Regular readers of my blog will know that last week was a less than ideal week for me. Stress caught up with me, and I cracked somewhat. I acted out of character, and I had to live with the consequences.
I’m feeling so much better in myself now.
One of the defining moments for me was a bus ride I took into the city on Monday morning. I decided to make the most of that time, and listen to a dharma talk by Gil Fronsdal. I may not have mentioned it before on my blog, but he is my absolute favour dharma speaker. His talks (found at Audio Dharma) have taught me so much. I am the person I am today thanks to Gil’s teachings. So many of them have resonated with me on a very deep level.
So on this bus ride I decided to really take stock of what was going on in my life. I put on my headphones, and picked a talk by Gil on “thinking”. I spent the next 45 minutes looking out the bus window, and mindfully listening to his wisdom on thinking. And I consciously let all the stress go.
I tried to just focus on what was happening to me in that present moment. And when I did I found I could much better reconnect with myself.
Because what was happening in that moment? I was having a day off work, I was on the bus (which I love). I was lucky to be listening to a dharma talk by Gil. And I was on my way to a rally against violence. Something I felt very strongly about supporting.
Aside from the bus trip, I have also spent time recently doing things which replenished my soul.
It’s a bit of a daggy hobby (maybe), but I really adore doing jigsaw puzzles. Ever since I was a child I have found them incredibly relaxing. To me they are a form of meditation. I sit there, and sift through the pieces, and let the thoughts come and go in my mind. I find that afterwards anything I’ve been stewing over is released from my focus, and I feel much calmer and more focused.
I’ve also started to take a lot more note of the people in my life that I am grateful for.
And I have received so much support in recent weeks from my closest friends. It makes me incredibly humbled.
It’s all these little things that make life so rich.
And on that note I’m going return to my cup of tea, my puzzle, and my classical music.
Namaste my friends,
Meg
istopforsuffering 