The here and now

[sevenofwands]

Much everyday grief (aka aggravation) would be avoided, making us easier on ourselves, first of all, and consequently easier on others, particularly our nearest and dearest, if we were a little more "mindful".  It takes practice though.-

""Mindful people are happier, more exuberant, more empathetic, and more secure. They have higher self-esteem and are more accepting of their own weaknesses. Anchoring awareness in the here and now reduces the kinds of impulsivity and reactivity that underlie depression, binge eating, and attention problems. Mindful people can hear negative feedback without feeling threatened. They fight less with their romantic partners and are more accommodating and less defensive. As a result, mindful couples have more satisfying relationships.""

""Life unfolds in the present. But so often, we let the present slip away, allowing time to rush past unobserved and unseized, and squandering the precious seconds of our lives as we worry about the future and ruminate about what's past. "We're living in a world that contributes in a major way to mental fragmentation, disintegration, distraction, decoherence," says Buddhist scholar B. Alan Wallace. We're always doing something, and we allow little time to practice stillness and calm. ""

Often, we're so trapped in thoughts of the future or the past that we forget to experience, let alone enjoy, what's happening right now. We sip coffee and think, "This is not as good as what I had last week." We eat a cookie and think, "I hope I don't run out of cookies."

[sevenofwands]

Aahh the link:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200810/the-art-now-six-steps-living-in-the-moment

[sevenofwands]

A beautiful poem for winter

"Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening."   Robert Frost

"Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.


My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.


He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.


The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

[sevenofwands]

""And sometimes things get better: the future has been known to offer handshakes rather than slaps, after all.

Of course, we often don't realize that until later.

Try this: write, honestly, what you're thinking about today. Then look at it next year. Maybe you'll see what you'll hold onto, and maybe see what you'll need to let go.

It could be that you thank yourself--not for the reminder of what bothered you, but for the relief of realizing it's no longer there"""

Here is the rest:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/snow-white-doesnt-live-here-anymore/200912/where-will-you-be-next-january-write-it-down-tonight

[sevenofwands]

Good Stress!!


""...periodic bursts of stress that are quickly resolved have the opposite effect, inspiring the body to quickly repair itself.

So how can you make sure that you’re enduring the right sort of stress? MSNBC provided these expert tips:

1. Keep track of your stress level on a 1-10 scale each day. If it comes in at 5 or higher for two straight days, make some time to take part in relaxing activities that you enjoy.


!
  2. Have an adventure. New and exciting activities, such as rock climbing or going to a party where you don’t know anyone, can stimulate short bursts of stress, which will have a positive effect on your body.

3. Create a “What-I’ve-done” list. Focusing only on what needs to be accomplished can lead to long-term stress, so make sure that you remind yourself of your accomplishments on a regular basis to lighten your mood.

4. Try new sensations. Next time you go to a restaurant, try the spiciest dish that you can handle. It may be tough at first, but it’s a great way to kick-start your immune system into overdrive.

5. Exercise. You don’t need to run a marathon to see the effects—any exercise that makes you sweat will give you the stress you need to fix the damage in your body."""

 

[sevenofwands]

This is so poignant. 
A friend sent it to me yesterday.


CRABBY OLD MAN

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his
 meager possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health.  A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

-----------------------------------
Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, . . . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .  . . ... with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . . . .. and makes no reply .
When you say in a loud voice . . . . "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice . .. . the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . . . a sock or a shoe?

Who, resisting or not . .. . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding. .. . . the long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?  . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . you're not looking at me..

I'll tell you who I am.  . .  as I sit here so still,
As I do at your
 bidding, . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten .  .. with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . . . who love one another.

A young boy of sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet..
A groom soon at twenty .. . . .my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . .. . that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five, now .. .. . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide .  . and a secure happy home.
A man of thirty . . .. . . .  My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .. . . With ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . .. to see I don't mourn.
At fifty, once more,  . .. babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . .. . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . .my wife is now dead.
I look at the future  . . . . ..  shudder with dread..
For my young are all rearing . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years,. and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age .. . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .... . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . .. . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . .. . a young guy still dwells,
And now and again .. . . . my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . .. I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . .. . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people ... . . ... . open and see.
Not a crabby old man.   Look closer .. . see ME!!