This is the only moment

 

 

The past is in the rear vision mirror, the future not set, there is only this moment.

Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, put it nicely when he said,

"Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment!"

To centre oneself and repeat the good monk's quote, can bring you back to this moment and enjoy inner peace. 

I took this short Youtube clip  Wednesday morning feel-good vibes early this morning and was grateful to have had that moment and the many other things which make up my life.

Years ago I taught meditation and spiritual development classes and used a similar quote, mostly as a pattern interrupt by adding a sprinkle of humour to it.

Life can be stressful particularly when events are out of our control but we have the power to be aware and prepare, to reframe negative self-talk, and add humour to the mix.

The present moment, together with a sense of gratitude is a wonderful place to be and if you have yet to try it, I can highly recommend it.

Until next time, stay safe and well 😁

A Kaleidscope called Butterflies

I came to a screaming halt during a recent power walk when there before me were hundreds of beautiful butterflies. They were fluttering about haphazardly among the white bottlebrush shrubs bordering the footpath opposite the now empty café strip of Scarborough.

Mesmerising to watch, these hyperactive butterfly lovelies took my mind off the agony of prolonged home detention during the COVID-19 isolation phase.

Did you know a group of butterflies are called a flutter, wing, swarm, rabble, but are officially called a kaleidoscope?  If you didn't that makes you and me both - I was happy to have learned something that day.

Butterflies symbolise inner transformation, change, resurrection, joy, endless potential, happiness, and hope. Tis the season for butterflies but I've never seen so many and not the only one who noticed. Maybe it's because of good rainfall out west - who knows. To me, the COVID-19 event is a pivotal time in history and the butterflies cement this transformational time for me. It's the ending of life as we knew it and the beginning of endless potential.

With restrictions still some time away and work contracts a thing of the past, I make the most of my solitary confinement by walking along the beachfront. I watch Old Sol rise over the horizon and walk on cold sand (wonderful exfoliation for the feet) mainly to get away from the footpath where its a peak hour of joggers and people walking their dogs.

With single-minded focus, I power walked the 5kms to visit butterflies (the links below will take you to, two short YouTube clips).

Butterfly Magic

Butterflies


Sadly no coffee shops were open for a flat white with soy to be had, so I powered back up and walked home.

The exercise was great, the butterflies better.

Until next time, cheers 🦋