Deep Breath and Prayer

This is one that has rolled around in my mind for quite a while. Today it really just wanted to stay on the surface, so I thought I would let it have its arena. Time is an odd creature. Sometimes it goes quickly, sometimes it is hardly noticed, and other times every second seems like an eternity. There are moments when time seems to bend, as if becoming a different dimension. It changes as reality becomes skewed, unclear, irrational, and dark. I've never been able to come up with a term to describe this "moment" in time, but it has existed for me - more times than I really care to admit. It is in those moments that it seems like the only thing comprehensible is "I'm in pain; make it stop." I could write a whole blog on this "pain" as it is not a physical pain, but a mental anguish. It is the place beyond having a "bad day" or even a "rough moment." I am guessing it is different for every person. You don't ask to end up here,...

We had a good class tonight. These past two weeks have been learning about "distress tolerance" and I have loved it. But, in our homework was an assignment we had missed doing a couple weeks ago - being non-judgmental. The concept is tied into mindfulness and goes like this - don't judge. Easy, eh? Well, it's a little bigger than that. As we experience life, a human reaction is to judge things - ourselves, others, situations, etc. So, this practice helps in not being so quick to use labels of absolutes, values, or assumptions. Example words would be "stupid", "lazy", "ugly", "worthless", or even the opposites. As well, using descriptions of how we perceive things should or should not be fall into the judging category. It makes sense. When we judge, we close off a part of ourselves that can observe and learn and maybe see things in a different way. As we quickly form a conclusion, there is no room left for discussion. Even if we ...

What is something that scares you? Like that deep down, freaks you out? Funny, but I bet there are a few who read this that would quickly say "clowns" as their answer. I, myself, have come to a conclusion that they are super creepy on way too many levels. I would be lying if I said that they don't raise my anxiety level and I make extra efforts to try and avoid them at all costs. Somewhere I learned and developed an uncomfortableness for clowns that eventually became the norm. Through life I picked up on others expressing that clowns were scary, creepy, etc. When a part of events, the events are usually loud with lots of visual and auditory stimulus. Can't forget the multitude of horror flicks that incorporate clowns or their attire. Remember a few years ago, the USPS commercial where the whole family was on the porch afraid to go in the house due to the clown ( http:// youtu.be / oKGKB5bc9DU )? They are just not the fun loving creatures they outwardly appear to be! A...