Utopia42

Mindfulness. A Focus on mental health + Better nutrition, yoga/exercise/stretching, Interior design (having an orderly exterior helps my interior), volunteering, community engagement, working towards the future I want to see, learning something every day, .non violent communication, work and kids.

I love spending quality time with my daughter. We watched Inside out, and paused it to discuss our core memories, which emotions were running things, logic, dejavu and lots of snuggles. Man, I love this young human. Gratitude.

I wish to advocate for the removal of confederate symbols and prominent historical figures who while accomplished great things, did them with the blood and bones of black people.  They do not have a place in our history or public policy other than as a reminder of how we can do better.

How is my meditation practice?  Where would I be without it?     OR  In where I ask myself questions about the value of my meditation practice.   My friend and I were talking on the phone(1) when she simply asked me "how is your meditation going"? I paused for a moment.  Took stock. I realized that even that pause, itself was an interruption of the "monkey mind".  That I was checking in at all was good. Where was I as a practitioner and coach?  How was I responding and using my concentration, sensory clarity and Equanimity to work with this present moment? "Good" I say.  "Important.  Essential during these days." "I'm really thankful I've had a daily formal practice for years now as a householder." "I can actually see the way my thinking has changed over years of practice.  It's been a rich journey." "It reinforces my desire to share it" I then told her this story -  Just outside my window were two people...

I practice to see each human operating independently. This is better than groups (or identity politics) - as just a human running from suffering and pursuing joy - Some of the humans with wildly different perspectives than others. The wonder that is consciousness . All trying to live together - Usually peacefully. I work to speak without brutality, without hatred, even though I do think poorly of harmful behavior and increasing the suffering we already have in the world. To clearly see the bad behavior, speech and actions of some of those individuals. And seeing this reality as clearly as you can. Do what you can to make change. Be the change you wish to see. Start where you are. And stand up for kindness. #STANDTUPFORKINDNESS