This month we are actively stepping into the flow with the intention of learning from our past, being mindful of our present, and carrying that forward to the future.
After last week’s digging deep and retracing the stepping stones from your past to where you are right now, How do you feel? If you close you eyes and just BE, what do you hear bubbling up from the inside? Pull your attention down through your head all the way through your body. Is there a place which needs more attention? Sit there for a bit and feel the emotions that it holds and breathe it out.
Taking moments like this, a little Life-Break, helps maintain connection to yourself, present-focused. Too often, we always look back at how we could have done something better that we miss the present. Look back to the past with love and gratitude, but it is done and gone: You don’t live there anymore.
We all have the tendency to go back to see how we could have prevented X situation. How does dwelling help? If I dropped a glass because I was careless and it shattered, I can think of a hundred different ways I could have handled the situation in a more mindful way. Does that put the glass back together?
The carry forward thought from the past into present time may look like: What did I learn? What were the lessons? Was the lesson for me or for someone else? Learning, knowledge, and application of lessons adds value to each life experience, good and bad.
For me, last week was new and exciting: I was on TV! This week, I learned that my portion of that show was cut. No more Tv for me…at least not on that show. When I told people yesterday, most asked me if I was disappointed and sad. I was grateful for the time offered to me, grateful that I have video clip to post on my page of how I present myself, and grateful with the knowledge that I speak well in front of cameras. I learned something new about myself. Am I sad that it will not continue? Yes and No. It reminds me of the quote by Helen Keller:
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
I have learned that there is an ebb and flow to events of my life. In order to have space for something better, we need to lose something we thought valuable. I do, however, need time to ground and reconnect after a life shift. For me, I need to take time out to be creative, either doing art or cooking. Yesterday, I was mindful and meditative as I embarked on a new cooking adventure. I picked fresh grape leaves from my arbor and made home made stuffed grapeleaves for dinner. I also made baklava and prepared Food Ninja Raffles for the the local Small Business event downtown. Cooking and giving: a combination that helps me remember who I am at my core.
Connecting and maintaining connection with the Present is harder than the Past or the Future. Taking that little Life-Break allows time for you to check in with yourself to see what you need to maintain your balance. Strong footing will help as we move solidly into the future.