Are you carrying an umbrella?
It's been a cloudy week here in Brisbane, Australia and
this rainy weather always reminds me of one of my favourite quotes
“Life isn’t waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
I spent most of my 20’s learning how to dance in that rain.
Literally. My way of dealing with life’s storms was to get drunk and go dancing with friends.
It felt great, I have no regrets and I still love to dance. I always will. It’s in my bones.
And while this form of coping is harmless to the world and I wouldn't say it was necessarily “unhelpful” to me because it shaped who I am today but it didn’t really work.
So, my new quote is
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to carry a damn umbrella.”
The umbrella represents equanimity.
Learning how to face difficult things with calmness and composure.
No longer being halted or compelled by fear or desire, memory or anticipation.
Instead of getting uncomfortably soaking wet, potentially compromising your immunity or ruining your clothes and then having your black non waterproof mascara start running down your face.
Sounds much wiser to me!?
Equanimity does not mean that there will be no upheavals in life but you develop the ability to go through difficulties without being devastated, becoming embittered or self-medicating.
You learn how to relate to the difficulties rather than being possessed by them.
You still feel the impact of upheavals but you always come back to centre and ground.
Then make decisions from that place.
In 2005 I started obsessively (and haven’t stopped) reading
Buddhism, Eastern philosophy and shelf help books where I remember seeing this word “equanimity” A LOT as well as mindfulness and presence. I understood what they meant on paper but I can honestly say I never emotionally understood how they felt until I started meditating 11 years later.
I don’t believe that meditating cures everything, not one thing does, but I 100% believe it helped me cultivate and enhance qualities (we all have within) that re-routed me to a more sustainable healthier lifestyle. One where I’m more aware and more present which some might say is more fulfilling?
Every day in my meditation, I ask myself, “With all this extra time (Thank you COVID), how can I be of more service, how can I help? What can I do?” And I hear people say all the time, I really want to start meditating but I just don't know WHERE or HOW ? It's overwhelming. SO I want make it less...
Less overwhelming and more fulfilling. More digestible and relatable. The easy way is hard enough!
So I'm turning "My Mindfulnest" into a weekly online class via ZOOM
Drop in or spend the entire 8 weeks with me for one hour each week starting Aug 18 / 19
Each week we will practice mindfulness meditation techniques and tools that can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Mindfulness isn't hard, you just have to remember to do it. Let ME be your reminder and guide you to navigate your emotional world + access inner wisdom.
I believe all emotions serve a purpose
curiosities are meant to be followed
and the answers we seek can be found within us.
I've picked a time so that (hopefully) both Australian and American friends can join!
Click HERE for more details or check out my website
REMEMBER: "Meditation is only 1 letter away from medication & mediation"