Morning Meditation with the Mindful Tortoise
by Suzette Jones
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Suzette is a Registered Nurse and facilitates training, talks, and projects on a range of health and social related subjects to the faith, voluntary and statutory sectors.
A long-time meditator and Mindfulness teacher, Suzette uses a variety of practices to express that simple easy exercises can enhance our mental, physical and spiritual health. |
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The Mindful Tortoise lives amongst the abundant houseplants which flourish from living room to bedroom, at number 62.Sherman, a twenty-year-old Horsefield, was miss-identified and named after a tank. While his shell shows the battle scars of early life, his resilience and robustness mirror his namesake.
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As dawn breaks, he can be found waiting for his bath to be filled with warm water; his ‘toilet’ completed he joins the daily practice of meditation by snuggling himself between two human feet. Sherman stands his ground bravely, sits quietly, lies low patiently, and does nothing gallantly. Words and actions which reflects the meditative payer by Jesuit, John Veltri, for so many and which includes the Mindful tortoise.
Love is a most splendid thing! - March 2025
Most mornings when sit to meditate, I am joined by Sherman the house tortoise who has for many years lived amongst the jungle of houseplants in the living room. He snuggles up on my bare feet, his head resting on my toes. While I would like to think it love I suspect he thinks my feet are a lady tortoise. But not today! Shermans affections have clearly switched to a blue velvet feather filled cushion which the day before had fallen from its home on the sofa. I remember smiling when I saw him sat very comfortably on top of it clearly enjoying the softness and warmth.
However, this morning my meditation did not go as usual. Sherman emerged from his overnight slumber and appeared agitated as he roamed the room clearly searching, but for what? My feet were ignored, his bath abandoned, the daily feast of fresh broccoli, cucumber and lettuce dismissed. A moment of inspiration I threw the cushion to the floor and suddenly all was well! Sherman dashed forward and embraced it! His legs outstretched; his head buried in in its voluminous folds.
To be mindful is to notice ‘A glimpse of heaven in the ordinary.’ An ordinary cushion to me but clearly not to Sherman. In the rush of our lives we can miss the simple beauty, the loveliness of the ordinary. Stop, take a moment to be a human being rather than a human doing, look again at the everyday.
Meditation, prayer of the heart, does not exclude or replace other ways of prayer but in the stillness,in the calm comes a peace.
Our routine of early morning meditation together, Shermans hot water soak followed by breakfast has returned only now joining us is the ‘cushy’! A substitute synthetic cushion has been tried, but no, he knows the difference between feather and polyester! The velvet one is now his, an additional cover has been purchased enabling laundering without losing Shermans beloved companion. Peace has returned!
Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
However, this morning my meditation did not go as usual. Sherman emerged from his overnight slumber and appeared agitated as he roamed the room clearly searching, but for what? My feet were ignored, his bath abandoned, the daily feast of fresh broccoli, cucumber and lettuce dismissed. A moment of inspiration I threw the cushion to the floor and suddenly all was well! Sherman dashed forward and embraced it! His legs outstretched; his head buried in in its voluminous folds.
To be mindful is to notice ‘A glimpse of heaven in the ordinary.’ An ordinary cushion to me but clearly not to Sherman. In the rush of our lives we can miss the simple beauty, the loveliness of the ordinary. Stop, take a moment to be a human being rather than a human doing, look again at the everyday.
Meditation, prayer of the heart, does not exclude or replace other ways of prayer but in the stillness,in the calm comes a peace.
Our routine of early morning meditation together, Shermans hot water soak followed by breakfast has returned only now joining us is the ‘cushy’! A substitute synthetic cushion has been tried, but no, he knows the difference between feather and polyester! The velvet one is now his, an additional cover has been purchased enabling laundering without losing Shermans beloved companion. Peace has returned!
Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
The Flatbed Trolley of Life
On a recent trip to a high street DIY store I found myself steering a flatbed trolley loaded with pebbles, compost, and pots through the crowded isles of garden paraphernalia, carefully avoiding mowing down fellow shoppers.
