As suggested by Jamie Ridler I created my Joy card via PowerPoint. I have joined Jamie for her reading group The Next Chapter:The Joy Diet. This week's lesson was to do nothing for 15 minutes a day. The first day I totally spaced out. While trying to quiet my mind the thoughts within it became louder and louder. So, I decided visualization works best for me. Each day for 15 minutes I'd visualize myself in a huge sunflower field (I LOVE THEM). I would pay attention to every detail around me, which would completely calm me. After my 15 minutes I felt refreshed. My mom has always been the type of mom that has to clean or do something in fear of no longer being significant. As her child a little of that leaped into me, but since learning meditation and after reading the chapter of nothing I no longer feel guilty for thinking her way of thing was insane. This was no easy task, but for me it was very necessary as I'm sure it was for the other ladies who are participating. I'm truly looking forward to the next task as this first one has truly intrigued me to the highest!
I'm Grateful: For Jamie and our group, For The Joy Diet book, Gentle morning, nothingness and tons of love.
i love your take on nothing. nothing can be so different from person to person. i love that we are all unique individuals but yet walking this path together.
ReplyDeleteI like your collage. This will be an interesting week as we face our truths. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteTabitha, you and I are so into visualization and it works so well doesn't it??
ReplyDeleteI love your joy card...you can feel the joy pop right out!
What I found really interesting in your post was your comment about your mother -- the type who always needs to be cleaning or doing something in far of no longer being significant. That is an incredible comment because I think there are many, many women who feel this way...we just haven't been able to put it to words. Something to ponder...why we often feel insignificant but in doing what we deem our "role" we have something to lay claim to.
Looking forward to discovering truth with you through this week!
I know, we are taught that we must DO something at all times. There is a lot of pressure from society to be busy, busy, busy even at "rest." We are "supposed" to be thinking lofty thoughts or making lists or something every danged second!!! It's crazy!!! Glad you are breaking free of it!!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the devotional I just read and the verse "Be still and know that I am God."
ReplyDeleteI can totally picture you standing in a field of sunflowers, with your smile shining bright!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to visualize and quite the mind.
I absolutely love your vision of a field of sunflowers... how magnificent, and a beautiful way to experience nothing! :)
ReplyDeleteYour post just brought back a powerful memory -- as a child I loved to read (still do). I would try to hurry through all my chores so that I could get them out of the way and then read. If my dad saw me reading on the sofa he would tell my mom that I was "doing nothing" (like an accusation) and get her to assign me another household chore. There were 8 kids in my family so lots to do all the time. Anyway I just realized how I internalized the lesson that: If you are "caught" doing nothing, then you are going to get saddled with something unpleasant to do. Maybe that's why I find it so hard to do nothing and feel good about it!
ReplyDeleteI love your collage of images!
ReplyDeleteVisualization is such a powerful tool! I think I will consider it as well. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see you again.I really enjoyed your post. I am so glad you found bliss in doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteSee ya next week. Thank for stopping by.
If I could picture you as any flower, it most certainly would be a sun flower. You spread light and sun everywhere you are. :)
ReplyDeleteVisualization saved my Nothing this week, too. Love your card!
ReplyDeleteHi Tabitha-- I can sympathize with the difficulties of meditating. Something that is soooo necessary to my chaotic life, but where's the time? That must be the most ironic question. Where is the time to be still? Where is the time to simply breathe? I have 8m twins and--whoa-- is my practice struggling.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your practice.
I would also like to send your wee friend a card/gift. Please let me know her age and an addy to send to (and anything specific that she especially likes?). You can contact me through my blog: www.freckletree.com.
Take care of you.
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest
I love your collage. I think I'd like to spend 15 minutes (or more) in a field of lavender (but maybe it would put me to sleep)! Wonderful post. Joy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way you found to turn off the chatter of your mind. I love the idea of visualization. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collage.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful YOU.
I always say I like to sit and do nothing but when I get the opportunity it feels so strange as I am not use to sitting and doing nothing. I need to learn to get my head around the concept. 15 minutes a day sounds achievable.
ReplyDeleteWhen I want to clear my mind I either think of the tide coming in and out or a butterfly flying through the air.
ReplyDeleteI found that visualization help to quiet my mind's chatter too!
ReplyDeleteYour description of nothing really resonated with me. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with nothing. Here is to a week of truth.
ReplyDeleteYour card is amazing. It adds so much space to my practice and inspires to make my own. Many blessings.
ReplyDeletei like your collage!
ReplyDeleteI like your collage and your thoughts on nothing, your insight into your mother's need to keep busy. I really love your 10 commandments for yourself. That's a great thing to do!
ReplyDeleteWishing you good days in your walk this week with truth.
I also resonated with your take on your mom's 'busi-ness' . . . & 6p00 . . . 's comment on her dad's role in this - I thought of how I'd always 'assign' my dad little tasks when they'd visit, or he'd find them!!
ReplyDeleteThey were of born in 1912 & 1909, & raised with that ethic of being useful/busy . . . they both also loved to read, & I remember seeing my dad 'just sitting' in a sunny window - but 'chores' were always done first!!
I have had to find my own balance - having rebelled against so much neatness & my love for play . . .
Wishing you well!