by Sensei | Feb 16, 2025 | Daily Practice, Journey, Mindful
In our busy lives, finding time for mindfulness can feel like just another task on an already packed to-do list. But what if mindfulness didn’t require carving out extra time? What if it could be woven seamlessly into something you already do every day—like walking your dog?
Walking with Intention
Instead of thinking of it as just “walking the dog,” consider it a mindful journey with your friend. As you step outside, leave distractions behind. No phone, no to-do list running through your mind—just you, your dog, and the present moment.
Engage Your Senses
Feel the ground beneath your feet. Notice the rhythm of your steps and the gentle pull of the leash. Listen to the sounds around you—birds chirping, leaves rustling, or the joyful panting of your dog. Breathe deeply, taking in the fresh air, and let each breath ground you in the now.
The Joy of Connection
Your dog isn’t worried about yesterday or tomorrow—they’re fully present, curious, and engaged. Let them be your mindfulness teacher. Match their wonder with your own. Observe how the simple act of walking can become a practice of gratitude and connection.
No Extra Time Needed
Mindfulness doesn’t always require sitting in silence or meditating for long periods. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up fully for the ordinary moments. So, the next time you grab the leash, remember: you’re not just walking your dog—you’re walking into presence, together.
Awareness: Self-Awareness
by Frank | Feb 14, 2025 | Awareness, Book, Daily Practice, Journey, Mindful
1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most profound passages about love ever written. Often read at weddings, its words have a timeless beauty that speaks to the heart of what love truly is. But what if we could make it even more personal, more immediate?
Instead of reading, “Love is patient, love is kind,” imagine rephrasing it like this:
- “Frank is patient with Maria.”
- “Frank is kind to Maria.”
- “Frank does not envy Maria.”
- “Frank does not boast, and he is not proud with Maria.”
When we insert our own names and the names of those we love, these words shift from abstract ideals to tangible, daily practices. It becomes less about a lofty definition and more about how we show up for the people in our lives.
Bringing Love to Life
Here’s how you can personalize this powerful passage:
- Patience: “[Your Name] is patient with [Their Name].” Notice how this phrase invites you to reflect on moments when patience is needed, especially when emotions run high.
- Kindness: “[Your Name] is kind to [Their Name].” Kindness isn’t just grand gestures; it’s the small, thoughtful acts that build trust and connection.
- Letting Go of Ego: “[Your Name] does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud with [Their Name].” This challenges us to celebrate others’ successes without comparison or competition.
- Forgiveness: “[Your Name] keeps no record of wrongs with [Their Name].” Holding onto past hurts can poison relationships. This phrase reminds us of the freedom that comes with forgiveness.
- Consistency: “[Your Name] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres with [Their Name].” Love isn’t fleeting; it endures through ups and downs.
The Power of Personalization
When you read 1 Corinthians 13 with your name and a loved one’s, it becomes more than scripture—it becomes a mirror. It reflects both who you are and who you aspire to be. It’s a daily practice, a reminder that love isn’t just a feeling but a series of choices we make every day.
Final Thoughts
Try this exercise today. Write down the passage with your name and someone you love. Reflect on what comes easily and where you might grow. In doing so, you’ll find that love is not just something you have—it’s something you do.
by Frank | Feb 12, 2025 | Book, Daily Practice, Journey, Mindful
Introduction:
Struggles are an inevitable part of the human experience, but why do some people emerge stronger while others feel broken? The difference lies not in the struggle itself but in how we respond to it. This post explores how to find meaning amidst life’s darkest valleys.
Body:
- The Valley Phase: Inspired by spiritual traditions and personal stories, this phase represents life’s most challenging moments—grief, loss, failure. It’s where our identities are stripped bare, revealing our core selves.
- The Frustration of “Why Me?”: It’s natural to question, to rage against reality. But true growth begins when we shift from “Why me?” to “What can I learn from this?”
- From Pain to Purpose: Practical strategies like gratitude journaling, community support, and reframing techniques can help you transform pain into purpose.
Conclusion:
Your darkest moments don’t define you. They refine you, shaping a stronger, wiser version of yourself. Embrace the valley, for it holds the seeds of your greatest growth.
Read the full story, from The Gifts of Wisdom, Chapter 17, Starting Again: A Spiritual Practice for Moving from Collapse to Hope
by Sensei | Feb 9, 2025 | Book, Daily Practice, How to, Journey, Meditation, Mindful
Don’t know how to start meditation. Below are some simple steps to get started.
- Time – Give yourself some time where there is nothing you must do or nothing immediately next; 30 minutes should do, however, I would recommend no appointments for at least an hour away; since they are effectively another upcoming distraction.
