Reflections for today:
Friend, wake up! Why do you go on sleeping?
The night is over--do you want to lose the day
the same way?
—Kabir
Climb the mountains and get thier good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunsine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
—John Muir
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
—Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl
A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world.
—Mohammad
What a joy it is to feel the soft, springy earth under my feet once more, to follow grassy roads that lead to ferny brooks where I can bathe my fingers in a cataract of rippling notes, or to clamber over a stone wall into green fields that tumble and roll and climb in riotous gladness!
—Helen Keller
Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.
—Carl Sagan
There are two types of worries--those you can do something about and those you can't. Don't spend any time on the latter.
—Duke Ellington
I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life--specifically the fear of change, the fear of the unknown and I have gone ahead despite the pounding in my heart that says turn back, turn back, you'll die if you venture too far.
—Erica Jong
Helping Haiti!
The Peace of Parks
Help save the birthplace of Henry David Thoreau .
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Contributions from our Readers Noteworthy offerings from the readers of The Mindful Hiker. Contributions of relevant poetry, prose, essays, and photos are welcome.
Mindful Eating
Be aware of what and when you are eating and what effect it will have on your body.
Know that taste, and taste alone, leads to overeating. If you have a cold and lose your taste buds temporarily, you will eat less and lose some weight during that time. Examine any conditioning you may have to taste.
Try to stop eating before you are full.
Try eating more slowly, sometimes finishing what is in your mouth before taking another forkful. This is part of eating meditation.
Examine other conditioning that has crept into your eating behavior.
Enjoy food and the social contact that comes with eating.
Take some chances with eating foods you've been averse to.
Try food shopping every day for fresh ingredients.
Buy local and organic, if possible.
Mindful Sleeping
I've worked with many people over the years as a counselor around the issue of sleep, either not being able to fall asleep or waking up after falling asleep and not being able to fall back to sleep. Here are my recommendations:
1. Don't eat or drink at least two hours before bedtime.
2. Have a regular bedtime routine, going to sleep at the same time, and waking up at the same time, enough to get 7-8 hours.
3. Stop watching TV about 30 minutes before bed, avoiding the news and violent shows
4. Read relaxing, not too stimulating material while lying in bed. That means no mystery novels, political stuff, anything violent. I read golf books and magazines. Puts me to sleep every time, and fast.
5. With the first sign of sleepiness, put the book down, turn off the light, and sleep.
6. If you wake up after sleeping awhile, get up and, if necessary, again read some relaxing material., following the same routine as before.
Mindful Living instructions:
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At least once today, notice your breath.
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Devote some time each day to prayer, reflection, and meditation.
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Watch the tendency to judge and cut it off when it arises.
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Break your normal routine at least once during the day.
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Take a moment and notice where your body contacts the Earth.
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Acknowledge, from time to time, the part gravity plays in daily life.
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Break away from work mode, even only for a minute or two, and notice something in nature.
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Do or say something kind today .
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Be aware of where your feet are at any given time, particularly getting out of the shower, walking on rocks across a creek, walking on an uneven trail , walking on ice or any slippery surface, walking on city sidewalks and streets.
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If you've received some good fortune, pay it forward to someone else.
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Get involved in a cause of some kind. A mindful life involves trying to alleviate suffering of any kind whenever possible.
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