How is your heart?

If we could only slow down to enjoy this life that goes by in a blink of an eye. 

If we could only place value on BEING versus DOING.

If we could only breathe more deeply.

If we could only enjoy the silence.

If we could only be in the moment.

If we could only be grateful.

If we could only do these things we would find joy and peace.

Recently I read a great article about this very subject on 

onbeing.org. The following is from the article, "The Disease of Being Busy" by Omid Safi, weekly columnist:

"...This disease of being "busy" is spiritually destructive to our health and wellbeing. It saps our ability to be fully present with those we love the most in our families, and keeps us from forming the kind of community that we all so desperately crave...."

"It doesn't have to be this way. In many Muslim cultures, when you want to ask them how they're doing, you ask" in Arabic, Kayfhaal-ik? or in Persian, Haal-e shomaa chetoreh? How is your haal?

What is this haal that you inquire about? It is the transient state of one's heart. In reality, we ask, "How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?" When I ask, "How are you?" that is really what I want to know.

I am not asking how many items are on your to-do list, nor asking how many items are in your inbox. I want to know how your heart is doing, at this very moment. Tell me. Tell me your heart is joyous, tell me your heart is aching, tell me your heart is sad, tell me your heart craves a human touch. Examine your own heart, explore your soul, and then tell me something about your heart and your soul.

Tell me you remember you are still a human being, not just a human doing. Tell me you're more than just a machine, checking off items from your to-do list. Have that conversation, that glance, that touch. Be a healing conversation, one filled with grace and presence...

...Tell me something about your heart, and awaken my heart..."

I hope you take the time to read the article in full and there are many other good articles worth reading here:

onbeing.org

Living a life of gratitude, counting gifts and blessings, requires us to slow down. We develop a new rhythm for living our life. It's not easy. We want to return to what we know which is the busy, the frantic, the packed schedule that produces more anxiety and stress. But it's familiar and I easily slip back into old habits. Then I have to remember to stop and breathe. Slow my breath and slow my mind. Practice the art of mindfulness. (You can find many books and websites on mindfulness, youtube videos, and local classes and workshops in many areas.)It's the practice of being awake and fully aware. Remembering that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.