“The fear habit, the anger habit, the self-pity habit—all are strengthened and empowered when we continue to buy into them. The most compassionate thing we can do is to interrupt these habits.
- Acknowledging that we are all churned up is the first and most difficult step in any practice. Without compassionate recognition that we are stuck, it’s impossible to liberate ourselves from confusion.
- ‘Doing something different’ is the next step that interrupts our ancient habit of indulging in our emotions. We do anything to cut the strong tendency to spin out… Anything that’s non-habitual will do—even sing and dance or run around the block. We do anything that doesn’t reinforce our crippling habits.
- The third most difficult practice is to then remember that this is not something we do just once or twice. Interrupting our destructive habits and awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime.”
~ Pema Chodron
… Turning off Facebook and the TV is an act of compassion
Well said. I never realized before the relationship between compassion and action. Interesting!
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Thank you Marc and Ann 💛
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Pema rules my practice-her guidance has added a lovely compassionate dimension.
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She does bring that rich essence of compassion that oils our wheels 💛thank you!
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Worry is a habit . . . an exhausting, energy draining habit.
Like a rocking chair, it gets you nowhere.
The sun will set without thy assistance. ~ The Talmud
Good post, Val
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Thank you Nancy 💕
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Great advice, Val. “Turning off Facebook and the TV is an act of compassion.” Amen!
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Glad you appreciated this Jill 🙏
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I am using the Calm app… I can’t tell you how much it has helped with the guided meditations. I get help here too and several other blogs that remind me to interrupt habits that are destructive to my happiness.
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That is so good to hear! It’s wonderful to year how we can use technology to nourish ourselves 💛
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Matthew Ricard describes emotions as ephemeral and transparent. Every region in the brain that has been identified with some aspect of emotion has also been identified with aspects of cognition. There are no “emotion centers” in the brain.
Buddhists do not have a name for emotion. They can last as little as three seconds. I know an emotion can not describe me or you.
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Fascinating Marty. Thank you for sharing more perspectives. 💛
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So true Val, thanks for sharing with us! ❤
Diana xo
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Thank you Diana. It’s always good to have you visit 💕
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Awakening our heart is a journey! Wise advice Val Thankyou 😀
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Thank you Karen. Feel the love. 💛💕😊
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Love that Pema Chodren … and your last suggestions! 🙂
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Thank you Eliza 💛
As an aside, my forsythia is coming out in a vase on the kitchen window. Sunshine and Spring abounds. Thank you for inspiring me 🙏
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So glad to hear that, Val. It really does cheer us up to have that pop of color at this point in winter.
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Loved this post, especially the last line!
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I’m So glad you enjoyed it Ann 💛
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Loved this post, Val! I was just contemplating some of this while Dylan was reading his evening news edition in the grass along the street… running around the block and switching of the news is great medicine ❤
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Love Dylan’s wisdom Helen 💕
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Really useful advice, Val 🙂
It is more than 10 years ago, I had and watched a TV, which for many are difficult to understand, how to live without. I enjoy it.
I do read news and follow, what is going on in our world, but now I can read online, when it fits me and I don’t need to see all the ugly photos and videos.
This helped me a lot to find time to find my middle ground.
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I overthink a lot. Like I overthink the overthinking, I know it’s bad and I try to calm my mind down but it just doesnt stop running! A great post.
You can catch some of my works on https://soniyaagrawalblog.wordpress.com/ Would love to receive your feedback! -SA
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Well said dear Val… May we all start a new set of habits as we disconnect from our old ones.. ❤ xxxx
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