I was reminded, by Puneet’s piece, of the AAA formula. Awareness, acceptance, action. For me there are times when awareness escapes me! Some “less than healthy states of being” can masquerade as old friends.
One practice I find helpful is sometimes called “Spot Check Inventory.” How am I doing in this moment? Am I feeling stressed, preoccupied, irritable? If so, what can I do? Sitting with that awareness usually stifles any internal debate about the status quo and then allows moving into the action stage.
The triple A formula is something I use almost everyday. And I agree that the first A, awareness, is often the biggest challenge. What I'm finding is, the more I step outside of my well-worn paths, (like getting a coffee this morning!) the more aware I become. :)
On the business of “how am I doing in this moment,” I knew a fellow who showed little tolerance for the pro forma social replies. “How are you today?” Followed by, “Just fine. And you?” Reading tones and facial expressions of the “just fine” responder, he’d remark, “You better tell your face that.”
Abrasive? Of course. But he didn’t inquire just to hear a fairy tale! When another would ask him, he sometimes replied, “Just getting over pneumonia.” In response he would hear, “That’s great!” Pro forma.
I've been making a real effort to engage in eye contact.
Yesterday at the farmer's market a seller engaged me to tell me about the cupcakes her daughter makes... a wide range of flavors and dietary restriction options. There might have been a time when I would have shied away from her efforts. Not now! We talked about the flavor profile and real raspberries. I found out it was her daughter's birthday. How could I not buy a cupcake? Then her daughter gave me one for free because I bought one.
It is a perverse experience to live miserably for so long that misery becomes the norm! Then, as awakening and improvement occur, the new state of being is seen as abnormal.
“Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.” Thanks, Bobby!
I was reminded, by Puneet’s piece, of the AAA formula. Awareness, acceptance, action. For me there are times when awareness escapes me! Some “less than healthy states of being” can masquerade as old friends.
One practice I find helpful is sometimes called “Spot Check Inventory.” How am I doing in this moment? Am I feeling stressed, preoccupied, irritable? If so, what can I do? Sitting with that awareness usually stifles any internal debate about the status quo and then allows moving into the action stage.
Cappuccino! 🙃. Thanks for this reminder.
The triple A formula is something I use almost everyday. And I agree that the first A, awareness, is often the biggest challenge. What I'm finding is, the more I step outside of my well-worn paths, (like getting a coffee this morning!) the more aware I become. :)
Thanks Gary! I so appreciate your comments.
On the business of “how am I doing in this moment,” I knew a fellow who showed little tolerance for the pro forma social replies. “How are you today?” Followed by, “Just fine. And you?” Reading tones and facial expressions of the “just fine” responder, he’d remark, “You better tell your face that.”
Abrasive? Of course. But he didn’t inquire just to hear a fairy tale! When another would ask him, he sometimes replied, “Just getting over pneumonia.” In response he would hear, “That’s great!” Pro forma.
Be here now! Ram Dass
I've been making a real effort to engage in eye contact.
Yesterday at the farmer's market a seller engaged me to tell me about the cupcakes her daughter makes... a wide range of flavors and dietary restriction options. There might have been a time when I would have shied away from her efforts. Not now! We talked about the flavor profile and real raspberries. I found out it was her daughter's birthday. How could I not buy a cupcake? Then her daughter gave me one for free because I bought one.
I/Thou among cupcakes, snap peas, and beets!
“Nice, nice, very nice! So many people in the same device.” Sung by Ambrosia. Inspired by Vonnegut’s Book of Bokonon. Cat’s Cradle.
Not so fast mister! HALT!
A distant cousin of the “Spot Check Inventory.”
H
A
L
T
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
If feeling a bit off, we can ask ourselves, am I hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?
Then, address whatever the awareness reveals. Sounds almost too easy, right?
About as complicated as the Serenity Prayer. 😉
Serenity Prayer... Doesn't that come in handy? 💜
The simple shall confound the wise?
It is a perverse experience to live miserably for so long that misery becomes the norm! Then, as awakening and improvement occur, the new state of being is seen as abnormal.
“Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.” Thanks, Bobby!
T-shirt: “2 STEPS TO HAPPINESS: (1) Get a dog; (2) Get more dogs” 😁
…and then a cappuccino!
Tomorrow Thalia is going to come home with a puppy! Thanks Jack! 😂
HaHa! 😂🤣😂 🐶
Of course she is!! 🤩
😂😂😂😂😂
Here’s to Dog’s AND Cappuccino’s!
🦮 ☕️ 🐕🦺 ☕️
Cheers!
I sometimes believe that a guide dog for me would be a good idea in a host of situations!
Lots of cactus 🌵 here! Many more in Phoenix where I regularly spend time… 😏
I knew from the moment the muses heard the "You're the cactus of my eye" lyric that they would steal it! 😉
“Like An Artist!” 👩🏻🎨🎨👩🏻🎨