The trolley had a mind of its own, so leaping out of its way a discerning staff member suggested I make for the trade counter which I dutifully did. There, a burly young man zapped the bar codes and in return I zapped my credit card. He then kindly offered to take control of the offending trolley and deliver my purchasers to the car. A conversation started as to whether health & safety policy states that a flatbed trolley should be pushed or pulled! A smile found my lips as even he struggled steering the wayward flatbed. Emerging through the doors still chatting my companion let out an unexpected shout of ‘look at that’ startled and frozen to the spot I followed his upward gaze expecting some terrifying disaster!
The opposite occurred as we both stared in wonder of the utterly amazing sky! Fluffy torn cotton wool clouds suspended across the deepest of blue clear skies with streaks of vivacious vermillion strewn across it, caught our breath. Standing together in absolute wonder at this masterpiece of nature, reminded me that in the oddest encounters of life a ‘Mindfulness’ moment can grab us. A
time to stop, to stare, to taste, to feel how a moment in the day can capture us if only we allow it to!
Life is so much like the flatbed trolley. We load it with the business of living, pebbles that weigh heavily, compost that allows growth and empty pots waiting to be filled. We may feel we have control, but it can take off in a direction we were not expecting. Should the flatbed of life be pushed or pulled?
My morning meditation accompanied by Sherman the tortoise allows the silence of the moment,prayer & gratitude for a new day. Meditation will not solve all our problems, but allows a time of stillness, calm and quiet as we become human beings and not human doings! A time to park the flatbed trolley of life.
‘"pen my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Psalm 119
The trolley had a mind of its own, so leaping out of its way a discerning staff member suggested I make for the trade counter which I dutifully did. There, a burly young man zapped the bar codes and in return I zapped my credit card. He then kindly offered to take control of the offending trolley and deliver my purchasers to the car. A conversation started as to whether health & safety policy states that a flatbed trolley should be pushed or pulled! A smile found my lips as even he struggled steering the wayward flatbed. Emerging through the doors still chatting my companion let out an unexpected shout of ‘look at that’ startled and frozen to the spot I followed his upward gaze expecting some terrifying disaster!
The opposite occurred as we both stared in wonder of the utterly amazing sky! Fluffy torn cotton wool clouds suspended across the deepest of blue clear skies with streaks of vivacious vermillion strewn across it, caught our breath. Standing together in absolute wonder at this masterpiece of nature, reminded me that in the oddest encounters of life a ‘Mindfulness’ moment can grab us. A
time to stop, to stare, to taste, to feel how a moment in the day can capture us if only we allow it to!
Life is so much like the flatbed trolley. We load it with the business of living, pebbles that weigh heavily, compost that allows growth and empty pots waiting to be filled. We may feel we have control, but it can take off in a direction we were not expecting. Should the flatbed of life be pushed or pulled?
My morning meditation accompanied by Sherman the tortoise allows the silence of the moment,prayer & gratitude for a new day. Meditation will not solve all our problems, but allows a time of stillness, calm and quiet as we become human beings and not human doings! A time to park the flatbed trolley of life.
‘"pen my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Psalm 119
Morning Meditation with a Mindful Tortoise - February 2024
The morning alarms of radio and bedside light fail miserably today due to a power cut during the night! I have a definite power outage myself as the morning routine of coffee, shower, dress, eat merge into one and my multi-tasking results in back to front tee shirt and hair resembling a
haystack. I quickly fill Sherman, the house tortoises’ bath with warm water and unceremoniously plonk him in for a speedy splash today.
Amongst the mayhem my attention is suddenly drawn to the sheer pleasure on Sherman's scaly face; head stretched heaven upward, legs out spayed he is clearly relishing, being in the moment, a moment to feel, taste, touch his day, a pause in the haste of life. I pause, pulled up by this unassuming creature’s ability to experience and show that the simplest of actions, experiences can be the most rewarding.
I stop rushing, make time, all be it a short, for meditation, one of gratitude where I thank God for my beating heart, my breathing lungs which has given me another day in this fantastic, though troubled world.
I am only a little late as I dash to my ancient car bought new in 2003 with now over 290,000 miles on its clockface. Its body showing encounters with gate posts and the like, the interior worn by the numerous cargo its ferried over the years, the smell of coffee on the go and discarded sweet packets from grandchildren and me. The key turns, the engine doesn’t! I stop for the second time but not for first time notice that the shape of this oh so loved VW Beetle is like that of Sherman. Opening the bonnet, I disconnect the battery and take a moment, for I know that if I pause, stop, smile for 30 seconds, perhaps even recite the beautiful poem by W.H. Davies ‘Leisure’ ‘What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?'- then reconnect the battery it will spring into life. Which it does.
To stop, take a pause in this so busy life of ours, living in the 21st century, is essential for our mental, physical and spiritual health. Meditation allows us to take a breathing space, a pause, to reconnect with ourselves and life. In meditation whether guided, in silence, solo, a group or online it
gives our being room to breathe, room to be. 30 seconds to 30 minutes, focussing on our breath, listening to the sounds of life, seeing the world around us or becoming one with our mantra; meditation, prayer of heart, is a time to be a human being rather than a human doing. Strange how a tortoise and a Beetle can teach so much!
Psalms 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place; what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
haystack. I quickly fill Sherman, the house tortoises’ bath with warm water and unceremoniously plonk him in for a speedy splash today.
Amongst the mayhem my attention is suddenly drawn to the sheer pleasure on Sherman's scaly face; head stretched heaven upward, legs out spayed he is clearly relishing, being in the moment, a moment to feel, taste, touch his day, a pause in the haste of life. I pause, pulled up by this unassuming creature’s ability to experience and show that the simplest of actions, experiences can be the most rewarding.
I stop rushing, make time, all be it a short, for meditation, one of gratitude where I thank God for my beating heart, my breathing lungs which has given me another day in this fantastic, though troubled world.
I am only a little late as I dash to my ancient car bought new in 2003 with now over 290,000 miles on its clockface. Its body showing encounters with gate posts and the like, the interior worn by the numerous cargo its ferried over the years, the smell of coffee on the go and discarded sweet packets from grandchildren and me. The key turns, the engine doesn’t! I stop for the second time but not for first time notice that the shape of this oh so loved VW Beetle is like that of Sherman. Opening the bonnet, I disconnect the battery and take a moment, for I know that if I pause, stop, smile for 30 seconds, perhaps even recite the beautiful poem by W.H. Davies ‘Leisure’ ‘What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?'- then reconnect the battery it will spring into life. Which it does.
To stop, take a pause in this so busy life of ours, living in the 21st century, is essential for our mental, physical and spiritual health. Meditation allows us to take a breathing space, a pause, to reconnect with ourselves and life. In meditation whether guided, in silence, solo, a group or online it
gives our being room to breathe, room to be. 30 seconds to 30 minutes, focussing on our breath, listening to the sounds of life, seeing the world around us or becoming one with our mantra; meditation, prayer of heart, is a time to be a human being rather than a human doing. Strange how a tortoise and a Beetle can teach so much!
Psalms 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place; what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Faith, Hope and Love.
I no longer ask, “What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to hang on to?” Instead, I ask, “What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to give myself to?” Father Richard Rohr
A lighter and much brighter early morning greets me as I prepare for daily meditation, even though today dark rain clouds are being blown vigorously across the wakening sky. Sherman, the house tortoise remains slumbering beneath the heat lamp within the forest of house plants. Definitely not to be disturbed!
I reflect that my New Year resolutions promised with such robustness in the aftermath of the festive season, have passed by with gale force ferocity. I have already eaten foods banned, exercised little and spent far too much on the frivolities of life. Lent though, heralds a new beginning, a time to reflect and Fr. Richards words sound loudly in my thoughts. ‘What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to give myself to?’ A challenging question I suspect for most of us.
