Being Present Stories presents 'The Lion on the Path.

This is a series of stories about presence.

Birthday practice

Hello, Today is my birthday and I wanted to take the opportunity to bring to you a birthday practice. It does not matter if today is also your birthday or not. What matters is there is no better time to celebrate life than today. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you for joining our practices this year!

"It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over."- Paulo Coelho

Thank you for joining our practice, and thank you to those who have been following us.

After a couple of years of so many challenges, it feels like a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the things that are truly important for us. We might still get annoyed about the not very friendly work colleague, employee or boss. You might be angry at your friend, brother, sister or parents. Anyone that you feel caused you harm. You might be annoyed about the current situation, our government and the lack of understanding, compassion and empathy the world shows around us. However, imagine that all these could be part of a dream, an untrue story that our heads stick to, to keep on making us feel bad, angry, upset or revengeful.

How would it be like to wake up today and realise that all was a dream or nightmare and that we are fine, balanced and calmed inside? This could be achieved by using the power of looking at the good things in life. Neurological science has demonstrated that the human brain is not capable of focusing on two things at the same time. Therefore, if this is the case, it might be possible that we could potentially be addicted to only negative situations, being stuck in a one-sided aspect of life. This probably means we are closer to freedom than we think, knowing that we can choose how we feel, who we get surrounded by and how to enjoy our lives.

As you know through our practice, one of the most effective tools we have to retrain our minds is by using appreciation and gratitude. If you combine mindful appreciation and connect this feeling with your body, it will become a powerful trigger for lasting change.

Practice for the Festive times

1. Prepare to let go of uncomfortable emotions or situations that kept you trapped in the shadows, the darkness, the anger and the frustration.

2. Make a list of situations or emotions that make you still feel bad.

3. Observe each one at a time, feel them. Pick one.

4. Now, acknowledge this feeling. Put your hands in your heart or your head or where ever you feel this feeling is stored in your body, and say I am grateful for having your message and now I let you be.

5. Then say thank you, thank you, thank you for having given me this message.

6. Repeat this process with each feeling you would like to be at peace with it.

For example; I pick this anger I have for my family for having maltreated me. I acknowledge you, Anger, I am grateful for telling me things were not right at the time, and for being part of my journey.

I gained strength, power, and self-consciousness, which has made me respond in an authentic way. Thank you, thank you, thank you, as I know who I am now; strong, powerful, and resilient.

Now I let you be, as I no longer need this message.

And finally, I will leave you with three questions for the year that finishes:

Did I honour myself and my commitment to my spiritual practice? Have I created deeper connections with my family and friends? Did I find the ideal balance between being and doing this year?

Have a beautiful festive time, starting now. Remember, every second of the day is an opportunity to make things right for you and others.

Be well, be fae and be grateful