Jail : Sentence :
Posted: February 10, 2015 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: beauty, blogging, Consumerism, cycling, gratitude, Identity, kindness, love, Mindfulness, Omaha, passion, Prison, social media, writing, yoga 14 CommentsIf I spent ten years in prison, I’d probably come to value the small things in life. Things like good food, a comfy bed, and a toothbrush sharpened into a shank-
How can we spring ourselves from this “social media” jail sentence we conveniently lump on our weary souls? For me personally, capturing and restoring a sense of gratitude is the ideal antidote for the nauseating cycle of egotism we confront on a daily basis.
Propping the world on my shoulders, believing and behaving as though I am the center of your attention when I put forth a self-serving blog post. And you know what? Being the center of attention is both exhausting and futile.
I challenge you to reexamine the meaning of gratitude and kindness – Taking to heart the profound impact and value they impart on our lives. Without them, we will struggle to get over our preening, look-at-me sense of self-importance.
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As the seasons gently begin to change, I start to look within and begin to write about the “things” for which I am truly grateful – Your continued support, Family and Friends, Yoga, Cycling and maybe a few other “things” as well. I ask of you – your patience, as I try to move past the obvious and explore deeper the gifts I may have overlooked in the past; becoming aware of how many people made this possible through their hard work. As well as paying deeper attention to nature’s boundless wonders, beauty and mysteries as I once did as a child and have awakened once again as an adult <— Used loosely.
Daily Meditation:
When we learn to forget ourselves – We can enjoy our lives, fully, in this inspiring moment.
CultFit 
So simple,your lovely post. Gratitude, kindness, humility, grace. Family, friends. Start with ourselves as you mention. Use our meditation, our yoga, our walks,our runs, our bikes- whatever it is for us as an individual, to find that space, that place in us where gratitude is and ego isn’t. So simple, but as my day goes by and perhaps I’m tired or cranky or impatient. There it is again! Ego, doing not being , happens again. And every day, we get to start all over again. A new day, another day to try to be, not just do☺️ …I hope you enjoy your day as much as I enjoyed this post!
You are too kind! The long winter days have afforded me the needed time for self reflection and exploring the questions that have been lingering in my heart – This post serves as a bookmark on our path to true self discovery 🙂
Great post! Since giving up alcohol, I’ve been practicing gratitude intensively and gearing up to work with those less fortunate. Exercise, proper nutrition, meditation and a gratitude journal have enriched my life tremendously. All of a sudden, self importance has faded from the lime light and genuine self love has taken it’s place. And this has made me a part of something much bigger than me.
I agree with you completely. I also gave up alcohol and that one simple act has opened me up to living a life more in tune with who I am at my core. I am beginning to love myself as I treat myself more kindly and that love spills over into the world around me. Thanks for sharing and making me reflect.
This ripple effect is that magic, indeed
I’m deeply grateful that my post resonated within you! As you know, this is an important issue to me and I hope to broaden this discussion more in the coming months. Take care this morning and be well my friend 🙂
I do love my blog. Even though I do write a lot of fluff pieces on cycling, the recovery posts almost always reach someone who needed it. As far as the rest of the social media, Twitter and Facebook, etc., I’ve kept my distance and for that I am thankful.
I’m sincerely grateful for being introduced to you and your blog! Blogging to me is dare I say – more real and tangible. It takes an honest heart and effort to put forth yourself in a deeper way, rather than 140 characters 😉 Has the spring itch to get out and ride hit home for you yet?!? Its killing me here! Take care mate!
I’m not struggling as much this year. I’ve been hammering on that killer interval workout once or twice a week and it’s done a lot to keep it lively. Add to that out late start on winter (which meant riding outdoors at least once a week until the second or third week of January and I’ll make it with a smile on my face. That said, I miss eating… I can’t wait to hit a Burger King without having to drive away hungry.
That’s an interesting point that you make about blogs. You’re right, thank you for helping me to look at it differently.
Take care as well my friend. Thank you.
Gratitude AND mindfulness 😉
Like a match made in heaven – I hope you have a wonderful weekend – Take care 🙂
Thank you for your great message! I have been fasting from focus on the world to focus more on spirit-filled things as well as fasting a few meals. I have noticed that my taste buds have come alive and my spiritual senses have heightened. I have found that the most simple, plain, small amount of food is tasting like a banquet and so satisfying to my body, soul and spirit. I appreciate your being in the world!
A long time ago when I first started blogging, I wrote ad nauseam about fasting as it relates to diet, physical performance and training for “whatever”. Thousands upon thousands of words failed to capture so eloquently and pointedly what you put forth in your comment, and I cannot thank you enough! May your spirit be filled with warmth and compassion – Take care 🙂
The beauty and mystery of the journey is so often too easy to miss…
Thank you for this!