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]

"The inspiration you seek is already within you. Be silent and listen."  -  Rumi

[Westerly_2]

I was here, although I may not respond. I come by every day.

[PartTimeBrewer]

Anything which is troubling me, anything which is irritating me that is my teacher.

[PartTimeBrewer]

My best teacher is my last mistake.

[PartTimeBrewer]

If you were happy all the time, you would never grow.

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Our image of perfection is the reason we reject ourselves the way we are, and why we don't accept others the way they are."  -  Don Miguel Ruiz

[PartTimeBrewer]

Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.

[PartTimeBrewer]

Just for today, I will see actively.

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Wholeness does not mean perfection."  -  Parker J. Palmer

[PartTimeBrewer]

You live most of your life inside of your head. Make sure it's a nice place to visit.

[PartTimeBrewer]

1st day back  from three week visit to daughter's house in southern California. Hopefully will have more time now to be more 'mindful' of this column from here out.

[PartTimeBrewer]

Tai Chi Chih is a 'basterdized' western version of the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi. I have found that it is very useful as a moving meditation to start my day with a calmer mind. I attend a one hour class each week to learn the finer points of the movements and take about a half hour to move through the whole routine every morning. Numerous clinical studies have found that Tai Chi measurably reduces stress and anxiety while improving the immune response and other measures of physical health. Many of these studies utilize the Tai Chi Chih version because it is so much easier to learn than other original forms of Chinese Tai Chi. It is also an excellent activity for improving balance and a sense of gracefulness. The balance improvement alone is significant for those who have achieved senior status. I can not recommend it enough and I don't know why I haven't written about it before.