Boredom: highly underrated

 When I was an early teen a basic middle school hallway conversation would probably translate to something like this:

"Oh MY GAWD!  I'm so totally bored!"

And my friend's answer (translated into today's tongue): "Same!"

And then I would say (translated, again): "Today is - LEGIT - THE most BORING day."

And my friend would reply: "I know, right?"

Oh...to have those boring days back with the history I have now!  I so long for boredom.  Of course, my definition is different from Websters.  I just mean a lull, a lack of things to do, places to take people to, places I have to be, a quiet time.  A time to just be.

I have to CREATE lulls now.  I have to snatch them in between going one place to another.  I have to make them just before falling asleep.  Or just on waking.

And in twenty years, when my children have families of their own, when the family dog is buried deep in the yard, when a vegetable garden is too much hassle for just two people...will I long for the busier days?  

I don't know.  

More importantly, right now I have a few moments to play cards with my daughter.  So to heck with wishing for the past and wondering about the future.  I'm going to play.

Can't remember to meditate? Problem solved.

So you're already at work and you just remembered that you forgot to meditate.  Argh!  Another frustrating day at the office...or is it?

With this little software tool, you'll get the whole office meditating.  Check it out at: http://www.mindfulclock.org/

In fact, you might want to just go ahead and load it onto everyone's computer one morning when you get in early.  Set all of the bells to go off at about 10 a.m. or so.  : )

Drama queen

Pupils dilate.

Give your adrenals a rest. They're tired.

Heart rate increases.
Blood sugar (glucose) rises.
Blood pressure skyrockets.
Cholesterol rises.
Brain activity heightens.
Blood readies to clot.
Breath quickens and is shallow.
Digestion is put on hold.
Elimination is put on hold.
Vitamins are purged.
Immune systems weakens.

What the heck is going on?  You're being attacked by a bear, you silly human!  This is what your body does when you're under stress!  It's readying itself!  What are you going to do?  Run?  Stay and fight?  Live?!  Die?!

But more realistically you're probably just under a work deadline.  Or can't pay the bills.  Maybe family coming in for the weekend.  Maybe you're arguing with your son.

Adrenal glands activate when you're under stress and the above list is the product.  Amazing isn't it?  And why are we surprised that our culture wins highest in: heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, ADHD, ADD, cancer, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, Parkinson's, arthritis.

We're so quick to blame our eating, lack of exercise, genetics on all of our health issues.  It sure does play a part.  But stress is HUGE.

And we're addicted to stress.  A bunch of drama queens, we are.  We get the rush of the adrenals, dopamine and epinephrine is released and pain dissipates.  And we do it again.  And again.  And again.

Know someone who actually CREATES drama in their lives?  You can probably bet they've got an adrenal rush addiction and really don't know how to turn it around - or may not even know they're creating drama in their lives.

Don't those little glands deserve a break?  Overwork a joint and you've got bursitis or arthritis or replacement.  The same thing happens to the adrenals.  They stop working properly when they've been abused.

Take up a practice that helps you relax.  Do it.  Get your health back.

Butt nasty coffee

Sat down this morning with a cup of the nastiest coffee I've probably ever drunk.  And I drank it.  The whole thing.  Sat in silence, drinking tongue-coating nasty stuff. Tasting every sip.  And sitting.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that are nasty.  A lot nastier than a cup of coffee.  But sometimes there is no action you can take and you have to sit in it until things shift.

Enjoying the moment?  Not so much.

I've tried and failed - on many, many occasions - to force my will through situations that are highly energized and chaotic, only to produce more chaos, anger, hate, frustration, tears.  When this happens, I know that I'm never really present in the moment: I let past confrontations color the current situations. I let my ego control the moment by choosing to feeling affronted.  I lose control.

So here I sit.  With my nasty coffee.  Not really enjoying the moment.  But all moments are not for enjoyment.  So we practicing being present in a situation that is not so pleasant.

And sometimes you have to start really, really small and build your way up.

Don't just "Like" it

Just for today, don't click the "Like" button. Make time to tell them why you like it.

Be brave! Write it ALL THE WAY OUT.

"I like this because I laughed my fat ass off when I read it! I was on the floor, rolling around laughing! And laughing that hard is dangerous for me - I gave birth naturally!"

Abbreviate NOTHING today!

Don't like it? Great!

"I don't like this! If there were a "Don't like" button I wouldn't even press it because I actually don't "Don't like" this...I HATE IT."

Be brave!

There are some things that raise your qi, your energy. You learn from them! Look at them! Why are your emotions strong?

Kill the mind chatter

There are a few ways to kill mind chatter:  The voice that constantly feeds you information about your life, whether it's based in reality or not.

#1. Simply feel your breathing:  As you walk down a hallway, drive to your next appointment, look at the choices in front of you at the grocery store.  If you feel overwhelmed, it's generally due to the stories that your brain creates.  Stop the thoughts by feeling your breath.  When your brain begins stories again, bring your thoughts back to your breath.  These simple moments are yours to relax your mind, get a reality check, and stop the incessant mind chatter.

#2. Feel the palms of your hands.  Bring your attention to them. Try to feel the simple pulse, the air movement around them, or the underlying layer of energy that is always there.  When your mind tries to interrupt, bring your attention back your hands again.  Don't allow the thoughts to take over.  Dwell in the moment.  Your strengthening your mindfullness each moment you continue the practice.  Don't give up.

#3.  Focus your eyes on something (not an electronic thing!).  A cup.  The wooden tabletop.  Grass.  A tree.  Let your eyes watch the graceful curves of the cup while you just breathe in stillness.  Allow your eyes to follow the grain of the tabletop, breathing in and out.  With your eyes, feel the wind shift the blades of grass or watch the gentle bend of the trees.  And breathe.

These exercises bring you to the present moment.  And because your mind is not creating stressful thoughts, you body relaxes as well.

Keep practicing.