How Many Times

How many times in a day do we try to "fix" what is? We drink coffee to stay awake when our bodies need rest, we eat food for a pick me up or when we are bored, frustrated, angry. lonely, etc, instead of dealing with the feeling, we sit and veg out on electronics instead of nurturing ourselves (and those around us) in a kind, engaged and present way...

We spend alot of time each day trying to avoid what is. Here is an exercise in recognizing the patterns of it:

1) Before you eat, ask yourself why you're really eating, or go one step further and keep a food journal. Write down what you are eating, how much and why. If you are eating sugar, ask yourself if you are feeling unloved. If you are eating salty stuff ask yourself if you are feeling stress. If you are stuffing yourself ask yourself if you are really feeling loneliness or emptiness.

2) Before you drink coffee, ask yourself if you are tired for a reason and whether that reason is something that you can do something about. Like, work less, play more, go to bed earlier, stretch and meditate before bed, or the like...

3) Set a timer on electronics, or set a restriction so that you only go on the computer or tv every other day and spend some time with people instead. Play some board games, some cards, or have conversations, cook together, massage each other, or just listen to music together. Being together is precious. Electronics won't go away, but the change to be with the people you love may not always be there.

There is so much more when you begin to question the ulterior motive behind your actions. Look for your truth and stay i it. If you're tired, sleep. If you are lonely, reach out. If you are frustrated, find a way to work through it, and so on, until you reach the space where you can be happy for who you are - all the time. It's just an idea, but you can have alot of fun with it, checking things out and finding the pieces of yourself that get buried too easily...

Blessings.
- Darshan



(c) 2010 Darshan F Jessop