Calm and With a Smile–Happy New Year

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I am so ready to welcome 2011.  We thought the first half of 2010 was pretty challenging, but we have met so many new and increasingly more difficult challenges during the second half of 2010.  It is time to start fresh.  I have been listening to Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Art of Mindful Living on CD in the zippy VW Jetta rental I am currently driving since my car, which was supposed to be done at the body shop on Wednesday, is not done and is currently on hold pending the approval by Allstate of more money since the damage from my accident was more extensive than the initial estimate.

The Jetta was a $1/day upgrade from the Ford Focus or Chevy Cobalt I had been offered.  I did not hesitate.  I have owned two Jettas in the past and I felt right at home.  We sold my last Jetta and switched to our current Volvos before deciding to have a child because the crash ratings were better.  I am very thankful to have had the exterior mass of the Volvo around me when I got hit, but the interior of the Jetta just fits me better.  The headrest hits me just right, the seat belt height is just right.  We aren’t in the market for a new car, but I am enjoying this one while I have it.

The in-dash CD player is a very nice upgrade from my current in-dash cassette player.  I particularly enjoyed hearing Thich Nhat Hanh explain Driving Mediation.  A stoplight is not an obstacle, but an opportunity to refocus my attention to the present moment.  I was also reminded of Thich Nhat Hanh classic words, “Breathe in—I am calm, breathe out—I smile.”  Whether I use these words in a mindful meditation or when they just float through my consciousness, they are so grounding for me.

Henrik listens to Beverly Cleary stories on the CD player at home every chance he gets and I hadn’t gotten around to listening to The Art of Mindful Living since I had checked it out from the library and it is due in a couple of days.  I am grateful that I have had a few peaceful moments to really remember and to absorb Thich Nhat Hanh’s words.  Car accident—car rental—mindfulness….

Breathe in—calm.  Breathe out—smile.  Happy New Year!

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Calm and With a Smile–Happy New Year

Leave a comment

I am so ready to welcome 2011.  We thought the first half of 2010 was pretty challenging, but we have met so many new and increasingly more difficult challenges during the second half of 2010.  It is time to start fresh.  I have been listening to Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Art of Mindful Living on CD in the zippy VW Jetta rental I am currently driving since my car, which was supposed to be done at the body shop on Wednesday, is not done and is currently on hold pending the approval by Allstate of more money since the damage from my accident was more extensive than the initial estimate.

The Jetta was a $1/day upgrade from the Ford Focus or Chevy Cobalt I had been offered.  I did not hesitate.  I have owned two Jettas in the past and I felt right at home.  We sold my last Jetta and switched to our current Volvos before deciding to have a child because the crash ratings were better.  I am very thankful to have had the exterior mass of the Volvo around me when I got hit, but the interior of the Jetta just fits me better.  The headrest hits me just right, the seat belt height is just right.  We aren’t in the market for a new car, but I am enjoying this one while I have it.

The in-dash CD player is a very nice upgrade from my current in-dash cassette player.  I particularly enjoyed hearing Thich Nhat Hanh explain Driving Mediation.  A stoplight is not an obstacle, but an opportunity to refocus my attention to the present moment.  I was also reminded of Thich Nhat Hanh classic words, “Breathe in—I am calm, breathe out—I smile.”  Whether I use these words in a mindful meditation or when they just float through my consciousness, they are so grounding for me.

Henrik listens to Beverly Cleary stories on the CD player at home every chance he gets and I hadn’t gotten around to listening to The Art of Mindful Living since I had checked it out from the library and it is due in a couple of days.  I am grateful that I have had a few peaceful moments to really remember and to absorb Thich Nhat Hanh’s words.  Car accident—car rental—mindfulness….

Breathe in—calm.  Breathe out—smile.  Happy New Year!

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