Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘meditation’

GUIDED

It is always interesting when I look back at some of the events in my life. At the moment, they do not seem important. It is only when a few hours, days, or weeks have passed that I see the connection. I don’t know when the title of the movie GOD’S NOT DEAD first appeared in my life. It was a few weeks ago — on TV, with just a brief description of the plot. I didn’t pay too much attention but the title stuck in my mind.

Recently I learned I could rent it, but I don’t like to order movies via the TV. Yesterday the movie was in my face, at Target, then in my hand, at the cash register and out the door. And on our TV in the afternoon. I thought the movie was well done. I could relate to many of the scenes — their car wouldn’t start. I don’t have that particular problem but many times what I plan to do is not what God wants me to do and even though I’m a slow learner, I do get the message eventually.

It is the Fall season of the year — a time when I tend to get depressed. I don’t know if this year the feeling is worse — but I’m heavier and can’t seem to get with the program. Soon I will be older. That is not making me happy or unhappy but my weight and lack of energy is a growing problem. I’m on FACEBOOK but I don’t spend much time on the computer. Yesterday I responded to a message and found a few things that either gave me a smile or made me laugh. My great granddaughter, although far away, is a delight thanks to her mother’s sharing.

Today, I was trying to meditate — BUT — my computer WOULD NOT LET ME! I accessed FACEBOOK instead. A friend has been challenged to find something that makes her happy for 100 days and post it. I know I won’t take the time to post something on line every day but jotting down something in a notebook every day might be worthwhile.

I saw a video — mother duck at the top of a set of stairs — 12 ducklings on the steps below. Ducklings trying and TRYING to get up the stairs with their mother. THEY DID NOT GIVE UP. Both mother and brood paced back and forth. When the last ducking reached the top of the stairs — mother took off with her ducklings following behind her.

Today I was able to go to Mass at our church. I learned that a friend had passed on Wednesday, we should be in town for his memorial service. I learned that one of our priests was moving to a residential facility. I had noticed that he had dementia, I guess it is getting worse.

I just met a woman whose 96 year old mother lives with her. The mother still has her mind but is losing her sight.

I’M NOT GIVING UP — I’LL KEEP LOOKING FOR MY HAPPY — and I’ll try again to get my weight down and find my energy. Just like the ducklings, I’ll keep trying!

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

FACING THE DRAGON

I’m not a hoarder, but I am a packrat. I know many people, my husband for one, who have no trouble getting rid of stuff. I, on the other hand, have a difficult time — I might need it some day. Which explains why I have this problem. Sadly I came to the realization that there is no way in the world that I’m going to reread all the books that I have collected. Nor am I going to use all of my cookbooks — I’m sure they number in the hundreds.

I’ve also realized that I’m not as young as I once was, another decade past too quickly — I no longer have the energy or the strength. It is hard to face that fact. We will not be able to travel as we had hoped. Do I really need all of my travel brochures? It is hard to let go of the dreams.

I started going through my books — bag upon bag have left for greener pastures. Sadly, it doesn’t look like I have made a dent in the bookshelves. I still have piles of books in stacks on flat surfaces. I have shed the travel brochures. I’m evaluating the cookbooks. I’m parting with some of the magazines.

We had a 100 cup coffee maker that I donated to church. A thirty cup coffee maker met the same fate. We don’t give parties, when would I use them again? You would think that I would start to see some empty space on the shelves. I DON’T! I must have been very careful in my placement.

Our church had a bundle for the Saint Vincent DePaul society. Our priest suggested we go home from church, have breakfast and collect items to donate. I only had two days when we came home from Central Illinois but I managed to pack the trunk of the car with useable items.

If I can maintain my momentum, I might make some progress. But warmer weather is coming, the outdoors beckons. It will be interesting to see if I continue to make progress.

I’m fully aware that I have help from “my friends” but that doesn’t always mean that the “help” will keep me indoors — working — instead of outdoors.

My eyesight is also suffering from age. I recently realized that my far vision had deteriorated. I couldn’t see distance as clearly. Driving home from our daughters in Central Illinois, my eyes were bothering me. I didn’t know if air from the defrost was blowing on them, so I put my reading glasses on. That helped. When we reached home I looked for my distant glasses that I received a few years ago. Thankfully I found them and now wear them when driving. Things are just a little bit clearer. I have to remember which glasses I’m wearing because distant glasses don’t help in the store.

