Sorry about no one posting yesterday. I think this is probably just an August thing, with so many people away from usual routine. But if it persists maybe we could think about a couple more people having access to post the date (especially those near the 'top' of the timezone scale)?
Apologies, usually I post the day on quiet weekends if noone else has... too busy yesterday, guess I didn't even check in.
Hi Nicole, welcome back!
Beth what you wrote yesterday moved me because I, too, recently have been struggling with the 'boorish, swaggering, grossly overweight who are eating take-out food sloppily (sweating in yellowed baggy tank tops and humungous shorts)' that I am trying to pass on the sidewalk.
Formerly I might have said a silent blessing; now I shake my head at the problems of plenty; and sometimes I shudder.
And I'm impatient; it's the impatience that worries me because it's a decided action.
All this I must work on - these attitudes creeping in at the edges. After reading yours and Ruth's beautiful comments yesterday I read A Mother Adopts and Discovers Her Own Racism. What an incredible woman, and yes, that's it.
Thank you, Ruth and Brenda, for responding to what I wrote. "Judge not" is a commandment for me, and yet I do it all the time, the same way I fail in loving my neighbor as I have been loved. It seems like meditation is MADE for this sort of self-reflection and it is the practice we need, both to recognize and own up to our thoughts, and not to get caught in them but to move on, knowing that we now (in that moment of recognition, and the moment(s) that follows it) have a new opportunity. Gradually I think we do become less judgemental, both of ourselves and others.
Which brings up another issue - pride. There is the pride that makes us feel better than others, and the pride that comes from seeing ourselves "do good"- even if that is the pat on the back we give ourselves for not judging!! This is an endless succession of failures, or opportunities, and my very gradual improvement tells me I will need many more lifetimes to come anywhere close to the ideal. Nevertheless - this lifetime is what we have and we are all given many chances to practice with these lessons!
I'm glad you're up and about again and hope the brain-monsters stay away for a while!
Lorianne, I hope you're loving Ireland and not trying to survive on Guiness alone ;)
Things are a little less than ideal round this neck of the woods ... I'm frustrated by still being unwell, though slowly improving I think (hard to tell some days! ) and my wonderful rehab key-worker who has been such an inspiration recently has been signed off sick for a long stint, and won't return until after I've finished in the programme I'm in. She is a practicing buddhist and has been a real rock and I'm finding it hard not to sulk or have a tantrum but instead take some deep breaths and simply acknowledge my feelings :)
However ... I have just made some cheese scones with my flatmate, who has never cooked much before, and I'm enjoying her sheer elation at having turned ingredients into tasty treats, and grateful for the nudge to look at how much I take for granted!
Red flag alert for wildfire danger in the region as humidity plummets and heat skyrockets. I'll be glad when we've moved passed this seasonal peak.
Feeling a little overwrought in the middle of the night, I tried focusing on breaths, which has been helpful in the past. Realized soon that I was obsessing about them, not helpful in the least. Realigned my attitudes and tried again. Such a delicate balance sometimes, this business of attention.
Wishing everyone a good night's sleep. Stray, best wishes for your continuing recovery! Sounds long and frustrating - having been there a couple of times, I sympathize. Try not to get discouraged - easier said than done!
6 Comments:
Nicole, how good to see you back here!
Sorry about no one posting yesterday. I think this is probably just an August thing, with so many people away from usual routine. But if it persists maybe we could think about a couple more people having access to post the date (especially those near the 'top' of the timezone scale)?
Apologies, usually I post the day on quiet weekends if noone else has... too busy yesterday, guess I didn't even check in.
Hi Nicole, welcome back!
Beth what you wrote yesterday moved me because I, too, recently have been struggling with the 'boorish, swaggering, grossly overweight who are eating take-out food sloppily (sweating in yellowed baggy tank tops and humungous shorts)' that I am trying to pass on the sidewalk.
Formerly I might have said a silent blessing; now I shake my head at the problems of plenty; and sometimes I shudder.
And I'm impatient; it's the impatience that worries me because it's a decided action.
All this I must work on - these attitudes creeping in at the edges. After reading yours and Ruth's beautiful comments yesterday I read A Mother Adopts and Discovers Her Own Racism. What an incredible woman, and yes, that's it.
Thank you, Ruth and Brenda, for responding to what I wrote. "Judge not" is a commandment for me, and yet I do it all the time, the same way I fail in loving my neighbor as I have been loved. It seems like meditation is MADE for this sort of self-reflection and it is the practice we need, both to recognize and own up to our thoughts, and not to get caught in them but to move on, knowing that we now (in that moment of recognition, and the moment(s) that follows it) have a new opportunity. Gradually I think we do become less judgemental, both of ourselves and others.
Which brings up another issue - pride. There is the pride that makes us feel better than others, and the pride that comes from seeing ourselves "do good"- even if that is the pat on the back we give ourselves for not judging!! This is an endless succession of failures, or opportunities, and my very gradual improvement tells me I will need many more lifetimes to come anywhere close to the ideal. Nevertheless - this lifetime is what we have and we are all given many chances to practice with these lessons!
( ( Jean ) ) ... migraine sucks.
I'm glad you're up and about again and hope the brain-monsters stay away for a while!
Lorianne, I hope you're loving Ireland and not trying to survive on Guiness alone ;)
Things are a little less than ideal round this neck of the woods ... I'm frustrated by still being unwell, though slowly improving I think (hard to tell some days! ) and my wonderful rehab key-worker who has been such an inspiration recently has been signed off sick for a long stint, and won't return until after I've finished in the programme I'm in. She is a practicing buddhist and has been a real rock and I'm finding it hard not to sulk or have a tantrum but instead take some deep breaths and simply acknowledge my feelings :)
However ... I have just made some cheese scones with my flatmate, who has never cooked much before, and I'm enjoying her sheer elation at having turned ingredients into tasty treats, and grateful for the nudge to look at how much I take for granted!
Love to all ... hugs, xx
Red flag alert for wildfire danger in the region as humidity plummets and heat skyrockets. I'll be glad when we've moved passed this seasonal peak.
Feeling a little overwrought in the middle of the night, I tried focusing on breaths, which has been helpful in the past. Realized soon that I was obsessing about them, not helpful in the least. Realigned my attitudes and tried again. Such a delicate balance sometimes, this business of attention.
Wishing everyone a good night's sleep. Stray, best wishes for your continuing recovery! Sounds long and frustrating - having been there a couple of times, I sympathize. Try not to get discouraged - easier said than done!
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