Do you know, in a wierd way, I feel as if my mindfulness practice is making me tougher -- well, not tougher, but more resilient, and less likely to be thrown.

I think this might be because my teacher has emphasized the importance of being mindful about oneself, and about being respectful of all aspects of self -- physical, emotional, etc. And also, there's the whole bit about being compassionate to oneself, as well as being compassionate to others. For me, that was important -- to 'have permission' to be good to myself. And to have permission to be happy. (I still kind of struggle with that.)

-Far