Tranquility Tuesday ~ Starting Over
The "Awake is Good July Celebration" continues. Welcome!
On Meditation Monday, my house was still full of company for the holiday. I wanted to be fully present to them and the lovely experiences we were sharing so I chose to stay away from the computer as much as I could.
I made a choice, an important one for my well-being. Not to multi-task or feel the mighty "shoulds," but to be fully present as best I could to those who shared my home and the fun times we were having. Even if that meant I was tardy to my own blog.
And because of this experience, the power to choose is what we're celebrating today for the "Awake is Good July Celebration."
This may be one of the things I love the most about being human ~ we have the consciousness and the ability to choose again. We can always start over, in any given moment. Yes, we can.
No matter how badly we've messed up. No matter how many mistakes we've made. We can make one new choice and begin again.
And that ability to choose is so precious to me. It is truly something to celebrate!
Like you, I make mistakes. I make a poor choice now and then.
Right now I am recovering from a poor choice, actually a series of poor choices ~ around food. I ate way too much the past 3 days. I ate food that was too rich, too sugary, too carb-filled and just plain too much of, and I am really paying the price. Today I feel uncomfortable in my body. I feel like a bloated fish with the belly to prove it.
But because I believe in transparency, I admit I made these choices that led to this nasty feeling. I created my own misery.
The thing is we all do. We all create our own suffering. Yet, we can always do it differently next time. I agree with His Holiness the Dalai Lama who said,
"If you don't like what's happening in your life,
change your mind."
change your mind."
Yes, indeed.
Oh, yes, I also cut up a big bowl of fresh veggies to munch on throughout the day and planned a healthier dinner. I'm feeling better already, one crunch at a time. One choice at a time ...
I take a breath.
I take another breath.
I recognize what I did, what happened, what poor choice I may have made and I lay it down.
I have no opinion about it.
I have no guilt or shame about it.
I have no regrets.
I let it go.
I really let it go.
Because I know with this breath, with this intention, I can begin again.
I can make a new choice,
A wiser choice,
A kind to my body, mind and spirit choice.
I breathe in kindness and exhale gratitude.
I breathe in gratitude and exhale joy,
Celebrating the fact that I can always begin again.
I begin again and am made anew.
All is well in my world.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and what your heart has to say ...
(Image "Planting the Seeds of Transformation" by Mara Friedman, available at newmoonvisions.com)
~~~~~ Congratulations to Annie, from Blissful Bohemian, the winner of the goodie bag for our July Celebration Giveaway. I hope you'll enjoy your treats!
I'll be announcing another Giveaway on Thursday! Stay tuned!
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23 comments:
It truly is ALL about choice. Every moment of every day. I can always have a new Point A. That said, even the choices I make that seem bad, turn out to be good, if even for the lessons they teach me.
Enjoy your rabbit food today. *grin*
I allow overwhelm, tiredness and frustration to lead me to eat - too unhealthy, too much, too spicy, too often.
One big bad choice made up of many poor choices and culminating in - (taking my queue from your admission)- feeling comfortable in my 54-year-old body and with the bloated belly to prove it.
Thankfully, I recognize this dangerous pattern. Of course that is only half the battle. I am trying to rehabilitate myself by ensuring that I keep a generous stash of healthy food in my pantry and refrigerator. The plan is to reach for them when the overwhelm, tiredness and frustration stirs.
As soon as I leave here, I am going to print your poem and stick up on my refrigerator door to remind me to make wise food choices regardless of what is going on in my day.
Thanks Jan. God Bless.
I like that part of the meditation that says "I have no opinion about it... I let it go." For me, that's been a very important lesson to learn. Just observing and learning, not judging. My Spanish teacher explained that the translation for "I dropped the vase." is "The vase dropped." I love that. Less judgement, more love, more learning, more choosing based on what we've learned.
I think one of the great benefits about ageing is that we know ourselves a little better and become more gentle with ourselves and others. Just before I came to your blog I was on another, where I read this quote:
The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you."
– Lost in Translation
I think for me, the key to gently redirecting myself with new choices, has been to come to "know myself" and through that process I've actually come to like myself...a lot!
This is a most timely post for me. You sure do have a way of finding me spiritually!
I played less than admirably at my piano lesson today. When I walked out of there I felt like crying because I worked so hard on those pieces...I was very disappointed in my playing and my nervousness got the best of me.
My piano teacher responded: "God, our best teacher, always has a loving reason for lessons like this, not just piano skills. God is so glad you are his student and so am I."
I celebrate UNDERSTANDING in others and in myself. I celebrate MISTAKES and the learning that results from them. I celebrate the ability to choose where my thoughts should dwell.
Thank you, Jan, your timing never ceases to amaze me.
(heading West in 3 more days) Jg
Carolynn,
Love the notion of a new Point A. I guess I have never thought of it that way. And you are so right on. Every choice can turn out alright (in the long run anyway) if we are conscious and mindful.
The rabbit food was great. Super salad for dinner with fresh melons. I am happy and feeling super good.
Cheryl,
I appreciate your transparency, dear friend. Yes, the stress does push all our buttons to go eat it off. I like the thought of "food as fuel." That way I pick good things to eat so that my tank is full for energy, creativity, etc. xo
Rose,
I, too, have gained so much from dropping self-judgment about these choices. It is very freeing. Glad you have found this too. What your teacher said is very freeing too. Love that perspective!
