31 Comments
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Clark Rose's avatar

Anything that shifts my attention from myself usually breaks the loop of suffering, lopsidedness, etc. Noticing a dew drop on a leaf to witnessing the spectacular images of the “big bang” from eons ago provides a wide spectrum for curiosity let alone contemplating the miracle of our very own existence. All of it melts my heart and I regain a healthier perspective. Also for me, mood always follows action. There is a lot of wisdom in “JUST DO IT”. Yes roll out of bed, do ten minutes of easy yoga, or walk, or run or empty the dishwasher and my mood is altered for the better.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Yes "Just do it" is a great mantra!

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Faith Hubbard's avatar

Just being outside walking around. Listening to the birds chirping!

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

It is so helpful isn't it! Helps me get out of my head. :) Have a wonderful day Faith.

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Amie McGraham's avatar

I go the yoga mat. The mind-clearing meditation of the present moving me closer to things unseen.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you Amie for sharing! I love all these ideas to help us shift that "feeling" and bring us back to the present.

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Clark Rose's avatar

Curiosity

Helps relieve my suffering

Awe and Wonder works....

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

This is brilliant! Love this Haiku Clark. Thank you

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AD's avatar

Whenever I’m feeling out of balance (this entire last year) I work on my breathing & usually try to get some mindful reading in. Oh & writing 🙂

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you Ally for sharing. Oh, I'm curious about this idea of mindful reading...tell me more? I agree writing is so helpful. :) Thanks again! I'm glad you're here.

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AD's avatar

I’ve been reading a lot of Thich Nhat Hanh books lately & just trying to really be present and understanding while reading. I have 3 kids under the age of 6 so it’s hard to really focus on...well, anything really. But when I know I need to get myself back on track, I make sure I’m reading and really allowing myself to focus & absorb what’s written.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you. Gotcha...makes sense and I totally resonate with what you said below! I sometimes find myself three pages in and my mind goes to what I need to get done instead of the words in front of me. I've also learned I really need to read when it's quiet.

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AD's avatar

Sometimes when I read I just fly by the pages and afterwards, I’m like, “wait, what?” 🤣 so the opposite of that!

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

I hear ya! LOL!

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Jack McNulty's avatar

Nature always knows how to restore my balance... It's immensely humbling...

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Hi Jack, I find the same to be true for me. Thank you for sharing.

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Clark Rose's avatar

Of course, life & human suffering is way more complicated than my simple philosophy but one must start somewhere & if more professional help is needed then one must seek it out.

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Karen Davis's avatar

Funny, balance has been on my mind, I even did a qi gong for balance routine a couple days ago. This morning I actually stopped someone to tell them the dock was slanting and it would be easy to lose balance. Then later I stepped some kind of hole on the blacktop and took a head first dive into the blacktop. So. Balance then.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

That's amazing about the qi gong routine. Do you do this with a group of people or on your own? I've never done qi gong but I've learned it's wonderful for balance. Way to go. I do hope you are okay from your fall?

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Karen Davis's avatar

I've been learning online from holdenqigong.com. He also has a zillion videos on YouTube. I think I'm ok - or I will be! Just bruised as far as I can tell.

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Aransas Savas's avatar

Awww! That’s my pal Lee! So glad to see that folks are finding their way to him.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

That's so cool! I'm going to check it out. :)

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you for sharing this online resource. I appreciate it. I'm glad to hear you're okay.

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Claudette Henson's avatar

I love how nature restores me

I know it's God.

He made us both.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Beautiful Claudette. Yes indeed. Truly a miracle.

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Aransas Savas's avatar

Music, a run, or a call with a friend set me right

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Love these! Music is another top for me too. Thank you for sharing Aransas.

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KAREN V. BLOOM's avatar

Listen to the wind

It makes me feel so grounded

God’s heavenly breath

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Brilliant Haiku Mom! :) Thank you for sharing.

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KAREN V. BLOOM's avatar

Going for a walk and enjoying the sounds of God’s creatures and the whirling wind.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Yes, truly is something about being outside that grounds us and takes the attention of ourselves.

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