- Paper – Get a pad of paper, your favorite pen – NO cell-phones, tablets, or computers allowed – I will explain why in a later post.
- Place – Find a comfortable place where there are no distractions – it maybe hard to find that at home or the office; so you may want to try a few different places. Did I mention no cell-phones, laptops, TVs, other noise if possible; something that is “white-noise” will be OK, if it doesn’t distract you and take your focus.
- Sit down – I recommend sitting, no specific posture at this point – although there are many benefits from sitting up straight, but don’t worry so much at this point.
- Breath – Just sit down and breath for a few breaths – in through the nose and out through the mouth. Don’t worry about anything else right now. Just breath.
- Write – If a thought comes to mind and stays there, write it down. As much or as little as feels right. The begin again, Breath.
- Repeat – Daily, if possible.
Give yourself about 5 to 10 minutes the 1st few times. The 30 minute recommendation above is only to help reduce distractions; if all you have is 15 minutes, a coffee break, time for a quick snack – use that.
Don’t worry about the right way or wrong way – that is not the point, practice will evolve over time.
For now just learn to get stuff, junk, thoughts, baggage, what-ever out of your mind – out of your Busy Mind and to get begin to cultivate a few moments each day for yourself
Repeat Daily – by repeating daily – you are beginning to train your brain. Yes – meditation is practice, but it is also training. It comes through repetition and through practice.
From: (original discussion)
by Frank | Feb 8, 2025 | Awareness, Book, Daily Practice, Journey, Mindless
Introduction:
Life’s journey often presents us with unexpected detours—loss, heartbreak, or personal failures. These moments can feel like the end, but what if they were actually the beginning? Starting over isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about embracing the lessons and using them to build a future grounded in authenticity and hope.
Body:
- The Hero’s Journey of Everyday Life: From Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey to the parable of the Prodigal Son, our lives mirror these age-old stories. Each fall, each rise, and every moment in between is part of a sacred rite of passage, preparing us to step into our fullest potential.
- The Frustration of Failure: Failure often feels final, triggering feelings of shame, regret, and hopelessness. But failure is not a destination—it’s a signpost, guiding us toward deeper self-awareness and growth.
- Tools for Rebuilding: Practical strategies like breathwork, mindfulness, and reflective journaling aren’t just self-care trends; they are vital tools to process grief, regain clarity, and reconnect with your purpose.
Conclusion:
When life knocks you down, it’s not about bouncing back to who you were. It’s about rising into who you’re meant to become. Embrace the journey, honor your growth, and remember: every ending holds the seed of a new beginning.
Read the full story, from The Gifts of Wisdom, Chapter 17, Starting Again: A Spiritual Practice for Moving from Collapse to Hope
by Frank | Apr 21, 2024 | Awareness, Daily Practice, Journey
I woke up exhausted this morning after a fitful night’s sleep. An uncomfortable sock was the culprit. This discomfort nestled inside my cast. I’ll save that story for another time.
I have a cool cast—an Aircast—a plastic and Velcro marvel of science that resembles Vogue’s take on Frankenstein’s footwear. Its greatest advantage is the air pump that allows two air bladders, one on each side of the foot, to provide soft cushions of comfort.
Getting into this contraption involves folding, strapping, and Velcroing the various parts, then pumping up to the desired comfort level.
In recovery, stacks of pillows elevate my leg in the cleverly designed cast, which seems comfortable only for a nanosecond, even less so with an uncomfortable sock.
Writing about this in my journal, I realized how often I (we) go through life with an uncomfortable sock. This small discomfort makes life irritating.
It’s all the small things.
Not saying what’s on your mind and bearing the discomfort because it’s just too complicated to address.
It’s the recurring minor relationship issue that isn’t a big problem, but it sort of becomes the big problem because it represents the big problem. It’s the little things that accumulate into the big thing.
It’s all the things we tolerate in life, trying to be nice, and these things invade our thoughts and psyche—repeating over and over. And I wonder why I devote so much mental energy to these little annoyances, yet it seems there is a little demon on my shoulder repeating the same blah blah every few minutes—it’s the squeaky wheel.
Why didn’t I fix the uncomfortable sock, you might ask?
Because I would have had to get up, turn the light on, grab the crutches, hobble over to get another sock, hobble back, remove the Aircast, replace the sock—the real painful part of the experience—and rejigger the contraption back onto my leg, reposition the pillows, and the covers.
It seemed too hard to fix, but it wasn’t.
And by living with the uncomfortable sock, I didn’t sleep all night.
So, what is your uncomfortable sock you need to deal with?
What little thing is really a big thing in your life?