Kate,
Yes, I am with you, aging does provide such graces. Kinder to self, for sure. I appreciate the notion of knowing yourself and how it influences your choices, and your reactions to this choices. I feel lovingkindness in your voice and that is wonderful!
Jan, This is a wonderful post. I believe in the grand over view there are no bad choices, like carolynn says, you can learn from your choices and you did :-). Also sometimes it is fun to eat what you want, our spirit needs fun as well as health :-).
I am so excited I won the goodie bag! I will send you my address!
xoxo
you are such an artist with words jan - i loved this post because it reminded me i get to choose, again and again and again, and that truly is a privilege.
thank you for the beautiful reminder - for sharing yourself so generously with us - and the poem and art were gorgeous as well.
the same phrase popped out for me that Rose picked up on, and I like what she has to say about the dropped vase
i also resonate with what Annie says about the grand overview - it certainly helps keep things in perspective :)
This is always so reassuring to me - to remember that I can change how or what I'm doing. In fact, I'm going through some major changes again, and I'm even enjoying the process this time.
:0)
What is it about holidays that makes us eat too much of the wrong foods?! I did the same, and I feel guilty now, but it sure tasted good at the time!
Enjoy those veggies! And thanks for this timely post.
xo
Oh, and congratulations to Annie for winning your giveaway!
:0)
xo
Hello Jan,
I love that this post is brimming with positivity! I choose to celebrate with you.
We really can use our power of choice to make a fresh start, anytime and anywhere we wish. That's a blessing not to be taken for granted.
A very good post Jan. I appreciate you for writing it and steering my mind toward positive thoughts.
Julie,
I am sorry to hear that the lesson went poorly but already I hear that voice of hope coming through...a life lesson learned. Truly, what more can one ask. To learn, grow, thrive in the Spirit!
Annie,
I, too, enjoy this perspective. In the bigger picture, there really are no mistakes, as long as our conscious awareness helps us learn from them. Congratulations again on winning! I await your address. Think dragonflies!
Char,
We sure do need timely reminders, every one of us. :-) I am glad that this one spoke to your heart. Be well!
Kel,
Well, kindred awakened beings think alike. I am so proud to be in the company of such evolved folks. xo
Angela,
It IS reassuring to know that the possibility exists of always choosing a new path. No matter what previous path we have wandered down.
Keith,
Hi and thanks for your comment. Well, you know, in a world that is teeming in negativity positivity always has inherent value. It's just remembering to orient ourselves that way and not get sucked into the negative...I appreciate your supportive thought.
Jan, I've been away from you and your blog too long. Good to be back in a land where self-love is encuraged.
We all overindulge bytimes. I like your loving approach to yourself, letting your old choices go.
I too make poor choices.
Probably made one toda in posting again so quickly when my post yesterdy was much better than today's. I could've let the better post up longer.
Living and learning!
I breathe.
I will let go.
I will do better next time.
And I have learned from these choices.
xo
Oh, Jan, I LOVE dragonflies!!!
xoxo
wonderfully expressed, Jan. It can be so easy to convince ourselves in this situation or that situation that we have no choice... that we are out of control of things that happen to us. And while this to some extent is true, as we are all subject to living in a world that does present its unique challenges, there are always choices to be made in how we respond to those challenges.
i hope you are feeling better :)
xo
To begin again without judgment is a gift and one I am learning to give myself. Someone recently suggested that I "go back" and heal old hurts and then let them go. I see now that in holding on I have not been kind to myself. I can begin again. Your poem is beautiful, Jan. Thank you.
Jannie,
Glad you are here with us. Yes, isn't the loving approach just the very best? Who doesn't want that? I am glad you choice that kind path for yourself. xo
Annie,
I knew you were a dragonfly woman! You will enjoy the gift, I am sure. Getting ready to post a HUGE giveaway tonight. Stay tuned!
Joanne,
Hi dear heart! How are YOU feeling? I am very well, esp. since the diet has been more conscious...
You have said it so well, that, while true that many things are actually out of our control, we can always choose to how we wish to respond to them. Sometimes this is very difficult though, esp. when pain is involved, or loss, etc. These are very tough roads to walk. But still we can intend to embrace what is here with greater ease. Yes? Love to you!
Sharon,
This is a powerful lesson! To go back and heal old wounds, then let them go and move on is the spiritual "warriors" path. It does take great courage and resolve, so I am celebrating that you are up to this at this point in your life. Though I will give you a little hint: I believe the Divine (Universe, etc.) only gives us what we can deal with in that moment. We heal in layers and on levels. And we can always ask that our healing be a gentle one. I believe our prayers are answered in that way. Blessings!
Hi Jan .. don't we all occasionally & it's good to enjoy - but that terrible feeling later is too much!
If I have a big lunch, which is rare .. because I don't like eating til the evening (that's what suits me) .. then I'll have just a fresh veggie supper perhaps with some hummous ..
I'm sure you'll be better by now - as I'm into commenting on a fishy Friday! Happy feeling days .. Hilary
jan, hello! i found you through buddhistmama. i don't believe in coincidences, rather meant-to-bes. i am so-very-glad that i hopped over here.
your peacefulness is resounding and your posts resonating.
choice is powerful. knowing that we have choice, is even more so.
thank you for sharing your thoughtful, calm space.
Galit,
Welcome! So happy to see you here. I am glad the post (and site) resonates with you. Yes, choice. How much we underestimate its importance to chart the course of our lives. May peace prevail in you today.
Hilary,
Blessings to you as always. May you feed your soul today!
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