Staying focused

I feel overwhelmed by the many news stories: 

• Three women held hostage for over 10 years were freed
• A long trial resulting in conviction of first degree murder 
• The harrowing recapping of tragedy in the Benghazi hearings. 
• IRS invading Americans privacy seemingly due to their conservative or religious stand. 

All seem so stressful individually for many reasons but what mainly effects us at times is that we find NO resolve and we feel the stress and we may experience flashbacks triggered by words, actions and behavior of others. 



I have found myself straying from focusing on "finding me, healing from abuse and learning to dream again"...I have found myself getting upset about the world's stresses and pains and feeling them within my body; something that my body is not intended to take upon itself. I have realized that we just have to TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES and leave the world on the outside...most of the time anyways. Focusing on "finding the beauty in the ordinary" is an excellent exercise in mindfulness.

Thich Nhat Hanh on The Practice of Mindfulness 

"Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in."

 It is such a simple practice, but it can transform your life. 

The great meditation master THICH NHAT HANH 

teaches five mindfulness exercises 

to help you live with happiness and joy.

Five Mindfulness training exercises (article)

1. Reverence for life
2. True Happiness
3. True Love
4. Loving Speech and Deep Listening 
5. Nourishment and Healing 

We deserve to "stay focused" on our healing journey and we deserve to give our energy toward ourselves; in staying in the moment than in the past or future which overwhelms us with memories or uncertainty. The sooner we begin on our healing journey of "finding ourselves, healing from abuse and learning to dream again", the better we will be able to accept and adapt to the increased stress and emotional demands that this world makes upon us. 

As we look forward to this Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, we honor the many men and women who have served our country and even given their lives. It is sobering to think, that anyone would give so much for love. May we all experience the kind of love that drives us to "give our all". It is the kind that deserves our focus. It is the kind of love that makes our life rich, and oh, it is the kind of love that helps us "Sing a New Song".

You are worth it!!!