I reflect that my New Year resolutions promised with such robustness in the aftermath of the festive season, have passed by with gale force ferocity. I have already eaten foods banned, exercised little and spent far too much on the frivolities of life. Lent though, heralds a new beginning, a time to reflect and Fr. Richards words sound loudly in my thoughts. ‘What do I want to let go of, and what do I want to give myself to?’ A challenging question I suspect for most of us.
In employment, this is somewhat easier than in my personal, spiritual life. My job enables me through annual appraisal, to review the past year, set objectives for the one ahead, giving me permission to keep, pass on or let go of those wanted, completed, or no longer needed items.
In my life though? What can I let go of here? What do I want to let go of! What imprisons me? Perhaps it’s not so much the ‘work’ of everyday life, the cleaning, shopping etc. that needs letting go of, (though there are some tasks I would easily drop), but the thoughts and feelings of the past that crowd the mind with guilt, regret, recriminations, the missed opportunity, if only, the whys of things done and not done! To let go of these, not obliterate, or try to hide them, they never can be, but placed aside, laid down.
So, then I ask ‘what do I want to give myself to? The ironing? Definitely no! I long ago decided not to purchase any item of clothing which required it! To my children? Grandchildren? As lovely and loved as they are, I know this would be construed as an interference! Reading, gardening, hobbies? To lengthen my daily meditation, my prayer of the heart? To good works? Playing an active role in the church, community, volunteering? Yes, to contribute to society in whatever way we can is important and surely it is in the giving that we receive.
All are significant, or is it to simply say, give myself to life, to life, which is ever changing, full of challenges, beauty, disappointments; give myself to compassion for others, the poor in health, wealth and spirit? To lay at the foot of the cross all that I am and am not? And with leap of Faith, trust in God and know - ‘and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love’.
1 Corinthians 13:13 New International Version (NIV)
In my life though? What can I let go of here? What do I want to let go of! What imprisons me? Perhaps it’s not so much the ‘work’ of everyday life, the cleaning, shopping etc. that needs letting go of, (though there are some tasks I would easily drop), but the thoughts and feelings of the past that crowd the mind with guilt, regret, recriminations, the missed opportunity, if only, the whys of things done and not done! To let go of these, not obliterate, or try to hide them, they never can be, but placed aside, laid down.
So, then I ask ‘what do I want to give myself to? The ironing? Definitely no! I long ago decided not to purchase any item of clothing which required it! To my children? Grandchildren? As lovely and loved as they are, I know this would be construed as an interference! Reading, gardening, hobbies? To lengthen my daily meditation, my prayer of the heart? To good works? Playing an active role in the church, community, volunteering? Yes, to contribute to society in whatever way we can is important and surely it is in the giving that we receive.
All are significant, or is it to simply say, give myself to life, to life, which is ever changing, full of challenges, beauty, disappointments; give myself to compassion for others, the poor in health, wealth and spirit? To lay at the foot of the cross all that I am and am not? And with leap of Faith, trust in God and know - ‘and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love’.
1 Corinthians 13:13 New International Version (NIV)
The obvious question of what do you get out of meditation? is best answered by
‘nothing – But I lose a lot.’
Most mornings I awake to the chirpy voice of a radio presenter announcing the 6am news, quickly followed by the squawking of the garish tin parrot perched precariously on top of an indoor water feature, which bursts into life though his rigid tail feathers.
I sit to meditate. Throughout late spring and early autumn, Sherman our house Horsefield tortoise, emerges from the jungle of houseplants that adorn the living room to join me. Deep within this tangle of Triffid like plants is Sherman’s summer residence from where at daily intervals he leaves to patrol his world. This is to ensure that no other marauding tortoises have invaded which includes any human shoeless feet. Offenders are subject to stealth like charge, a painful nip on the heel sending the recipient into peels of screeching only matched by those of the serenading tin parrot.
My feet appear to be the exception to Sherman’s territorial behaviour. Sitting to meditate he snuggles backwards between them and settles for 30 minutes of stillness and silence his head resting on my big toe. While I would like to believe this was love, I suspect he thinks my two bare feet are lady tortoises!
