A very special thank you to several people that have chosen to embrace mindfulness in 2018.  I'm thrilled to serve them through this blog and in other ways.  I'm delighted.  

I also had some people tell me I was cracker jacks for thinking that anyone wants to be mindful.  That sitting quietly was a "stupid idea".  I listened with curiosity.  I put myself in their shoes.  I looked at life through their lens.  

We all need to belong to something.  I'm not for everyone--I completely understand that.  I'm happy for them that they have a place they belong.  Everyone should have their own spot they feel safe, loved, honored and respected.

Until tomorrow.

Last night . . . at some point, I shut my phone off.  I have no memory of doing that.

I woke up at 5:36 with a dog and cat staring me down.  Why didn't they wake me up?  They always wake me up . . . 

My discovery was they get me up when the first alarm goes off.  They hear the little vibrating buzz and nuzzle and meow.  When they don't get that cue, they won't.  I found that to be kind of interesting.

Waking up late put me into a bit of a frazzle.  I felt discombobulated, it took me way to long to figure out who needed a lunch packed, who needed what for breakfast, I didn't get my outfit ready for the day . . . what just happened last night that all of these things didn't get done and has left me scrambling?

Then, we had the time wrong on when to drive to the final exam.  Luckily we did not miss it.  Drop off then a quick pick up.

I made coffee without putting the carafe back . . . the day after I mop the floor I have a coffee river flowing through my kitchen. 

Meanwhile, I nearly missed all of the Skyped in music lesson.  What else could go wrong?

I've checked and double checked where I need to be for the rest of the day and made a very short list of things that I must get done:  fold the clothes, walk the dog, make dinner, and write for 30 minutes without interuption, and helping my kid study for a Honors World History final.  

Life is busy, period.  I meet each moment, knowing it will be my last--of that moment.  I will never help him study for World History again, I will never make this particular dinner again, I will never fold this combination of clothes again, when I walk the dog--each step will be completely different than the previous step.  My writing may or may not be inspired. This is what it means to be mindful.

Yesterday I published a story on Medium entitled Beware of the Naked Man.  You can read it --> here.  

I was a bit scared about publishing a story that was a bit man bashing and Gen X bashing.  You know, being mindful and all I have this idea that I should be loving and kind.  How can I have an opinion yet still be loving?

I honor the feelings that I have based on the precept that I strive to be curious, compassionate and loving without being judgemental.  There is more to it than just that.

When I wrote the words "privileged old man" and "wet behind the ears 30 something" I am being descriptive, not dismissive.  

Mom, this is the most chill Christmas ever.

My son is correct.  I'm not driving everyone crazy.  In 2017 I figured out what is important in this life and have left the rest fall away.

I imagine that all our Christmas celebrations will be "chill" from now on.  It's just more fun.

Pray without ceasing.  

In everything, give thanks.

In 2009 I started a blog by the same name . . . in everything give thanks.  I thought my life was in the shitter then but I had no idea the free fall I would find myself in.  You know the Wylie Coyote cartoon when he falls off the cliff and lands in a puff of dust . . . that was me.  For years, disappointment after disappointment.  In all that was happening, I gave thanks.  Gratitude was the antidote.  

Joy, it is our focus for this third week of advent. How will you let joy into your life?