Comments on: Just For Today Challenge: November 24, 2009

By: Ariane

Ariane — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:51:15 +0000

I was going to blog about this, but it didn't happen. Largely because my theory of "tying up loose ends" was still too much for one day. I did clear out some niggling to-do's, and it is helping, but I think I need another tack. Maybe next Monday I can think about how better to juggle the competing demands. Or maybe I can just reflect on all the reasons to keep my hand down and my mouth shut when something looks like it might need doing.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:27:51 +0000

I like the idea of this challenge. When I read about if last week I wondered what to do for myself. The first thought I had was that I needed to not dwell. Not dwell on worries, stressful things, whatever it is that I am stewing on - to let it go and free my mind.
In the days that followed came very sad news in my little world and I have thoroughly failed at not dwelling.
Maybe I need a different challenge. I don't see myself being able to let go of this sadness any time soon.

So proud of you for getting through with no sugar or caffeine. Really, bravo!

By: c

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:42:34 +0000

I filled out the blog link before posting on my website. Duh. So it was my mistake but I hope NOW the link may work. But if not, it's this user's error and not the system.
c

By: c

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:39:28 +0000

Just for Today Challenge: My Challenge was to be more mindful. That is kind of general but I'm quite often a doer, a busy person who can use productivity as my drug of choice. So, for me, being mindful came up in a few ways. I went to yoga. I didn't talk about going, think about going, plan on going. I went. I was in the class. Even in the class though I worked on being mindful and not forcing poses I haven't done in a while. I let myself be stiff because I was stiff. I let my mind wander during meditation because it was wondering. I was gentle with myself and didn't sign up for a life long membership but did notice, "That felt really good. Need to move body more." I have not been AS QUICK to reply to every email, thought, concern or question. Can I mull something over for a day, an hour, a while? Apparently can. Some of the time. Did I regret even once not "Racing and Rushing" to answer? Nope. I was hungry at 9pm last night. I thought about if I was a little hungry or very hungry and after thinking grabbed an apple. Usually I get a bag of pretzels and left the amount in the bag be exactly how hungry I was. And, I made a choice in an interaction with my child to let something go. It wasn't easy for me. My feelings were a bit hurt but I had to wonder, "How much do I need to make a point and how much do I need to hear the bigger thing being expressed?" I went with the bigger thing being expressed knowing I can address in another way not before school how one might be more considerate. I decided to model being considerate rather than to lecture about it. In the end, I heard something that was precious and priceless. My child told me something important. "I like it when you say I love you a lot but I don't like it when you talk a lot about other stuff." Would I have heard that need and enjoyment of frequent "I love you's" if I had filled all the air. All in all, a worthwhile exercise and rewarding. I also noticed when I wasn't mindful and when i was not, and lost my patience, it didn't feel so good. But I didn't beat myself up. I observed. I noticed. If I acted poorly, as I did at least once that was clear to me, I apologized. The mindfulness made me feel more awake. Thanks for the prompt MPJ!