Thich Nhat Hanh

Selah. Good evening Sweet Ladies. God gives us each our own special gifts and Shanna yours has always been to organize and decorate, and you are doing it so beautifully with this blog. I love to turn to here because it is beautiful and encouraging. It's our happy little place away from the chaos of the world. The quotes are awesome and I want to transfer them to my Facebook.
Speaking of chaos, I have been obcessing with my facebook. I didn't mean to, but I started something that is drawing attention and now its a project. I felt so bad because the time I had set aside to post here last night, I used on facebook. I couldn't pull myself away from the drama of pouring my heart out about a cheating boyfriend. People are following it like an Us magazine. I'm having friends pop up that I forget existed. And friends are telling friends to tune in.
But I did pull myself away tonight. Though my facebook alert pops up notifying me of a new post. I shall ignore it. It means more to me to spend time with the girls who I love most dearly. Let me bring yo up to date on my life. Yesterday morning I woke up at 5:10 am. I have been just asking God to wake me up when I should. I remember once I talk to a man who never uses an alarm clock. I thought he was nuts. But now I rarely ever need one either. Perhaps that comes with age. Or perhaps, I like to think that I am being more one with the universe and my place and time in the cycle of it. I headed right out to the gym but before I left I felt I really need to stop and meditate on some Louise Hay material. I searched my apartment frantically in a rush and could find neither of her books that I have. When my eyes scanned the bookshelf looking for Louise, I came across this bright yellow book tucked in the back but screaming to be noticed. Thich Nhat Hanh's book entitled "you are here". I checked the contents to see which chapter was calling my name. It was "Healing our Wounds and Pain." I have been very sad that Doug was a womanizer and I was decieved into loving him. Though I choose to forgive, let it go and move on...my mind won't drop it. Hanh's book is all about mindfulness... and in a sense the absences of minding. hah... I think I have a new motto, "I don't mind a bit." Yet again, the book teaches a paradox to be hypersensitive to minding what is around you, what you are doing, tasting, smelling, touching, to bring your senses in in every way. He explains to live life happy you must be mindful of details at the moment. That brings us greater appreciation for the here and now. Therefore, we do not dwell on the past, or worry about the future. Just enjoy now. Literally now, this very second. Stop and ponder what do you hear, feel, smell, taste, touch. He says if we do it we bring happiness now.
As far as the workout, I took the book with me and walked on the treadmill, dedicating ten minutes each to us. No heavy revelations. But the reading material was good and I felt the need to reread it today.
Let me share some more of what I learned from Hanh about healing our wounds. First of all, commit this poem to memory.
In, Out
Deep, Slow
Calm, Ease
Smile, Release
When I first practice it yesterday morning, I couldn't really smile. My face felt like heavy clay. I"ve never really been one to struggle with smiling but I really did. Something definitely needs repaired in my life.
I started practing what the poem says...breath in, breath out.
do it deep and slow. Feel the cam and ease (I like to say peace instead- it still rythms.) smile and release all tension. This is something that can be practiced over and over again as needed. Better yet, do it before you need it.
I have tons more to say, but my eyes are getting heavy. Tomorrow I will continue on this path. Selah. PS I was thinking it would be good to have our opening word because if we have visitors they won't know which of us is talking. Even now I have to start reading before I know which one of you wrote the blog.
Sweet dreams.