The world is never silent but opening to my thoughts, feelings and sensations, accepting the beautiful noise of life, I settle into the rhythm of my breath, then float my mantra on each in breath and each out breath, surrendering all of self to, I Am.
It is said that Meditation is simple, not easy. I struggle with caged creatures of all kinds, and so I struggle with the never-ending stream of imprisoned thoughts that pace up and down within the prison of my mind! However, acknowledging the thoughts, I allow them to fly free through the clouds of my mind into open space enabling me to return to the breath, to the mantra:
This is a time of being rather than doing.
Thirty minutes passes and as I rise to meet the next moments of the day having gained nothing but losing a lot, Sherman rises too and with matching speed of my thoughts goes to where the freshly leaves of Rosa Verde salad, crisp cucumber and broccoli have been left for his breakfast. He stops and stares as to see, as if for the first time, in amazement, the feast before him.
Yet this threesome appears each morning, never changing, never different. A few moments pass in his apparent wonderment, then his jaws open and in sheer delight he takes a bite!
Today take a Sherman moment, stop, look, listen, smell, taste the broccoli of life, to be in the day for the first time.
Psalm 118:24 this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in It!
I sit to meditate. Throughout late spring and early autumn, Sherman our house Horsefield tortoise, emerges from the jungle of houseplants that adorn the living room to join me. Deep within this tangle of Triffid like plants is Sherman’s summer residence from where at daily intervals he leaves to patrol his world. This is to ensure that no other marauding tortoises have invaded which includes any human shoeless feet. Offenders are subject to stealth like charge, a painful nip on the heel sending the recipient into peels of screeching only matched by those of the serenading tin parrot.
My feet appear to be the exception to Sherman’s territorial behaviour. Sitting to meditate he snuggles backwards between them and settles for 30 minutes of stillness and silence his head resting on my big toe. While I would like to believe this was love, I suspect he thinks my two bare feet are lady tortoises!
The world is never silent but opening to my thoughts, feelings and sensations, accepting the beautiful noise of life, I settle into the rhythm of my breath, then float my mantra on each in breath and each out breath, surrendering all of self to, I Am.
It is said that Meditation is simple, not easy. I struggle with caged creatures of all kinds, and so I struggle with the never-ending stream of imprisoned thoughts that pace up and down within the prison of my mind! However, acknowledging the thoughts, I allow them to fly free through the clouds of my mind into open space enabling me to return to the breath, to the mantra:
This is a time of being rather than doing.
Thirty minutes passes and as I rise to meet the next moments of the day having gained nothing but losing a lot, Sherman rises too and with matching speed of my thoughts goes to where the freshly leaves of Rosa Verde salad, crisp cucumber and broccoli have been left for his breakfast. He stops and stares as to see, as if for the first time, in amazement, the feast before him.
Yet this threesome appears each morning, never changing, never different. A few moments pass in his apparent wonderment, then his jaws open and in sheer delight he takes a bite!
Today take a Sherman moment, stop, look, listen, smell, taste the broccoli of life, to be in the day for the first time.
Psalm 118:24 this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in It!
Take a moment to be a human being, not a human doing!
I wake late this morning and opening the blinds, a bright blue sky, interrupted only by the fading contrails of an aeroplane flying high in the heavens, greets me. Distracted by my lateness, need for caffeine, the growing to do list of the day, my morning meditation appears to be a frivolity which should be discarded. This timeless practice of silence & stillness which intrigues so many, I know will increase the quality and time of my day, I take time.
Time to meditate.
Joined by house tortoise Sherman snuggling in-between my firmly planted feet on the floor I sit to meditate. Back upright, face muscles relaxed and breathing down my shoulders I open to the day, this time of being, this time of Mindfulness, of meditative prayer. Though not for long, distraction beckons as my eyes come to rest on a pair of novelty shaped Teacup slippers abandoned by the sofa. In a moment my mind has recognised what they are, composed my future conversation with the offending owner, recalled the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast and marvelled at how in the blink of an eye our busy minds allow these thoughts to dance across the ballroom of life. I resume my meditation. Distraction, however, comes quickly in a second jig.
