Tuesday, February 24, 2015

AOM Meditations: Facing Fear (022415)


4 Steps to Facing Your Fears
By Jesse Jacobs

"Fear is sticky, like glue. The initial emotion of fear may only last a few minutes, but if we let it linger, it can get stuck in our system for days, months, or even a lifetime.

The sensation of fear is effective if it protects us from real threats. The fight-or-flight reaction has helped humans escape life-threatening dangers over the millennium. But in this era of thinking, creating, and problem solving, our fears are usually unfounded. And when fear sticks in our system, it becomes a toxic influence on our choices, emotions, and actions.

Here are a few tips for getting fear out of your system:

1. Label it.

The first step is to simply notice your fear. As soon as you feel that tightness in your chest, just say, “I’m feeling afraid.” By labeling the fear, you separate the feeling from who you are. It is just a sensation.

2. Accept it.

Once you notice your fear, don’t judge yourself for feeling this way. You’re human; to feel fear is part of our DNA. Instead, be proud of it–if you’re feeling fear, you’re likely pushing your comfort zone and fighting the good fight. Let the feeling flow through you.

3. Let it go.

This is the hardest part, because a part of our mind feels safer clinging to the fear. It feels productive, and we worry that if we let go of the fear, it’ll sneak up and catch us off-guard.

But there’s a difference between being aware of your risks and clinging to fear. Let your fear go, and like a passing rain shower it will soon dissipate.

4. Focus on the present.

Most people dwell on future outcomes that will probably never happen, or past failures that don’t define who we are. We can avoid useless fear by instead focusing on the present.

How do you get present? By stopping right here and now, and taking a breath. As soon as you feel that knot in your stomach, stop everything you’re doing and just sit with it. Turn off your phone, step away from your computer, and take three breaths. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

In that pause, you can let the fear run its course. And once the storm has passed, you’ll move on, stronger and better equipped to face life’s challenges."


MUSIC: AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" performed by 2 CELLOS


MOST AWESOME!!!!

Thanks to a Friend of AOM
For sending us this one

Hot Music!
Hot Guys!
Fun Video!

2CELLOS 
Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 
playing their arrangement of 
"Thunderstruck" 
by AC/DC BaRock style!




Paintings: "Chestnut Tree in Bloom" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir


Chestnut Tree in Bloom (1881)
by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 - 1919)

AOM Meditations: Reflection 022415



Reflection is in many ways a lost art. It is an eyepiece to a world hidden away, the world within ourselves which is alive with truths and beauties and darkness we have never glimpsed. It seems sad that we slice our time too thin for dreaming long dreams and thinking long thoughts. We've grown uncomfortable with that sort of thing. For a long time I had been uneasy left alone. I would snap on the television or grab a book or make brownies. Anything. I suppose we are restless all alone with ourselves, all alone in a room with a stranger. What if we face ourselves and find we don't like the person we meet? I didn't even want to spend much time in prayer because God might confront me and I'd have to look at myself.

~Sue Monk Kidd

~*~

Only when the clamor of the outside world is silenced will you be able to hear the deeper vibration. Listen carefully.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach

~*~

I sincerely believe that there is a time in life for drifting. There is a time for sitting back and getting in touch with yourself. Some of our most interesting illuminations and ideas will come when we take time to reflect, time to kick back and cruise awhile.

~Rudolfo Anaya

MUSIC: "Billie Jean" performed by Michael Henry & Justin Robinett


This is really great!

These guys are so talented!

Michael Henry & Justin Robinett
Sing Michael Jackson's
"Billie Jean"


PAINTING: Starry Night over the Rhone by Vincent van Gogh


Starry Night over the Rhone
by Vincent van Gogh

Saturday, January 24, 2015

AOM Meditations: The Joy of Walking by Leo Babauta



the joy of walking 
by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits

"Today I set out from my house and walked. And walked.

I didn’t have a specific destination in mind, but wanted to walk a bit before finding a quiet place to write. So I walked, out of the town where I live and along the tropical, white-sand coastline, to the next town over.

As others drove cocooned in their cars, 
I walked, and emitted nothing but my breath.

As others spent their lunch hour pounding down fat-laden burgers and greasy fries or some other cheesy fried piled-high dish, 
I walked, and burned calories.

As others rushed and stressed, 
I walked, and took my time.

As others sat at their computers, 
I walked, and got my blood flowing.

As others held power business meetings and made deals, 
I walked, and had time to think.

As others were productive and got tasks done, 
I walked and got nothing done, and cleared my head.

As others had the comfort of shelter and air-conditioning, 
I walked and worked up a light sweat 
and was buffeted by the wind.

As a white gull floated serenely above a calm bay, 
I walked, and watched, and loved it.

I walked for an hour, then wrote and read, and then walked for another hour to get back home, tired but happy.

I can’t walk this much every day, but I walk as much as I can, because you need nothing to walk, you spend nothing, you consume nothing, you emit nothing.

And yet you have everything."


AOM TV: Laughing Tram Man


 Wanna Feel Good?
Just sit back
And experience this one

"When you smile to the world, 
the world smiles back"

~Laughing Buddha

~*~

"Laughing Tram Man"
Runtime: 1:16


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