Mindfulness

by Pat Antonopoulos

Mindfulness is a sensitivity beyond the obvious.
I like that.
That overwhelming awareness that happens when the phone rings just as you are thinking about a distant loved one. Or when you dial the phone because you absolutely know that someone needs your ability to listen with your heart. Or when your turn to catch the eye of a stranger who seems to need a response---a nod, a smile, an acknowledgment of their presence. That moment when you realize that asking, "How are you?" will open the gates---because someone truly needs to tell you how they are. And you listen.
I like that.

A Little Night Music

by Pat Antonopoulos

Darkness protects and shelters...obscures or covers...sometimes Hide and Seek for the soul.
Dark times. Dark places. Dark reactions.
Often 'dark' can be a comfort word. Sitting on a porch as dusk becomes the dark that is pleasant and refreshing. Resting in a dark bedroom going over the day's happenings can be revisiting the best of times. A forest at night is amazing.
The other 'dark' is a burden. That feeling of pulling the top down and hiding is unfriendly darkness. Knowing that a reaction is negative and need not be happening is an ugly form of darkness.
Reminds me of that idea that for each opening bud a corresponding flower fades and drops. Sunrise--sunset sort of thing.
This blog has no where to go, my friends and Gentle Readers. It is just something I need to say. I wish you the best of dark's comfort.