Post marital disruption, I would go to the river every day, say a prayer for guidance, power walk off the stress, and then sit in quiet contemplation facing the water. My son referred to it as “Mom finding inner peace.”
Power walking is a thing of the past, and every day is no longer doable, but the river is still there, and I am still able to pray, and most recently, I’ve decided to reclaim my mindful practice.
Today, the sky is clear and calm, the water a mirror. It is easy to let go of cares when Nature reflects such beauty.
The trail offers a canopy of green, and all around life is abounding. The gloom that I have brought with me seems so out of place.
Small, yellow birds flit about and sing from the treetops, their songs of joy contagious.
I remember a vow I made to myself, years ago, before my then marriage fell apart. Life had been hard, and full of conflict and trauma, and I knew I needed to make choices to end the pattern of victimhood. I could not undo the past, but I could make changes going forward.
Illness has threatened to make me a victim again. These past months even more so. I need to reign myself in.
“If you want to stop being a victim, stay out of the emotional vacuum.” The words fall on me in a moment of receptivity. “Emotions are markers – acknowledge them as such, and move on.”
It’s the lesson I needed this day. Life throws challenges. I feel, I ponder, then I rise to the occasion. Mindful.
(My challenge this week is “reclaim“.)
One Woman's Quest II 
I find this encouraging, that in the midst of pain and struggle there is something more, the mindful path.
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It’s about the only power we do have, isn’t it? Thank you, Paul.
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I wholly agree, it is what is left. My pleasure
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Mindfulness well described, V.J. It can improve the quality of daily life.
I am so grateful to live near water. It soothes.
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You have a whole lake! Wonderful. Hope you are keeping cool Sarah. Beautiful day today!
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There is just something about water. The river. The ocean. The lake. Mindfulness rests easy there. Along with the quiet. Beautiful images.
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Thanks. Water is soothing.
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You’re welcome!
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VJ, best wishes on your quest for inner peace. Keith
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Thanks Keith. I will bottle it if I find it, lol.
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So profound VJ
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Thank you.
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Bravo! This motivates me to INSIST on quiet time daily. (Insisting to the dominant resister: inner voices saying do this, do that, don’t sit down NOW … gotta quiet those pesky voices!)
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Those voices never stop. Thanks Jazz.
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So beautiful and such mindful wisdom, thank you! ❤
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Thank you!
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