On yesterday’s Challenge, Susan M wrote something that I think is really interesting and pretty important:
“Today was a jam packed day. Not any “driveway moments” today to sit and ponder. But just having this intention and practicing mindfulness has initiated an underground shift in me. It is coming more easily and naturally. Today I found myself to be much more attentive to each person I interacted with. That felt so good.”
I recognize what she’s talking about and I wonder if you do as well. The first week of this process I was completely aware of it throughout the day, finding all sorts of things to pay attention to and ooh and aah over. In this second week, that sense of wonder and every-moment engagement has faded, but there is a difference in the underlying feeling about my finances. Not that it’s solved or the stress has completely faded. But there’s an “underground shift”, as Susan M put it, toward a sense of hope and optimism that I’ve never had before.
I think both phases are valuable. It might make identifying the specific daily miracles a little more challenging in this phase, but it’s the shift in attitude that IS the miracle.
And I expect that there will be another phase that will show up soon, too. Something that I don’t even know to expect yet. I wonder what it will be?
Hey guys – we’re almost half way done! I hope you’re feeling great about the work that you’ve done so far. And if you’ve missed a bunch of days or haven’t started yet but think you might want to, we’re ready and willing to cheer you on! There’s nothing stopping you – you can start posting today! Information is here.
3 comments
Loretta Stride
September 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Speaking of shifts, i had a huge one this morning. Long story short, I have been dealing with a family issue that i keep trying to put in the background and focus on my own creativity and friends. Well the more I tried to ignore it, the more annoyed I became. Yesterday it came to a head, ignored it, or rather I became annoyed with it, went to bed and had a strange dream. I woke up feeling uneasy and extremely heavy. While on my run I had an Aha moment where so many lessons came to light and I realized how selfish I was being. Time to move forward. Paying attention to the signs the Universe presents to you is a miracle! I feel so much lighter now.
Susan M
September 28, 2011 at 7:58 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
@Leah – thank you for pointing out these phases! Aha!
@Loretta – cool last name!
@ Me (heehee) – I am trying to settle my mindfulness upon mealtime. Often I eat so fast while reading the paper or anything nearby that I can read. I’ve eaten before I even thought about any morsel that went in my mouth. Today, I enjoyed lunch at the local diner with my husband. I had a salad with lobster meat on it and sweet potato fries. The diner was pretty slow today so the atmosphere was calm and quiet. I savored each bite of salad and each fry. As a result, I felt better, sated and satisfied after my meal. Not the same story for dinner which I heated in the microwave at my office and gulfed down between clients. Oh well, at least one meal got my attention today!
Leah Carey
September 28, 2011 at 11:16 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Amusingly, after writing about taking my lunch to work last night, I ended up buying lunch today. I was supposed to meet a co-worker for lunch but we were both overloaded and postponed until next week. Which left me with a huge pile of work to do and no food. So I went to my favorite restaurant in town and got a takeout lunch special.
Two things to note here – I didn’t indulge in recriminations for doing it. I didn’t play the self-torturing game of “Well I know I shouldn’t do this but…” I just did it and felt okay about it.
The other is that when I’m stressed I eat. And that eating is usually other people’s food – ie, a restaurant. Or a frozen dinner from the store. Which means that the food I eat in those stress moments is less healthy and more expensive. Clearly a pattern that needs some attention.