This is a challenging one! I was recently told by a dear friend and teacher of mine that I am the most mindful person she knows. I was speechless. My heart absorbed her words and I sat for a moment just breathing in gratitude. I work extremely hard on being patient. It seems the past two years have really tested my patience. I sometimes wonder if I am patient through parenting and in my marriage. I may feel that I am the most patient person on the face of the planet, but does my life partner think so? Do my children think I am a patient person? Being patient is hard work!
My teacher's words touched my heart and really meant so much to me. I remember as a teenager, nearing my twenties, I made a vow to myself to practice patience. I took the vow seriously. I observed patterns within my home that stemmed from family history such as lack of self-love, no compassion toward one another and very little respect for each other. These patterns were handed down from generation to generation and at a young age I chose to break the cycle.
My teacher's words touched my heart and really meant so much to me. I remember as a teenager, nearing my twenties, I made a vow to myself to practice patience. I took the vow seriously. I observed patterns within my home that stemmed from family history such as lack of self-love, no compassion toward one another and very little respect for each other. These patterns were handed down from generation to generation and at a young age I chose to break the cycle.
I remember like it was yesterday. I observed an argument between my brother and mother and chose to remove myself from the room. I went to my room, sat down on my bed and closed my eyes. I found myself observing how I felt. I was bothered, frustrated and angry. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I began to journal about who I wanted to be. I wrote that I wanted to be more patient. I didn't want to react, I didn't want to be a "yeller" and I no longer wanted to bottle up my frustrations. I really wanted to be better. Be the best me that I could be. I began writing on Post-It notes "be patient", "be mindful", "love myself", "love others" and so on. It was only a few weeks after that that I began searching for a yoga studio. I committed to a regular yoga practice and had even paid in advance for a months worth of classes. I went to classes twice a week. Financially, that was such a big deal because I had just graduated from high school and had very little money of my own.
Today, as a mother, wife, daughter and granddaughter, I am constantly reminded of the importance of practicing compassion toward others. I am reminded of the importance of stillness so I can be more present. I find myself breathing deeply into a space that still hangs onto the vow I made to myself many years ago. Every morning, I meditate and throughout the day I practice short Zen meditations. I wake up, roll out of bed, place my feet onto the ground and take a deep breath in to prepare for a daily dose of "grounding time". Sometimes I practice a simple breathing meditation for 5 or so minutes and other times I turn it up a notch to go deeper. It depends on the day.
I have noticed now more than ever that when I sit first thing in the morning and set an intention the day unfolds with ease. If the day doesn't go as planned I can always fall back on that intention and the day perks up (or maybe my perspective does anyway). The act of meditation is to offer the mind something other than the usual thoughts that race through our minds. Meditation helps to steer our thinking in a new direction. When we practice meditation we are able to shift our thinking. When we use our filter we are able to shuffle through irrelevant thoughts and old patterns.
Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, voiceless as a beach--waiting for a gift from the sea. ~ "Gift from the Sea", Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Today, as a mother, wife, daughter and granddaughter, I am constantly reminded of the importance of practicing compassion toward others. I am reminded of the importance of stillness so I can be more present. I find myself breathing deeply into a space that still hangs onto the vow I made to myself many years ago. Every morning, I meditate and throughout the day I practice short Zen meditations. I wake up, roll out of bed, place my feet onto the ground and take a deep breath in to prepare for a daily dose of "grounding time". Sometimes I practice a simple breathing meditation for 5 or so minutes and other times I turn it up a notch to go deeper. It depends on the day.
I have noticed now more than ever that when I sit first thing in the morning and set an intention the day unfolds with ease. If the day doesn't go as planned I can always fall back on that intention and the day perks up (or maybe my perspective does anyway). The act of meditation is to offer the mind something other than the usual thoughts that race through our minds. Meditation helps to steer our thinking in a new direction. When we practice meditation we are able to shift our thinking. When we use our filter we are able to shuffle through irrelevant thoughts and old patterns.
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