When I arrived home from shopping, I put on my prescription reading glasses only to discover that the arm was broken. I hoped that it just needed a screw but I’m not that lucky. A guided meditation has recently started — I’m still trying to meditate. The next morning, eyes closed I “saw” a verse in black letters at the bottom of my field of vision that slowly rose to the top. The words were so small I couldn’t read them. Now I will admit that glasses wouldn’t help but it is just another nudge from my “friends”. I don’t think I’m ready for bifocals yet. I have an appointment with the eye doctor, so we will see.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

MANTRAS

I’m often pestered to meditate. Invitations come in many different ways. Sometimes it is on my calendar, through friends or strangers, on the internet. I keep trying to meditate — sometimes it works, often it doesn’t. I have journeyed with Oprah and Deepak Chopra through a 21 day meditation. Maybe that is where this invitation to meditate came from. I was invited by the mentors channel to join them for a 21 day chanting meditation.

Still trying — I joined. Their meditations were different — Deva Premal chanted different mantras each day. Although I enjoyed the chanting, it kept me grounded. Many, if not all were from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. I have a strong belief that there is one Supreme Being — many different ways to worship. Therefore Buddhist chants were welcome.

I don’t give up quickly. Although I wasn’t able to try each day — life interfered — I finished all 22 days. I will admit that I wasn’t happy with my inability to quiet, to meditate. Many of the chants were long. If I was able to chant along with Deva I might have had more success. I enjoyed her voice, I enjoyed the music. I enjoyed the message behind the mantras. For these reasons I kept returning.

During the time frame of these meditations, our government was considering the actions of Syria when nerve gas was used to kill their countrymen. By the time the meditations ended, Russia had intervened. The crisis was on standby. Then a meeting was set up with another Middle East country. Not necessarily peace, but a start.

I can’t help but wonder if the thousands who had gathered to chant, pray, meditate during this time frame had somehow influenced the outcome of these situations. I’ll never know but anything that helps to bring peace to our troubled world is welcome.

Sadly the meditations have not worked within our own government whose elected officials are not working for the good of the people. By the time this thought ramble is published hopefully our current financial crisis will be solved.

When we leave the camper next week, we will be only home a couple of days before we fly to Florida to meet our new great grand daughter. I try to write thought rambles to publish when we are traveling — with the constraints that it has to be “spirit influenced.” I was mystified this morning. I sent up a prayer for “help!” My prayer was answered. I just didn’t recognize the answer. I received the answer “Magic Prayer” through one of my print sources. I have to admit that I didn’t understand. Thankfully “Spirit” has patience with my inability. During a meditation I thought of the word mantra. This time — thankfully — I got the message.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

POSITIVE MOVES

Where, oh where has the time gone? Just yesterday I had energy, was able to do the Sun Salutation in Yoga — my various body parts worked. Today, my knees prefer that I don’t kneel, getting down on the floor is interesting, getting up can sometimes be a challenge.

I’m facing another birthday. Each Fall I reflect on my life, the journey I have taken and the road ahead. Often the change of seasons and reflection on lost opportunities bring sadness. I try not to dwell on the mistakes, but focus on the accomplishments instead. I will admit that depending on the day, sometimes it is harder to do.

Since I have “friends in high places” I’m often reminded of the accomplishments of people much older than myself. Yesterday, a man of 101 was honored on television — his mind is strong, he just renewed his driver’s license. In my travels, I have heard other stories of men and woman over a hundred who are still living a quality life. It seems that new stories are popping up on a VERY, REGULAR basis. I’m trying to pay attention. I don’t know how long I will remain here on earth, but as long as I’m here, I would rather have a high quality life like the centurions. Some things are out of my control, but some things are still possible to improve on.

I admire Angela Lansbury as an actress. Recently I learned that she has written a book titled Positive Moves and has an exercise VCR available of the same name. Thanks to the internet, both are now in my possession. In fact, they were on our doorstep when we arrived home from our last camping trip. I have NEVER been a professionally trained dancer but I was able to do most of her exercises. Some easy stretches I have incorporated into my daily routine.

