It’s a late fall day,
a cloudy Ohio day.
My walk in the park for exercise
turned into a wander.
The mist began and a quiet settled in.
Continue reading “To walk far enough…”
Exercise? I love it! (well, now I do)
I know it already. I’ve been taught it repeatedly. I’ve even told the fact to others, as though it is some wise maxim that I use to guide my life. But the truth is, while I know I must make exercise fun in order to do it, I usually just don’t bother with the fun or the exercise.
Continue reading “Exercise? I love it! (well, now I do)”
Mantra magic
Stilling the mind, falling into silence… this is my favorite style of meditation. Mine… as in that’s the flavor of ice cream that I like best. Are there other flavors… yes, as many as Baskin Robbins… and more. Continue reading “Mantra magic”
What are we doing here?
I came to meditation as a teenager with a mind that never shut up and horrible headaches. I learned to relax my body and in time, I learned how to relax my mind. With more time I learned that my mind isn’t me… but a tool to serve me. And then things got more fun. But that’s just my path. Yours will be different and equally fun to watch. Continue reading “What are we doing here?”
Getting past the brain?
Today, rather than exploring the vastness of the universe, I’d like us to explore 12″.. That’s approximately the distance from our brain to our heart. Continue reading “Getting past the brain?”
Don’t tell me you can’t meditate!
Well you CAN tell me that. Many, many people do. And to all of you who think you can’t enjoy the chill calm of meditation… I believe you might be misinformed. 😉 Continue reading “Don’t tell me you can’t meditate!”
I’ve got better things to do…
I encourage you to not let current news lull you into a habit of predicting doom and gloom. Whatever you spend your time thinking about (worrying about) is time spent creating real, measureable energy. This energy surrounds you and is your contribution to the world.Dream on!
A dream map is not a new concept. I’m not sure where I first learned of it. But I’ve done them since I was a teenager. They used to be pictures torn out of magazines and pasted together on a piece of cardboard. The idea is to give yourself a visual of where you want to go. My life goals have changed a lot over the years but the idea that beauty is up ahead has always motivated me.
A different point of view
The election is over with some happy and some not. I was not happy and I was sadly surprised. But the US has a new president and that’s how democracy works. I will continue to visualize the best for all of us in the future.
The deeper lesson for me was “how did this happen?” How did I not imagine that Mr. Trump could succeed? It seemed unthinkable to me. True, that I don’t follow the news so my impressions of him often came from social media. I had done some research about his accomplishments and I knew he wasn’t my candidate. But he did appeal to many. So my mission now is to look into  why he was chosen by some. How did they look at this same person I did and see positive when I saw negative?
Since the election, I’ve done a lot of reading. I’ve been reminded that while I don’t make much money, I’m much better off than many. I have an education and marketable skills. I have a roof over my head and a bit of money stashed away. Many in this country are trapped in poverty with no foreseeable way out. They have a very different point of view . than I. I’ve explored stories of “silent Trump voters” those that chose him but don’t see themselves as bigots or racists. They feel the media aggrandized some of the negatives (on both sides) but beyond the shocking statements, the bottom line was either Republican values, desire for smaller government, relations with middle east and I’m sure many more points of view I have yet to read about.
At this point, I’m humbled with the powerful reminders that I don’t see the world as many others do. That doesn’t make them wrong, it just makes us and our perspectives really different. This country was build on the premise that one could come from many, that all are welcome. If I can separate their opinions from their humanity… and step back and look clearly at the “other side” with an open heart, I see people. They want freedom, joy and a future for themselves and their families. Most aren’t bigoted, small minded people. They’re struggling, sometimes with burdens I’ve never known.
I’ve always thought of myself as one who loves the differences. And I’m working on seeing this election as being the result of differences. I am working to increase my awareness and am keeping my heart and mind open to the people- not to the media, not to the candidates even. I want to love the people. I imagine if I spoke to many of them, I could see things a bit better from their perspective.
“Find a way to love” continues to be my mantra.
<3
I cling to hope
I wonder if we’re all tired of hearing about election opinions, insights, revelations and other assorted newsworthy items. I certainly am. I don’t post about political news and my opinions because the political “conflict” seems to have brought about a new environment where if I say what you don’t agree with, then I’m fair game for attack! I’m too sensitive, I know but these responses are painful to me. If you said, “I disagree,” or “Have you read this article which espouses a different position” then I’d be fine. But the “You’re an idiot,” “You/he/she sucks” is like a harsh slap in the face to me and I don’t need it.
But I am here to talk about something political. I’m blogging because it’s a long story and with this blog… there’s no “like” or “comment” options as I just don’t want to hear about it. Whether you support or not, that’s not my purpose. Just information in the first person that might be food for thought.
The call to write came when the Trump tape came out where he bragged about how he could grab and get his way with women. Michele Obama spoke about how that tape shook her to the core. It shook me too… shook me back to a time a long time ago when I knew two different men over a stretch of several years who believed as Mr Trump does, that a woman is an object to be taken, manipulated and used. I know what it feels like to be objectified, forced, grabbed and ultimately hurt. The details of all that isn’t important. It was a long time ago and healing has come.
As is the case, when we’ve had a personal experience, I get angry quickly when I hear a man like Trump verbally strut around, pounding his chest in a display of his “power.” But what can I do?
This is all I know to do. I ask you, men… do you treat or have you ever treated a woman with such disregard? (Men as unfeeling as Trump are few and far between, I know.) Women… have you experienced the injustice and pain of having your intellect, skills and heart ignored while realizing it’s just your body that’s wanted? And if any of you had experienced these painful things… do you want more of the same? Ladies, you may feel resigned to “that’s just how men are” from a lifetime of misinformation and abuse but let me turn the tables a bit on you. See, this isn’t about you. Electing an abusive bully to the highest office in the land isn’t just about you as much as about the example your support gives to young men and women. You might have had to deal with harassment or mistreatment in your job or relationships. But is that what you visualize for your daughters and grand-daughters? Would you have your sons or grandsons utter such degrading comments about women and think that’s okay?
This election isn’t just about believing one or the other candidate’s claims… with Trump it goes much deeper. A vote for this angry man is saying to the world and worse, whispering in the ears of our young people, that mistreating others is fine if you benefit. This is not the world I want to build… I hope it’s not the world you want to create either.