Get Real . . . Be Here Now September 18, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Magick & Mystery, Mindfulness, People.trackback
There is a power behind our thoughts. Our attitude, rather than our aptitude, often determines our altitude.
Whether we think we can, or we think we can’t, we’re probably right.
When one door closes, a window of opportunity opens . . . (but sometimes our dreams are shattered in the process).
Sometimes it’s NOT all good . . .
In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Socrates teaches Dan to view life with alert curiosity, rather than allowing his thoughts, emotions, and past experiences to dictate his re-actions to new events. As Dan lets go of automatic responses, he uncovers the joy and happiness that await us in the here and now.
So, what should we do when things are not as we want them to be?
Be Here Now.
* Accept the “what is” (for now) ~ it is what it is. Battling windmills outside our control is exhausting and unproductive.
* Be mindful of thoughts as they arise. Choose which thoughts to focus on and which to let drift away.
* Wash off yesterday’s “junk” and set down that wheelbarrow of woe overflowing with sour feelings and stale emotions.
* Be aware of the infinite possibilities inherent in this moment ~ embrace the gift of the present.
* Life is stirred with a slow spoon. Allow the path to unfold . . . one step at a time.
* Breathe.
* Relax.
* Repeat.
Where are we? . . . HERE
What time is it? . . . NOW
Aah . . . that’s better.
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Just what I’m working on my life right now: letting go of automatic responses. For me, a Pavlov’s Dogs kinda gal, it’s tough….worth it in the end, I’m sure.
The more mindful we are in the choices we make . . . and the thoughts we think . . . the more productive we become.
It’s tough, but it’s worth it . . . after all, our freedom is at stake.
That’s a lot og sane advice. …if we remember to follow it , that is:-)
Practicing mindfulness turns boulders into pebbles . . . easily kicked to the side of the path as we continue on our way.
Really gives you something to think about
Unless, of course, it’s a thought not worth pursuing at the moment . . . in which case, let it drift away. 😆
Ah, yes… self-fulfilling prophecy…
and… just a bit of a
😉
Oh, no . . . the promised 😉
Very nice. You have read “The Secret.” Good stuff there and here in your blog.
Thanks, LL! I have not read The Secret. I’m a big fan of being mindful . . . and NOT believing everything we think. 😎
“Life is stirred with a slow spoon”…sometimes it can seem more like a blender on puree.
Good point, Patricia.
We cannot put off living until we are ready. The most salient characteristic of life is its urgency, “here and now” without any possible postponement. Life is fired at us point-blank. ~ Jose Ortega y Gasset
When we are impatient for change (e.g., losing weight), change comes too slowly. When we want to maintain the status quo (e.g., slow the aging process), change comes too fast.
A life paradox!
If you have Socrates over there, Nancy, don’t hog him! Send him West! Isn’t that a great movie?
I like the line, “Life is stirred with a slow spoon.” Sometimes it’s awfully heavy, too.
It is a terrific movie . . . and book. I expect Socrates is floating around somewhere and will show up when we least expect him.
Life can be a thick porridge, indeed.
I just got back from a full day workshop that delved into these topics, in depth and more related topics, too…with Fred Luskin from the Stanford Forgiveness Project and Rick Hansen author of Buddha’s Brain…they were both amazing! The audio of it will be available in a few weeks…well worth listening to.
Sounds awesome, Kathy!
The more mindful we are . . . the more peace and clarity we enjoy. 😀
“Breathe, relax and repeat” – I needed that today! Doubt and fear have a way of obscuring the view of the gifts of the present. Our thoughts can and do affect the direction of our life, so it makes sense that we should monitor them.
Doubt and Fear obscure the view for sure. Sometimes we need to step back, and view with a bit more detachment, in order to see what our next step should be.
Once you accept that things are as they are, then it’s much easier to cope. But it’s difficult to take that first step.
It becomes easier with practice . . . we learn to step back, assess, and say, “I don’t like IT, but I can’t change IT, so I must work around IT” . . . whatever IT is.
When we stop flailing about at things we can’t change, we free up energy to change what we can.
Interesting. Of course, the problem with advocating realism is that folks have a bit of a different opinion of what, exactly, “real” is.
As to accepting things as they are in the moment, sure, that’s great. As long as you never stop trying to make them better in the future.
Good points, Connor. I view it like this . . . shaking our fist at the sky won’t stop the rain from falling. We must accept the storms in life, and strive to remain calm as they swirl around us.
After the storm passes, we assess the damage and decide how best to deal with the hand we’ve been dealt.
Ah better indeed!
When I start getting “agitated” . . . that’s the signal to take a step back and really look at the “what is.” Once I see things as they are, without the overlay of fear, doubt, and anger, I can mindfully choose how to proceed.
Love your last point ” Life is stirred with a slow spoon. Allow the path to unfold . . . one step at a time.” Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Suzi. Loved your post today . . . a lovely glimpse at autumn.
“Life is stirred with a slow spoon. Allow the path to unfold . . . one step at a time.” That is such a soothing thought.
It’s so easy to “get ahead of ourselves” and want all the answers NOW! Sometimes we must let go of the shoreline before the next step appears.
In uncertainty lies all possibility.
This post means a lot to me, Nancy.
Thanks for that.
*#*
You’re welcome, Andi. I was thinking about you as I wrote it.
Sometimes our dreams are pulled out from under us when we least expect it and life, at least for a time, is NOT all good.
“Whether we think we can, or we think we can’t, we’re probably right…”
I’ve always liked that quote as it say quite succinctly that it is up to us to believe we can… Love it! 🙂
If we believe we can . . . we keep trying, working through each “failure” until we succeed.
Of course, we never really “fail” . . . we just discover ways that do NOT work. 😉
Nice post avoid unnecessary happening the artist said in the end. so true 🙂
Exactly! If we use our collective power, we can end some of the unnecessary suffering in the world.
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