With a hot cup of coffee or tea, here on this site.
Exploring and moving outside by foot, bike, swimming, or kayak.
Conversations about deep matters with an open-hearted group of people.
In the arms of my beloved.
Petting the dogs.
After a nap.
I feel very content when I have just finished doing something that I have been meaning to do for a while. I feel very content when I am in nature, at the beach or in a natural area with trees and water. I especially like to be around flowers and to take them in individually. I used to feel contentment in church. I feel content looking up at the moon at night and realizing that everyone on earth looks up at the same moon. I feel content when looking at an art project that I am working on and being pleased with my progress.
Sending love to all on this Friday,
Remembering that this is the only moment I truly have and to focus on it.
♥️
I play guitar daily. I call myself an advanced beginner! I can play a few barr chords, and a B7 the hard way.
But when I open my own self-curated song list and start to strum and warble, time stands still.
I come awake about 1-2 hours later when my hands either cramp or when my fingers start to hurt.
Thats contentment!
My early mornings, prayer, meditation, coffee and this site and Richard Rohr’s site. When I am with my children and see their smiles and hear their laughter. Being at my sister’s house she lives in the town I moved to in 4 th grade- even though it is a different house I always feel at home especially when mom comes over and all the kids ( older now) are there.
I get a feeling of contentment in ordinary moments, such as enjoying my morning coffee or sharing my favorite fried chicken with my loved ones. May you all have a wonderful weekend! ☕
When I’m reading a “tough” book or considering another student’s work.
I have a challenge coming up at work: a new job in addition to my old. I’m grateful for a work challenge at almost-70 years!
When I focus on the NOW, I am content. But there are parts of my routine that offer some extra content-ness (is that a word?)… my morning routine of meditation, reflecting in my journal, and visiting this site. In yoga, anytime we do breath practices and especially when we lay down for savasana at the end. Even when I am teaching and I do not go into savasana, there’s something very special about being in that space with students, sort of being the guardian of their safe space while they rest. I am content during that time, hoping that what I’ve shared has offered them peace, healing, or whatever they may have wanted from their practice. I also feel most content when listening to music, especially live music. I love to sing as well, and singing offers that same feeling.
My first thought, of course, is quality time with Ngoc. It’s one place where I feel most comfortable being my true self without the “Manager Mind.” I don’t want to be GM of the Year. That’s the fame path. Speaking of which, self-improvement and autonomy are also big areas I find contentment.
Unsolicited advice is incompatible with me, because it makes me feel like I’m being told what to do and how to live my life. If I need something, I’ll bring it up for sure. I’m one of the most autonomous people out there, because I have my way of doing things, and it works for me at least 9 out of every 10 times. That’s a high number.
This morning as I laid down and talked to Ngoc, I discovered that beyond the laid back satisfied person I am, there’s a good amount of the achiever in me. I’m always looking for challenges to prove my values. It appears that I’m looking for them, but I’m actually welcoming them with open arms as they enter my soul. That’s another one of many areas I’m similar to my mom.
Speaking of challenges, the GM position is becoming quite easy for me, because I’ve outsmarted just about everyone around me individually and collectively. My next challenge just arrived not too long ago.
Sean and I are in our 2nd quarter of the PM zen principles. My two new goals are to take responsibility and trust my people. His are to build from the root and detach from his ways, because he’s told me before that he can come off rather set in his ways which I can sense in his tone from time to time.
As for me, it all narrows down to looking past and letting go of agendas. Developing relationships with difficult people keeps me connected to my roots. I can go alone, but I also feel that it’s unhealthy. Therefore, I agree with Paw Mu when all said and done. Having done more Vietnamese poetry over the last few days on different members in my family both relative and extended, a trick I learned is to focus on common interests both through nature and nurture. I stay closer to the former for maintaining my foundation as I adapt.
Focusing on shared interests reduces conflict both frequency and intensity. Avoiding them defeats the purpose. When that happens, we have those common interests that bring us back to each other which makes it easier to let go by nature. As far as motivation goes, it all swings back to protection.
Ngoc and I are so close to each other that it’s easy to overdepend on each other. There’s a fine line between being a support system and cheat code. The former is help them learn for themselves while the ladder is giving them all the answers like in the back of a math textbook. Speaking of which, I remember those days. It’s why they only show the answers for the odd-numbered problems. Back to Ngoc and me.
