Once I was told “don´t believe in anything, take care of everything” would be a perspective to approach the world. It leaves space to embrace all which is, and all beyond. A loving and caring perspective. Thank you.
First I have to share a very short poem by Galway Kinnell that couldn’t be more perfect for this question, from the collection of mindfulness poems that Phyllis Cole-Dai curated for three years. Sharing it here in its entirety; if you go to https://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2013/09/galway-kinnell-prayer.html Phyllis shared a video of the poet reading his poem and sharing his delight in its wording.
“Prayer”
Whatever happens. Whatever
*what is* is is what
I want. Only that. But that.
What helps me embrace life as it is rests on a lot of reading about Buddhism I’ve done over the years. Many teachers, much wisdom. All the feelings I create in my mind around a person or an event are things I do to myself. Life can present enough challenges without me adding more rocks to my pack. And paying attention to the life I’m living right now, this moment, provides so much joy and delight in so many small moments that will never come again.
More recently the book Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman reinforced my recognition that living the life I’m actually living is how I make the most of it–not ignoring it in my haste to make it something different.
living the life I’m actually living is how I make the most of it–not ignoring it in my haste to make it something different. Thanks Barb, so clear and simply put. I will try to put your words into practice today!
St. Terese of Avila prayer:
Let nothing disturb (rattle) you all things are passing….
In “good times” I stop, look, go.
In rougher times, I stop, look, go.
This site and all the resources!
Thank you.
Seeing things as they are, is one of my
daily goals. Catching myself when I say
“I wish” or any other statement that
obscures reality behind a vail of
wishful thinking or desire for situations
and people to be different.
As my life embraces me for who I am, I reflect on my childhood. When I was a little girl, I was often teased by many kids in town because of my disability. At first, they didn’t understand. However, I later became friends with these kids. Life presents us with both good and bad experiences. Alongside my hope for goodness, I am aware that sometimes I must also embrace the unwanted things that come into my life.
Sometimes I try to have a word for the year. This year I knew it should be something about changing perspective or finding a better way to look at things. Then I realized that I often do that, but I don’t seem to take it to heart. So, I came up with the word embrace. So, not only to I need to see a different way or see something new, but I need to make it part of my life and myself. Now I just have to figure out how to embrace the more loving and beautiful way. But how? Art, writing, where I look, the way I talk of things?
I began on this path of discovery two years ago. I was and am seeking a calmer mind and a life not enslaved to alcohol. I was led to Brother Davids video, A Grateful Day, from an eight-week course from Palouse Mindfulness. That led me to this site. I have also now read and listened to many like-minded authors and speakers. Living in the Now, being present, awareness of what is, the inexplicable beauty and wonder of our home, earth, has helped to invite that monkey in my mind into my lap rather than trying to shoot him. This practice, embodiment of gratefulness, has helped immensely. The monkey found a room in the addict portion of my mind and likes it so much he stayed. We are holding a truce and the concept of embracing life as it is today, this day that is given to me, has helped to keep the truce whole one more day.
You have your monkeys, I have my kangaroos loose in the top paddock, ever keen to create chaos. But the unwillingness to get entangled in their antics seems to keep the turbulence at bay.
The concept of “holding a truce ” vs. trying to shoot the monkey is a very helpful image for me, Joseph. Love your writing style. It conveys so much by sparking my imagination. Namaste.
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The love I receive from my family and a lot of friends.
Trusting God.
Once I was told “don´t believe in anything, take care of everything” would be a perspective to approach the world. It leaves space to embrace all which is, and all beyond. A loving and caring perspective. Thank you.
Having hope, prayers, faith and practicing gratitude.
Learning from the past, enjoying the good memories, living in the present and accepting in and dreaming about the future.
First I have to share a very short poem by Galway Kinnell that couldn’t be more perfect for this question, from the collection of mindfulness poems that Phyllis Cole-Dai curated for three years. Sharing it here in its entirety; if you go to https://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2013/09/galway-kinnell-prayer.html Phyllis shared a video of the poet reading his poem and sharing his delight in its wording.
“Prayer”
Whatever happens. Whatever
*what is* is is what
I want. Only that. But that.
What helps me embrace life as it is rests on a lot of reading about Buddhism I’ve done over the years. Many teachers, much wisdom. All the feelings I create in my mind around a person or an event are things I do to myself. Life can present enough challenges without me adding more rocks to my pack. And paying attention to the life I’m living right now, this moment, provides so much joy and delight in so many small moments that will never come again.
More recently the book Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman reinforced my recognition that living the life I’m actually living is how I make the most of it–not ignoring it in my haste to make it something different.
living the life I’m actually living is how I make the most of it–not ignoring it in my haste to make it something different. Thanks Barb, so clear and simply put. I will try to put your words into practice today!
Remembering that I am not in control of what’s happening around me and trusting that everything happens as it’s supposed to.
St. Terese of Avila prayer:
Let nothing disturb (rattle) you all things are passing….
In “good times” I stop, look, go.
In rougher times, I stop, look, go.
This site and all the resources!
Thank you.
Seeing things as they are, is one of my
daily goals. Catching myself when I say
“I wish” or any other statement that
obscures reality behind a vail of
wishful thinking or desire for situations
and people to be different.
Also “I should.”
My daily meditation practice is essential.
Oh yes! Every day.
What a relief it was when I realized the importance of not turning a situation into a problem. That perspective changes everything.
A sage realization Carol. Thank you.
As my life embraces me for who I am, I reflect on my childhood. When I was a little girl, I was often teased by many kids in town because of my disability. At first, they didn’t understand. However, I later became friends with these kids. Life presents us with both good and bad experiences. Alongside my hope for goodness, I am aware that sometimes I must also embrace the unwanted things that come into my life.
I like how you said, I have to embrace the unwanted.
Sometimes I try to have a word for the year. This year I knew it should be something about changing perspective or finding a better way to look at things. Then I realized that I often do that, but I don’t seem to take it to heart. So, I came up with the word embrace. So, not only to I need to see a different way or see something new, but I need to make it part of my life and myself. Now I just have to figure out how to embrace the more loving and beautiful way. But how? Art, writing, where I look, the way I talk of things?
Good to see your post. A nice choice in word for the year.
Thank you Rabbit
My breath, the sunshine, walking barefoot and the gratefulness for all of these simple things that reconnect me to what really matters
The simplicity of grounding oneself, beautiful EEEVVV. Thank you for the reminders.
I began on this path of discovery two years ago. I was and am seeking a calmer mind and a life not enslaved to alcohol. I was led to Brother Davids video, A Grateful Day, from an eight-week course from Palouse Mindfulness. That led me to this site. I have also now read and listened to many like-minded authors and speakers. Living in the Now, being present, awareness of what is, the inexplicable beauty and wonder of our home, earth, has helped to invite that monkey in my mind into my lap rather than trying to shoot him. This practice, embodiment of gratefulness, has helped immensely. The monkey found a room in the addict portion of my mind and likes it so much he stayed. We are holding a truce and the concept of embracing life as it is today, this day that is given to me, has helped to keep the truce whole one more day.
You have your monkeys, I have my kangaroos loose in the top paddock, ever keen to create chaos. But the unwillingness to get entangled in their antics seems to keep the turbulence at bay.
The concept of “holding a truce ” vs. trying to shoot the monkey is a very helpful image for me, Joseph. Love your writing style. It conveys so much by sparking my imagination. Namaste.
Joseph, Wise words…that monkey is always there, hoping we will forget to live in the Now and wander into the past or future where it reigns.
Thank you Joseph
Nature, people, places, mindset