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]

"You would not exist if you did not have something to bring to the table of life." ~ Herbie Hancock

[PartTimeBrewer]

Here is one that I want to disagree with. I think Mr. Hancock has put the cart before the horse; love his music though. Whatever the circumstances are that brought about my existence, I'm just not personally sure that it was for the purpose of fulfilling any preordained purpose. That might sound bleak to some people, but if that is the case, I challenge you to consider the following: I believe that against all odds, I have been granted the opportunity to bring my something, whatever it happens to be, to the table of life.

[PartTimeBrewer]

The earth is degenerating. Bribery and corruption abound. The end of the world is fast approaching. ~ Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BCE

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Jump into experience while you are alive! Think…and think…while you are alive. What you call “salvation” belongs to the time before death."  ~   Kabir

[Jozee]

That's right!

[PartTimeBrewer]

"So few realize that the great miracle is happening in our lives right now. Zen is simply the practice of waking up so we can see the miracle, give thanks, and live with it wholeheartedly." ~ Brenda Shoshanna

[PartTimeBrewer]

"Reflecting on your day, think of the little things that brought about feelings of gratitude, from the perfect cup of coffee to a furry friend. Life has moments of joy, and they might seem too small to see." ~ Mindful.org

[PartTimeBrewer]

[Westerly_2]

 :- )

[Jozee]

Love it!

[Jozee]

[PartTimeBrewer]

Great graphic! Buddhists characterize this as an expression of the 'Monkey Mind', but dipping back into my childhood memories of my Golden Book library, I like to think of it in terms of 'Poky Little Puppy'. It seems to be a kinder characterization.