Sherman too has seen the offending footwear. Quickstepping towards them, with lightning speed he clashes side on, turning one upside down exposing its grey rubber sole. I watch spellbound as he inspects his handiwork and meanders positively back to my feet to take up his former position.
Meditation resumes, my breath quiet’s and I float my mantra on each in breath and each out breath. This breath, my Mantra - Come Lord. Distraction reappears!
Time to meditate.
Joined by house tortoise Sherman snuggling in-between my firmly planted feet on the floor I sit to meditate. Back upright, face muscles relaxed and breathing down my shoulders I open to the day, this time of being, this time of Mindfulness, of meditative prayer. Though not for long, distraction beckons as my eyes come to rest on a pair of novelty shaped Teacup slippers abandoned by the sofa. In a moment my mind has recognised what they are, composed my future conversation with the offending owner, recalled the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast and marvelled at how in the blink of an eye our busy minds allow these thoughts to dance across the ballroom of life. I resume my meditation. Distraction, however, comes quickly in a second jig.
Sherman too has seen the offending footwear. Quickstepping towards them, with lightning speed he clashes side on, turning one upside down exposing its grey rubber sole. I watch spellbound as he inspects his handiwork and meanders positively back to my feet to take up his former position.
Meditation resumes, my breath quiet’s and I float my mantra on each in breath and each out breath. This breath, my Mantra - Come Lord. Distraction reappears!
Sherman cannot allow the slippers to rest, he repeats his previous attack, not once but twice, the slippers have now both been turned upside-down and pushed under the sofa, he returns, then settles, but once more he rushes across the floor for another encounter.
Sometimes, often, when we sit to meditate, confident we are in a tranquil place, with clear and open minds, the conga of distractions sweeps in. Like Sherman drawn to the slippers, thoughts past, present and future waltz before us, beckoning to join the dance. We feel compelled to rush in, examine, turn upside-down and look at what lies beneath. We cannot leave alone and repeatedly return trying to change, push away, hide with recriminations, regret and remorse. By accepting the thoughts, acknowledging and then allowing them to softly glide away or just sit on the side-line, we can return gently and firmly to our breath, Mantra, prayer words. If the mind wanders a thousand times, then a thousand times with compassion and love for self, return to the breath, to the Mantra, to the word...
The slippers eventually found their proper home. Sherman and I returned to our usual space for our morning meditation, though distraction beckoned me in the words of the song, ‘The Tale as old as Time’ floating through my mind!
Psalm 46;10 Be still, and know that I am God:
Sometimes, often, when we sit to meditate, confident we are in a tranquil place, with clear and open minds, the conga of distractions sweeps in. Like Sherman drawn to the slippers, thoughts past, present and future waltz before us, beckoning to join the dance. We feel compelled to rush in, examine, turn upside-down and look at what lies beneath. We cannot leave alone and repeatedly return trying to change, push away, hide with recriminations, regret and remorse. By accepting the thoughts, acknowledging and then allowing them to softly glide away or just sit on the side-line, we can return gently and firmly to our breath, Mantra, prayer words. If the mind wanders a thousand times, then a thousand times with compassion and love for self, return to the breath, to the Mantra, to the word...
The slippers eventually found their proper home. Sherman and I returned to our usual space for our morning meditation, though distraction beckoned me in the words of the song, ‘The Tale as old as Time’ floating through my mind!
Psalm 46;10 Be still, and know that I am God:
New Year, New Beginning
Today the early morning is dark, even opening the blinds brings no extra light to accompany the living room lamp, whose shade acts as a faded hat to its base which is shaped as the curvaceous figure of comic cartoon character Jessica Rabbit. Nor today does my partner in meditation appear! Nowhere to be seen, I presume Sherman the house tortoise has clearly decided the warmth of the heat lamp suspended just above his winter residence is far more welcoming than his usual companions, my feet. On these mornings it would be so much easier, more comfortable to stay in bed snuggled up for that extra half hour, postponing meditation to when convenient, later, tomorrow, next week, when there is extra time….
