Here are the steps I have discovered for myself and others, for finding our middle ground and living life in balance 💛
- Notice! Take time to pause and be aware of the incredible gift of life that you share with others and with nature. Wake up to the little things. Wake up to your self. Wake up to it all. This is called living mindfully. Become a keen observer.
- Accept that life has ups and downs. Really! Some one told us when were little that life should be a breeze. This is called wishful thinking. Be grateful for the highs and graceful in the lows. This is called living life well.
- Become present. Stop lamenting the past or worrying about tomorrow. Living is in each moment. Now. Take a deep breath. Then an other. Notice you are still here… not there.
- Get to know yourself. Take that first scary step of self discovery. Turn off the tv. Sit for a while. Journal about what comes up. Have a meaningful conversation. Listen more to others. Listen more to yourself.
- Let go of judgments. We think that judging others or ourselves makes us feel strong. Judgments come from fear of not being in control and having things go our way. Our way is not the way. There is nothing wrong, so stop trying to be right. Stop comparing, criticizing and start letting others be. Let yourself be.
- Realize that you are not your thinking. You are the one who is aware of your thoughts. You are awareness within a physical body, with an imaginative and fearful ego-mind that creates stories. Your thinking is not the truth about who you are or the world around you.
- Find the peace within. Beyond the next breath and the next thought there is a deep reservoir of peace waiting to be stepped into. This cool refreshing stillness has always been there and will always be there for us to access. To connect to this wondrous pool becomes our practice… whether its in mindfulness meditation, yoga, sitting in nature, or while commuting on the train, realize that you too can find your own middle ground.
This blog is my way of helping people get their feet wet and refreshing themselves.
As usual, this is very well put. A nice reminder. Thanks
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Thank you Tisha 💛
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Not a list person, but this is very worthy of note! Peace!
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Thank you Dennis for noting 💕
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Love the list!
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Thank you Kate. So glad it resonated with you 💛
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Excellent tips we should all implement into our lives…thanks, Val! xo
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Thank you Jill. May we all continue on the implementation and enjoy the ride 💛
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Thanks Val! I LOVE lists…especially the kind that beat to the rhythm of my own heart ♡ Blessitude
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Lists that beat to our hearts rhythm … sounds like the very best kind of list Lorrie!
Thank you for this inspiration. Instead of our to-do lists, perhaps we will have to-tune-into-my-heart lists 💕
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I LOVE IT, Val!!!! Yes…a much kinder, loving list ♡
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Wonderful list! This is just the sort of thing to print out and put where we can see it everyday. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here, Val. It is so accessible and positive, not daunting or shaming as so many of these sorts of lists can be. Gotta reblog!
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Thanks so much Sunny! So glad it hit the spot today 💛
Thank you for the beautiful kind re-blog 💕
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Reblogged this on Shielagh and commented:
This wonderful, wise and compassionate list resonated with me. So many lists of do’s and don’t’s seem daunting or even shaming. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed with suggestions. This one is amazing! I printed a copy to put up, and I want my own followers to see it as well. I was working with someone recently who is suffering from a painful loss and realized this list might be just the thing to share. See what you think…
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Someone I love is going through a rough time. I should share this with him. Such great advice for anyone though, really. Thanks, Val. ❤
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I’m so glad if it helped Jennifer! Its been my guide for some time through life’s highs and lows 😊
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That’s a very good list, Val.
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Thank you Dan. It’s a list that I aim to live by every day. 💕
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Wonderful ideas!
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Thank you Cindy! From ideas to practice is my path 💕
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This is wonderful stuff Val. I’ve put it in my note book. Thank you.
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Thank you Don! I’ve posted at the top of the blog as an ongoing reminder for me too 💕
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Reblogged this on Merging Traffic and commented:
A post worth reading! A blog worth following!
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Thanks so much Dennis 🙏
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Such a lovely list, Val. Thanks for the reminders. 💕
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You are most welcome Van. So glad your enjoyed it 💕
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I love this list to live by!
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So glad it works for you too Suz❣
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Thanks so much for sharing this, Val. It is a valuable list!
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I’m so glad you appreciated it Eliza 💛
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What a generous gift. Thank you Val.
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Thank you MK. It is a truly generous comment 💛
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I love your under the bridge photo! And good advice… The world especially needs to learn to let go of judgements.
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Thank you Fiona for sharing here… and being here 💕
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Too good, thanks, keep sharing such lovely thoughts ! 🙂
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Thanks so much Shalini for your kind words and encouragement 💛
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“Realize that you are not your thinking.” – I suppose if I could pick one thing to achieve as a practical measure from your list, that would be it. But it’s not a pick ‘n mix affair is it, Val? We have to work on many layers, and in different areas, as your list demonstrates. It will make me sound stupid (it happens a lot), but I spent several years thinking I could perceive ‘what I am’ beyond the body and beyond ideas of what I am, then I suddenly realised that if I perceived anything, it would never be anything more than a percept. Indescribable. Anyway, your list will find its way towards the top of my list of lists. Orthodox (Theravadin) Buddhists love lists; seriously, there are dozens of them in the commentaries to the Pali Canon. H ❤
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The thinking loop is a powerful one to be attached to, isn’t it Hariod. I have a sense that the more intelligent and knowledgable we are the more the ego uses this to hide in. 😦
I feel honoured that my t0-live list is amongst the top of other eminent ones!
💕
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No one is perfect I so agree Val..
Sometimes I think we are all of us pieces of art in the process of our own creations.. We all need a little renovating from time to time, as we smooth out the creases adding colour, be it bland or bright, blending and mixing to the canvas of life..
The exciting thing is, we are all of us unique pieces of art.. each special, each to be admired and at any time we can pick up that brush and create through our own ‘reflections’
Loved the bridge photo and the reflective water.. Val.. May I reblog your post my friend.. Others need to read your wisdom..
Love Sue xxx ❤
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Thank you for your kind words Sue. I like your analogy to each of us being a unique piece of art. Each of us beautiful in our own way ✨
I would be honoured if you reposted my friend 💕
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Thank you Val.. I will be honoured to reblog this wonderful post.. 🙂
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💕🐥😎
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Yes, a tune into our hearts list. Great, and a beautiful photo to join your beautiful words.
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Thank you Mary for your kind warmhearted words 😊
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Wonderful list Val 🙂
I use to not worry about tomorrow or challenges in the future, best possible, because I can’t change anything anyway, so why not just enjoy each day we are given.
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What a great attitude Irene💛
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Thank you Val, it has helped me to better live in the moment.
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Your list is a good road map. I think your point on living in the moment makes all the difference. Aging makes it easier for me. Great pictures!
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I do love lists, and this is an excellent one! Thank you!
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So glad it resonates Ann 💕
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Wonderful reminders, Val. It’s that simple. Lovely, serene images to go with it too.
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Thanks so much D! It’s always lovely to see you see you 💛
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Reblogged this on Dreamwalker's Sanctuary and commented:
When I find something worth sharing I enjoy passing it along. Vals post ‘Steps to find your Middle Ground’ is well worth the read.. Please go and leave your comments on Vals amazing insightful blog for comments will be closed here,
Have a wonderful weekend and see you all next week..
Love Sue ❤
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I truly LOVE this post, Val. Through lots of trials and tribulations, I have finally learned some of this…but still so much to “own up to”.
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So glad it resonated with you Helen 💛 Its living through the trials and tribulations that have helped us learn and grow. Yep – there will be more ahead for us all 💕
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Splashing in the biggest puddle I can find Val 🙂
Actually I think I’ll go for a walk on the beach…now that’s a puddle 😀
Great post, thank you for sharing very wise words 🙂
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Smiling … thank you Mark! May you enjoy all that the ocean reveals 💕
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Such profoundly beautiful common sense. Going to share this my readers over at my place.
