Dharma 1: Right Mindfulness

 Life has been quiet lately...

No boys. No flings. No sex.

Been too much busy at work, which I totally enjoy.

Nowadays my form of relaxations are gym, listening to meditation music, meditating, taking a long bath, sleeping and yoga.

I've been pampering myself for the most part. I have also been reading on the lifestyle of buddhist monks.

It's just so outstanding how much you could learn from them - the tranquility they exude.

And being outside the country and out of my comfort zone really helps a lot. I could focus my energy more on things that really matter.

When I was still working in the Philippines, I was so agitated and irritable. All I could think of was on being productive even if it was my rest day or vacation. That was burning me out, yet have no clue that I was already feeling burnt-out:

Six hours of sleep the most.

Four times of going to the gym and one day of jogging.

Gobbling on books and medical researches.

Going out to parties and/or coffee dates.

Finishing my Masters with really no clue what will happen thereafter.

Lack of personal space in the house.

Several petty conflicts within family members.

It was just too much for me. And even if I meditate and practice mindfulness, the environment was such a powerful external factor that I couldn't do what I need to do.

Luckily everything here have changed.

I have peace of mind for the most part.

I sleep about 8-12 hours a day without feeling guilty. Longer if I want to.

Reading books has taken a slight stepback. I read only about 3 books for the past year.

I don't go to parties and coffee dates anymore.

I rent a place with a fellow Pinoy nurse who is just as clean and neat as I am.

And I am finally far from family members.

Today is Holy Saturday. But here in Germany they don't really celebrate Holy Week like we do. They don't have these processions and prayers and people whipping themselves for their sins. Germany, although mainly a Catholic country, also has people who don't believe in Religion. Which I think is cool.

For them, it's just another Holiday to get off somewhere and take a vacation. Like most people also do in our country.

Oh yeah, going back to my story of living a more buddhist-like lifestyle...

I have recently cut back also on eating processed foods such as anything with flour and cheese.

I have also cut back on drinking fruit juices and getting more nutrition on actual fruits.

Tofu is still my stable source of protein, along with soymilk.

Of course I still drink my coffee with some vegan protein powder.

With this new-found independence I have, I have also set my mind to being grateful daily.

And I think this is the most important part of living in the present.

I wake up being grateful and end my night also being grateful. Whatever the day it was, bad or good.

You know, as people we are only mostly thankful for the good times, the good days, the good experiences, etc.

But what about the bad days? Aren't they not worthy of being also thankful for?

For having survived the day. For having made critical decisions. For having the strength to tolerate difficult people.

And that's no easy feat.

So practice being grateful each and every day. It will shift your perspective and it will give you a better sense of calmness and tranquility.

If you can change your perspective from bad to good. Everything follows.

I assure you.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.