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The moment I sit down and check in with my body and get comfortable my brain starts thinking of everything but nothing. Words. Thoughts. Conversation. Zing! Zip! Grabalallag! No rest for the weary brain. I bring myself back to centre. Breathe. One, two....then back to chaos in my brain. There is a reason it is called practice because it is not easy. What I don't get is why it is such a challenge. Those fleeting moments of peace are so nice. In those second my body relaxes and my stomach looses the knot. I can breathe without anxiety. But then my brain takes over...back to centre... a few moments of calm...back to centre.
Several of you mentioned watching comedy movies but I am not even aware of any. Actually, I will take a nice feel-good movie as well. Any suggestions? I have Canadian and America Netflix.
My daughter just came and told my that a friend of hers is on life-support that is being removed tomorrow. They will then take his organs. He was hit by a drunk driver. He is 16.
My friend,
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts on meditation make me think of my meditation teacher. His suggestion: when your mind drifts, notice it is drifting, and come back. I think that's the practice. And the forgiveness. And the meditation.
This makes me think of my little dog coming over her for some of my snack. When it was clear to her the kitchen was closed, she went back to her little dog bed. She was aware of the possibilities, embraced them, and moved on. I think she lives in a metatative state. I know you are a cat person, but...(Do cats let you enjoy your snacks all by yourself? This could be a selling point....)
Meditation has taught me that breathing is enough because it is everything. I couldn't get there without acknowledging--honoring--the noise in my life.
I am so sorry for your daughter's friend, his family and for your daughter. Obscene, criminal waste.
ReplyDeleteMy racing mind conspires against me too.
Oh, that last bit is horrifying, Birdie. XXXX
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your daughter's friend. At least he will help a few others to live by giving his organs.
ReplyDeleteI was like you when I first learned to meditate. It was so hard. Now I can do it anywhere when I need it. Just keep trying because it will pay off.
I have a list of pretty good not-to-violent movies that made me laugh or feel good.
Intolerably Cruelty
Men In Black I&II
Despicable Me I&II
RIPD
The Hangover I&II
Grown Ups I&II
Red I&II
Meet the Fockers
50 First Dates
Legally Blond
The Devil Wears Prada
Night at the Museum
Hitch
Sweet Home Alabama
Organ donation, to me, is one of the most noble things a family can do for other families. One life can impact so many. What a gift your daughters' friend is to those whose lives will be enriched!
ReplyDeleteI love the Wedding Singer! Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. I love a good documentary too. Try Craiglist Joe! Or Everyone Loves Babies, which chronicles babies from four corners of the world...very fascinating!
I'm so sorry about your daughter's friend. That is really heartbreaking :(
ReplyDeleteAs for films, there are so many that will make you laugh, some older, some newer. A few that stand out for me are:
Zoolander
Grease
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
The Wedding Singer
Wedding Crashers
Dodgeball
The Internship
I have watched Dodgeball and Zoolander more than once; they are both so funny. And we recently watched 'The Internship', and I really enjoyed that!
Meditation is difficult, at least for me and you as well it sounds like. I try to do it often with only moderate success.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's friend.
How often do we listen but not hear or watch but not see? I can go to a movie and go again as if it is the first time, not even remembering the plot or the ending. My brain can fill with pondering so easily.
ReplyDeleteDeath is never good - specially when it's someone so young. But organ donation can bring a lot of comfort to relatives (we donated Dad and they took some skin to help a burns victim. That meant a lot to me.)
ReplyDeleteAs to films... Despicable Me is wonderful. Galaxy Quest, if you can track it down. We've just watched Meet Joe Black. It's not exactly a comedy, but it's a lovely story.
What a tragic thing- the death of a sixteen year old. There just aren't any words that can make it any better.
ReplyDeleteMeditation. I need to try to do it again. So much. Thank you for reminding me.
Two of my favorite mindless and funny movies are Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, and White Men Can't Jump. Don't ask me why I love that movie so much but I do.
Plus- naked Woody Harrelson.
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's friend. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteIf you have trouble with the empty your mind type meditation try a guided meditation. This is where you listen to a person take you on a little journey. You just listen and try to feel yourself being there. You can find free ones online or buy
CD's of guided meditation.
Oh my God, only sixteen? May God help his family.
ReplyDeleteI know meditation is hard. My thoughts wander too.
Movies? I find John Highs' movies like Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles and even The Breakfast Club makes me feel better.
Only 16. My gosh. Just a baby. So sorry to hear this news.
ReplyDeleteI don't know your humor but Black Books is a FANTASTIC series. We have the collection on DVD, but I believe it's still available on NetFlix.
If you're looking for a good comedy, try watching Bad Grandpa. I laughed so much I almost choked.
ReplyDeleteYes, those insistent thoughts, that will not take ‘get away from me’ for an answer.
ReplyDeleteLooking into a candle flame might help. Concentrating.
Whatever you do, fetching those errant thoughts back each time is an imperative.
If somebody has a really good idea for a funny movie, would you let me know?
So sorry to hear about your daughter's friend...
ReplyDeleteRadically different topic, but since you asked about movies, here are some that made me laugh out loud (but aren't good if you have a mature sense of humor or are offended by crude stuff):
Bridesmaids
Ted
This Is The End
Hi Birdie,
ReplyDeleteThat inner chatter and the files of the mind that keep coming back around. I try to file those files under forgotten. Not always easy.
Some real Canadian surreal comedy, "Strange Brew" starring the McKenzie brothers.
And the tragedy of your daughter's friend is an awful situation. People have to learn that if you drink even one glass, you should not drive.
In peace and kindness,
Gary
Birdie, my heartfelt condolences at the your daughter's loss. It's tragic.
ReplyDeleteYou commented on my blog that "I need a reason to believe that there is a life without depression." And I just want to say there is hope. I know you're in a very dark place, but you can make it out. It took me 4 damn years, but I made it! You can too.
We're all here rooting for you!
I am so sorry about your daughter's friend. I have a special loathing for drunk drivers, one of them having killed my adopted uncle when I was 11.
ReplyDeleteThe brain can so so uncontrollable. Meditation takes practice. Keep trying.
ReplyDeleteI hope your daughter is coping well as she grieves her friend's death.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2014.