Smile
I apologize for the blogging hiatus. I must confess that I have cheated on my blog by getting at Twitter account. As much fun as it is to fill cyberspace with my 140 character quips, I have missed the cathartic nature of blogging. No one have ever accused me of being a woman of few words haha.
The month of April has been a month of "lasts". I had my last college lecture, last Chapel service, last college Bible study meeting, last sorority chapter meeting, last Singers concert, last formal, and several other last this and that. If you know me at all (or have read any of my previous posts) you know that I am a sentimental person. This sentimentality is a blessing and a curse. It can be a blessing when I am able to really appreciate the little moments, and this week I have been soaking them up! The curse of being sentimental has certainly reared its ugly head on a number of occasions in the form of crying. Let me just say that I am incapable of doing the one or two gentle glistening tears. My sentimental emotional moments are more like sobbing, snotty, runny mascara outbursts... which is quite unfortunate whenever I am trying to publicly speak or sing. I have a Pandora Radio station that plays the likes of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Buble; and this week it played "Smile" by Nat King Cole. Ironically, this song spawned a tragic sob fest. I am determined to press through the minefield of sentimentality that is graduation, and I hope I can just smile.
Last spring I took an Intro to Buddhism class, and part of the course was practicing different forms of meditation. Did you know there is a form of meditation that is all about smiling? It is called "half-smiling" and my favorite Buddhist thinker Thich Nhat Hanh explains is like this:
Half-smile when you first wake up in the morning :
The month of April has been a month of "lasts". I had my last college lecture, last Chapel service, last college Bible study meeting, last sorority chapter meeting, last Singers concert, last formal, and several other last this and that. If you know me at all (or have read any of my previous posts) you know that I am a sentimental person. This sentimentality is a blessing and a curse. It can be a blessing when I am able to really appreciate the little moments, and this week I have been soaking them up! The curse of being sentimental has certainly reared its ugly head on a number of occasions in the form of crying. Let me just say that I am incapable of doing the one or two gentle glistening tears. My sentimental emotional moments are more like sobbing, snotty, runny mascara outbursts... which is quite unfortunate whenever I am trying to publicly speak or sing. I have a Pandora Radio station that plays the likes of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Buble; and this week it played "Smile" by Nat King Cole. Ironically, this song spawned a tragic sob fest. I am determined to press through the minefield of sentimentality that is graduation, and I hope I can just smile.
Last spring I took an Intro to Buddhism class, and part of the course was practicing different forms of meditation. Did you know there is a form of meditation that is all about smiling? It is called "half-smiling" and my favorite Buddhist thinker Thich Nhat Hanh explains is like this:
Hang a branch, any other sign, or even the word "smile" on the ceiling or wall so that you see it right away when you open your eyes. This sign will serve as your reminder. Use these seconds before you get out of bed to take hold of your breath. Inhale and exhale three breaths gently while maintaining the half smile. Follow your breaths.
Half-smile during your free moments :
Anywhere you find yourself sitting or standing, half-smile. Look at a child, a leaf, a painting on the wall, anything which is relatively still, and smile. Inhale and exhale quietly three times. Maintain the half smile and consider the spot of your attention as your own true nature.
Half-smile while listening to music :
Listen to a piece of music for two or three minutes. Pay attention to the words, music, rhythm, and sentiments. Smile while watching your inhalations and exhalations.
Half-smile when irritated :
When you realize you're irritated, half-smile at once. Inhale and exhale quietly, maintaining the half smile for three breaths.
So sit back, pour a class of wine (or a cup of milk if you're underage) listen to the below song and SMILE.
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