Hello. A mantra.

About 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to have been given a copy of Ekhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now. Ever since reading that gem followed by A New Earth and Stillness Speaks, I’ve known that living in the present moment is an amazing tool on the path to inner peace. Knowing something, and actually practicing it or living it can be two completely different things. I definitely know I move through the world with a much more mindful approach, and Eckhart Tolle’s teachings are being resonated in many different books, shows, movies, podcasts, blog posts, etc. these days. He wasn’t the first one to share it, and he won’t be the last. In fact my community’s newsletter just had a whole section titled “Learn to Live in the Present Moment” ~ which floored me.

I just completed 15-day hot yoga challenge (blog post on that coming soon!) ~ and although for the most part I really escape into the four corners of my mat and leave behind the world, there are times when my mind still wanders. During a recent class, my mind starting going off the mat and out of the room ~ way out of the present moment. I was a bit frustrated with myself and thought, “Hello, Suzee? You are here. Now”. The simple word, “hello” really stuck with me. Each time my mind starting going in other directions, I said “hello” to myself ~ to pull me back to the present. I greeted myself. It sounds sort of kooky, but it really worked. I’ve even started using it off the mat as well ~ during other brain chatter sessions ~ “hello” ~ and I’m right back where I truly am, not off on the run-away train that my brain was taking me on.

Give it a try. “Hello”…

{Fun side note to the above image: I created this at the top of a hill in the nearby mountains ~ which overlooks a beautiful valley and out to the surrounding national forest. When I came back with my husband a week later, the word had been turned into “Chill”. I added “Wow”, because the view from up there always takes my breath away.}

 

:Suzee