[jadzea]

I found myself being very cynical and negative and decided to do something about my attitude. I don't know why but I decided to try mindful meditation. I do at least 15 minutes every morning before I go to work. Also, I have always had an anger problem so while I was getting my meditation CD's I got one about controlling anger that is an 8 minute "lesson" that I listen to every day. I didn't know if my efforts were making any differernce but I kept at it.

Yesterday I had several things happen right after each other that not only made me angry but caused a great deal of stress. My usual response to such a situation was to yell and be mean to the people involved. Instead, I used the anger management suggestions to control my temper and ended up laughing with the person that I was mad at. Also, I used some of the meditation techniques to ease the stress and was able to settle down in a matter of minutes. It was wonderful. Not only do I like myself better, I don't have people avoiding me.

One other thing I did...I have some kind of neuromuscular illness that has never been diagnosed. My legs were getting very stiff and it was harder for me to walk. I asked my Dr. for a PT referral hoping to keep myself as active as possible for as long as possible. The therapist gave me stretching and strengthening exercises. They worked immediately. I am so much more flexible and not sore anymore. I have my life back.

I am so excited because not only is my life better but I did it all myself.

[gayleggg]

Good for you. I don't blame you for being excited. Keep up the good work and thanks for the ideas.
Gayle

[spondiferous]

Congratulations. It's amazing how the things that seem so simple and mundane can do so much good. I have the same experience. When I'm being mindful things just drop away as if they don't really matter anymore. Like, I can be in the craziest situation where I feel so scared and trapped like I'm going to lose my mind, and then just drop right into the moment and go, I am here now, this is what I'm feeling, this is what I'm seeing, and the fear just kind of falls away. And I have begun a very gentle yoga practice in the mornings that is totally opening up my back, hips and hamstrings. I too have a lot of pain in my body around movement and even though I'm only 34 a lot of things have gotten more difficult in the last couple of years. But with the yoga I'm finding it easier to move around. In a couple of weeks I want to try more difficult routines, and keep doing the walking I've been doing to get used to bearing my weight more.