Marriage has to be the greatest opportunity for mindfulness on the planet.
I used to think that parenting took top honors, but really, a good marriage lasts a lot longer than a good childhood. After all, the kids do move out eventually, but the spouse stays.
Never the type to do things half-heartedly, my husband and I up the ante when it comes to spending time together. We have breakfast together. We ride to work together. We work all day together. We ride home together. We eat dinner together. We go to bed together.
This could be a recipe for disaster, but instead, we think it's the coolest thing ever, and we never take that for granted.
With all that proximity, we have learned tremendous patience and we've got a killer sense of humor. This means that even in our snarkiest moments, we know we will find a reason to crack up about it later.
In fact, some of our favorite stories are about moments of extreme mindlessness, and if truth be told, I tend to be the mindless one.
I know, I know. I'm supposed to be the mindfulness expert. Well, as I always insist, you can't be mindful of everything AT ONCE, right?
So, here is my favorite mindless moment--and what I learned from it....
While moving from Oregon to Montana several years ago, my husband was driving the U-Haul packed with all of our worldly possessions. Inside the cab of the truck with him was our second daughter, Tara, and our hyperactive yellow Lab, Thor. Meanwhile, I was driving behind him in the car with the other three daughters.
Hours passed. I obediently followed behind him, despite the fact that driving behind a big truck is, well, annoying. So, when we finally got to the mountain pass and the U-Haul was chugging along at 30 miles per hour, I felt it would be just fine if I passed him and made my way to Missoula. I figured I'd get to the new house first and get ready for the move-in.
I sailed happily along Montana highways (no posted speed limit), smiling to myself, excited to be heading to our new home. In fact, so thrilled was I that I didn't even stop to think that maybe Tom wasn't behind me. What could go wrong?
Well, everything. Unbeknownst to me, the truck's axle had broken, leaving Tom and Tara and Thor stranded along the road miles behind me. He tried to call me on my cell phone, but so blissful was I that I had, ahem, turned off my phone. They ended up hitching a ride in the filthy cab of a junk-hauling pick- up with three other people (hyper dog included) for over an hour to stay at a hotel (hyper dog included) until the next day when the truck was repaired.
Needless to say, I got an earful when we were all reunited in Missoula. I felt terrible, and yet I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of them stranded in Idaho with our out-of-control dog yanking our daughter hither and yon while Tom is calling my cell phone repeatedly.
Fortunately, Tom and Tara laughed about it too--eventually. What did I learn?
? It is possible to be mindless and happy at the same time.
? It is not possible to hear your cell phone when it is turned off.
? Be wary of U-Haul's promised "Adventure In Moving"...
? Stay connected, stay connected, stay connected.
? Sometimes it's better to go slowly, even if you're stuck behind a truck.
? Make sure you are married to someone who can laugh with you instead of holding a grudge.
? Mindless moments can lead to mindfulness.
? Marriage can make you more mindful--especially if you stick with it for twenty years.
Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.massageyourmind.com
Barry Chicago limousine ..Planning a bridal shower? Maybe a dear friend or even... Read More
It used to be that if you wanted to buy... Read More
Often when you are looking for wedding vendors who suit... Read More
The look of the wedding invitations you send will not... Read More
With so much to do, every bride needs a surefire... Read More
There is nothing more romantic than a wedding by water... Read More
You've been invited to the bridal shower ? what fun!... Read More
Beth and Tom were happily married for over 25 years... Read More
Every couple has different priorities when it comes to budgeting... Read More
Thousands of years ago, the Celts, a group of independent... Read More
There are many places to shop for elegant mother of... Read More
As the story goes, a Cherokee elder was sitting with... Read More
How do you react if your spouse announces "I want... Read More
Weddings are made in heaven, they say, but they have... Read More
Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not... Read More
Give disc jockey's credit. Many of them have endured so... Read More
Being apologetic doesn't come easily for me. Unfortunately, being inconsiderate... Read More
After choosing the design for your wedding invitations you can... Read More
When people plan to marry, they expect to find in... Read More
With the cost of today's weddings spiraling to astronomical levels,... Read More
Wedding shower favors are a way to extend gratitude from... Read More
You've been engaged for months, you've made it through planning... Read More
What should you "walk down the aisle" to? Should you... Read More
Homemade wedding favors come from a centuries old tradition of... Read More
A dynamic that prevents real connection in a relationship is... Read More
Bartlett Chicago charter limousine service ..Honor your Emerald Isle heritage with traditions that are romantic,... Read More
How do you handle arguments that lead to heated exchanges... Read More
Getting Married? Congratulations! You just set the date for the... Read More
The vows you take to become husband and wife are... Read More
If you're like most people, you probably entered into marriage... Read More
Often when you are looking for wedding vendors who suit... Read More
As a travel professional considering an exotic island wedding was... Read More
It's really not difficult to ruin what could have been... Read More
Thinking about remarrying? Consider these reasons why others have chosen... Read More
There is a huge array of diamond wedding rings available... Read More
Deik and Kim, remember that marriage is a COVENANT relationship.... Read More
Why does Co-dependence arise? Well because two or more individuals... Read More
The most unique beach wedding reception ideas are sparked by... Read More
This is something that we've started to send to all... Read More
Thousands of years ago, the Celts, a group of independent... Read More
Cruising down the river was always deemed by couples the... Read More
Las Vegas wedding receptions are where people tend to go... Read More
You may not think of Las Vegas as an area... Read More
Oregon is one of the most marvelous places in the... Read More
The selection process of your wedding flowers will usually begin... Read More
Wedding shower favors are a way to extend gratitude from... Read More
Everybody talks about wedding invitations, but what about all the... Read More
When people think about great love stories, more often than... Read More
When it came to love-making, Napoleon, that short plump bundle... Read More
Speculation continues about the break-up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |