I haven't updated in a while. I was busy most of March, April, and May wrapping up the end of the year teaching paperwork. Then I taught summer school the month of June, which was only half days and very rewarding to see how much the students grow and get ready for the next grade level. So July is a time when I get back to being fully engaged instead of on autopillot trying to get everything finished. A new goal is to cultivate an awareness and engagement with all things all the time. I can accomplish this some of the time but not all of the time. After a restful break my concentrated awareness will last several months until work gets stressful again. I am working hard with strategies at this point to remember to remind myself when things do get stressful that I can be more fully engaged. I plan on keeping these strategies in place, kind of in a reservoir for when I need them most.
The first week of July was clear of all demanding tasks. I felt a little untethered and restless because when you go from being task oriented for months and months and finally it's time to settle down for a while, I felt lost almost. It was the first time I did not have any to do list since Spring Break. I went to the beach for Spring Break and had a wonderful time.
I went to Asheville for summer vacation last week and had an even better time than I did at the beach. I absolutely love the mountains. There is a calming energy that soothes me when I am in the mountains. The trip to the mountains for the week was just the tonic that I needed. I loved sitting out on the deck of the cabin looking across to mountain peaks and down to the lush green valley below me. I enjoyed touring Biltmore, going to the botanical gardens at UNC, I walked a few of the trails there and loved that, and toured downtown historic Asheville. I loved going to the art galleries, antique shops, all the speciality shops there. There is an eccelectic taste in the town that bites of originiality, uniqueness, and this in turn brings it out in yourself. At least it does for me. I especially loved one coffeehouse that stands out in my mind, The Green Sage. It has delicious lattes, almond coconut mini cupcakes, and a terrific atmosphere. It is on a corner of the street and you see all the people passing by going to their desitinations. I sat there drinking my latte, watching the world go by both inside the coffeeshop and outside also. I went there several times and did a little writing also. The place's atmosphere is very conducive to writing.
Coming from struggling to get everything done in a certain amount of time to having an abundant amount of "open" time takes some getting used to. With a little bit of patience and nurturing myself I now feel I'm centered and balanced which leads to happiness, or because of happiness I now feel centered and balanced. I feel the coming together, the cohesion, everything melding, and now I have again found my creative voice.
6 comments:
I use post-its and sharpies on a mirror. I know it sounds crazy but when things get tense - and in my work that happens a lot, it's hard to rely on my mind to remember the lessons of awareness...so instead I have these little notes everywhere in hopes that one will haphazardly cross my eye while I scurry about. Have you read Echart Tolle?
That's a great idea! I'll definitely try that. I have read some of his articles in Light of Consciousness and Spirituality and Health magazines. I haven't read a book of his yet. What books of his have you read and what do you recommend? Thanks, and love your blog!:-)
I'm so thrilled to hear you're feeling centered and balanced. It sounds like a truly wonderful trip! It's funny the way making the most of summer sometimes means just letting go, doing "nothing", spending that time reflecting on the busy nature of the rest of the year. It's delightful that you're making the most of your time. Hugs! xoxo
Hi Frankie,
It is about letting go, getting that time to yourself with no to do lists to accomplish, then when the time comes you have replenished yourself and ready to go again. I have realized awareness is always available to us if we tap back into it and each moment starts afresh. It is difficult to always stay that way though, but we benefit in the long run if we do it because this moment is all that is given to us. Thanks for stopping by.
xo Lori
In a universe which has infinite size and infinite dimensionality, there is no "anchor-point" and position and movement is relative. In such a construct there is no absolute center or balance.
Conversely when speaking of the self, it can be said to exist as a singularity within this infinite n-dimensional reality matrix.
Awareness then becomes a thing of relative perspective not dependent upon external stimuli, but upon the self. Unlearn the illusion and unlock your potential as a being.
Thank you anonymous. I'll think about what you have said, meditate, and ponder, try to wrap my mind around it. Very interesting and thought provoking, thanks for visiting. Lori :-)
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