Brrrr... Baby, it's cold outside!!

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have been reading the book:






I am close to done with it...skipping over some of the chapters that don't apply to me (like menopause - at least I can say THAT is not in my immediate future!).

In my counseling session on Tuesday, I had mentioned to Dr. P how reading this book has giving me some tools to use to start reclaiming my life - things that he had suggested I try, but explained in a way that makes sense to me.

The most important technique I have learned about in this book is something I have been doing all along without being aware of it - Mindfulness.

Mindfulness or being mindful is being aware of your present moment. You are not judging, reflecting or thinking. You are simply observing the moment in which you find yourself. Moments are like a breath. Each breath is replaced by the next breath. You're there with no other purpose than being awake and aware of that moment. As John Kabit Zinn says reflecting on a Japanese mindfulness puzzle: "Wherever you go, there you are."

My daily walks - those two miles on the track, observing the butterflies dance and follow me... those two miles of releasing the daily tensions that I could not let go of - are what had helped me through my life until I stopped taking them when the weather got colder. My last walk was in very late November, after Thanksgiving, after the anniversary if my second miscarriage.

So, despite it only being 32 degrees this afternoon, I changed into my favorite, well-worn-out yoga pants and way-too-big long-sleeved t-shirt, bundled myself up in my scarf, gloves and coat, and headed out for that two mile walk (new PORTABLE XM Radio plugged in my ears).

Brrrr... Baby, it's cold outside!!

I was amazed at how peaceful it was - again. No one was on the track...except for me, the left-over patches of snow and the Canadian geese scrummaging for food. It was cloudy when I headed out for the walk - but, as I made my first turn, the sun peered through the fluffy snow-filled clouds, like the sun was only shining for me today. I felt like I did the first time I set out to walk - yet, still had the stamina for two miles. It was freshing and peaceful...it was something that was missing. It was brisk, but cleansing.

Funny thing about the Canadian geese is that they had fun watching me walk - and at one point, three of them decided to fly around and circle, like they were doing the dances my butterflies used to dance for me during the summer and fall. So, for them, I walked in the snow...like we did when we were children. It has been a long time since I have found snow to be fun.

Mindfulness...

Anyways, have to share some fun pics... These are of my new boots (this pair is in brown suede - I bought another pair in black too). One of the ladies I work with has termed these my "Hoochie Boots."





Who knew I would be able to walk around in four inch platform boots without falling! I am in no way a fashion-plate, but since I have lost my 30+ pounds, I have been enjoying my new look (including newest hair-do, which I will post pics of this weekend!). I am enjoying buying some trendy items...and, weather-permitting, will be going on another shopping spree this weekend (on my own, since trips to the store by myself have been getting much easier) with my birthday money.

Watch out world, these boots are made for walkin'! Too bad I am just figuring out how to walk in them now...