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Thursday, March 25, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Phrases I Enjoy ....
I came across two different phrases recently that really hit home with me so I'd like to share them here.
The first is:
This one is particularly meaningful to me because the focus of one of my recurring nightmares is writing an exam (or being tested in some way). In these dreams I either don't know where to go to write it, or I've missed it, or I don't know the material being tested. Thinking about life from the view that you must be prepared to be tested sometimes takes all the fun away from the learning process.
The second is:
I think of myself as an eternal student, so this phrase just appealed to me. I hope that I can be open-minded and learning new things right up until the last day I'm alive.
The first is:
Life is moments of discovery - not an exam!
This one is particularly meaningful to me because the focus of one of my recurring nightmares is writing an exam (or being tested in some way). In these dreams I either don't know where to go to write it, or I've missed it, or I don't know the material being tested. Thinking about life from the view that you must be prepared to be tested sometimes takes all the fun away from the learning process.
The second is:
Never assume that what you know is all there is to know and what you have experienced so far is all there is to experience.
I think of myself as an eternal student, so this phrase just appealed to me. I hope that I can be open-minded and learning new things right up until the last day I'm alive.
My Love of All Things New
I've known this about myself for a long time... I am happy when I'm learning something new. What I hadn't fully recognized until recently was how that applied to so many different parts of my daily life.
To start with, I suppose that is why I've had multiple careers. I remember always being very excited at the start of each one of them, especially when the learning curve seemed to be uphill right from the get go. As soon as that curve flattened out, so did my enthusiasm for the work. In fact, I was happiest if I was continually growing with my job and, at the same time, training someone to eventually replace me. It seemed like I always knew I was meant to move on.
Today, I don't have job skills that I am trying to acquire - just life skills. My love for learning new things hasn't diminished nor has the excitement it brings me. The difference, now, is that I find "newness" in unexpected places.
In the past, it hadn't been obvious to me that my love of discovering everything there was to know about someone was part of this trend. I never found chatter of a superficial nature very satisfying. I liked the ideas that sprung forth during conversations about the forbidden topics (like religion and politics) far more.
That's why I have come to the realization that people are truly wonderful; they are constantly in a state of change. I find that there is always something new to learn about even your closest and dearest family and friends. What a terrific find this has been for me. By moving my focus away from work related newness to exploring the difference in people, I have found an exciting playground. Each individual is like a snowflake to me - similar in their makeup, yet wondrous and unique.
What I can't figure out is how "newness" differs from "change" (which seems to evoke a different response from me altogether). Apparently, a question I will have to ponder on another day.
To start with, I suppose that is why I've had multiple careers. I remember always being very excited at the start of each one of them, especially when the learning curve seemed to be uphill right from the get go. As soon as that curve flattened out, so did my enthusiasm for the work. In fact, I was happiest if I was continually growing with my job and, at the same time, training someone to eventually replace me. It seemed like I always knew I was meant to move on.
Today, I don't have job skills that I am trying to acquire - just life skills. My love for learning new things hasn't diminished nor has the excitement it brings me. The difference, now, is that I find "newness" in unexpected places.
In the past, it hadn't been obvious to me that my love of discovering everything there was to know about someone was part of this trend. I never found chatter of a superficial nature very satisfying. I liked the ideas that sprung forth during conversations about the forbidden topics (like religion and politics) far more.
That's why I have come to the realization that people are truly wonderful; they are constantly in a state of change. I find that there is always something new to learn about even your closest and dearest family and friends. What a terrific find this has been for me. By moving my focus away from work related newness to exploring the difference in people, I have found an exciting playground. Each individual is like a snowflake to me - similar in their makeup, yet wondrous and unique.
What I can't figure out is how "newness" differs from "change" (which seems to evoke a different response from me altogether). Apparently, a question I will have to ponder on another day.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Little Something About “Mindfulness Meditation”
Mindfulness Meditation, for me, is about living in the now. I think that the phrase “being present” seems to capture its essence.
Living in the “now” is something I’ve always found difficult to do. My life seems to be either directed towards what has happened, my past, or what is about to happen, my future. There are only selective activities that I partake in that engulf me so thoroughly that I am truly focused on the present.
When one engages in Mindfulness Meditation, you are tuning into what is happening around you, and yes, even to you. It is as simple as becoming more aware of the feeling of your lungs expanding as you suck air into your body with each breath you take in, and then experiencing its opposite, the feeling of contraction as the breath is pushed out by your diaphragm. You are conscious and aware of yourself and your surroundings including everything that you see, hear and feel. You use your mind to focus on what you might normally have experienced only at a subconscious level. You attend to every moment without judgment.
The prelude in my life to this form of meditation arise from activities that consume me to the point that I can only focus on the moment. They include golfing, bowling, camping, problem solving and, I was surprised when, arguing, came to mind too. There are probably many more, but these are some of the most consistent. They are the ones that need my total concentration to perform. And certainly, the level of interest I bring to an activity ensures that my mind is less likely to wander off, too. For me, these are good exercises in helping me achieve a state of “being” – just living in the moment.
I have friends who seem to have no trouble living in the present. They have my sincere admiration. For me, I’m still learning to enjoy the ride.
Living in the “now” is something I’ve always found difficult to do. My life seems to be either directed towards what has happened, my past, or what is about to happen, my future. There are only selective activities that I partake in that engulf me so thoroughly that I am truly focused on the present.
When one engages in Mindfulness Meditation, you are tuning into what is happening around you, and yes, even to you. It is as simple as becoming more aware of the feeling of your lungs expanding as you suck air into your body with each breath you take in, and then experiencing its opposite, the feeling of contraction as the breath is pushed out by your diaphragm. You are conscious and aware of yourself and your surroundings including everything that you see, hear and feel. You use your mind to focus on what you might normally have experienced only at a subconscious level. You attend to every moment without judgment.
The prelude in my life to this form of meditation arise from activities that consume me to the point that I can only focus on the moment. They include golfing, bowling, camping, problem solving and, I was surprised when, arguing, came to mind too. There are probably many more, but these are some of the most consistent. They are the ones that need my total concentration to perform. And certainly, the level of interest I bring to an activity ensures that my mind is less likely to wander off, too. For me, these are good exercises in helping me achieve a state of “being” – just living in the moment.
I have friends who seem to have no trouble living in the present. They have my sincere admiration. For me, I’m still learning to enjoy the ride.
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