Now is now, then is then and never the twain shall meet.
Now is now. I have to remember that. There are times when I get caught up in “when we move…”. It’s fun to imagine what life will be like “when.” But all we really have is now, so I’m trying to be more present in the day to day, more mindful of the now of things.
It’s a battle. Sometimes I win, other times I do not. As with anything, it takes practice. The hardest times are when I wish I was somewhere else: work when I’m fatigued from allergies or any medical waiting room. Baby steps.
My recent (and ongoing) battle with shoulder pain has unexpectedly given me some opportunities to stop and simply breathe, opportunities I would never have taken before but now must to heal. Everything happens for a reason. So says me.
I got these at BJs in hopes it might give me some relief. I have to lie flat on my back on the balls for quite a while, affording me the opportunity to focus on my breath. In the morning I attempt to mediate for 10 minutes whilst lying there. I’ve also sought the help of a doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine. Those half-hour or so treatments find me in the dark with soothing music and lavender oil on my hands. Nothing to do but breathe and be.
I’m relearning to be mindful and present. Because when the next chapter finally begins, I don’t want to miss a moment.
Ah, yes. The key to it all, right? And yet so, so hard when we know we have something big coming on the horizon. This is why I say I HATE transition periods, because that’s when it is hardest for me to be present.
Love you.
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Megan Reply:
February 1st, 2013 at 10:46 am
@Miss Britt, Ditto. Both to the transition periods comment and the I love you.
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Breathe. I think I need to get that tattooed where I can see it somewhere all the time.
I need to start some sort of meditation or focused time for myself. I am giving to everyone else all day and I need to recapture some time for me and be present.
I hope your shoulder pain heals soon.
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Megan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 10:45 am
@Shelli, The shoulder is absolutely on the mend – we’re getting there.
Meditation is tough for me. Sometimes I do OK, others I’m a disaster.
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I hear you. I battle with this now. Too much time either spent in the past I can’t change or the future I can’t predict.
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Megan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@Corey Feldman, A habit that must be broken! It does take practice though.
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Isn’t it so true how hard we have to work to relax, breathe, and be in the moment?
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Megan Reply:
February 6th, 2013 at 11:17 am
@Michelle, ‘Tis. But I am getting better at it. I nearly fell asleep at the acupuncturist’s yesterday!
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I know when I’ve been stressed, I realize that I’ve been breathing very shallow. Everything tightens up and my neck and shoulder go into spasm. We hold so much in our bodies without realizing it.
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Megan Reply:
February 12th, 2013 at 10:38 am
@Jen, And it’s amazing how simply remembering to breathe can make such a huge difference.
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Waiting for “when” will always be waiting. Until you make “when” a “now”
Sorry to hear of your shoulder pain. Sounds like you are taking steps to at least ease the pain.
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Megan Reply:
March 4th, 2013 at 10:29 am
@martymankins, You are, of course, correct. I’m struggling with this right now even though I generally do a good job.
My shoulder is about 95% better now through acupuncture – I’m hoping we can get the other 5% sorted shortly.
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