Don’t tune out the chatter or the noise. Hear it, consciously notice it.  Mindful awareness cultivates inner knowing and inner peace.

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Prefer to listen to this allegory?

AN ALLEGORY – BASED ON A REAL STORY

Imagine feeling peaceful & relaxed, listening to the coo of a mourning dove on a beautiful sunny day in your quiet backyard. Pay attention to how it makes you feel and think. 

Then, you hear the neighbor’s loud weedeater.  Pay attention to how it makes you feel and think. 

BODY

You might feel your eyes squeeze tight,  your forehead scrunch or jaw might clench. 

MIND

You might think: “this is really annoying, I wish it was quiet, they just disturbed my peace.”

EMOTIONS

You might observe: “I feel irritated, angry, annoyed.”

FOCUS WITHIN

Aware of your physical sensations, thoughts and emotions, ask yourself: 

“How would I like to feel instead?”

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO YOURSELF?

Maybe your inner dialogue goes like this:  “The sound of that weedeater makes me feel annoyed and disturbed. It was perfectly peaceful until then.  I was initially mad at my neighbor but of course my neighbor has the right to want a beautiful yard too.  My neighbor did nothing to me. I was reacting to a loud sound. I reacted to wishing I had control over maintaining THAT peaceful, quiet moment, which is now in the past.” 

YOU HAVE AGENCY

Now ask yourself:

“What are my choices?”

Maybe your reflection goes like this:  “I can put my attention on my breath and practice equanimity. I can try earplugs.  I can physically move myself indoors to remove myself from the noise. I can engage in an activity which is noisy too, like washing those dirty dishes in the sink or listening to a podcast. Maybe this is a good time for me to go to the park and walk my dog.  I wonder what’s up with my neighbor. I haven’t seen her in awhile.  I could talk to my neighbor.  Maybe she’d appreciate knowing when we mow our lawn so she can plan to be inside. I’m noticing I’m making a lot of assumptions.  After all this noticing, now it’s not a big deal.  I can totally let this go.  And, now I just noticed it’s quiet again.  I’m glad I didn’t react and get all worked up over a passing circumstance.  I have choices on how I can focus on creating my own inner peace.”

Almost done. Keep reading.

This was from my own real inner dialogue and I thought you might appreciate the mindfulness process from thwarting a reaction to an external stimulant to keeping my focus on creating my own inner peace.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

So, this example was all true. What I chose was to go inside, figuratively and literally, then observe and journal. The weedeater noise ended before I finished writing this. 

AND, I texted my neighbor just to check in since I hadn’t seen her while we were away on our summer travels.  I mentioned nothing about the weedeater.  She proceeded to share how they haven’t even been living in their house for over a month because of bad flooding from a burst pipe. The damage was so bad she doesn’t even know when they’ll be able to move back home. So, she’s staying with her daughter in another state. She mentioned “…the only thing you may hear next door is our weekly gardener on Wednesday mornings who is taking care of our yard while we’re gone.” 

Well, okay then. Thank you Universe. Lessons learned.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS

• Don’t make assumptions.
• Don’t take things personally.
• Be impeccable with your word.
• Always do your best.

I’m grateful I paused, practiced mindfulness, welcomed grace on this journey with my real human reactions, and remembered what my dharma is: to be of service to others with compassion & kindness.

Let me know if you can relate and if this story and reminder to practice mindful awareness was helpful. Comment below. DM me on Instagram @spirituallyfityoga. Share your own story. I’d love to hear from you!

Much love and stay spiritually fit!

🙏🏽❤️Amelia
Spiritually Fit Yoga

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