Did you make time today?

Yesterday was a tough day for me. One of those days where life feels sticky, in fact the whole weight of the day seemed to close in on me in ways that no matter how hard I tried to find a little space and peace from it all, the more resistance I came up against. It was a day of impatience, and frustration, of regret, of guilt. It felt consuming and heavy. I took many deep breaths, had some helpful conversations, and ultimately time was what helped my mood shift. It was later in the day, where I allowed myself the freedom to receive some loving advice. I opened up to the words, and tried them on slowly to see if what was said had that special effect I craved -- to sink in and part the ways for a better mood, a lighter place with myself. And sure what was said, I had heard before. It rang something to the tune of taking in the little events of the day. The "put one foot in front of the other" scenario. And for whatever reason, call it timing, call it readiness, it just made sense and felt right for me to soften the weight of my internal blows - to feel the successes of small moments - - not measure my whole existence by the sum of my bad day.

There were those small moments that ultimately added up to a larger picture - a picture that changed perspective from bleak and heavy to softness and love. I believe in those steps - if I can follow just my inhale in that moment, or the exhale. I was successful. Later in class, I talked about paying attention to the task at hand. In the Mormon culture, I learned recently, that this is a huge underlying life philosophy that is practiced. It seems so simple really, "To pay attention to the task at hand." When you drive a car, just drive a car. When you eat a meal just eat the meal. Etc. I take great comfort in that little phrase. That by focusing the lens of my fleeting attention onto the moment I am engaged in, well, then I most likely will be more successful. More attentive. More engaged with my whole heart. I love that word, "wholehearted."

So, today. We forgot to pose the mini -practice. But instead of getting into Down Dog, take time out of your night, to take in a single moment... And maybe, if you get the urge, go and tell the people in your life whom you surround yourself with that you are crazy about them.