Day 3,150

Growth:

This specific quote from Neil Gaiman really summed up one of the reasons I enjoy blogging.

All too often I write to find out what I think about a topic, not because I already know. – Neil Gaiman

Quite often I start with a spark of an idea and it fleshes itself out as I type. Sometimes the entire destination changes as well! Taking the time to write out my blog provides the opportunity to focus on the topic, to breathe life into it, to set it free, and see where it grows to.

Quick aside, tonight’s Presence section is such an example of. Never would I have dreamt of sharing the detail, but it just seems so right, it is the magic which created the moments of presence. The idea was scratching to get out and I’ve now loosed it on the world, my apologies 😉

Appreciation:

Hmm….

Do I write about the wonderful walk in the woods this morning with Becky and Leia as we listened to the birds?

Do I write about the reminder of how much more full life is when I am outdoors and have a focus on appreciation?

Do I write about sharing a life learning experience with Dominic as we went grocery shopping?

Do I write about remembering the story of the monk carrying the woman over the stream to help me stay focused on letting go rather than carrying something?

Do I write about putting in a new exterior door, getting frustrated, having the boys help me out, remembering that I am setting an example for them, and the calming myself down – which leads to a near perfect installation after much frustration earlier?

Do I write about the time chilling with Gavin playing a couple of epic games as we talk about nothing in particular?

Do I write about going to bed early to start the week right?

Hmm…

I guess I just blogged about it all.

Presence:

This evening I went to a very different yoga session than usual, this one was a sound bath. We stretched out and moved a little before settling in on our mats to breathe and focus as the teacher created a very enlightening soundscape.

Prior to starting she advised us to not look up to see how the sounds were made, rather to stay focused on only the sound with our eyes closed. I’m so had I heeded her advice as it added a special twist to the meditation, adding the theme from many myths of a loved one leaving the underworld with you, but if you look back before you’re all the way out you’ll see them for only a second before they dissipate back into the underworld. I was so close to looking up a few times but knew the sensation of peace and chill would vanish if I looked.

It also felt as if I’d somehow cheated Sleep as the group around me all slumbered (the person next to me was snoring in a very pleasant way). The King of Dreams crept around scattering seeds of dreams amongst the sleepers and I had to stay extra calm while pretending to sleep elsewhere he’d jettison me from waking to sleeping and the experience would shift from a memory to a loosely braided dream meant to come undone. If I remained hidden from his sight I could enjoy soaking in the secrets of the world between sleep and waking. Such wild thoughts running through my brain!

The entire experience was at a very different level from that which I am used to. Aside from the engaging imaginations and complete sensation of calm there was another bonus. All of reality seemed more real and tangible afterwards. My sense of presence was heightened and I savored the feel of walking on sidewalks with bare feet, the subtle scent of rain, the sounds of the birds. All around me life was very much the same, yet do much more vibrant as I was more alive in it. What a gift!

Thanks!!!