Don’t just sit there, do something.

This statement has been mindfully placed on the ledge of my headboard for over a year now, acting as a clear reminder that life is a live action tale starring me, lead role and audience critic.  The first step each morning is getting up and out of that bed, no matter how comfortable and how easy it may seem to blow off the day.  Remember, we don’t have to get up, we get to!

My mornings typically consist of a quick workout, dental hygiene, ceremonial beverages of water and coffee or cacao, and the task of feeding my animal companions. The responsibilities of a caregiver for a superiorly athletic and slightly anxious canine as well as a magical, middle earth adventure-seeking feline, lead me to exit the portal of my dwelling after they’ve enjoyed pet friendly formulated morsels.  It’s typically downhill from here, literally, as we meander into the neighborhood below and embark on some heart healthy excursion while expanding our social connections. With all of this in play, my mind tends to go through the to-do list of the day, the week, and sometimes my life ambitions.  Thoughts race in and can be overwhelming at times.  Remaining present and simply being tends to collide with distraction, expectation, and moments of contemplation. In all of this, I find that I’m not here nor there, but more so scattered everywhere.  How does this happen so fast?  Less than an hour ago my day began with a fresh & clean slate, a new start, and now I’ve managed to find myself in a mental triathlon. Best course of action- Pause and Pivot. 

Do something- just sit there.  Following a personalized session of yoga, I pull the mat and sit upon the earth, plugging my root chakra right into the communication channel of Pachamama.  Posture on point, minimized discomfort from entangled limbs, eyes closed with attention focused on space centered just above my brow, my breath takes the stage, setting a hypnotic cadence in motion while I surrender attachment and drift into the gap.  Thoughts take their turns creeping in, slipping through the cracks of consciousness in attempts to delay my journey.  Sounds of vehicles traveling the road just beyond the fence, dogs barking, birds singing, and the ever-present noise of humans humming along to the beat of their own mechanical playlist.  It’s here that surrender and detachment coat the senses in new perspectives, turning the noise into vibration on the set of this immersive and deeply stimulating setting.  Distractions dissolve as I begin to silently recite my ABC’s.

Alignment to Abundance.

Breathing for Balance.

Clarity to Co-create.

Even when it appears we are doing nothing, we are always doing something.  The secret sauce lies with our intention.  When we let go, truly let go, the essence of who “I” am is engaged and the bridge to possibilities extends into the gap, a place of silent knowledge, wisdom, floating in the ether of universal collective consciousness.  This place is where all things are first fashioned.  Imagination with access to infinite resources to bend, blend, package and send off for future delivery, a manifestation of content creation that will latch in place, form and function, at the intersection of time and space.

Often, we tell ourselves, "Don't just sit there, do something!" But when we practice awareness, we discover that the opposite may be more helpful: "Don't just do something, sit there!"- Thich Nhat Hanh (2011). “Making Space: Creating a Home Meditation Practice”, p.16, Parallax Press