By Mary Layton
There’s something hopeful about the beginning of a new year.
Maybe it’s having had a little time out over the holidays that allowed us to dream and reflect on how we like life to be in 2023.
What can we improve at work, at home, in our relationships, in how we
treat ourselves and others?
The first thing that comes to my mind is that I like to change my concept of time. As a matter of fact, different cultures think differently about time. In some countries things are put off until the person feels it’s time to get moving. Some things can wait until tomorrow. It may be more important to make some time to socialize, look what’s going on around town, check out a show or play or go to the new Children’s Museum. Or get involved in a community project.
With a less crowded schedule life could be more peaceful and calm. There’s time to just sit and do nothing except to breathe and feel myself. When I expand my idea of time in my own mind, when I make time for prayer and meditation and meditative exercises like Yoga and Tai Chi which help me to slow down time, energy returns to me. I think every time we worry about the future or the past we block the experience of being in the present moment. It changes our perception and mood, can cloud our vision.
As the writer Bernhard Shaw put it: “Better keep yourself clean and bright ; you are the window through which you must see the world.” Sometimes we can’t do it alone, we need help from others. Or we help ourselves by helping others.
Wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!
For more info go to taichi4modesto.com or call (209) 572-4518
