It's been three months since my last post. I spent the rest of 2017 "just being", spending more time with myself. That's called "mindfulness". Using the medical cannabis for pain, my body, mind and spirit needed time, mindfulness to adjust. Having chronic pain through my body since I was 11 years old, not having pain most of the day was wonderful, but odd.
Having pain for a long time seems to be a habit. And when that habit gets broken, it takes adjustment, time, slightly similar to withdrawal from non-healthy things. Difficult to articulate, but if you do it, you understand.
When I moved to Florida in 2004, we were fortunate to live in the same community one of my girlfriends from Ohio had been living in, and since we were both far distance from our families, our relationship developed to the closeness of sisters. We both went to a Buddhist mindfulness all day workshop about 12 years ago. The monk suggested we not talk to each other all day, focus on ourselves. My friend and I were the only ones there who could do that all day, and that bonded our relationship even more. One of the mindfulness activities we practiced in the morning, and then afternoon, was mindful walking through a preserve. We focused on our feet, each step, our bodies, our surroundings. I loved it. And I walk every day with that mindfulness practice. It's become so ingrained that most steps I take are mindful. For me, the experience is very centering, like meditation inside.
I make one resolution every year. And it's a resolution that will be rewarding so I can continue it through the year, through my life. Last year was to take more time in life for myself, and mindfulness helps accomplish that.
This morning I took time for my qigong, taiji (tai chi), and yoga practices. I "should" have been cleaning the house, starting the cooking for the new year dinner I'm making for friends. But the practice of my energy exercises and taking the time I need will give me a better day.
If you are a person who makes a lot of resolutions and then get disappointed in yourself when you can't keep the resolution, I suggest making one resolution that will make you feel good by practicing it. Even a diet resolution that is healthy, although it may seem difficult, if it's right for you, you will feel better. And make it realistic. Instead of "I give up candy", cut back on nibbling, like decide you will eat one treat after lunch, one after supper. Or cut back on a third, or half, of a negative heating habit instead of cutting it out completely. Then mindfully eat your allotted portion, and enjoy it more.
And if it's a good resolution, it will become part of your life. If it improves your life, you will practice it throughout your life.
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