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Mindful Moments
Checking In With Myself
Why did I say that?
I’ve had a short fuse lately. I haven’t been raging, but I’ve been snappy. I wasn’t aware that I was snapping — I just kept accusing my husband of misunderstanding everything I said.
So, this mindfulness teacher had to remind herself to be mindful. A voice inside me told me to stop talking, stop commenting. And, I listened to that voice.
That inside voice was wisdom. A wisdom that comes from the daily practice of mindful awareness.
I tell my students that mindfulness is a practice. None of us are mindful all the time, even with practice. There is no perfect state of mindful bliss, just small steps of emotional growth. Growth that leads to a better understanding of ourselves and others. Inner wisdom that helps us cope when we are suffering.
This seed of inner wisdom needs to be watered. It is always there, but it is mostly neglected. It gets crowded out by the weeds of fatigue, hunger, grief, hurt, and ego preservation. Sometimes, taking a nap or getting a bite to eat is all that is necessary to clear the weeds. Other times, some honest self-inquiry is required.