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Thanks Paul. I always appreciate you coming over to my place with your kind words 💛
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Many thanks Val for putting what I practice and try to pass on, so eloquently in this way of wisdom. Love, David
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Thank you David for sharing your experience here. Keep spreading the good ness my friend 💛
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This is a fine list, Val, full of great reminders. I’m pleased that Sue Dreamwalker shared it so I could find it! Yes, I’m dipping my toe in as I type. ☺
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Thank you for coming over and dipping in Tom.
I look forward to more connections 💛
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What a wonderful list, saving this one, thank you Val! ❤
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Thank you Julie! Glad you are saving it. Me too 💕
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Pingback: The harmonious order of things! – Learning from Dogs
This, I swear, has been the biggest, most constant lesson in my life: “Judgments come from fear of not being in control and having things go our way. Our way is not the way. There is nothing wrong, so stop trying to be right. Stop comparing, criticizing and start letting others be. Let yourself be.” Beautiful blog by the way ❤️
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Thank you Sara for your kind words. This was a big lesson for me as well 💛
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I must have missed this post for some reason Val, but thanks to Paul Handover for re-blogging it on his own blog Learning from Dogs, it came to my attention – see, I was meant to see it!
The list is truly inspiring and resonated with me in my own life Val. We are all a work in progress, striving to improve ourselves and getting to know ourselves better every single day. Thank you for helping me get my feet wet!
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Its so good to have you here Barb! I’m glad you found this post so inspiring.
Its easy to get disconnected on WP.
I hope all is well in your neck of the woods 💛
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So glad I came across your post on Paul’s blog, it was meant to be, and shared it on FB a few moments ago; I think everyone should read it.
Things are up and down with my hubby’s health Val, I haven’t had the time or inclination to keep up with my blog for months. Hoping things will improve! Your words of wisdom inspire me. x
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I wish him well Barb. It’s been a struggle for my hubby this year too. Sending love, light and lightness your way. 💕
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Lovely post, very well balanced, and beautiful pic!
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Thanks so much! Im glad it resonated with you 💛
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What a beautiful post, Val. 🙂 I don’t do too badly till I get down to the judgmental bit and then I start to lose ground. Still hope for me though. 🙂
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It ain’t easy Jo. I recall judging myself for being a judger for years … And still do 😉
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Val, what an incredible list! I love it!!! Thank you for sharing. Also, I somehow hit the wrong button when I tried to reply to your comment on my blog and it got trashed and I can’t undo it! Not too technology savvy sometimes. Forgive me. If you want to recomment, I promise to watch what buttons my errant fingers hit and if you don’t want to, I understand. I just wanted to explain xo
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Thanks so much Yvonne! Errant fingers can get me in to trouble as well 😉 Then I remember to go with the flow 💛
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Thanks Val…I appreciated your understanding! ♥
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Exactly what I needed to read to centre and come back to myself. Thank you, Val.
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So glad it resonated Gulara ❣
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Thanks for sharing these valuable life’s lessons, Val. Today was the first anniversary of my mom’s passing, and I’ve been trying to only think of the happy memories and not the sadness of losing her.
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‘Be grateful for the highs and graceful in the lows’. How beautifully put thank you – I loved all the wisdom. Essential to get the feet wet! Have a lovely weekend.
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Thank you Susan for your kind words. Happy weekend to you 💛
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Wonderful post Val, this list is perfect, it contains exactly what I’m keeping my focus on. It’s always good to be reminded of what matters most.
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Thank you Elizabeth. So glad it resonated with you 💛
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Very valuable thoughts in the list Val. I choose to start practicing with the third ‘Become present’.
Thanks and regards.
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Thank you Dilip for sharing here. I like your choice 💛
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I agree with your tips… Especially accepting that life has ups and downs ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
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Thank you summer 💛
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love this post with wonderful list
thanbk you for sharing
kisses
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Thank you Voolaah 💛
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oh welcome dear
kisses
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