Seeing THIS Precious Moment for the First Time

Do you ever think about breathing? I mean really think about it? Sometimes, when I am having a particularly stressful day I make it a point to think about breathing. In and out... in and out... it is hypnotic. I was reading "Peace is Every Step" by Thich Nhat Hahn and in it he speaks out mindfulness and focusing on our breathing from which I made this mantra: breathing in I calm my body, breathing out I smile, breathing in the present moment, breathing out acknowledge this precious moment.

When I am driving to work and the traffic is intense I will use this mantra and when I come to the part about acknowledging this precious moment I look for at least one good thing I see directly around me. This morning it was the woman in the car next to me. She was singing like she was on stage! It was so cool to watch, but, I looked too closely because she became shy. Nonetheless, she made me smile and made the traffic bearable. 

Look around you in every moment there is one thing, maybe more that can make it easier. Sometimes it is something as simple as, my clothes fit well or I'm having a good hair day or at least I got a seat on this train. We can all find one good thing.

This has been my "new" for a while now and I am feeling it change me on the inside. Nothing big, but, I think it is happening a little at a time.

For now, I think I am a little less crazed and able to sleep a little better. That's good, right?

Co-creating at it's Best

Some days just turn out great. I didn't imagine today would be like that at all. In fact, I didn't imagine it at all. I woke up and did an abbreviated morning meditation and focused on adding joy in my life, but in an ethereal way, not in a real way. Boy, I learned my lesson.

The beauty in being able to create your life is that you CAN create your life - not in an ethereal way but in a less airy more concrete way. Always remembering that energy follows attention, where I focus my energy that is the reality I give life to in my day. Today did NOT start out that way, but , somehow there I was tonight with the reality I wanted.

My children are growing up and moving on. They spend less time at home and I admit, I miss them. When you hold that small child in your arms you forget that they are their own person and will one day want to have a life that is apart from yours (not leaving you, but appending you). That time has arrived for me. Recently, I found my self missing the days of lazy bodies lying in the living room in front of the TV in various stages of homework after dinner. Just a silly notion about how my life was when I wasn't paying attention. Well, tonight, when I WAS paying attention, but not expecting it - there they were [all three of my children], in various stages of homework, hanging around with me in front of a very funny TV program laughing out loud together. I glanced around the room and could not contain my joy. The smile went from ear to ear. A remember thought.

Sweet stuff this co-creating. Me and the Universe - we got a thing.

We Share the Same Chemistry as the STARS

OK. It is official. It's been one month since I last posted. I have so much to say about so many things, but, let me start with this. I have continued my journey of something new/something different and I am seeing the changes in myself. I now do a daily meditation in the morning - usually for no less than 15 minutes but averaging about 40 minutes a morning. Even I'm impressed. The great thing about this is that it helps me keep my head on straight (even on the days I think I didn't get anything out of it).

Further, I have noticed a change in myself that defies explanation. I don't know what it is - something like courage or confidence, with a mix of persistence. I am struggling with an explanation, so I won't explain it right now. Suffice it to say, I like what I am seeing in myself - yes, even on my worst day.

I would like to share something with you... a friend is in the midst of a personal tragedy. Every night I pray for peace for their family and a cure if it is right for them. I have witnessed such grace and spirit that I am moved to watch them go through this process. Take some time today to look into the face of someone you love. Don't say anything, just look at them. Breath in slowly and breath them in... exhale and release all your inhibitions and just look at each other. Not 10 seconds will go by before it will feel awkward, but if you sit through it... well, it's magical. Appreciate the people around you, the person next to you on line at the store, that guy on the bus, or that woman at the gym. We are all one. Feel that - just for today.

Thanks.