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.

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

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

Sensory Pleasures in Winter

The caresses of 32°C water, when swimming in the hot spring's pool

The smell of a huge bunch of large white lilies

The sound of show crunching under my hiking boots

The taste of ruby red Port wine, slowly enjoyed before dinner

The quiet elegance of a young deer, watching us from a safe distance

... and the warm feeling of gratitude that I can enjoy all these miracles - and share them with you

Yes, I see you too

Opening my Eyes,Opening my Mind

Finally winter has taken over the city. Roofs and gardens are covered with snow, and at least in the park I pass in the morning the whole ground is white.
It's like all the WHITE opens my eyes wide up and lightens up my whole being - in both senses.
The glittering snow fills my mind and my mind just relaxes and naturally drops all thoughts. Pure brightness, pure space.
I'm all white and glittering within.
I open up, and I shine.

The White

Slowing Down

For as long as I remember, I've held a quick pace. Since a couple of years I realize that instead of making me "efficient" it prevents me from really living.
So I'm working on slowing down.  The best way to do that is to stop focusing on my mind, and turn my full attention to the body. When I sense the aliveness of my feet and legs, my torso and arms, my head and face just by itself a little smile appears... :-)
Then I'm fully present. And then I've slowed down enough to be here for what I am doing in this specific moment and who I am with right now.
When I slow down I live more fully, and I am there for all the little miracles of my world.

One of the miracles - a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day

The Key to Happiness

A Zen master was asked "What is the key to happiness?" His answer was one single word: attention. I have found out that he was right.
When I pay attention to all the little details of my life, I see how I'm surrounded by miracles all the time. It makes me deeply happy to enjoy the smiling face of a baby on the tram, the moonlight through bare branches, the soft purring of a cat. I just have to pay attention.
And when I pay full attention to other beings, there is love. Because attention is not only the key to happiness, it is also the key to love.

Paying attention to the glittering snow