So I haven't posted a new suggestion in a while, because I couldn't find my special little book. But I found it, it was with Derek's pile of church stuff. He gave a talk in Sacrament meeting and quoted Thich Nhat Hanh from the pulpit. It was great, Mormons need more Buddhist teachings!!
This week's suggestion is: Don't Blame the Lettuce
Blaming Never helps! "When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look into the reasons it is not doing well. It may need more fertilizer, or more water, or less sun....Yet if we have problems with our friends or our family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and arguments....If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change". -Thich Nhat Hanh
Our goal this week is to not blame the lettuce, I hope you will join us!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Zen Journey
Some notes from this weeks suggestion (asking yourself, "What's not wrong?"
One of my boys was having a hard evening. After some disappointment he exclaimed, "this is the worst day ever!" I told him to get a piece of paper and write down 10 things that are not wrong with today. He returned with a list, it looked like this: 1-Nothing, 2-Nothing, 3-Nothing, 4-Nothing, 5-Nothing, 6-Nothing, 7-Nothing, 8-Nothing, 9-Nothing, 10-Nothing. After some discussion he tried again and came back with an outstanding list. I knew it was in him, he just needed some provoking to bring it out. I sometimes need some provoking too. It would probably do me some good to make a list now and then. Before the next suggestion (probably tomorrow), make a list of ten things that are not wrong with today. It will feel good. Here's mine: 1- The sun is shining, 2- My children are playing happily, 3- I am helping a friend with her child so she can get some R&R...service always feels good, 4- I met with my PT client Angie this morning, she is always a source of joy, 5- I have plenty of food to feed my children, 6- I am healthy, 7- I have a mountain of laundry to fold, which means we have plenty of clothes, 8- I have some great music to listen to while I clean, 9- We are going to Skype with my parents tonight, 10- The birds are back in our maple trees....spring is here!!
One of my boys was having a hard evening. After some disappointment he exclaimed, "this is the worst day ever!" I told him to get a piece of paper and write down 10 things that are not wrong with today. He returned with a list, it looked like this: 1-Nothing, 2-Nothing, 3-Nothing, 4-Nothing, 5-Nothing, 6-Nothing, 7-Nothing, 8-Nothing, 9-Nothing, 10-Nothing. After some discussion he tried again and came back with an outstanding list. I knew it was in him, he just needed some provoking to bring it out. I sometimes need some provoking too. It would probably do me some good to make a list now and then. Before the next suggestion (probably tomorrow), make a list of ten things that are not wrong with today. It will feel good. Here's mine: 1- The sun is shining, 2- My children are playing happily, 3- I am helping a friend with her child so she can get some R&R...service always feels good, 4- I met with my PT client Angie this morning, she is always a source of joy, 5- I have plenty of food to feed my children, 6- I am healthy, 7- I have a mountain of laundry to fold, which means we have plenty of clothes, 8- I have some great music to listen to while I clean, 9- We are going to Skype with my parents tonight, 10- The birds are back in our maple trees....spring is here!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Zen Journey
This week's Zen suggestion is asking yourself "what's not wrong?"
"We often ask, "What's wrong?"...we would be much happier if we tried to stay in touch with the healthy, joyful seeds inside of us and around us. We should learn to ask, "What's not wrong?" and be in touch with that....Life is filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby...wherever we are, any time, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other, the wonder of our breathing...we can be in touch with these things right now." -Thich Nhat Hanh
"We often ask, "What's wrong?"...we would be much happier if we tried to stay in touch with the healthy, joyful seeds inside of us and around us. We should learn to ask, "What's not wrong?" and be in touch with that....Life is filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby...wherever we are, any time, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other, the wonder of our breathing...we can be in touch with these things right now." -Thich Nhat Hanh
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Zen Journey
We would like to invite our friends and family on a Zen journey. As a family we are practicing mindfulness and the art of being present. As a result we are experiencing peace, harmony and joy. We hope you will join us!
"Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others".
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen Master
Each week I will post a suggestion for your journey. Incorporate it into your life and share your experiences with us.
This weeks suggestion is: Eating Mindfully
For the past three weeks we have been eating in mindfulness. Each evening we sit down at the table as a family. We take a moment to clear our minds with a few deep breaths (inhale-I calm myself, exhale-I smile). These few breaths help us become present, in the moment. After our breathing ritual, we look around the table and smile at one another. This only takes a few seconds, but it enhances the quality of our meal together. If you cannot smile at one another, it is very hazardous for the family. After our smiling, we bless the food. We thank God that we have such an abundance on our table. We are then aware and are ready to eat. We eat in mindfulness, appreciating the food and where it came from. If the kids don't like something, we help them understand the good things it provides for our bodies (ie. "Why did you make this?" "Damon, that spinach and black bean burrito fills your body full of germ fighters and muscle builders"). We are aware of our conversation, allowing only positive discussions. It is very toxic for our bodies when we eat while we are speaking negatively about others or our jobs. We have had three weeks of relaxing, enjoyable dinners. Kenyon and Damon have been extremely receptive to our rituals. They love to take deep breaths, and love to smile at one another. Our conversations have improved (although we are still working on eliminating the fart/poop talk), and the boys have been willing to try new things. This is an easy step that brings joy every day. I challenge you all to join us on our "eating mindful" journey!
"Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others".
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen Master
Each week I will post a suggestion for your journey. Incorporate it into your life and share your experiences with us.
This weeks suggestion is: Eating Mindfully
For the past three weeks we have been eating in mindfulness. Each evening we sit down at the table as a family. We take a moment to clear our minds with a few deep breaths (inhale-I calm myself, exhale-I smile). These few breaths help us become present, in the moment. After our breathing ritual, we look around the table and smile at one another. This only takes a few seconds, but it enhances the quality of our meal together. If you cannot smile at one another, it is very hazardous for the family. After our smiling, we bless the food. We thank God that we have such an abundance on our table. We are then aware and are ready to eat. We eat in mindfulness, appreciating the food and where it came from. If the kids don't like something, we help them understand the good things it provides for our bodies (ie. "Why did you make this?" "Damon, that spinach and black bean burrito fills your body full of germ fighters and muscle builders"). We are aware of our conversation, allowing only positive discussions. It is very toxic for our bodies when we eat while we are speaking negatively about others or our jobs. We have had three weeks of relaxing, enjoyable dinners. Kenyon and Damon have been extremely receptive to our rituals. They love to take deep breaths, and love to smile at one another. Our conversations have improved (although we are still working on eliminating the fart/poop talk), and the boys have been willing to try new things. This is an easy step that brings joy every day. I challenge you all to join us on our "eating mindful" journey!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Fancy Fish…Faulty Fish…FLAMING FISH!
We got together with a long lost friend Daman and his family last weekend. He was excited to steam a whole fish for us - Hong Kong style. First we got to know the fish:
Daman – proud of his beautiful creation. I call the eyeballs!
But we dug in and – oh my – it was a little raw down by the ribs. So Daman put it back on the burner and…
There lies the precious carcass in a bed of shattered Pyrex, roasting on two open gas flames. We all learned a little about the consequences of rapid cooling / heating of glass cookware.
The Cleanup
Daman couldn’t stand the thought of our sweet rockfish going to waste. Mmm, crunchy.
Good times with the Reynolds! Thanks for letting us crash your place!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
First Haircut
Selah was not so sure about having her hair cut. She stated, "No haircut, I don't like it" (with her little Irish accent).
She didn't want to sit in the seat or wear the gown, so lucky Derek got to do both and set a good example.
All done!!
The Big Biff
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, we thought we would get the kids wiggles out before church. We took them on a nice bike ride, but Kenyon got more than his wiggles out... Hilary took the boys down a super fast hill, Kenyon went flying-squirrel over his handle bars . After the initial shock he exclaimed, "I don't think that was a very good idea Mom".
Look at the size of that lip...now that is a fat lip!
He got back on his bike and rode home, that's my boy!
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