May 9, 2015
Always The Write Time
Author, Editing, Grief, Happiness, Writing
ambition, assumption, breath, complicated, cyberspace, hope, hot Yoga, let go, monkey mind, pray, regret, rehash, restless, unsettled, worry
Ever get accused of thinking too much? Making assumptions? Complicating things? I’ve heard it said that men’s minds organize thoughts into neat compartments, or boxes, while women’s minds navigate the tangled and vast circuitry of cyberspace. Yet, I take it a step further with “monkey mind.” Unsettled, restless. It only stops jumping around during yoga practice and while I’m sleeping, although I beg to differ with the latter. In the mornings, I awaken tired and cranky. Without ambition. It could be a few health issues I’m dealing with, but mostly it’s a mind that won’t stay still. It worries and plans, it regrets and rehashes, it hopes and prays, it bargains and posits assorted scenarios; it begs me to make changes that my heart, when I’m conscious, refuses to acquiesce. In my post, From the inside out, I talk about how to focus on breath to tame the chatter. But I also think there comes a time to simply let go.
How do you tame a monkey mind?
Image courtesy of AKARAKINGDOMS at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
May 31, 2014
Always The Write Time
Author, Grief, Happiness, Uncategorized, Writing
bold, change, compromise, envious, grateful, purpose, rationalize, restless, Settling, stuck, temporary fix
[Image credit: Usamedeniz]
I was talking to a friend the other day and mentioned how I keep trying to fill the void in my life. “Writing doesn’t do it for you?” she said. Admittedly, writing is only a temporary fix. And then I ran across an article about the telltale signs you’re settling for less in life and love. Ask yourself these five questions to determine if you are settling: 1) Are you constantly drained? Engaging in activity that contradicts your purpose is exhausting. 2) Do you make dangerous compromises? Settling on preferences is one thing; settling on values violates your core. 3) Do you feel stuck or restless? Being grateful for what you have is wonderful, but doesn’t negate an unmet purpose. 4) Are you secretly envious? Settlers wish they were bold enough to live out their dreams. 5) Do you rationalize playing small? You make excuses for why things don’t turn out. Turns out I need to make some changes of my own.
Are you settling for less than?
March 16, 2012
Always The Write Time
Author, Editing, Nontraditional College Graduate, Publishing, scribes @ ASU, Uncategorized, Writing
caution to the wind, change of scenery, funk, goals, restless, rut, seize the day, stuck
[Image credit: dan]
You may be familiar with the TV commercial catchphrase from the 80s: I’ve fallen … and I can’t get up. On that same note, I’m stuck in a rut … and I can’t get out. I’ve periodically written about the occasional funks that move in with me, the longest one taking residence shortly after I returned from my trip to the Midwest in January. But I wouldn’t label this one a funk. I’m happy and fulfilled in my day job as I continue learning the ropes of the publishing trade. I’m also 19,000 words into one story, drafting another and invited to write a new magazine article. Further, I continue to tackle my yearly goals one at a time. But I’m restless. My mind keeps drifting to the should’ves, could’ves, would’ves, didn’ts — how the years ahead have started piling up behind — and I’m afraid I will be forever stuck in this place where I’m comfortable, but not really living. I just wish I’d muster the courage to seize the day I can’t seem to reach. Or maybe it’s simply a case of spring fever cured by a change of scenery. In the meantime, a good seasonal cleaning might not be a bad idea either. More on that later …
What would you do if you could throw caution to the wind and seize the day?
Ever get accused of thinking too much? Making assumptions? Complicating things? I’ve heard it said that men’s minds organize thoughts into neat compartments, or boxes, while women’s minds navigate the tangled and vast circuitry of cyberspace. Yet, I take it a step further with “monkey mind.” Unsettled, restless. It only stops jumping around during yoga practice and while I’m sleeping, although I beg to differ with the latter. In the mornings, I awaken tired and cranky. Without ambition. It could be a few health issues I’m dealing with, but mostly it’s a mind that won’t stay still. It worries and plans, it regrets and rehashes, it hopes and prays, it bargains and posits assorted scenarios; it begs me to make changes that my heart, when I’m conscious, refuses to acquiesce. In my post, From the inside out, I talk about how to focus on breath to tame the chatter. But I also think there comes a time to simply let go.
Always The Write Time Blog 