Not in a Mountain Monastery or some secluded Woodland Temple...but here at home. Learning to Center means that the silence and stillness can be found within as well as on the Outside.
Admittedly, it must be easier in the silence of a Temple or in the middle of a forest alone, but often, those are not the places we are at when we need Centering the most.
So- amidst the youngest son practicing German with Rosetta Stone, and later his Mandolin- I sat Zazen. Practiced Silence. Baked a Butter and Honey Round loaf and made Soup. Read lessons. Wrote a little. Enjoyed a relaxing soak...went to bed with the setting sun and rose just before dawn. Slept like a child.
At absolute Ground Zero of CHANGE right now.
Reclaiming my pre-marriage...pre-children life after nearly three decades. A wonderful....amazing change.
But huge nonetheless.
Along with multiple birthdays [3]...my eldest and his wife's very first anniversary...my youngest and his fiancé and their upcoming move (and my subsequent mega-housecleaning before the holidays)...my middle son's flight up...Thanksgiving...Hosting an Annual Christmas Party for friends early in December. Hosting an early Christmas Dinner for the entire family [restaurant] while Lennon is still here...and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day engagements. The end of the year is shaping up to be quite hectic. Almost overwhelming.
Hence the Weekend Retreat.
Reminding myself to breathe. Live in The Moment. Not Next Month. Take it a day at a time. Or at least one major event at a time...
~laughing~
And to not lose sight, in the bustle, of how blessed I am to have this family/ these friends, and their love. All the amazing people in my life! How wonderful it is to share special days with them. How magical one's very first anniversary is...or moving...or even getting your life back after almost 30 years...
So taking the next six weeks in tiny bites
...and going to savour each moment.
Namaste
