that is rewarded.  However, these endeavors take a great deal of energy and when the flow for oneself seems to be trickling in, it can make a "love-seeking-attemptress" quite crazy.  I'm the type of person that needs time alone.  Time to hideaway.  Time to daydream.  Time to reflect.  Time to listen to the very still quiet voice of love...that tells me I am worthy of all that I desire, that soothes my urgency and reminds me that this doesn't have to be painful.  Oh how a part of me wishes I could runaway to a mountain top and practice in solitude, though this is not the course I will be taking.  I will cry and stomp my feet until I make "my time" my time and my loved ones closest to me will watch in horrified confusion thinking it's something they've done.  I do my best to express myself, but ultimately it's up to me to take care of these needs I have.  So, after a night and a morning of reconnection, I am ready to get back to it.  Get back into my life that is filled with all the love I am open to receiving.  Where's the love?  I dare to ask...where isn't it?

 



 "We change best when we are hidden.  Moths know this."

~Christopher DeVinck~

BeBraveLoveMore

I like to think the heart has rings much like a tree...seasons of great love and even seasons of great loss...everyone...every moment...forever a ring around our heart.

 

Welcome to philochronology!

Not so unlike dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, philochronology  is about living love and the different seasons of love (or what I'd like to call "love rings").  It's about being open to all the love that is around us and learning how to give the love within us away freely. It's my intention to be a more loving person, to be fearless when challenged and to contribute happily to the world around me.  Now, I need only to practice, practice, practice.

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

Henry David Thoreau