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If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. —Buddha
I vividly remember a time when I completely understood what the Buddha meant about seeing the miracle of single flower being life changing. My husband, Gene, and I had a trans-Pacific-ocean courtship. To help bridge the miles, he once sent me red roses. After my sons were asleep, I took the time to luxuriate in every aspect of the fullest rose, exploring its textures, colors, and the varying shapes of petals, stem, and stamen. To my surprise, tears of joy began to slip from my eyes, and I felt enveloped in love and connected to both the man who sent the roses and their creator as well.
Although my rapt attention to the flower was the act of a young woman wildly in love, the experience of it has become an enduring touchstone reminding me of the power and joy a few mindful moments can bring. Thirty-some years later, I clearly remember that particular rose and can revisit the pro¬found sense of wonder and awe I experienced while focusing on it.
Obviously not all our moments are coming up roses. In fact, many of them are extremely painful and sad. No matter what it contains, the moment is still our home. As Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh says, “The present moment is where life can be found, and if you don’t arrive there, you miss your appointment with life.” As well as highlighting happy moments, the practice of mindfulness can help us find a glimmer of understanding, gratitude, awe, and hope in even the most difficult times.
By being mindfully at home in the moment, we keep our appointment with life.
Excerpt from The Mindful Woman: Gentle Practices for Restoring Calm, Finding Balance & Opening Your Heart by Sue Patton Thoele
New Harbinger Publications
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