So alone, I sit to meditate! Opening to my thoughts, they are of aloneness; opening up to my feelings, I feel alone; tuning to the sensations of my body, I am not alone! Walking out of the forest of house plants, waddling proudly comes a bamboo duck complete with a Santa hat. Sherman has walked through the legs of this seasonal ornament giving it life to match that of any cartoon character! The ducks’ feet protruding from each side makes this unlikely duo a comedy act for any talent show.
Meditation is suspended: Sherman and the duck are firmly stuck. However the good fairy comes in the form of her name sake ‘Fairy’ washing up liquid and a warm bath ensures Sherman’s shell resumes its normal lustrous shine devoid of its unexpected partner. An inner voice tells me its too late for meditation! No, let’s start again, start anew, from the beginning, so I sit to meditate. This time alone, as Sherman, after his unscheduled dance with the
duck, is now ‘in the moment’ with his morning breakfast.
The New Year brings a new beginning, New Year Resolutions, I will go on that diet, exercise more, meditate at least once a day! But we don’t have to wait for a new year or even a new day we can always start again, now, in this moment. Beginnings can be very difficult but it’s often harder to leave the past behind, we often get ‘stuck’ like Sherman and the duck with thoughts of what we did or didn’t do, earlier today, yesterday, last week or something in the distant past! All can crowd into our minds especially when we sit to meditate, but what we can do is to start again, be in this moment, in this time, its ok.
So mindfully today, start again, whatever it is, not forgetting the past, just parking it in the great multi story car park of our individual lives. Today be in today, not worrying about what tomorrow will bring, and yes, we have to plan! but we can’t store up our moments and use them at another time. Today be in the moment, like Sherman, unstuck from his unwanted companion he made straight for the broccoli, lettuce and cucumber leaving the duck parked, still there but apart from the now! So today, ’Taste’ the day, capture its moments.
‘Have in your awareness an intention to ‘capture’ the moments of your day’.
So alone, I sit to meditate! Opening to my thoughts, they are of aloneness; opening up to my feelings, I feel alone; tuning to the sensations of my body, I am not alone! Walking out of the forest of house plants, waddling proudly comes a bamboo duck complete with a Santa hat. Sherman has walked through the legs of this seasonal ornament giving it life to match that of any cartoon character! The ducks’ feet protruding from each side makes this unlikely duo a comedy act for any talent show.
Meditation is suspended: Sherman and the duck are firmly stuck. However the good fairy comes in the form of her name sake ‘Fairy’ washing up liquid and a warm bath ensures Sherman’s shell resumes its normal lustrous shine devoid of its unexpected partner. An inner voice tells me its too late for meditation! No, let’s start again, start anew, from the beginning, so I sit to meditate. This time alone, as Sherman, after his unscheduled dance with the
duck, is now ‘in the moment’ with his morning breakfast.
The New Year brings a new beginning, New Year Resolutions, I will go on that diet, exercise more, meditate at least once a day! But we don’t have to wait for a new year or even a new day we can always start again, now, in this moment. Beginnings can be very difficult but it’s often harder to leave the past behind, we often get ‘stuck’ like Sherman and the duck with thoughts of what we did or didn’t do, earlier today, yesterday, last week or something in the distant past! All can crowd into our minds especially when we sit to meditate, but what we can do is to start again, be in this moment, in this time, its ok.
So mindfully today, start again, whatever it is, not forgetting the past, just parking it in the great multi story car park of our individual lives. Today be in today, not worrying about what tomorrow will bring, and yes, we have to plan! but we can’t store up our moments and use them at another time. Today be in the moment, like Sherman, unstuck from his unwanted companion he made straight for the broccoli, lettuce and cucumber leaving the duck parked, still there but apart from the now! So today, ’Taste’ the day, capture its moments.
‘Have in your awareness an intention to ‘capture’ the moments of your day’.