Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Monday

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to spend time listening to the wisdom of these three creative and courageous women;  Jennifer Louden, Patti Digh, and Susan Piver.  I took part in their day-long writing retreat and came away from the experience with a few gems.

Ass plus chair was one of them.  If I want to write, my buttocks need to be firmly planted in a chair at my desk with minimal distractions and I need to stay there longer than it's comfortable.  I do not need to get up and do anything everything else that suddenly appears to become utterly fascinating other than sitting and waiting for the words to show up.  The other gem was this...Meditation isn't about making the voice in your head disappear.  It's about noticing and letting go of your thoughts so you can hear what the voice really wants to tell you.  I heard loud and clear what the voice said and that leads me to today's question.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...       

 
"What do you think could really make a difference in your life?"

Having more patience for myself and for others.  It would not only decrease my pace, but I hope it would help me become more focused.  I think it would have a huge impact on me living in the present rather than always looking forward to what's next.  I also wouldn't find myself muttering nasty phrases to the slow drivers in front of me. 

Share a comment here or post your answer and a photo on your blog and let me know where to find you.

 

Comments

[Sara]

When I listened this weekend, my voice said the exact same thing - patience. It also said tolerance and compassion, but that it was enough to start with patience. Didn't want to overwhelm me... :)

[Angela Darrow]

What a common theme! Patience with others. Patience with self. Patience with the skill of growing patience. Still, another part of me said, "Quit waiting for something to happen! Go do it!" Now I'm patiently waiting for a break. This "doing " business can wear a girl out.

[John Hieb]

I see at least one overall event or ideal making the biggest difference in my life. This is something I wish on no one, and anticipate for everyone with the hope that the weight of the pain or suffering is not overwhelming; however, that is what has made a big difference in my life; pain and suffering. Without pain and suffering I was self absorbed. Through pain and suffering, I have learned to love others with complete acceptance for who they are. Through pain and suffering of loss (loss of many things or desires) I have learned to let go and to delight in the simple. Within the pain and suffering, I have met many people; some for a moment, and some for a moment longer. Those people reached into my spirit in one way or another and caused the effects of my pain and suffering to change into something else, and that something often changed into a blessing. Therefore, I look forward to pain and suffering because it is the way of life. With it, I find that I have more patience and time to delight in the joy, the laughter, and the company of other souls and their journeys while simply being and living in the moment.

[Bill Ellis]

Saying "yes" to everything without any judgement because, as far as I'm concerned free will is an illusion. And the purpose of meditation as far as I'm concerned is to be able to sit in a mindful way until the illusion of separation from all that was,is, and ever shall be, disappears.