Something written on another blog touched off a reaction in me. I wasn't hurt by the comment, which though not directed specifically at me could certainly have been construed to include me. But I did feel that what was written was a slight to some of the content that was appearing on my blog. Mindfulness looks at the feelings and thoughts that I experience. I'm not quite sure that I can identify the feelings, but the thoughts are that the comment made by the other blogger appeared not to honor whatever led me to choose to post what I did. (Is that too cryptic? It's difficult to keep the specifics out of this, but I am choosing to do that for a reason.) I don't need anyone else to value what I write here, but I guess I do have an expectation that bloggers don't go around trashing what someone else has written. The person writing the comment was speaking about her own reality and contrasting her life situation and blog entries with what was appearing elsewhere.
My struggle is whether or not to share my thoughts about this. I am new at this mindfulness stuff (looking at my own thoughts and feelings with detachment and without judgment). What do I do with what I learn from my observation? Is anything accomplished If I choose to note a response here? Do I dishonor myself if I choose not to write about it?
In short, this is my quandary. If you so choose, discuss!
6 comments:
Okay, I'm confused! (I never have been good at intrigue...can't even spell it without a dictionary!
Your neighbor in peace and personal story telling,
Kim
I too have been stung by comments people have made, and I suppose I first try to figure out if I am reading something into it that is not there. It's so hard sometimes to convey in words what we mean, when we can't use intonation or further easy explanation face to face3. On the other hand, there are those who, because they can hide behind words in cyberspace, and no one really "knows" them, feel free to just let it rip about what other people write. If it is someone I have a relationship/friendship with, I suppose I would email them and let them know how it made me feel. If not, my MO has always been to let it go as, in the end, what matters is your authentic self being expressed and not what ONE person someplace on a keyboard may or may not think. I am sure they are not as evolved as us... hehe. OK, that was snarky. :c)
Love you, love your blog and what you so willingly and beautifully share here.
mindfulness is a discipline that evolves from meditation (usually). Thich Nhat Hanh writes of it as a practice one developes over time. It is useful way to help us learn how to be less reactive and more responsive - reactive being knee-jerk emotion, responsive being reflective and less emotional. Nothing wrong with the emotion, but it can prevent us from seeing fully...
but more than that mindfulness is also about being attentive to what is around us. Hahn suggests washing dishes by hand and being attentive to every detail - the feel of the water, the temperature, the feel of the cloth (or sponge), the feel of the dish, etc....attentive to every detail. And to do so for no other reason than to be attentive to the moment. This is in contrast to our usual way of being - doing things in order to get to something else. Doing dishes in a rush - or in the dishwasher - quickly in order to get to whatever - TV?, Knitting?, work? Be in the moment and each moment will lead you to the next.
Of course Kathleen Norris (In her paper on The Quotidian Mysteries) writes that attentiveness to daily activities also leads to attentiveness to the mystery that is God.
So for me mindfulness is about paying attention to the potential for God in the simple things in life...even perhaps washing dishes.
(Sorry for the long post)...
As one whose views have also been "trashed" and devalued by another (or 2) who have read my blog, I say this: as long as you continue to write, I shall continue to read it. I find your musings insightful, thought provoking and of spirit and light. My day is lightened and lifted by your blog. Thank you dear friend for your genuineness.
I always enjoy and feel inspired by what you write.
Pam
This was great! Your blog is among the "Blogs I read" on my sidebar, so that I can always know when you post something. I'm also new at this "mindfulness stuff" and recently started posting what I call Monday Mindfulness. This link takes you to what I posted a few days after my first MM, showing a cartoon on the difference between "mind full" and "mindful": http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunday-salon-mindfulness-writing-and.html
I needed to be mindful of what was around me, not the hurtful attacks I endured for weeks on Facebook from the young man (married my granddaughter) who disapproved of my theology and "explained" to me why I shouldn't be a Christian minister. (I am an ordained United Methodist clergywoman, now retired.) I do so know where you are coming from. Let me assure you that you are doing a great job on this blog, and I want to know you even better. Keep up the good work.
An aside to Mompriest: Don't be sorry for a long comment. I appreciated it, a lot.
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