I’m often reminded that in order to live a healthy life I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT AND EXERCISE. All I can say is that I’m trying. One of my recurring messages is to meditate — to listen. I try, and I will continue to try — someday I might even hear. Until that time, I’m confidant that the important messages will get through.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

JAPANESE GARDEN

I don’t know where my love of flowers and gardens comes from. My mother’s mother always had a garden with flowers and vegetables. Many of my aunts on my father’s side always had lovely flowers blooming in their yards. I inherited their love of flowers and when I learned of the Japanese Garden in Rockford, Illinois I knew I wanted to go. A short announcement on a television program brought it to my attention. There is something about the sound of falling water mixing with the stones and trees in a Japanese Garden that sets it apart from other types. We planned to go on Thursday until I saw the weather forecast. Just for fun — I was going to wear a kimono type dress that I bought in Oahu.  Thursday’s temperature was forecast to be 94 and humid. We left very early on Tuesday morning, the temperature was already 73 degrees heading for 92. I wore a tank top and shorts. I’ll leave the kimono for another time.

We were at the garden by 10:30. We received a map detailing the various statues and buildings on the site. The garden is divided into two parts — the first is ancient Japan, with bamboo chairs and buildings, the second is modern — metal chairs, umbrellas for shade. Luckily there were many shaded areas and plenty of benches and other resting places. A light breeze was blowing as were made our way around. A few clouds passed by providing more shade. When I looked the garden up on the internet, their website had many lovely pictures of the garden which I thought were taken in May when azaleas were in bloom. I was very happy to see many flowering plants in various places in July. I loved the rocks — I saw a laughing face in one when we started our tour.

We heard the tall waterfall by the tea house before we saw it. I tried to meditate in a shelter near the waterfall but meditation has never been my strong suite.  It is no longer possible to climb to the top bridge by the waterfall because of insurance. Sitting on a rock in the middle of the pond were 8 yellow and brown bundles, little ducklings snuggled together while their mother swam near by. A lovely gift. I wondered if they were meditating.

The map referenced a raccoon husband and wife. Although I looked for statues and rocks I had not seen the pair. While my husband rested, I retraced my steps without any luck. Luckily a workman was nearby who knew where they were hiding — and hiding they were. The wife sculpture was next to a bench, the husband behind the leaves of a tree.

I would liked to have spent more time in the garden but the temperature was already rising. I learned that it is also very pretty in the Fall when the leaves are changing. We will have to go back. Maybe then I will wear my kimono.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

WHERE ARE YOU

A couple of years ago I was reading either a magazine or a book that asked me to name ten people in my life that were important to me. No problem — I did that easily. Then the author asked where on the list I was. Surprise, I wasn’t there at all.

For the last 20 days I have joined Deepak Chopra and Oprah for a 21 day meditation. It ends tomorrow on Easter Sunday. I have trouble meditating — my mind, my body, the noises in my environment — they all distract me. Each day, at the end of the meditation, Oprah asked three questions that I have found very interesting. They all pertained to regaining my health. Instead of journaling on the computer, I have written in long hand in a book. The questions are helping me pay attention to me, to keep myself on my list.

My life can be very quiet and uneventful. If I am doing what I should — exercising or resting, eating healthy, not extremely worried, going with the flow of my life — “my friends” remain in the background. They “help” when there is a need, otherwise my life is uneventful, I have NOTHING to write about.

Since I found and accepted the invitation to meditate, my life has been quiet. Hoping to increase my energy level I have added more exercise to my day. I am paying more attention to my diet, hoping to melt. I wish I could say that my sleep is more restful, I’m hoping that will happen.

This week, the noise coming from North Korea caused me some concern since my son and I are planning to go to Hawaii. A message came through the morning I heard of the stealth bombers to DETACH FROM DRAMA. I am paying attention to the message — other than pray for a peaceful world — there is nothing I can do anyway.

When I was at the Mind, Body, Spirit Expo a knowledgeable person advised me to talk to a nutrionalist, my body needs some minerals that are either missing or in short supply. An invitation from a near by hospital invited me to a healthful dinner where a  Doctor of Internal medicine is speaking on vitamins and supplements. I have accepted the invitation.

On Good Friday, the last question of the meditation was: “How do you know when you are living in or out of alignment with your life’s purpose?” I had to laugh, when I’m out of my life’s purpose I get hit on the head. Pebbles in the road become boulders.

My youngest daughter was at our house with her two children. They were trying to play Skylanders when the Portal Of Power stopped working. Our daughter told her children that unusual things happen in Gramma’s house. We wanted to take the kids to McDonald’s for lunch and active play in the playlot before they had to get back into the car and drive back home for three hours.  Our grandson wanted to play on the computer. “My friends” must have agreed with me.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud