Judge Not...

What does it mean to be non-judgemental?

The brain, left to its own devices, is judgemental. 

We judge good/bad, right/wrong, fair/unfair.  

We have biases and often act on them immediately.

Larimer Square, Denver - Christmas Eve.

For many years, I've practiced delaying opinion.

Careful listening and observation are positive practices.

In the moment, I try to see nuance.

I attempt to get a clear picture of reality with an awareness that lacks bias.

I try to understand others' ideas and behaviors rather than leap to preset judgements.

However, I often fail and fall back on my old ways of thinking/behaving.

It's definitely difficult to suspend judgement.

Bob outside Union Station, Denver

So, as I say goodbye to 2017, I'm determined to renew my efforts.

I'm not perfect, and I hope others won't judge me too harshly.

Likewise, I hope to moderate my rush to judgement.

I'd like my opinions to be formed with a contemplative mind.

In today's ever-changing world, I owe myself the ability to adapt.

Leaping to judgement stymies adaptation.

I don't want to remain mired in old thought processes and behaviors.

Antique sled on our front porch in Breckenridge - old even when I used it as a girl.

In 2018, I hope to 

pause more,

listen carefully,

see clearly,

and

slow my judgmental mind.

I hope for mindfulness and peace that calm the spirit.

I wish the same for you.

My first day of skiing in December 2017 - Peak 9, Breckenridge Ski Area

Happy New Year from Barb!

A fresh start is my One Good Thing today.

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Find the Tear - Mindful Writing Challenge

Awake suddenly in predawn darkness. Flames in the bedroom fireplace cast flickering shadows. Into my mind comes a phrase that has haunted me all week, "you can't mend until you find the tear." I concentrate on what this might mean, but any literal interpretation eludes me. Now, in the afternoon, I probe for meaning once again. I google the phrase, thinking maybe I read it somewhere. But, nothing matches. Is it guidance or warning? I'm sure I won't forget. If I ever find the tear, I'll tell you. And I'll start to mend.

small stone - Mindful Writing Challenge

Sculpture along Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA (May 2011)

Musings on Imagination

Light and shadow form a bear on the rock.

Sometimes, imagination opens just a sliver.

What is hidden is revealed.

Possibilities emerge.

Creativity expands and makes connections.

The mind awakens.

Light playing on rock inside Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ.

Life Is Short-Treasure Friendship

On April 27, I'm going on a Girlfriends' Vacation with Mary, Di, Helen, and Sue. We're all retired teachers and met in the early 90's at Breckenridge Elementary School. Now we're scattered in different locations, but we try to gather to make new memories and have some fun at least once a year. We'll all spend a week in Mary's home state of Arizona. The second week, Mary and I will travel through Arizona into Utah to do some hiking and sightseeing. I treasure these special friends and look forward to our adventures.

As I get older, I've come to realize how important friendship is. Do you make friends a priority in your busy life?

To read a post about the trip by Lucinda B. Rabbit, visit LIVE and LEARN.

Cherish friends!

Can You Change Your Mood?

I've been feeling a bit prickly the last couple days. Do you know the mental heaviness I'm talking about - when something isn't quite right, and you're just generally out of sorts?

Sometimes, I need to change my mood. I really believe that when I experience these subtle downswings, there are ways to switch to a more positive frame of mind. Often, just getting outside for some fresh air is enough. Other times, I need to practice a technique my friend, Mary, taught me.

I take a walk, allowing random thoughts to come into my mind. If the thought is bothersome, stressful, angry, sad, or generally a bummer, I open an imaginary trapdoor in the back of my head. I move the thought I want to eliminate to that door and let it topple onto the ground and roll away from me. I keep moving forward, cleaning out negative thoughts and sad feelings until I begin to feel my mood stabilizing.

Now this is important: Problems still exist - I'll have to deal with them (hopefully productively) at another time. But, mentally, I feel a relief - a more positive attitude where I can feel appreciation, joy, and calm.

My focus turns outward instead of inward.

I feel more connected.

Small things give me pleasure.

The present moment seems enough.

What helps you feel better?

Exercise? Food? Music? Hobby? Shopping? Meditation? Prayer?

How do you change your mood?

PS I'm learning a new blog application (Blogsy) for iPad in preparation for my trip. I'm going to publish this post from that platform. It's giving my old brain a bit of stress - but hopefully building some new circuits, too. Now, my plan is to go outdoors and practice this technique to relieve my frustration!