Page 16 - Seniors Today - June 2021 Issue
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in our consciousness.
Much of this is negative and limited
thinking based on our previous
experiences; these toxic thoughts keep us
locked in a current reality that we can’t
change, or experiencing circumstances that
we view as out of our control. This brings
with it sadness and even depression.
Learn to retrain your negative thoughts
into positive ones.
I clearly remember a discourse which
encouraged us to carve out our reality
by our changing our perceptions. Our
thoughts carry us into our reality.
Simply becoming aware of our thoughts Eat slowly. Savour each bite.
gives us the opportunity to redirect them I have an unforgettable image in my mind
and create a new reality based on new about a swami I once met. As we sat down
thoughts and new possibilities. to eat, I could not take my eyes off him.
Thoughts are so powerful. When you From the way he peeled his fruit, to taking
first start to turn the boat around, it may each bite of it, he emanated a conscious
seem like slow going. As with all things, awareness of his present moment like
however, a practiced skill becomes much nothing else mattered but enjoying each
easier with time. Give yourself the gift of bite of fruit. When I asked him how he did
observing your thoughts, and it will change it, he replied that it was a matter of making
your life. it a habit to be completely present with each
experience.
Listen intently We rush through life, gulp down our food,
Most of us want to hear our own voices, our eat while talking on the phone, watching
own stories, our own woes. TV, and even engage in unconscious eating
But we need exactly the opposite. (emotional junk food binges) as a means
Listening to others and truly of making ourselves feel better. This
understanding what they are saying to you rush for gratification often leaves us very
helps you to make deeper connections with dissatisfied.
others, form authentic relationships, and Slowing down, becoming conscious of
express who you are freely. tastes, smells, and textures when eating
Acknowledging what others say in an helps you to remain more present in
attempt to understand their thoughts the moment and enjoy one of the most
and motivations will give you an insight pleasurable experiences of life — a good
into the way they think and the way you meal.
respond. It also gives you insights into who
really “gets” you. Being in the present gives Enjoy exactly where you are
you the power of intuitively knowing who’s There are two aspects to this.
in sync with you – or not. One is the actual act of waiting for
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