Tag: mindfulness

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Navigating the River of Time


The Current That Carries Us

There are moments when life feels like a small boat swept along a roaring stream. The present dissolves into the past almost as soon as it arrives, and the future rushes past before we can take it in. Glancing at the shoreline only reveals what’s already behind us, while what lies ahead slips away too quickly to enjoy. Moving ever forward, we learn that the only place we truly live is right here, right now.

Learning to Steer

At first, I found myself looking backward so long that the treasures of today went unnoticed. Other times, I gazed too far ahead, only to have the current tug me off course. Over time, I discovered the power of keeping my hand firmly on the rudder—balancing awareness of the past and plans for the future without losing sight of the present.

Balancing Past and Future

  • Honor lessons from what’s passed, but don’t camp on old shores.
  • Plan for what’s coming, yet stay adaptable when the current shifts.
  • Treat memories as guides, not anchors, and ambitions as compasses, not burdens.

Hands on the Rudder: Practices for Presence

  1. Pause each morning to set an intention for today’s journey.
  2. Use brief check-ins throughout the day—three conscious breaths, a moment of gratitude.
  3. Journal one thing you learned yesterday and one thing you hope for tomorrow.

These simple acts help you ride the flow without capsizing in regrets or anxieties.

Embracing the Voyage Ahead

We are all time travelers, carried forward at a steady pace. By steering with intention, honoring where we’ve been, and trusting our capacity to adapt, we make each day meaningful. The future will become what we build today, and the past remains a valuable map—both vital, but neither able to command our present.

Further Reflections

  • Consider what habits quietly steer your life—are they guiding you toward calm waters or turbulent rapids?
  • Experiment with daily rituals that root you in the moment: mindful walking, short meditations, creative breaks.
  • Share your discoveries: how does slowing down change what you notice in your own stream of time?

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Random Thoughts 1-22-24


At times, we may find ourselves ensnared within our own thoughts, entangled in a mental continuum dwelling on our past missteps, contemplating alternative choices, and lamenting missed opportunities. This preoccupation with the past consumes our mental energy to such an extent that it obstructs our ability to fully engage with the present.

It is crucial to recognize the profound influence that fixation on the past can exert upon our present and future. By being preoccupied with what might have transpired, we risk overlooking the opportunities that presently await us. This ceaseless rumination has the potential to give rise to sentiments of remorse, apprehension, and discontent, thereby impeding our ability to wholeheartedly embrace the present and impeding our personal development.

To break free from this cycle, it’s vital to cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness. By practicing mindfulness, we can train our minds to focus on the present, allowing us to experience life as it unfolds rather than being trapped in the past. Moreover, fostering self-awareness enables us to recognize when we are becoming entangled in unproductive thought patterns, empowering us to redirect our attention to the present moment.

Additionally, seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals can be immensely beneficial. Engaging in open conversations about our struggles with trusted confidants or seeking guidance from mental health professionals can provide new perspectives and strategies for moving forward. Through this collaborative effort, we can gradually release the grip of the past and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Ultimately, by embracing the power of the present moment and purposefully releasing unproductive thoughts about the past, we free ourselves from the mental burdens that inhibit our personal and emotional well-being.

Mindfulness is the practice of gently focusing your awareness on the present moment over and over again. It often involves focusing on sensations to root yourself in your body in the here and now. It can be practiced during formal meditation or during everyday activities, like cooking, cleaning, or walking. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and can help you manage them more effectively.

Self-awareness, on the other hand, involves deep understanding of oneself, including thoughts, emotions, and actions. It is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and how they affect others around you. By developing self-awareness, you can better understand your own strengths and weaknesses, and make more informed decisions about your life.

Practicing mindfulness can help you develop self-awareness by allowing you to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can help you become more aware of your own patterns of thought and behavior and can help you identify areas where you may need to make changes. Additionally, mindfulness can help you develop greater emotional intelligence, which can help you better understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

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Ray Barbier

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Finding Peace in the Presence of God: Exploring the Intersection of Meditation and Christianity


Meditation and Christianity may seem like two very different concepts, but in reality, they can complement each other quite nicely. As a Christian who practices meditation regularly, I can attest to the benefits that both practices have brought into my life. In this article, I would like to share my personal experience and understanding of how meditation and Christianity can coexist in a person’s spiritual journey.

Firstly, let’s define what we mean by meditation. Meditation is a practice that involves focusing your mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. It is not a religious practice, but rather a tool that can be used to enhance any spiritual or secular practice. In the context of Christianity, meditation can involve prayer, reading scripture, or simply sitting in silence and allowing yourself to be present in the moment.

One of the main benefits of meditation is that it can help you develop a deeper connection with God. By quieting your mind and focusing your attention on God, you can create a space for him to speak to you. This can be done through prayer or simply by sitting in silence and listening for His voice. When you meditate, you become more aware of God’s presence in your life, and you begin to see the world through his eyes.

Another benefit of meditation is that it can help you manage stress and anxiety. As a Christian, it’s easy to get caught up in the worries of daily life and forget to take time to be still and connect with God. Meditation allows you to let go of your worries and anxieties and focus on the present moment. By doing this, you can find peace and clarity in the midst of chaos.

Now, you may be wondering, how does meditation fit into the Christian faith? Isn’t it a practice that belongs to other religions, such as Buddhism or Hinduism? The answer is that meditation is not tied to any particular religion or belief system. It is simply a tool that can be used to enhance your spiritual practice, regardless of what that practice may be.

In fact, there are many examples of meditation in the Bible. For instance, in Psalm 46:10, we are told to “be still and know that I am God.” This verse encourages us to take time to be quiet and connect with God, which is essentially what meditation is all about. Similarly, in Mark 1:35, we are told that Jesus would often go to a quiet place to pray and connect with God. This is a perfect example of how meditation can be incorporated into a Christian practice.

In conclusion, meditation and Christianity can coexist in a beautiful and meaningful way. Meditation can help you deepen your connection with God, manage stress and anxiety, and find peace and clarity in the midst of chaos. It is not a practice that belongs to any particular religion or belief system, but rather a tool that can be used to enhance any spiritual or secular practice. If you’re interested in incorporating meditation into your spiritual journey, I encourage you to give it a try and see how it can transform your life.

Some Related Websites you may enjoy

  1. Christian Meditation – This website offers resources, articles, and courses on Christian meditation. https://christianmeditation.com/
  2. Contemplative Outreach – An organization dedicated to teaching contemplative practices, including Christian meditation. https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/
  3. The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society – A non-profit organization that promotes contemplative practices in various fields, including religion and spirituality. https://www.contemplativemind.org/
  4. The Jesus Meditations – A guided meditation series based on the life and teachings of Jesus. https://www.thejesusmeditations.com/
  5. BibleGateway – An online Bible resource that includes various translations of the Bible and a search feature for specific verses related to meditation and mindfulness. https://www.biblegateway.com/
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Ray Barbier

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