Habit might be the enemy of Awareness or Mindfulness. Doing things routinely without thinking is a practice that allows our mind to wander into the past or the future or the make believe without really being present. Sometimes, this is just what I want to do! Yes, I admit to blowing up Mah Jong tiles and Free Cell rows when I want to veg out. But if I want to be truly alive, I try to pay attention to each present moment. Thich Nhat Hahn gives a wonderful lesson to Oprah Winfrey on drinking tea mindfully in this clip. Oprah, out of habit, takes a sip of her tea before the meditation even begins. I smile, thinking, “how embarrassing!” and noting that I probably would have done the same thing if I wasn’t careful. Habits can be comforting…and they can lull us to sleep. Do you want to be awake? Do you feel like there will be plenty of time to be dead – later on? I do. Except when I don’t. It takes a lot of psychic energy to be alive! Think about all that’s involved when you do a simple thing like climb up a short flight of stairs. Your weight is shifting, balancing, your muscles are contracting, your toes are gripping, your hand may reach out to the banister, your eyes are measuring the height of each step, you’re breathing with the exertion, and all while trying to remember what you’re going upstairs for! Walking meditation, tea meditation, stairs meditation…it’s all the same practice of mindfulness. This picture adds another aspect: Steve meditation. I see him every day. I want to be mindful of that miracle. He’s alive, different, changing, dynamic, and important. So am I (but I have a long way to go on that one…appreciating myself is the hardest practice for me!).
scillagrace 
Wonderful post, and I agree we must pay attention.. Take care and stay happy…
Thanks! You, too!
Taking photos is one excellent way of paying attention. I find myself look for photo opportunities all the time, even in the very small thing.
janet
True!
Great post and image!
Thanks, Elena!
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Wonderful mindful post and I too struggle with the appreciating myself bit 🙂
Funny how hard that is to shake….so many years of being told not to be “conceited”, to “humble thyself” and all that.
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Wonderful thoughts filled with a simplicity and child-like wonderment.
Thank you, Jack. And I’m glad to be led to your contemplative blog!
I have no difficulties whatsoever in appreciating myself…..Sadly, a substantial proportion of the people around me seem to find it somewhat more problematical….
Don’t get me wrong, It’s them I feel sorry for…..
I feel sorry for them, too!
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For a minute there I thought you were being nice…but it’s the proximity thing isn’t it…..
Oh woe is me….Even Scillabuddy thinks I’m a tool….
😦
I am sorry for them that they don’t know how to appreciate you, is what I meant. Appreciation for the uniqueness and variety of the world is what makes each day worth living. You are, of course, part of the unique and varied universe and worth admiring! And what do people even mean when they say that a person is a ‘tool’? I’ve heard the expression, but I don’t really know.
NOW I’M FEELING GOOD!
Unique!!
Worth admiring!!
YIPPEEEEEE!!!
🙂
🙂
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This is the perfect post to read as I prepare for sleep…a gentle reminder to come back within after a mindless evening in front of TV–an occupation I really don’t even care for. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome, Victoria! You have a lovely place within, and I thank you for sharing it so openly with others.
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Absolutely lovely, wise, and honest … I really like this. Would be wonderful on Bardo, Priscilla, if you are so inclined.
That’s a wonderful photo of Steve, by the way.
Bardo is quite welcome to it! Would you like me to re-post, or can you?
If you would pop it over, it would be a help. Thanks! 🙂