Story #11: Cloudscape Paradox

Yesterday, 
I was riding on a bus
being transported through
space and time.

I was jolted into another dimension.
Looking at the clouds for six hours.
I don’t remember the last time I had
given myself permission to daydream.

The beauty of nature,
the complexities of life 
began to overwhelm me
with their presence.

* * *

Live for this moment. 
Not a second in the past, 
Not a second into the future.
What is now is now yours.
The unknown will always be there.
The mysterious is what will guide you,
Especially when everything makes no sense.

Pain does not go away.
Mistakes are not forgiven.
Nor forgotten.
Heartache tears through you
At every chance you give it.

The moment of now, 
just me and the clouds
floating together with the wind,
An escape into the present.

Monday Mantra #16: Being Patient

Being patient has not always been a strong quality of mine. Even before the era of social media and instant notifications, I needed to know sooner than later – A.S.A.P. being my mindset.

As I have discovered and applied minimalism in my life, appreciation for the outdoors and nature, and creating a life of anti-consumerism (think: buying less, buying less new stuff; buying used.) the impatient button has actually grown-up! I have realized what taking it all in, living in the moment truly feels like.

Patience is not overnight.

Patience is possible.

Patience makes us humble, honest and human.

These are some of the ways I have adopted into my life to remind me to Be Patient:

1. READING: Read about the lives of other people. Reading builds up empathy and compassion. Reading puts us in other people’s shoes. It takes us out of our bodies and away from our problems and stresses.
   On my Podcast – my recent PODisode is about books!
2. MOVING YOUR BODY: I recently started walking a minimum of 2 miles a day (1.6 km), as daily as drinking a cup of coffee, this is my daily requirement. No excuses. If I can, I run 2-3 miles every couple of days (when I don’t walk or even on days of walking.) I noticed my moods balancing and getting better sleep. With better sleep I noticed more patience.
3. MUSIC/ART THERAPY: I mean this in a non-conventional sense. Basically, listen to your favorite tunes just cause; find some crafts to do, or make something from scratch! (Crafts, Cooking, a Card, anything!) and just appreciate that time with yourself. 

 

 

Monday Mantra #11: Begin the Beguine

Hello New Year, Happy 2018!

I want to dance my way into the new year even with music so archaic probably our grandparents were too young to have heard it live.  I enjoy and appreciate  some aspect of the old-fashioned life as our world feverishly changes into digital books, self-driving cars and the globalization of corporations…that we can in some way feel small and insignificant.

Of course, new year means getting rid of the old and in with the new! We can purge repetitive and negative thoughts, alter bad habits, change or quit jobs that make us sick to our stomach, and move to places that makes us smile and sing, and travel to destinations that make us shake that groove thing! I wish this for you, and so much more.

As the title of the post suggests, “Begin the Beguine,” is a 1935 Cole Porter song that’s very bouncy, meant to be danced to in a Foxtrot style. If you dig deeper, the word “beguine” itself has other meanings (I will leave the research for you, my friend.) The song was rendered beautifully also by Artie Shaw (my favorite version) Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. [Click here for the full playlist]

Wishing you a hop in your step, a crinkle in your smile and a twinkle in your eyes, have a wonderful, most exciting 2018!

“When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender,
It brings back a night of tropical splendor,
It brings back a memory evergreen.”