Turbulence

 

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The old year didn’t end strong for me, nor has the new year been the best so far. In the midst of all this turbulence, my meditation group has provided stability through our practice and topics we are exploring.

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The worst thing to distress me was self-evaluation and feeling I'm a failure. Does anyone stack up to what they expect of themselves? Our meditation leader had me look into the concept of the joy of insignificance. This doesn't mean we should give up, but to find value in the ordinary. 

A podcast exploring this topic is from Ten Percent Happier with the guest Dr. Ron Siegel, a part-time assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and a board member at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.  

In his talk, Dr. Siegel discusses being kind to yourself and your expectations, being useful rather than successful, and how being special is a burden. Concepts I need to take to heart to get out of my personal rut of feeling I'm a failure.

Another article on the joy of insignificance assured me that we don’t need to do something extraordinary in order to live a good life and that we should avoid comparing ourselves to others.

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 The idea of not surrendering your spiritual authority was also suggested as a way of being true to yourself. This isn't a religious concept, rather it is about the truth, beauty, purity, and goodness that is and always has been you, and allowing it to flow effortlessly through you to radiate out into the world. Embracing this approach gives me comfort in being my genuine self.

Finally, a poem by Martha Postlethwaite, Clearing, gave me additional peace and comfort and helped me find my way again.

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Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest  
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself to this world
so worthy of rescue.

 

 

 

 

 

Rejuvnate ~ by Darlene Kuncytes

Well…it’s that time of year again. That span of time after all the holiday madness when we live our lives just waiting for the next celebration.

The next day off of work.

Spring.

This is the time of year when it’s the hardest to keep our spirits up. The winter drags on as we patiently wait for those first signs of things renewing. Those first brave buds popping up to promise us those greens and colors and warmth that we love so much.

Being from the Midwest, this has always been the worst time of year for me. We have nothing really to look forward to until Memorial Day in May.

And believe me, that seems so far off.

I’m not sure how people feel about this window of time in the sunshine states. Does it bother them, like it does us? Do they feel those post-holiday blues?

I mean, even my dogs seem down! Lolol
Could it be a lack of vitamin D? Cabin fever? Who knows?
That being said, now is when we need to remember that this is the time to rejuvenate! 

To remind ourselves that this will not last forever. 

To do our very best to find every bit of beauty this time of year has to offer!

I know it’s hard. We stress, we celebrate, we shop, we wrap, we get that high from all that holiday rush… (not to mention all that sugar we put into our bodies! Lolol) 

And then…nothing?

This year, take a walk in the park. Or put a bird feeder out in the yard and watch all the wonderful winter birds that come! Change a room around. Craft. Write. Paint. Do yoga. 

Or simply treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers the next time you go to the store.

Just do your best to just remember to enjoy the beauty around us. Even at this time of year. Because it’s there. We just tend to forget to look for it once the holiday craziness has poured out of us.
And this year is even trickier for us. We don’t have the freedom we normally do. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t still enjoy ourselves. 

Call a friend. A family member… just to say hi!

This lull will pass. It always does. And we will once again feel the sun on our faces! 

Take this time to take care of you. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally.
This year more than ever. 

Look forward to what is to come. Because it will come. 

You are your biggest asset. Never forget that.
So, remember to treat yourself kindly.
Stay safe and simply find your fun!
Darlene

To read more of Darlene's posts, click HERE

Pictures courtesy of Google and Facebook