75/365 Go placidly amid the noise and haste

I had a very interesting discussion yesterday with a friend around the power of the mind, the setting of our own internal thought “landscape” where over years of experience we tend to bring to the table all the expectations and baggage, hurts and negativities from when we have been in the situation we are now facing, on previous occasions and it hasn’t worked out well. NLP is big on understanding our minds in this way and how we can re program our thinking patterns, become aware of them and map out a new landscape. Mindfulness meditation teaches you to “step out” of the everyday chatter of the mind and emotions, and to treat every new situation with “beginners mind” like the first time, no pre conceptions, just a willingness to engage with life and learn along the way with a positive mindset. I could bat on and on and on about all this, its one of my favourite subjects, but instead, first a phrase which I saw on a website which talked about not letting yourself start a negative train of thought / worry / anxiety, with the simple phrase “Imagine what your day would be like if you didn’t have that thought” simple but powerful, the answer is usually that you would have a great day, with no anxiety, the thing you were going to worry about is unlikely to have changed or got any worse without you thinking about it all the time, and actually given your new less anxious and positive mindset is likely to have improved, or you realise you are worrying about something nebulous, that doesn’t exist anyway. The second is a poem which was read to me in meditation class about realising your own negative patterns, and choosing “another path” through life. The third is my all time favourite – Desiderata by Max Ehrman, so I am sorry for the length of this post, and please skip “poetry corner” if you want to *smile* But I can never read Desiderata without ending up feeling calm and balanced and that all is right with the world, so for the times when a glass of wine just isn’t appropriate, try this!

I walk down the street.
There is a hole.
I don't see it.
I fall in.
It isn't my fault.
It takes a very long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is still a deep hole.
I pretend not to see it.
I fall in.
I pretend it's still not my fault.
It takes a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is still the same deep hole.
I see it.
I fall in anyway.
It's a habit.
I get out quicker this time.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole.
I see it.
I walk around it.
I don't fall in.

I walk down a different street!!!

Desiderata – Max Ehrman

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy