Humor, Soul Homework

Podcast #16- Toxic On the Inside/ Meditation that Anyone Can Do/ My Library Book “Problem”

Writer McWriterson

I understand that not everyone enjoys podcasts or has a Spotify account. So I’ve decided to create these posts so that you may listen or not and still participate, because I enjoy interacting with each and every one of you, but I don’t want you to feel excluded, nor do I want you to feel obligated to leave a comment out of pity.

I will share a few tidbits about what’s being discussed without giving too much away. That way, those who aren’t interested in listening to a podcast can engage in discussion in the comments. But those who enjoy listening to a podcast will get a more in-depth experience.

Deep, man.

A few side notes before we get started:

Thich Nhat Hanh is 94, according to Wikipedia.

Here is the quote I read in the podcast:

I took a picture of my mindfulness inspiration:

And here’s a picture of my soul homework area:

It includes a picture of my stack of library books on the shelf below to prove my illness.

My problem.

My solution?

Ah, yes.

Better.

I mention how hot and humid it has been throughout August in Illinois, making it near impossible to be outside for long stretches. We’ve got a break in the weather here in the last several days and it has greatly improved my mental health.

Do you ever feel stifled or toxic when you are unable to connect with nature?

I also discussed how I struggle with meditation yet need a technique to collect myself in certain situations. If you’re not a podcast listener but have a few minutes to spare, skip to approximately the 19-minute mark for a simpler solution.

Do you enjoy meditating or practicing mindfulness? Is there anything in particular that it has helped you with?

And at the end of the podcast, specifically the last three minutes, I talk about my library browsing problem. I go into the library to pickup my books on hold and walk out with a couple extra books.

A couple extra 15 books.

Literally, I have too many books, too little time.

I need help to prioritize reading, and I need suggestions.

Rants, Rita, and Realities – A Grace Full Life

Rants about blogging Rita gives me inspiration Realities about life and birds
  1. Rants, Rita, and Realities
  2. Birds, Botox, and Bashes?
  3. 80's Names| My Name is on the List| Grieving
  4. Navigating
  5. Not My Mother's Menopause- Chapter Eight

27 thoughts on “Podcast #16- Toxic On the Inside/ Meditation that Anyone Can Do/ My Library Book “Problem””

  1. I’m not a podcast listener so I appreciate you writing more about it today. Thank you! I would do the same thing at our library and come home with way too many books. So long as you remember to return them, I don’t see it as a problem. I do my three pages every morning according to “The Artist’s Way,” always take a walk and pray. It keeps me grounded and frees me from anxiety – for a while anyway.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have to renew some books several times, but I always return them. I ended up returning a number of those books early because I realized I couldn’t give them the attention they deserved. That’s a nice way of saying I wasn’t interested in them. 🙂

      It makes me happy to hear that you are still writing your three pages every day. I just finished The Artist’s Way today, and I intend to keep up my morning pages routine. I also go on my artist’s date with my friend once a week with, and we hold each other accountable. Thank God for her, and for creative processes.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I’m excited to hear about the Artist’s Way and your three pages too. I’ve been at it for six years. I’m not good about the artist’s dates and 2020 really stopped it. You’re inspiring me to work on it!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. I will listen!
    On what has worked for a mediation is I keep trying and I don’t have strict rules about how to sit or how to meditate. I have several sung mantras, breathing techniques and/or guided to times silent meditations that work for me . I mix them around or try new things

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. This is such good advice, Sarah! I think people who are new to meditation may believe they are failing if they do not attain the desired results. But meditation can take on so many different forms, and in this day and age, we need all the zen we can get. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. Since I’m one of our non-podcast listeners…

    I love the timeless wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh. I’ve read a few of his books. Have you seen the boxed set with the 5 simple mindfulness books? How to Eat, How to Love, etc.

    I can’t meditate on my own. I have to have a guided meditation. I use the app, Insight Timer. Tons of free meditations and you can pick by subject and how much time you have. It’s helped me with anxiety and my hubby uses one of the soothing music meditations to fall asleep.

    I have the same “problem” with library books. A long time ago (about 17 years), I worked for a short time in a library. Dangerous for people like us. I’d come home with piles of books every time I worked there. I’m reading three books at once right now; two non-fiction (including Jay Shetty’s book which I’m really liking – thank you!) and one fiction.

    xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    2. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m already impressed by his wisdom! It’s incredibly straightforward to follow, which is not at all what I expected. I can already tell from his writing voice that he is someone that I would like being in the company of. In the four days I’ve read his book, I have used so many of his mindfulness methods.

      Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve never heard of Insight Timer, but I am going to definitely look into it!

      I would be one of those people as well!! I love how much I’m falling in love with books now that I’m in my middle age. It is such an unexpected joy. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I can absolutely feel a HUGE difference in my mindset when I feel stuck in the house and unable to get outside and in nature. We had two rainy days in a row this week and the minute we had a blue sky & sunny day I dragged my son out for a hike (which failed since the trails were flooded and trees had fallen) but even just walking around outside for that 30 minutes trying to get in a hike put a smile on my face.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. IT IS SOOOOOO HOT. SO FREAKING HOT.
    Sorry for MIA. I have forgotten email address passwords As in plural email addresses. Even though I write them down? Obviously, I don’t know what I’m recording because NONE OF THEM WORKED. Then I get so pissed off I just remove multiple apps from my phone. Sigh. I just made 2 more email addresses because clearly I am insane (perimenopause!!!!!)

    Meditate ? Um. I should totally do that 😳

    (Don’t even reply to this. I won’t get it. I can’t access that email. Ug!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Our libraries have only recently fully opened again, and I missed them so much! Your post reminds me that I need to make a date with myself to get back in there, just so I can browse the shelves. I always discover things I wouldn’t have read otherwise.

    I love the photo of your dogs. Right now I’m listening to the breathing of mine as she sits beside me. She isn’t really sleeping. Just being. I could learn a lot from her.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It makes you appreciate them even more now, doesn’t it? Because of lockdown last year, I’m spending more time at the library for that reason.

      I love that photo too. You’re right that you could learn from your dog. They’re so good at just being. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  8. You DO have a library book issue. I wonder if there’s a meeting for it? Maybe a BOOK CLUB MEETING? Wait, that’s not gonna help. What a good problem to have, right?

    I’m so sorry Ella is having to go through the braces thing again AND that there’s an asshole orthodontist in her Doctors group. Isn’t it weird how some people just don’t know how to be kind? How to talk to people? They are missing some sort of gene.

    LOVE the pic of the sleeping dogs; they’re so content. Also, as soon as you said “I had my incense burning….” I said OH YOU ARE A HIPPIE. 😝

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I really need to join a book club. Maybe I should start one? My friend informed me that there are spaces for rent at one of our favorite plant shops. I see the beginnings of a horrible wonderful habit…

      Asshole orthodontist. However did you guess his name?? 😉

      Don’t you just love my hippie dogs? I like that my older dog is resting his head on the puppy. I’d say they’ve bonded.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I love that they bonded so well! Remember how Lillie disliked Callie when I first adopted her? She follows her around like she’s giving away cookies! It’s darling.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Self help books are wonderful things, and I would put many of the titles you mention in your podcast in that category. I have read, or at least looked at summaries of a few of them. My suggestion re your addiction is that you maybe try to limit yourself to the number currently in your possession at any given time. After all, it’s not like you won’t be able to get the ones you want to read later!

    I was also glancing at the Ann Lamott quote in your sidebar. I think she is also suggesting the need to limit the number of things you spread your time and energy over, at least between reading and writing. After all, our time and energy are limited but the places we would would like to apply those are not. Focus, girlfriend!

    I’m kind of wondering if your daughter, mature as she may be, might possibly not be mature enough to really appreciate The Artists Way. Do you think you were at her age? I agree, though, that a lot of the practices used by the author can be adapted for use at any age. Since Ella has ADD and you already home school her, if you want to adapt them and add them to what you’re teaching, I say go for it. You certainly know her and her abilities well enough to do that and see if it works out the way you’d like.

    Finally, I’m glad you and your husband (and possibly other family members?) have been able to set aside at least one time per week to concentrate on mindfulness. Seems like we agree this practice is not natural for us and thus takes some work to practice in order to reap any benefits. Like some other bloggers I follow and read comments of their other followers, practicing and reaping the benefits of mindfulness practices is harder to do in the middle of current stressors. Sounds like your ortho experience, doesn’t it?

    Like

    Reply

    1. I appreciate your comments so much; they are so thoughtful and provide me with new ways of thinking.

      I agree 100% with your suggestion to limit myself. I’m now reading two books, one in the morning book and one in the evening, and it’s working out nicely. I think my fear was that I would finish and have nothing to read. As if I didn’t have a slew of other books to choose from at the library. 🙂

      I agree that my daughter isn’t yet ready for The Artist’s Way. It’s so funny you bring it up today. My friend Rebecca came over and we were talking about it, and I was thinking about how Ella wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I did. I believe books come to us when we are ready for them. I love the fact that you and I are on the same wavelength.

      Right now, mindfulness is saving me. But I’m having to work harder to do it more often than not. There are days when I catch myself rushing through things and realize that it’s all about the process, NOT the outcome. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment