Fairfield, Iowa is billed as the safest, greenest and happiest town in America. Transcendental Meditation being the reason, yet before we jump to conclusions and pass judgment, we need to look beyond only what we see no farther than the end of our nose. On a recent broadcast of Oprah, the Next Chapter, we were introduced the citizens of this small town and their extraordinary way of life. For those that view this lifestyle as the following of a certain ethnic or religious group, I say poo-poo to you. If one's mind, body and soul are aligned, it must truly be a wonderful experience. How often we are pulled in a multitude of directions, worrying needlessly and wishing the mind would stop launching hurdles every time we round the next corner. A pure dream come true to be able to wind down, sort things out and proceed with a feeling of inner well-being that would shine forth in our ever so cluttered material world.
Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat Pray Love, relates her struggle to become just such a person. In a marriage of one-sided happiest she sets forth on a mission to truly search her soul and find out is there is such a thing as true inner peace. I adore this woman's determination and what an opportunity, travelling the world, experiencing cultures most just read about, what a lucky and fortunate woman.
In past years my family always asked, "Mom what do you want for your birthday?" Pondering a bit, I would reply, "a simple Happy Birthday and a hug!" Pressured for a more materialistic answer, my response was always. "there is nothing I need, but if you must, I would like a day off. Truly a day off, no decision making, no mediating, no NOTHING! (double negative but it drives the point home.) The caveat being, when the day is finished, the next always arriving, do not tell me of the previous day's problems, issues or anything else, unless of course it is a major life threatening issue. For the record, never having received this gift, the hug and poignant Happy Birthday message was and always will be lovingly exquisite.
Questions always remained unanswered. "what would you do with such a day, had your wish been granted? Simply put, "relaxing from within, processing thoughts and breathing in my surroundings, perhaps a personal transcendental meditation!"
Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat Pray Love, relates her struggle to become just such a person. In a marriage of one-sided happiest she sets forth on a mission to truly search her soul and find out is there is such a thing as true inner peace. I adore this woman's determination and what an opportunity, travelling the world, experiencing cultures most just read about, what a lucky and fortunate woman.
In past years my family always asked, "Mom what do you want for your birthday?" Pondering a bit, I would reply, "a simple Happy Birthday and a hug!" Pressured for a more materialistic answer, my response was always. "there is nothing I need, but if you must, I would like a day off. Truly a day off, no decision making, no mediating, no NOTHING! (double negative but it drives the point home.) The caveat being, when the day is finished, the next always arriving, do not tell me of the previous day's problems, issues or anything else, unless of course it is a major life threatening issue. For the record, never having received this gift, the hug and poignant Happy Birthday message was and always will be lovingly exquisite.
Questions always remained unanswered. "what would you do with such a day, had your wish been granted? Simply put, "relaxing from within, processing thoughts and breathing in my surroundings, perhaps a personal transcendental meditation!"
Love.
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to wind down, just doesn't happen often enough. Usually fall asleep and then don't remember it!
ReplyDeleteXoxo