Gandhi

“Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:* I shall not fear anyone on Earth.* I shall fear only God.* I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.* I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.* I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”- Mahatma Gandhi 

 I find the statement above empowering.  What we do first thing in the morning reflects throughout the day- to say, like Gandhi that you fear no one but God, that you shall treat others well and be treated as person worthy of dignity and respect, and that you are able to sacrifice for your beliefs, is definitely to set each day on the right path, to set LIfe on the right path.

My own path has not been without its setbacks and victories.  As I have talked about, my Lenten promise to give up complaining and gossip has been a roller coaster of failure and success.  On St. Patrick’s Day, which is usually a big social whirl of chatting and Guinness (oh, how I do enjoy a tasty pint!), I had  more failure than success, though I started out with good intentions.  It’s really easy for me to get sucked into the social side of complaining, of finding fault even with people I love.  It’s not something I am proud of, though it’s impossible to get a good path going when you are attacking yourself for moral foibles.  Yesterday, was a great day. I didn’t complain once!  I went out into the world, conducted my business, saw a friend, spent time with my family and PRAYED for guidance.  The world was a better place in my eyes, and I was better in the world.  From now on, I want to focus on what’s  positive, act for the better when issues come up.  I don’t want to walk through this world as a victim, but rather take Gandhi’s  attitude of self-reliance and trust in the universe.  It is a struggle but I am not giving up!!!  I will make it to 21 days Complaint Free no matter how long it takes.

That’s what the purple bracelet I am wearing is all about.  Feel free to ask me, feel free to join.  It’s life altering to even realize how one person’s complaints bring more negativity into the Earth. It’s not necessary.  Not bearing ill will towards anyone means believing the best, acting on that belief and keeping silent when challenged. If you have a disagreement with someone, talk to that person only.   Venting is NOT healthy.  It’s one thing to discuss feelings but another thing entirely to dwell in discontent.  The dwelling is a waste of time, especially when there are better way to spent the years we have on this planet.  It’s a slow process of growth for me-I’ve been at this for weeks but yesterday was my first day of complete commitment to the ideal.  It was glorious.  Have not succeeded completely TODAY, but I will keep on going. . .it’s the journey that counts after all.  Still pursuing Contentedness.

i’m not a hippie but. . .

.   .   .my dreams are getting particularly vivid right now.  Blame it on the meditation.  Actually, am not blaming it- it’s AWESOME.  Sleeping is basically a trippy, zen,Jerry Garcia experience right now.  One of my NY resolutions was to meditate three to four times a week.  I find that when I do the minor aches and pains and the major things (like strep- haha) seem to go away in days and not weeks.  Anyway, one of the nice and strange side effects is that my dreamlife has taken on a lusciousness that makes the movie Amelie look tame.

BTW, saying I meditate is funny.  People often don’t get what I do so I will tell you that it is pretty simple. I lay on a yoga mat (or sit yogi style if I am feeling ambitious) and start breathing deep and slow, focusing on the act of breathing.  Then I go through all the parts of my body that seem ‘knotty’ and I physically tense and relax them.  My neck is the point of my body where this seems to be key. After the physical engagement I focus on a word or a sound or an idea that I want to ponder.  Then I. . .focus.  Without sounding too queer eye, I try to become one with the word or idea.  Sometimes, it’s as if I get carried away.  I honestly have no idea why some form of meditation isn’t taught in schools.  Quieting the racing mind is something that Americans in particular don’t seem good at. 

But back to the dreams. . .historical figures are popping in, there’s dancing and singing.  VERY nice. It’s making me feel happy.   

OH!  I was doing a horrible job with the Lenten promise of no complaining but am back to giving it my all.   After all, though I’m still finding my way, isnt it lovely to get up and BE?  To drink that coffee, catch the train, be able to support myself, talk to friends.   Don’t want to miss out on the quirky, kooky things that make up a day just ‘cuz I’m navel gazing.