This was not the post I intended to write today. Over the weekend, I learned that beloved Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh passed away, and I felt compelled to write this reflection.

My introduction to the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh was through his book, Peace is Every Step. I remember reading it during a particularly difficult part of my life in 2017. 

I think it was my very first book on Mindfulness and it launched a several year journey into my formal study culminating with my Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification in January of 2021. I'm re-reading it now, with fresh eyes.

There are two  profound quotes that I often refer to during my busy day. The first started me thinking about what is was that I was doing, which clearly lead me into the Seven Mindful Questions.

1.  "We have a tendency to think in terms of doing and not in terms of being. We think that when we are not doing anything, we are wasting our time.

But that is not true. Our time is first of all...

It all started with a text message. Actually one from a girlfriend, and one from an acquaintance. My girlfriend reached out because she was feeling vulnerable, and I did the thing called "holding space" for her while she went through something difficult. Holding space is like saying a prayer for someone while picturing them safe and sound.

The texts from the acquaintance started off just fine until little by little I got to see what this person was all about. Let's just say that I kept adding to the bouquet of red flags until I decided that it was not in my best interest to continue the conversation. I began to really feel uncomfortable, and then there was a deal-breaker. Something that crossed the line of human decency. So I shut it down and stayed safe. I really wish this person well and I hope they get the help they need - just not from me.

I'm grateful for having trusted friends that reach out when they feel vulnerable. I have been there and I felt very alone. One of the last...

I took a break. A long break from posting. I was faithfully posting every Monday through March. 

Then it was April. There are four months of the year where I am insanely busy: January, April, July and October. It corresponds with the time when the catalogs roll-over and my customers get a brand new fresh catalog. In that catalog are all the changes that will be in place for the following three months. It's my job to discover what is new and what has changed so that my customers get all the savings to which they are entitled. It takes a toll on my energy. Today starts a new quarter. I'm rested but still feel anxious about what I cannot control. Which is stupid, really. I acknowledge it and intend to watch out for the anxious feelings arising. I have your name Anxiety. You will be named. I am acknowledging feelings in the moment.

So during April, I was teaching Meditation on Fridays; a requirement for one of the three programs I was enrolled in. Two programs finished this quarter...