TBD

TBD on Ning

              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.

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Thinking about yourself less is usually a good way to approach life."  ~  Everyday Mindfulness

"Being preoccupied with our self-image is like being deaf and blind. It's like standing in a vast field of wildflowers with a black hood over our heads. It’s like coming upon a tree of singing birds while wearing earplugs." Pema Chodron

If you take everything personally, you will be offended for the rest of your life. Remember this. What others say and do is mostly because of them, not you. So let their opinions inform you, don't let them limit you."  ~  Marc and Angel Chernoff

"Feel the winter wind on your cheeks, observe how the Christmas songs can take you back and give you a certain feeling inside, take in the smells of mulled wine and pine needles in the air. Be present for these things -- this is the real essence of the season."  ~  the Mindfullness Project

OK, there's my Hallmark movie moment for the year.

I wanted to set a reminder that this is good mindful advice for every day of the year, but instead am troubled by how it is for some people that the extra holiday stresses of our culture can make it more difficult to follow this advice at this time of year. It's not just the bombardment of the crass materialism, it's often the stinging reminders of lost loved ones and cherished traditions. I need to remind myself that change happens and I need to embrace it. I think the best way to do this is to stay present in each moment as it unfolds and to do it without any expectations. This is the formula for appreciating the smell of the pine needles. (Not the mulled wine, I'll take a Bloody Mary)

"All I (mindfully) want for Christmas is.... Acceptance? Patience? Kindness? Presence?"  ~  The Mindfulness Project

After posting it, I realized that this statement could be read in two ways. These are all qualities I would like to be able to express toward others. Although it would be nice to have others express them toward me, that is secondary.

"The most deeply grooved pathways in our mind are those that lead away from the present moment. By intentionally directing the mind to what is happening right now, mindfulness deconditions these pathways and awakens us to a fresh and intimate sense of being alive." ~ Tara Brach

"Your thinking mind is a magnificent tool, but life doesn’t tend to go well when you let it unconsciously run your life."   ~   Everyday Mindfulness

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."
― Roy L. Smith

"Love says that I am everything. Wisdom says that I am nothing. Between the two, my life flows" ~ Nisargadatta Maharaj

"We can't stop negative thoughts from popping into our head, but we can learn to recognize/challenge thinking patterns that pull us down. We don't need to let our minds bully us into perpetual stress & sadness."  Tiny Buddha

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