Good morning!
The last couple of days, for me, have not been the greatest. At present status, I am still unemployed, my tax refund is almost gone, and the lower pitch emotions are stalking me, like vultures circling, diving in for the occasional test bite. Times like this, in the past, I've turned to drink. This time was no exception.
The problem with alcohol is that it only seems to help, and even then, its apparently positive effects are only temporary. A nice buzz can make me feel pretty good, for a minute. The next day, however, I invariably feel just as bad as before, and usually worse. And not just because of the hangover; I tend to hate myself for drinking at all, for spending money I don't have on a poison, and for being like certain of my family members and relying on the crutch of booze. All of this is, obviously, counterproductive thinking.
The truth is, beer is just a shock absorber. It helps a person get over the bumps in the road, to a point, but it does nothing to remove them. The problems that caused me to drink are still there, no matter how blind I choose to get.
An alternative tactic is required. The bumps in the road are still there; I need to remove them, or go around and past them, so I don't have to deal with them any more.
We call it "mindfulness."
In the present moment, there is no fear, no obstacle, no problem so great that it cannot be overcome. Those things belong to the future, or the past, both of which exist only in the mind. In the present moment, all the power of the Force That Creates Worlds is in your hands.
One of my heroes of mindfulness, Karen Bell (ktotheb.com) posted a link today on Facebook that reminded me of what I was missing. At the core of mindfulness is peace. Mindfulness is being. Not being anything in particular, just, BEing. Thoughts do not affect Being. Emotions are comparative; Being IS. (The Jedi Code says, "There is no emotion; there is peace.")
In the end, it's about letting go. I have always had a hard time with that idea, but with mindful practice, I can do it. I will do it. I AM doing it. The present moment is about overcoming obstacles, by becoming what we are: free of obstacles. It's a hard road, but it's mine.
Here is the article KB posted. You may find it quite as useful as I did.
I've been told folks can't comment; this here's a test.
ReplyDeleteThe trick seems to be this: if "Post Comment" doesn't work, hit "Preview" first; then, on the Preview page, hit "Post." It's not my fault! Must be a glitch Google's end. Sorry about the inconvenience!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the environment of the world makes this sooo much more difficult than it sounds. I think that being as the uncarved block (or Po as the taoists would call it)is one of the hardest pinnacles to achieve. There are always those outside influences to avoid or ignore in your quest for peace.
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