On Day Four of my emotional/mental cleanse, Kris and I went Christmas shopping. Yeah, we did that. Sitting here now and thinking in the abstract about the idea of shopping anywhere this time of year during prime business hours, it doesn't sound like an activity I would enjoy...especially when I am in the middle of a process of reflection and meditation.
Emotional cleansing is about turning inward and creating awareness. Through meditative and mindfulness practices, I become aware of emotions that present obstacles to me. Is fear preventing me from realizing my goals? Am I responding with anger in situations where that anger is unwarranted? Rather than pushing the emotions away because they are uncomfortable, I allow myself to feel them fully without judgement. I explore the origin of the emotion and ask myself if it serves any positive function in my life. If the answer is that this emotion does not serve any good purpose, I set my intention to let it go and stop that pattern. I investigate what practices I need to build into my life to free myself from that emotion. Do I need to be more organized? Do I need to tame my mind and let go of fear? Do I need to involve others in my life to support me? My body and mind know what they need. I just have to reflect and access the information. Sometimes what I need is to sit still in meditation to access my inner wisdom. Other times I need to walk in the woods or read a book. Over the years, I have leaned to recognize the techniques that work for me.
Day Four this winter was all about being in the moment and keeping my eyes open for ugly emotional patterns that I needed to undo. So with this open mind, what began as a quick trip to one store to buy a present for one person turned into a fun adventure. I do love giving presents, but usually the holiday shopping crowds keep me at home. This experience of just being in the moment took all the stress out of the situation.
I have always believed that when we are on the right path, the universe gives us confirmation. Mine came today in an aisle at Target. Kris and I were shopping for a particular present for Sebastian. We got to the right section and the salesperson told us that they were out of that particular item. I said, "That's okay, we can choose something else for him."
I have never been interested in being the crazed parent who frantically runs from store to store to find the one gift that their child "has to have" for Christmas.
A man at the end of the aisle overheard us talking and then approached to say that he had taken the last two of the thing we came for. He then offered us one of his. We refused because he was also buying for his children. But, he came back around as we were still deciding what to get instead and just handed it to us! So not only did this guy give up a present to us, he would not take "no" for an answer. Then, when we walked out of the store, we were parked right next to one another. We talked about our kids and it turned out that Sebastian and his son are very similar, so this man gave us some tips on new places to go to find cool toys. Rarely in the last few years have I witnessed this type of interaction, which is what I believe the holiday season should be about. It should be about family and giving to others to make them smile.
So my efforts of clearing the emotional baggage that I don't need anymore have indeed drawn the positive my way. Confirmation received!
Emotional cleansing is about turning inward and creating awareness. Through meditative and mindfulness practices, I become aware of emotions that present obstacles to me. Is fear preventing me from realizing my goals? Am I responding with anger in situations where that anger is unwarranted? Rather than pushing the emotions away because they are uncomfortable, I allow myself to feel them fully without judgement. I explore the origin of the emotion and ask myself if it serves any positive function in my life. If the answer is that this emotion does not serve any good purpose, I set my intention to let it go and stop that pattern. I investigate what practices I need to build into my life to free myself from that emotion. Do I need to be more organized? Do I need to tame my mind and let go of fear? Do I need to involve others in my life to support me? My body and mind know what they need. I just have to reflect and access the information. Sometimes what I need is to sit still in meditation to access my inner wisdom. Other times I need to walk in the woods or read a book. Over the years, I have leaned to recognize the techniques that work for me.
Day Four this winter was all about being in the moment and keeping my eyes open for ugly emotional patterns that I needed to undo. So with this open mind, what began as a quick trip to one store to buy a present for one person turned into a fun adventure. I do love giving presents, but usually the holiday shopping crowds keep me at home. This experience of just being in the moment took all the stress out of the situation.
I have always believed that when we are on the right path, the universe gives us confirmation. Mine came today in an aisle at Target. Kris and I were shopping for a particular present for Sebastian. We got to the right section and the salesperson told us that they were out of that particular item. I said, "That's okay, we can choose something else for him."
I have never been interested in being the crazed parent who frantically runs from store to store to find the one gift that their child "has to have" for Christmas.
A man at the end of the aisle overheard us talking and then approached to say that he had taken the last two of the thing we came for. He then offered us one of his. We refused because he was also buying for his children. But, he came back around as we were still deciding what to get instead and just handed it to us! So not only did this guy give up a present to us, he would not take "no" for an answer. Then, when we walked out of the store, we were parked right next to one another. We talked about our kids and it turned out that Sebastian and his son are very similar, so this man gave us some tips on new places to go to find cool toys. Rarely in the last few years have I witnessed this type of interaction, which is what I believe the holiday season should be about. It should be about family and giving to others to make them smile.
So my efforts of clearing the emotional baggage that I don't need anymore have indeed drawn the positive my way. Confirmation received!