by admin | Jun 4, 2019 | Letting Go
From time to time up with, when I’m doing something frivolous just for the fun of it, I feel guilty for wasting time. This afternoon playing with the dogs is a ready example. I was throwing the ball for them to chase. Instead of enjoying the play, my mind refused to let go of keeping me on task with productive activity. I’m having thoughts that I need to get out to the garden and start working because it’s going to get hot soon and there is a lot to do. The guilt is sick thinking as I analyze it. My garden is not supposed to be a chore. It is not for our sustenance as much as it is for my joy. If I remain present in the moment, I experience the joy of watching the dogs’ excitement and competitiveness, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, hear the birds and the breeze in the trees, see the lake and the rippling surface. I have to concentrate on awareness of where my mind is to realize that I am on the next project instead of giving my full attention to the wonder of the moment.
Isn’t each moment truly a wonder when I am fully present? Isn’t that when I feel at ease, grateful for my countless blessings and neither striving nor avoiding anything? And since I know this to be true, why does my mind try to hurry past the present to a productive occupation?
Becoming aware of the tendency of my mind to shun the present moment is a big step towards remaining in the now. The now is all that is real. My perceptions color thoughts of the past and future, and many of them are faulty, ridiculous, and detrimental to my happiness. A few may be useful, but they too should take a back seat to my current pleasure. None of the thoughts of past or future help me relax and enjoy the pleasure of now. Writing this, I am committing to staying more vigilant of thoughts that hamper my ability to experience the now.
by admin | Apr 20, 2019 | Letting Go
It often happens that when I am attentive, the message I need to hear is unequivocally delivered to me. It was when I happened to hear this quote this morning: “Going with the flow is responding to cues from the universe. It’s not about sitting back and waiting for things to happen. It’s a mindful trust and complete collaboration with what is present here and now.” –Deepak Chopra. I will commit these words to memory and use them in my prayers lifted in an attempt to experience oneness with all that is.
by Design Services Admin | Jun 30, 2016 | Letting Go
My puppies have a lot to teach me when I am paying attention. They are always grateful, don’t hold on to resentments or anger, and give love without expectations. I would do well to emulate them. If I am honest, I have expectations of the people I love and those I show kindness. I expect them to think well of me and to return respect and warmth. When I perceive that my expectations have not been met, my feelings are hurt. I need to be reminded that nothing anyone else does, says or thinks is about me—it is about them. Everyone has his own perception of the world and they are the center. I cannot see what fears are driving the person who has hurt my feelings, but I can decide not to take it personally. I can decide to let it go, just like my puppies do when they’re reprimanded. They record the behavior that led to the reprimand, if they can place it, and quickly discard any negativity. They go forward without dwelling on the past. If I can do that, I’ll save a lot of energy that otherwise is spent trying to rid myself of uncomfortable feelings of insecurity or unworthiness that swell up when I harbor feelings of ill will. It will save the time spent in trying to figure out how to make a person like me. What might I do with that time and energy?
