14 Feb 2013

Inviting the Worries for Tea

I have been worrying a lot lately. Knowing it doesn't help didn't stop these obsessive thoughts from filling my tired mind. They just made things worse, draining me completely of energy. At this point, once again, the practice of stopping helped.
So I try to remember to STOP when the worries come creeping up, and instead of getting all caught up, I invite them in for tea :-) "Dear worries, my old friends, there you are again! Welcome!" I examine them, see them for what they are, and let them go. The worries are just little fears;  they should be calmed down, and dropped.
After letting them loose I return to real life. As always, the more often I catch myself, the more I strengthen that habit and the less I get caught up in worries.
And then I smile again, accepting the flow of life, and relaxing into what happens right here, right now.

10 Feb 2013

Refilling My Cup

My cup was completely empty and my energy level close to minus. Not really surprising deep in winter time with a flu in my neck and family worries in front of me.
Luckily there are ways to refill the cup. Care from family and friends is the most important one. Slowing down and opening the eyes to the miracles of life is another one. Like the he miracle of spring following after winter every year. Yes, there are already signs.... :-)

H&H greeted spring in Portugal

2 Feb 2013

Touch Points

A very helpful practice to stay present in my life is establishing Touch Points in the body.
I have chosen three places in my body where I can strongly focus my attention: my neck & shoulders, my heart, and my lower abdomen. Several times during the day I stop and gently breathe into these Touch Points, relaxing them and feeling them fully. It has become a nice habit to pause and connect with my body in this way.
The good thing about establishing Touch Points when life flows on normally, is that when I find myself in stressful situations I (hopefully!) remember them. Then I connect with my body, calm down and come a little bit closer to being in peace again...

PS: The source of this practice is the inspiring "Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach