Do you ever catch yourself going through the motions of life only to stop and reflect where have I been? I spent a week rushing here and there and I don't know what I accomplished.
How often do we stop and notice what is going on around us? The universe that is full of beauty and full of life and goodness despite what the media tells us.
I love watching geese not only because they are beautiful, but because they never seem to be in a hurry. Today I was going from one building to another building, and I saw two geese standing right next to the building. I am quite certain they were not there when I entered the building five minutes before. Or, did I walk by with my agenda trying to complete my goals before the 5 pm end of the day.
Where is it that we are rushing to? When we get there we are off to rushing somewhere else. Do we ever spend time in solitude? I think accomplishments are important in life, but somewhere they take on more importance than being. Some of us who didn't achieve as children were shamed by our parents and solitude and being never because important. We turned into type A personalities trying harder and harder strengthening the habit of perfectionism.
This has been a trait that I have had to work on a great deal in my life. Not everyone is familar with perfectionism, but it does not mean that you are perfect at everything. No one can be perfect at everything. Perfectionists have very high values, and when they make mistakes it can be a personal blow to their sense of self.
I think we can all work at being gentlier with ourselves. Here are some ways that have been helpful to me to be more mindful and more gentle with myself:
1. Spend time meditating. I often meditate to soft jazz.
2. Do something creative. I have started taking square dancing classes.
3. Find a church or religous organization where you feel a connection. I grew up a Catholic. I have experimented with several different religons until I found one that made me feel like I was at home.
4. Therapy and body work can be very helpful in mindfulness and gentleness to self. When I gone to one or the other in the past, I remind myself that I am caring for my spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
5. Spending time in silence reflecting. Reflection is how we become wise. We learn to love ourselves in spite of our shortcomings. We reflect how good it is to be kind to ourselves, and thus we are in turn good to others.
Like the picture of the goose, mindfulness can be as simple as stopping ourselves during the day and taking a deep breath. Life is too short to simply go through the motions of life. Live life gracefully like a swan. Make each motion count!
Peace.
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