Reminders

As I've been exploring this week (The Beauty That is Always Here,   Mistakes and Starting Over, You Are Not a Failure, and  Hard Times and Young People), there are times that I need to recover myself. I can lose my way and get caught up in the drama of my mind and emotions and body, not realizing that underneath it all I am fine. I work with parents every week who have the same problem--forgetting the quiet space in their own hearts or the way it feels to be truly open to their child or parenting situation..

When this happens, we need reminders!  When things are going well, we can plant the seeds  of reminders for when we need them.

A regular mindfulness practice is a wonderful reminder, because it brings you back to an intentional process of openness and presence.   Even outside of your formal practice, a few conscious breaths or a moment of awareness of your body can bring you back.

I have favorite mantras, too,  that remind me of what is real. Some favorites (mostly from Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings) include:
This is it.
Right now, it's like this.
I am here.
Present moment, wonderful moment.
Breathing in, breathing out.
No mud, no lotus.

Maybe one of these will connect with your inner being, too? Try it by choosing one and reflecting on it for a bit, bringing it into a confusing or quiet moment. See if it reminds you of what is real and important, of your quiet and surrendered inner self.

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