Still the mind.
Inhale the peace.
Let go of worries.
Exhale the stress.
Notice the breath.
Connect to all.
Embrace the calm.
~Mary Davis
It’s a newish year, being the 9th of January, with new hopes, goals and dreams. With today’s prompt, I was inspired to specify what I could do differently. The Silence poem, from Mary Davis, popped in my mind. I get a small thrill seeing that the first letter of each line is part of the word “silence” every time I see it in writing. It’s a beautiful meditation, to clear negativity, overwhelm, anxiety, over-thinking, angst…
What could I do differently? It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve done things badly but could perhaps do them better. My common reaction to unexpected situations is just to react, thinking I’m reacting with reason, quick thinking, thoughtfulness. Often, it may not be any of those lovely, lofty ideals. Taking a moment, controlling the way I respond is something I could, and want, to do differently in this new year of 2023. It goes along with another quote that crossed my path at the end of last year:
When you cannot control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That is where your power is. ~ Author Unknown (shared by Fragment of My Mind.)
I haven’t written on The Moments Matter blog for over a year! It was more than my brain could add, going through mycotoxin detoxification, home mold remediation, and altering my diet in extreme ways to become a healthier, whole person. I’ve lost 35 pounds, not intentionally, but by food and nutrition choices to help me detox. Some see me as too skinny; I prefer the term slender.
Mycotoxins are a byproduct of mold and are likely why I’ve had health issues my entire life. This includes the severe fragrance and chemical allergies and sensitivities that completely altered my life 11 years ago. My mycotoxin counts, (found via a urine test,) were so high that the medical professional guiding me said I’ve probably had them in many major organs and important glands all of my life. I may have gotten them in utero, as my mom had several similar health problems. Science and the eastern/western medical fields are learning more and more about this, along with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS,) Histamine Intolerance (HIT,) and many other food and chemically related health issues. Once again, I feel like the canary in the coal mine, but at least there’s more knowledge and comprehensive information available. But we’re still learning, which is quite exciting to be part of, instead of floundering without having any courses of action to try.
Being calm, maintaining peace, remembering to be grateful, responding to uncontrollable situations with a lighter heart. These are things that I could do. Can do. Want to do. Am inspired to do.
With warm wishes for your journey,
Nance
the moments matter 