monkey mind

 There's a Buddhist term called "monkey mind". It's when your mind is whirling and won't turn off...you're feeling restless and unsettled. That's how I'm feeling today. I suppose it's part of

having anxiety.

All kinds of random thoughts have been going through my head all day...

I need to empty the dishwasher; I still need to put the clothes in the dryer; the kitchen

garbage needs to be taken out; the porch is a solid sheet of ice...I really should sprinkle

some salt there; oh yeah, while I'm outside I need to fill up the bird feeder. I wonder how

L (a relative in the hospital) is doing? I'm concerned about C and B (a couple of

friends who have cancer). Wonder if Tim's car is still pulling to the right when he brakes?

Oh shoot, I really need to bag up all that stuff for donation that's sitting downstairs. And

 then I'll need to load it into my car trunk. We need some groceries...

should I go do that today? Nah, I'll go Wednesday. The well guy is coming tomorrow to

shock chlorinate our well and so we won't be able to use our water for 24 hours. Can Brian

run to the store tonight while I'm at yoga class and pick up several gallons of water?

Which reminds me - better fill up the bathtub with water tomorrow so we can use that to

flush our toilets. Wow, it's January 26 already? Some friend's birthdays are coming up.

I'd better add birthday cards to my shopping list.

 

 And on and on it goes.

 So. This is where I'm writing this post. You can't tell from the view out the window, 

but it's snowing out there. I am watching the flakes dance around in the wind

and it's actually peaceful. Whaddya know. I'm looking at my poor plant by the window

 and willing it to perk up and hang in there. It's actually an outdoor plant from last summer

 that I brought inside when the weather got cold. Warmer weather is coming soon, little

plant. I promise.

 And this is where I'm headed now. My yoga mat. Some deep breathing, gentle

stretches, and...being still. Something that is very hard for me to do, but I'm learning.

It does help to calm that darn monkey mind.

 Check out this short, informative Huffington post article on how to tame your monkey mind.

Namaste! And happy Monday.