Thursday, April 09, 2009

Encouraging Bliss ~ Do Not Get Rid of Your Vice

Thursday, April 09, 2009
Seeking Over Stimulation ~ I have lived life like a hummingbird, that moves in a frenzied blur from flower to flower, in search of the sweet nectar of excitement and stimulation. When life gets me down, I run from the anxiety and boredom by overindulging in variety and activity. I often have felt like that child, who runs down the aisles of a toy store, fearful of choosing one toy because she will miss out on the rest. Before this time in my life, I have rarely stopped to experience my inner self, to focus on completion. I've sort of felt like that stone skipping across a lake ~ when it slows down or stops it sinks deeply. And then? Oh no ~ have I sunk too far inward? Have I gotten dissolved in the contemplative moments?

So, what's the upside of this vice? How can I transform my vice into a virtue? Well, my creativity, my ability to visual beyond what's present. That quality has served me well, wherever life has taken me. However, I could stop worrying about dissolving, or sinking into oblivion ~ when I stop ~ and taste the sweet nectar of life as its offered me. Eckhart Tolle writes of thinking as a disease ~ a cancer. Indeed, with me, its so. And this blocks my path to the present, to the here and now, to my self. It also fuels that frenzied, fluttering hummingbird, which seeks constant movement, but does not savour the moments.

I found this exercise difficult to complete. I hope I have done it some justice. I feel like I've just barely skimmed the surface.


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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This exercise is hard, I think. It was hard for me to admit certain things, but like all hard work, it pays off, as I know you know! :)

And I think you are getting somewhere with it. Just let it sit for a few days, and I would bet there will be more insights that will bubble to the surface.

I think it takes so much courage to even try, you know? So accolades to all who do it.

Genie Sea said...

This is an awesome first step! First knowing what our vice is, is huge in itself. :)

lucy said...

allow me to share a couple more thoughts on the hummingbird (from animal speak by ted andrews)

"hummingbird is a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible. it will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances."

"hummingbird reminds us that if we truly enjoy what we are doing, we become light as a feather, and life is rich with nectar."

this exercise IS hard & accolades to all who do it! (blisschick :-)