Thinking Thoughts and Mindfulness

SNOW: My hope for waking up with snow on the ground in late 2007 is quickly vanishing. Gazing out my window with visions of joining my neighbors on the steep hill outside my house with a cup of coffee as we watch the kids sled, is all but gone. I guess you could call me a spontaneous person because I like the interruptions and excuses that a snowstorm brings such as the loss of time to get daily chores completed and cooking. On play days like this my family circles and plans their strategy of reminders and attempts to lure me back into the kitchen and away from the outside freenzy. I also like how a little flurry will get people running to the store for emergency supplies. It can't be too much of a weather event if everyone you know is there with you shopping for milk, bread, canned food items, candles, matches and batteries all at the same time. Many of us already have these items stockpiled after the last event, unused, but people like me openly invite the interruptions and excuses a snowstorm brings. They too are spontaneous and open to events in life.

I KILLED THE SNOWMAN: The above thought reminds me of a story when my boys were around 9 and 7 years old. My first grade students enjoy this story each year. As usual the men of the house were outside after a snowstorm that had produced 8 inches of the best snow ever for building a snowman. It was the type of snow that sticks so well that when you roll it, it brings your lawn and any small children up with it. Well, the men had spent a great deal of time building this complete snowman. I'm sure he weighed in at well over 250 lbs. A regular heavyweight. He had sticks for hands, a carrot nose, rocks pressed into his tummy for buttons and the boys had dressed him in an old scarf and stocking hat, probably mine. After being proud of the job they completed together, they returned to the house for lunch, drying-out and warming-up. As afternoon progressed on, and the thought of Mr. Snowman lying in wait was fading into the next flurry, we watched the outside world from the warmth of our living room and TV. Early that evening, when a break in the driving conditions opened up, I decided to climb into the old Suburban to head to the store. As I slowly backed the lumbering vehicle and built up momentum through snow to turn into the street, I felt and heard a big thud come from the back of the truck. This sound was accompanied by a shake and bounce as the truck continued in its path intended. Idling in reverse on the street in the murderer, the remains of Mr. Snowman lay in my path. I had killed Mr. Snowman. All that was left was a tangled scarf, visible through the heavy snow.

NEW YEARS EVE: My husband Scott gets a bottle of champagne each New Years. Last year we watched PBS special in the Grand Ole Opry with Garrison Keillor and had that champagne. This year it is sparkling wine from California. California sparkling wine cannot call itself champagne, there are laws protecting the name champagne. In any case, I think any of the good stuff comes out when one welcomes in the endless possibilities to a new year and what our destiny might be regardless of the name champagne or sparkling wine. This idea of destiny really has something to it. As most of you know I've been surrounded by men most of my life. From this I've determined they see me and think food. Perhaps in my next life I might be destined to be beef cattle or a turnip. From that thought, whatever your destiny may be for 2008, an article in Oprah says you can act with mindful intent and focus your thoughts on the outcome you desire. I don't know about you, but that is good news for me and I'm thinking harder this next year than I did this past year! I'm sure my mindful intent can will me into an ageless body and timeless mind without the cattle drive or garden layout. So next time you see me and I seem distant and do not respond, you'll know I'm working on my thinking thoughts.