Here we are, early in the 2020 version of our Holiday Season, which will wander -if you can wander in a straight line- fairly quickly to the New Year. The New Year being kind of a ‘fake’ starting point for new ideas, new visions, new goals. Do you have visions, ideas, and goals? What kind of life would you like to create? How much control do you feel you have around that?
There is a lot going on around here that we can’t control. California and most of the states are in various stages of shut down, again. People are in various stages of freaking out. Some are guaranteeing, some say they are but are still going out to some things, some are ignoring it completely. The shut down for the holiday season is getting folks a little crazy. And we are experiencing a second fire season, just to add a bit of excitement.
These are what we call ‘external’ events. These are things that are happening ‘out there’. We can’t control the events, just how we react to them.
Have you noticed that there can be tornadoes in Kansas, tsunamis in the Far East, fires in the mountains, but when sitting at the table with our families and sharing a meal, everything is at peace. Without minimizing what’s happening in the world, it’s what‘s ‘in here’ that our peace of mind resides.
I’d like you to try something. It’ll take just a quick half-moment. Sit up straight, close your eyes, and breathe. In and out. As you are conscious of your breathing, count slowly to 30. Ready, go.
How’s that feel? Thirty seconds of a quick meditation and the world slows down. All is good. Simple. Easy. How many places can you fit this in during your day?
Here are a couple of ideas: As you get in your car, before you start the engine, just sit and breathe. Breathe in the quiet. Breathe in the peace. As you sit down to eat. Breathe. Breathe in the gratitude for your food, the fact that there is someone to eat with. As you’re brushing your teeth, focus solely on that. I bet you can find other places for yourself as the day goes along. This is something we can control.
Embracing these moments helps us to be present. Being present and being at peace, especially in these crazy times, makes it easier to allow what is happening out there to stay out there and us not getting caught up in it. If there is something we can to help, we do that. We respond. We don’t react. And it is done peacefully, with awareness and on purpose.
Take care of yourself. Find your peace. Share your peace. Be present. Enjoy your life. Every part of it. That’s what we can control.
Just sayin’