Like attracts like

I became a fan of "The Secret" many years ago.  Why was I drawn to this?  I guess it made sense to me.  I've always felt that "everything happens for a reason" and I'm not too interested in changing that belief for myself - it serves a purpose.  It supports my personal knowledge that when I fight or resist things, I don't serve myself, others or the greater or common good.

Maybe at this point I am contemplating that things work like a dungeons and dragon book - not that I read them!  But the idea is that there are many choices we have.  In these books you choose a path.  And you end up where you do.  But you always have lessons, adventure, obstacles, and always have a story.  Some choices lead to other choices.  Maybe you could have gone right to the "secret doorway" however if you choose a different story or path you ultimately end up there anyway:)

For me, the universe is kind, gentle and caring.  I have choices and I might go off course.  But more choices will surface.

I read an inspirational email today that basically talked about the need to be careful about CREATING what I am looking for;  self fulfilling prophecy, law of attraction or any way to put it....I do have some ability to try and align with what the universe hopes for me.

I need to believe that other outcomes are possible.  If I take two steps back today I can always move forward tomorrow.   I don't believe there is one right answer or choice in life;  rather a series of choices.

I do know that we tend to believe what we tell ourselves.  Even when mistakes arise, I will have faith that good things are coming.  I am attracting that into my life.

Learning from animals

It's nice for me sometimes to reflect on the simplicity of my pet's lives.  I don't know what they struggle with or how they are feeling of course, but I'm certain that they have a more simple life than I!

For Nemo, there are a couple things he loves;  the sun and walks in the park.

Not only is walking good for him physically, but I'm sure mentally as well.  Nemo does have some anxiety issues and I think the physical exercise and mental stimulation only help this.

I think for me I'll try and simplify my own life...following in the paw prints of Nemo!  What do I really love doing?  Maybe I should be doing this more?

I can also piggyback on his love and enjoyment....enjoy the sun...enjoy a walk in the park.  Life is complicated but when I look to my animal friends, they make it simple.  I think I could use more of that....living in the moment.

Take time to....look at the squash plant!

I really have to say I enjoy time-tested sayings...like smell the roses, the grass is always greener, this too shall pass....too many to name.

I like these because I find them to be true.  Things can be very chaotic, there can be a crisis- real or imagined - and yet, these sayings hold true.

Being in the moment helps me appreciate some of the "smaller" things in life.  Are they small?  Not for me.  They ground and centre me - so that I don't get carried away with my thoughts and feelings, what happened yesterday or what worries I have  - false and real - for what is to come.

I'm fortunate to have a garden and I plant a few things I enjoy.  Squash, cucumbers and tomatoes. I noticed the little squash tendrils curling up like tightly wound ringlets.  So A.  Very cute.  B.  so amazing because it appears it's supporting the other plant next to it.

These things I can notice and appreciate allow me to stay in the moment and not ...even for a moment...have to focus on my thoughts.

I can feel dissatisfied, fearful and full of anxiety - not something I love - but I can choose to notice what is right in front of me.  And while at this point in my life I'm willing to accept any feelings I have, looking at this little squash plant really made me feel a gratitude for living things, the wonder of nature...all of that!   Things just grow...rain or shine....good or bad conditions....some years are more "fruitful" than others.  I'm just a living, growing being.

Quote: Do we tell ourselves the truth?

"Mindfulness helps us get better at seeing the difference between what’s happening and the stories we tell ourselves about what’s happening ...” 
Sharon Salzberg, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation 

Reality, Interpretation, perception, attitude, catastrophic thinking, embellishment, negative thinking, non-truth.
A path I think many go down.  Are you telling yourself the truth?  

I like to try and observe my thoughts - my internal dialogue - and hopefully catch myself when I'm making assumptions, being critical, using past events, thoughts and fantasy to fuel the path to living in a false reality.

They say we have 40-90 thousand thoughts a day;  how many are the same?  How many repeat a story that may not be true?  Are these thoughts serving you or the greater good?  

Today I will aim to be honest and remove judgement, expectation and assumptions.  I can more easily achieve this if I stay in the present moment.

Enjoying the moment of NOW

"Try practicing 'peace from mind' rather than 'peace of mind'. When your mind pulls you into dramas and endless comments, silently say 'later' and return to awareness of the moment."

Nature Walk Meditation

Today I was on my way to take the bus home and realized I'd be waiting 30 minutes.  It was such a beautiful day I decided I might walk.  It was a lot longer than I was expecting but I got to walk home down a great river trail on one of the nicest days I can remember.

I walked and noticed this large tree that seemed like it had no place being there. 

 It made me wonder about why I was focusing on my sore feet and how long it was taking.  So I decided to do a walking meditation and listen to all the beautiful sounds, note the different smells in the air, enjoy the breeze against my skin and just observe.  I'm really glad I didn't take the bus today!

Mindful Meditation

"In mindful meditation you don't try and push thoughts away or wall yourself off from them. Instead, the aim is to be aware of whatever is happening moment by moment including your thoughts with a non-reactive attitude"
Vidyamala Burch

Again with the living in the past...worrying about future....a difficult lesson for me!

Just saw a nice quote in my Eckhart Tolle - The power of now calender:

"What you perceive as future is an intrinsic part of your state of consciousness now.  If your mind carries a heavy burden of past, you will experience more of the same"

 Today I spoke with someone who was very opinionated and basically criticizing what I'm trying to do to help myself through a difficult time.  I am trying to learn that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and way of thinking;  my problem is when they are telling me - giving unsolicited advice.

That's a whole other ball of wax, however I'm trying to stay in the moment;  I am burdened by a conversation that happened 6 hours ago;  likely I'll keep replaying it tomorrow and the next as well.

In that last statement, I am setting up my future and reliving the past.  Right now, there are so many other experiences.  And instead of going over the conversation in my mind and picking apart all the inaccuracies, I can just focus on...I'm annoyed, or discontented, or troubled.  And accept that is how I'm feeling, knowing that it will pass.

"What we resist, persists" quote by Carl Jung

This quote has really helped me.  When I added it as my email signature a few people responded asking if it was specifically for them.

I think many people can relate to this idea.  For me, I have been plagued with a real fighter in my mind.  I refer to it as my "lawyer mind" or "great debater".

When I fight things - my feelings - my situations - my thoughts - things out of my control, they will persist.  When I am simply paying attention, acknowledging life, thoughts, obsessions -  not resist them and have a compassionate attitude towards and around these things....I simply do better.

We believe what we tell ourselves; we are constantly attracting more like thoughts...more like behaviors...more like outcomes or consequences.  When I get "caught up" in resisting things, it has certainly proven (in my life) to persist.

Today, I will try and stop fighting.  I will try and have little judgement, greater acceptance and patience.
video - What we resist, persists (the secret)

A simple mantra for today....

"It is not the experience of today that drives us mad.  It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow might bring"

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