Back in the Saddle Again

It was a blissful week or so as my calm post-Journey to Center mind/body state prevailed and I reveled in it’s impact upon my enjoyment of life. But then reality struck.
Ah, uncenteredness. There I was innocently reading my emails and up popped one that tied my stomach in knots. My energy whooshed out and a sigh slipped my lips. Fortunately, enough centeredness remained for my email response to be appropriate, but, oh the toll on my relaxation!
Over the next few hours I grasped valiantly at straws --- breathing, vision statements, exercise, stretching. A restless night of sleep suggested I was being less than successful. Then the veil of self-judgment crept in. Why was I in this mind/body state again? After all my training….
Fortunately, I do have all that training and it’s benefit began to kick in. I was able to smile a bit more compassionately at myself and start the return to a more relaxed mind/body state. More centering, more deep breathing and, I admit, a massage, and I felt more back on track.
In retrospect, it is absolutely fascinating how easy it is for me to slip back into old dysfunctional patterns. My knee-jerk responses sure are deeply ingrained. I suspect they will always be there, just under the surface of my consciousness, ready to jump into action when the right buttons are pushed. Knowing this keeps me far more vigilant in my daily practices. They are my greatest allies in my desire to live a life filled with joy and energy, rather than anxiety and helplessness.
Hope that all of you had a better week and are keeping up on your own centering practices. They do work in time!
Judy

High Country

I can echo Judy Warner's words of calm, peace, and not sweating the small stuff. My week at Journey to Center is always punctuated by daily walks to a chapel at the top of a "small" mountain on the property of our Peaceful Valley Lodge. The "small" is relative to the 14,000-foot peaks all around us. My morning hike takes about 10 minutes. At the top, I stand at the brink of a cliff and look out at the higher peaks, which are truly breathtaking. So I stand and breathe, and reach my arms up in the air like Julie Andrews in "The Sound of Music," reaching for the mountains in the distance, the hillsides covered with aspen all around me, and the hawks flying above.

The view changes each day. Sometimes the distant mountains can't be seen because of mist or clouds. The final walk of my visit revealed the 14,000-footers were covered with snow. You never know what you'll find, which is lovely and part of the journey.

Back home now, I am endeavoring to keep my daily practice strong. I don't have the mountain vistas, but I do have the reminder that each day presents something new. Like the view from the chapel, I don't know what each day will bring, but I can bring my best self to the day, reach for it, and enjoy the journey.

A Calm Prevails

It never ceases to amaze me. I am just back from a very busy but so rewarding Journey to Center week. As part of the staff, I am engaged from early morning to late at night. My personal story is always that the 8500 foot altitude creates a multitude of sinus issues so I walk around with a box of Kleenex. Relaxing is not a term that easily comes to mind re the week.

But I love the experience and have no regrets after 20 plus years of the program. We begin each morning with meditation, breathing, and stretching. And, we spend our days working with a great group of people who are interested in learning and exploring the Magic of Conflict approach.

What amazes me is that I return home with a wonderful sense of inner peace despite the hectic schedule. As I resume my life here in Rochester, all the little annoyances and calamities stay just that – ‘little’. Perhaps it is the extended time devoted each morning to mind/body activities; perhaps it is being immersed in a purpose of giving value that I am deeply congruent with. I suspect all play a role. My hope now is to continue to keep this inner space of calm and wish all of you the same blessing at some point in your lives.

Judy W.

It's Journey to Center Time!

Ellen, Judy and I will be with Tom Crum in Colorado for our Journey to Center program for the next week. We promise to return to blogging after its completion.

Have a great week everyone!

Judy Warner

Make Their Day

Use every man after his desert, and who shall 'scape whipping? Use them after your own honour and dignity: the less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty.
~ William Shakespeare

When was the last time someone made your day – or you made theirs? In the national bestselling book, FISH!, by Stephen C. Lundin Ph.D., Harry Paul, and John Christensen, the fishmongers at the world famous Pike Place Fish Company in Seattle do it daily. They do it by throwing fish and joking with their loyal customer-fans, and by just having fun.

I made a point recently to look for people I could "treat" this way, and it was really fun. I think I felt better than they did. I realized that when you make someone’s day, it bounces back on you. It's a great feeling to witness the joy and surprise on their faces.

It can be little things, like:

• Smiling

• Saying “Good morning”

• Offering your place in line to a harried fellow shopper

• Bringing a cup of coffee to your office mate

• Doing a task for a coworker

• Over-tipping at your favorite restaurant

• Taking time with someone who needs it

• Being a fully present listener

It doesn't take much to create a joyful moment. Look around, and you'll find there are more openings than you think. They're everywhere!

~Judy Ringer