Irony Hurts
I’m taking mindfulness classes. You read right, mindfulness. That’s the big buzzword these days; it’s what all the cool kids are doing.
Mindfulness simply means trying to live in the present moment, enjoying life as it happens without judgment, comparisons, or expectations.
In other words, not allowing fears of the future or regrets of the past wetting the bed of the present.
It’s not as easy as you think. In our age of screens saturation, multitasking mania, and stress-inducing anxiety, most people are frazzled.
Mindfulness classes teach meditation, yoga, and keeping a singular focus on basic things like eating, drinking, nature, body, emotions, life. This past Sunday, we had a mindfulness retreat in Serenbee, Georgia, a beautiful community of tree huggers and simple lifers.
Coincidentally, many episodes of The Walking Dead have been shot around Serenbee. Zombies seem pretty mindful, don’t you think?
It was a silent six-hour retreat. No talking, no phones, no nothing. Just each of us in the class being led in meditations, yoga, contemplations, and lectures.
We broke for lunch and mindfully ate our food. It was an hour break, and our teachers encouraged us to explore the grounds and feast on nature’s wonders. I took the instruction to heart.
I came upon a tree with a couple of wooden rope swings. I sat in one of the swings and immediately had fond memories of my childhood, I used to swing on the large swingset in our backyard. I began swinging (the skill came back to almost immediately, without lessons). Back and forth, back and forth, higher and higher. I was mindfully lost in the moment, swinging on a beautiful summer’s day when at the apex of my backswing…
THE ROPE BROKE, AND EVIL GRAVITY SLAMMED ME TO THE GROUND–– BUT IT WASN’T GROUND–– IT WAS CONCRETE!!! THE HARD KIND!!!
But, I did not swear. I did not say a word. I examined my arm; my forearm was bleeding. I got up, dusted myself off, and trundled to the bathroom and cleaned my wound. I used paper towels to sop the blood and rested my arm on it for an hour or so in the class to stop the bleeding. No bandage necessary.
After class, I showed my teachers the boo-boo and told my tale. They looked worried, probably thinking I was a litigious mook seeking a big payday. I laughed recalling the incident.
It was funny to me then and now. The irony of working to settle the tempest in your mind, finding genuine tranquility and connectedness with the moment, only to have nature show you who’s boss.
Irony 1. Mindfulness 0.
##########################################
Patrick Scullin is an empathetic adman and founder of ASO Advertising.
He has two blogs: Empathetic Adman (marketing pontification) and The Lint Screen (satire, smartassery humor, pop culture ramblings, and advice for people getting hip replacements).
Articles from Patrick Scullin
View blogHow could any idiot mistake these for “fan letters?” · Oh, that Donald J. Trump! · Since The Justice ...
Treasonous criminals will be rewarded if Trump gets elected. · On January 6, 2021, thousands of irat ...
The suave Trump defends price gouging. · Eric Trump, The Trump Organization’s executive vice preside ...
Related professionals
You may be interested in these jobs
-
CDL A Regional Dry Van Truck Driver
Found in: Jooble US O C2 - 4 hours ago
Sunrise Express Inc Boise, ID, United StatesSunrise Express Inc is looking for stable, safety-minded CDL A Regional drivers. We have · several power lanes to get drivers home and keep them running. · Hiring Regional CDL A Truck Drivers · Home Weekly · Full Benefits · 1.5 Years Verifiable Driving Experience Strongly Pref ...
-
A Locums Internal Medicine Physician Is Needed in MI
Found in: Lensa US P 2 C2 - 2 days ago
Michigan State Medical Society Oak Park, United StatesWhen it comes to finding the perfect locums assignment, sometimes it's all about who you know. CompHealth has been around for a long time and have a vast network of connections to facilities across the nation. Let one of our recruiters leverage this network to help you get ahead ...
-
Family Medicine Physician Opportunities with Duke
Found in: beBee S2 US - 1 week ago
Duke Primary Care Raleigh, United States Full timeDuke Primary Care is actively recruiting Family Medicine Physicians to join one of the largest and fastest growing primary care networks in North Carolina's Triangle region. We are a vibrant network within the world renowned Duke University Health System where our providers work ...
Comments
Patrick Scullin
6 years ago #4
Thanks, @Renee Comier.
Patrick Scullin
6 years ago #3
Thanks, @ Sandra Smith. Keep being mindful!
Patrick Scullin
6 years ago #2
don kerr
6 years ago #1