Find Your Middle Ground

Minds Like Crows

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Enjoy this re-post from three years ago.

oooOOOooo
magpie nest

“Our minds are like crows.  They pick up everything that glitters, no matter how uncomfortable our nests get with all that metal in them.”  ~ Thomas Merton

I love this analogy. Its part of the human condition to keep picking up thoughts and not letting them go. Adding more and more until we find ourselves overwhelmed.

In yoga there is the term “monkey mind” for a mind that continues to jump from one thought to another. Whether monkeys or crows work for you, take a moment to reflect on how attached to you might be to your thinking.

Do you keep analyzing and adding more thoughts? Or perhaps jump from one to the next? How much are you adding to your mental clutter ?

metal clutter

When we take time to pause and be still, we become aware of our thinking. We realize we are not our thinking. As a witness to our thoughts, we become less attached to them.

With awareness comes detachment and the ability to let our thoughts go.

Don’t add to your inner clutter, find your middle ground.

38 responses to “Minds Like Crows”

  1. Ann Koplow Avatar
    Ann Koplow

    What minds? Thanks for the uncluttered thoughts, Val.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Smiling. Indeed! Thank you 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature Avatar
    Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature

    Yes! Uncluttered minds. I thought this was going to be about physical stuff in our houses. I’m so bad about not letting go of stuff…and people keep giving me more! Haha. My mind, I think…and hope is way less cluttered. You’d think I would rub off on myself and get rid of stuff! Thanks Val.
    Mary

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I like the idea of rubbing off on ourselves Mary! There is some wisdom there 💝

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  3. jmgoyder Avatar
    jmgoyder

    This describes what I have been doing now for weeks – this crow thing – sigh.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Sounds like a good time to do some clearing out and letting go Julie. 💛

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  4. Sangeeta Pradhan RD, CDE Avatar
    Sangeeta Pradhan RD, CDE

    It’s all about letting go or you could call it purging, isn’t it? Not just materialistic possessions that clutter our physical space, but also negative psychic impressions, negative emotions and thoughts that we have accumulated along our journey and which we have a hard time releasing.. But the more we collect, the more we tether ourselves to our mortal existence by creating more karma/ increasing our karmic debt. By letting go, we free ourselves from this self imposed bondage. Easier said than done ofcourse. Another thought provoking post, Val. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Sangeeta for sharing your perspective! Purging and starting afresh are always available to us when we come to see the truth. 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. socialbridge Avatar
    socialbridge

    Val, I like the quote too. I think SM is problematic in thay regard, especially busy, busy stuff like FB and Twitter. I’ve dropped FB totally and hardly look at Twitter now because they just seem like towers of babble.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      You have a good point Jean! It’s all too easy to get caught up in the tower of babble 😉

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  6. Chatter Master Avatar
    Chatter Master

    So, all that glitters is not gold. And even if it is, it’s not always worth something. Thank you. I need this.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So glad it resonated with you Colleen 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    Thanks for the thought-provoking perspective to start the day Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks Dan! Glad it got the grey matter going this morning. 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Indira Avatar
    Indira

    Thanks for this thought provoking post. Inner clutter is what is necessary to remove but hard task.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Not adding unnecessary thoughts that clutter the mind is indeed a practice Indira. thank you for being here.💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Indira Avatar
        Indira

        For some, like me it’s an unending process. Have always to be on guard. Thanks for your inspiring posts.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  9. nrhatch Avatar
    nrhatch

    I’m applying two litmus tests to my thoughts:

    * Will this thought simplify my life?
    * Will this thought bring me happiness?

    If not, I show it the door and tell it not to hurry back! :mrgreen:

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Live your 2 litmus tests Nancy. My first thought after noticing I am feeling off track is “Ia this thought serving me?”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    I must be part crow… 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I can relate Eliza! I think of you as a Blue Jay 💛

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      1. Eliza Waters Avatar
        Eliza Waters

        Same family 😉 At least corvids are smart. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  11. David Kanigan Avatar
    David Kanigan

    LOVE the Merton quote and the post. WISDOM.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks David. There is wisdom here 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. elizabeth2560 Avatar
    elizabeth2560

    Know only to well that crow mentality. Time to take on board what you say.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      With awareness comes action at the right time. Good luck with internal decluttering Elizabeth 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Carol Ferenc Avatar
    Carol Ferenc

    Hmm . . . I think I have a little of both. Working toward stillness, awareness and detachment!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you for pausing and reflecting here Carol. It is good to know we have a little of both 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. derrickjknight Avatar
    derrickjknight

    I find I focus on enjoying the moment – never mind trying to remember it 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      The best idea of today. Thank you Derrick 💛

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. derrickjknight Avatar
        derrickjknight

        🙂

        Like

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  15. cindy knoke Avatar
    cindy knoke

    Interesting & thought provoking Val. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Cindy! I am away with less internet power, so haven’t been able to download your latest post. Looking forward to visiting when I am home this weekend. 💛

      Like

      Reply
  16. Infinite Living Avatar
    Infinite Living

    A simple yet powerful reminder, I appreciate it at this moment to just clear off a little more of I don’t need to carry.

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  17. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    Great advice. Breathing exercises also have helped me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Robert 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Steven Davidowitz Avatar
    Steven Davidowitz

    Love me some Merton. Thanks, from a student of the Way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3wQdEf0ISk

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Glad you enjoyed it Steven 🙏

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● About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.

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