Attachment is the last thing needed. I will go great lengths to protect and expand upon her sweetness.
Michele, I love this site too. Speaking of common interests I talked about from my answer, I did watch the Eagles Giants game on Amazon Prime last night. It was a tough night for the Eagles as you guys lost 34-17 to the Giants. The Giants sure played a great game. I remember vaguely that they have a tough defensive player in Kaivon Thibodeau. Oh well, you guys still have a good record sitting in 1st place of your division with a record of 4-2. I was rooting for the Eagles in the superbowl last year too, and we trounced the Chiefs. I saw cracks in the Chiefs as they were a lot of headlines surrounding Travis Kelsy and Taylor Swift. Back to the Eagles, we’re doing great.
The present moment as we’ll know is the “right” answer.
I can actually finally say this is true, because I have emptied my mind which was over following. I’m so grateful that I have been giving the opportunity to have enough resources and time to devote to discarding all the pictures creating constant mind chatter- better known. As thoughts . 💭 My thoughts are not truth and it seems the more I had of them in my mind the more thoughts were like flies to garbage! 🗑️
Having an actual METHOD to discard my false human mind overlapping Truth has allowed the present moment to be what it truly is . Happy and free.
Happiness in the present moment means to have no worries – free and happy.
This state is so new to me that I sometimes fall back into old habits of mind and look for things to chew my cud on ! 😂 Thr list of negative human minds was so helpful to let go over and over / 137 negative human minds ! Think about it they say we have 60 thousand thoughts a day and 90% are repeating thoughts and 85% are negative! And how can we change without a meaningful method that works? We can’t . I can’t pray or hope that someone will take out your garbage! 🗑️ We go somewhere that knows how to deal with trash so we can be relieved of the garbage.
The present is free and happy because I took responsibility and it’s made all the difference. Thank you so much universe for giving us the method to be free and be one with you . 💓🌱🙌🪷
Antoinette, I’m very happy for you and am working on it myself too based on my responses about agendas, patience, acceptance, and integrity. As discussed before, it’s a process; 2 steps forward and 1 back.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
With a hot cup of coffee or tea, here on this site.
Exploring and moving outside by foot, bike, swimming, or kayak.
Conversations about deep matters with an open-hearted group of people.
In the arms of my beloved.
Petting the dogs.
After a nap.
I feel very content when I have just finished doing something that I have been meaning to do for a while. I feel very content when I am in nature, at the beach or in a natural area with trees and water. I especially like to be around flowers and to take them in individually. I used to feel contentment in church. I feel content looking up at the moon at night and realizing that everyone on earth looks up at the same moon. I feel content when looking at an art project that I am working on and being pleased with my progress.
Sending love to all on this Friday,
Remembering that this is the only moment I truly have and to focus on it.
♥️
I play guitar daily. I call myself an advanced beginner! I can play a few barr chords, and a B7 the hard way.
But when I open my own self-curated song list and start to strum and warble, time stands still.
I come awake about 1-2 hours later when my hands either cramp or when my fingers start to hurt.
Thats contentment!
My early mornings, prayer, meditation, coffee and this site and Richard Rohr’s site. When I am with my children and see their smiles and hear their laughter. Being at my sister’s house she lives in the town I moved to in 4 th grade- even though it is a different house I always feel at home especially when mom comes over and all the kids ( older now) are there.
Sitting on my back deck
I get a feeling of contentment in ordinary moments, such as enjoying my morning coffee or sharing my favorite fried chicken with my loved ones. May you all have a wonderful weekend! ☕
A wonderful weekend to you, Ngoc.
My Ngoc, I can tell that you’re more wide awake with that coffee.
When I’m reading a “tough” book or considering another student’s work.
I have a challenge coming up at work: a new job in addition to my old. I’m grateful for a work challenge at almost-70 years!
When I focus on the NOW, I am content. But there are parts of my routine that offer some extra content-ness (is that a word?)… my morning routine of meditation, reflecting in my journal, and visiting this site. In yoga, anytime we do breath practices and especially when we lay down for savasana at the end. Even when I am teaching and I do not go into savasana, there’s something very special about being in that space with students, sort of being the guardian of their safe space while they rest. I am content during that time, hoping that what I’ve shared has offered them peace, healing, or whatever they may have wanted from their practice. I also feel most content when listening to music, especially live music. I love to sing as well, and singing offers that same feeling.
Happy Friday!
My first thought, of course, is quality time with Ngoc. It’s one place where I feel most comfortable being my true self without the “Manager Mind.” I don’t want to be GM of the Year. That’s the fame path. Speaking of which, self-improvement and autonomy are also big areas I find contentment.
Unsolicited advice is incompatible with me, because it makes me feel like I’m being told what to do and how to live my life. If I need something, I’ll bring it up for sure. I’m one of the most autonomous people out there, because I have my way of doing things, and it works for me at least 9 out of every 10 times. That’s a high number.
This morning as I laid down and talked to Ngoc, I discovered that beyond the laid back satisfied person I am, there’s a good amount of the achiever in me. I’m always looking for challenges to prove my values. It appears that I’m looking for them, but I’m actually welcoming them with open arms as they enter my soul. That’s another one of many areas I’m similar to my mom.
Speaking of challenges, the GM position is becoming quite easy for me, because I’ve outsmarted just about everyone around me individually and collectively. My next challenge just arrived not too long ago.
Sean and I are in our 2nd quarter of the PM zen principles. My two new goals are to take responsibility and trust my people. His are to build from the root and detach from his ways, because he’s told me before that he can come off rather set in his ways which I can sense in his tone from time to time.
As for me, it all narrows down to looking past and letting go of agendas. Developing relationships with difficult people keeps me connected to my roots. I can go alone, but I also feel that it’s unhealthy. Therefore, I agree with Paw Mu when all said and done. Having done more Vietnamese poetry over the last few days on different members in my family both relative and extended, a trick I learned is to focus on common interests both through nature and nurture. I stay closer to the former for maintaining my foundation as I adapt.
Focusing on shared interests reduces conflict both frequency and intensity. Avoiding them defeats the purpose. When that happens, we have those common interests that bring us back to each other which makes it easier to let go by nature. As far as motivation goes, it all swings back to protection.
Ngoc and I are so close to each other that it’s easy to overdepend on each other. There’s a fine line between being a support system and cheat code. The former is help them learn for themselves while the ladder is giving them all the answers like in the back of a math textbook. Speaking of which, I remember those days. It’s why they only show the answers for the odd-numbered problems. Back to Ngoc and me.
Attachment is the last thing needed. I will go great lengths to protect and expand upon her sweetness.
My peaceful early mornings with my cup of coffee and coming onto this site
TGIF!
Michele, I love this site too. Speaking of common interests I talked about from my answer, I did watch the Eagles Giants game on Amazon Prime last night. It was a tough night for the Eagles as you guys lost 34-17 to the Giants. The Giants sure played a great game. I remember vaguely that they have a tough defensive player in Kaivon Thibodeau. Oh well, you guys still have a good record sitting in 1st place of your division with a record of 4-2. I was rooting for the Eagles in the superbowl last year too, and we trounced the Chiefs. I saw cracks in the Chiefs as they were a lot of headlines surrounding Travis Kelsy and Taylor Swift. Back to the Eagles, we’re doing great.
The present moment as we’ll know is the “right” answer.
I can actually finally say this is true, because I have emptied my mind which was over following. I’m so grateful that I have been giving the opportunity to have enough resources and time to devote to discarding all the pictures creating constant mind chatter- better known. As thoughts . 💭 My thoughts are not truth and it seems the more I had of them in my mind the more thoughts were like flies to garbage! 🗑️
Having an actual METHOD to discard my false human mind overlapping Truth has allowed the present moment to be what it truly is . Happy and free.
Happiness in the present moment means to have no worries – free and happy.
This state is so new to me that I sometimes fall back into old habits of mind and look for things to chew my cud on ! 😂 Thr list of negative human minds was so helpful to let go over and over / 137 negative human minds ! Think about it they say we have 60 thousand thoughts a day and 90% are repeating thoughts and 85% are negative! And how can we change without a meaningful method that works? We can’t . I can’t pray or hope that someone will take out your garbage! 🗑️ We go somewhere that knows how to deal with trash so we can be relieved of the garbage.
The present is free and happy because I took responsibility and it’s made all the difference. Thank you so much universe for giving us the method to be free and be one with you . 💓🌱🙌🪷
Antoinette, I’m very happy for you and am working on it myself too based on my responses about agendas, patience, acceptance, and integrity. As discussed before, it’s a process; 2 steps forward and 1 back.