Mindfulness

[PartTimeBrewer]

              I am starting a new thread here mainly for purposes of my own catharsis. It is my intention, at least at this point, to make regular contributions. Of course, if anyone else has anything to add, they are more than welcome. If you have any input, please contribute.

              Over a year ago I decided to deal head-on with my self-diagnosed adult attention disorder, (ADD). The inability to stay focused was becoming too stressful. I found myself sitting around watching the clock tick, yet I couldn’t keep “on task” with any project I started. Nothing was getting done and just starting something was becoming depressing.

              The smart thing to do was probably to get professional help, so instead I decided to try to heal myself, at least as a first try. Cognitive therapy and pharmaceuticals (UGH) might be the approved way to go but I decided to try meditation first.

              18 months and countless self-help books later, I still can’t bring myself to a regular, formal meditation program. But, along the way, I discovered informal mindfulness. Yes, I know it is the “Fad” right now. It is hard to navigate modern social trends without “tripping over” somebody extolling the benefits of mindfulness.

              Let me add my voice to the chorus.

[PartTimeBrewer]

Turning your complaints into gratitude is a trick for a happier life.

“I can’t believe I have all these dishes to do” becomes “I’m grateful that I have enough food to fill these dishes “ etc.
~  Everyday Mindfulness

[PartTimeBrewer]

Meditation is a quest to find out who you are. The thing is, who you are is always changing, so it’s a lifelong undertaking."  ~  Everyday Mindfulness

[PartTimeBrewer]

"How many days slip by in forgetfulness? What are you doing with your life?" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

"Habit kills intuition, because habit prevents living experience, direct perceptionu" ~ Lama Govinda

[PartTimeBrewer]

“You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.” ~Jonathan Safron Foer

[PartTimeBrewer]

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It's simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

- Mary Oliver

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Courage is knowing it might hurt and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that's why life is hard." ~Jeremy Goldberg

[PartTimeBrewer]

It sounds like it's saying that it's stupid to be courageous, but I think it really is assuming that there is a difference, it's  just hard to discern it sometimes. Maybe the only way to tell is 'Just Do It', or alternatively, listen to your wife.

[PartTimeBrewer]

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Newsflash: No emotion is negative unless it’s fueling a negative action or reaction. It’s simply feedback pointing you toward growth or clarity." ~Nadine Saad

[PartTimeBrewer]

"There are some very powerful forces out there competing for your attention.

If you don't guard your mind, it can be consumed by sensational/dramatic nonsense before you know it.

Regulate your informational diet the same way you regulate (hopefully) your nutritional diet."

~  Daily Zen

[PartTimeBrewer]

“You don’t suffer because you have thoughts. You suffer because you judge them, resist them, believe them, wallow in them, or identify with them.” ~Unknown

[PartTimeBrewer]

"The ultimate measure of your wisdom and strength is how calm you are when facing any given situation. Calmness is indeed a superpower. The ability to not overreact or take things personally keeps your mind clear & your heart rate steady, which instantly gives you the upper hand."  ~  Marc and Angel Chernoff