Lately, it has been hot, so I decided to do something that would make life a little easier. I cooked a bunch of different meals in the crock pot, put them into containers, and froze them. That way, when the weather is hot, I wouldn't have to do much cooking. Then a flyer came in from the local Mexican market. They had pineapples, plantains, mangoes, watermelon, cucumbers—fresh fruits and vegetables at really good prices. They also had beef shanks. So after the gym, I had my caretaker take me to the store. I already had plenty of food at home. I had meals in the freezer, food in the refrigerator, and everything I needed. I wasn't going to the store because I was running out of food. But when I got there, something happened. I felt happy. The store was colorful and full of fresh food. I could choose one of this, two of that, three of something else. I wasn't limited to whatever quantity happened to come in a package. I could actually look at what I wanted and decide what I wa...
“When the Mind Wanders: Gentle Ways to Return to Stillness” Meditation isn’t about having a blank mind—it’s about learning how to come back. It’s completely normal to drift into thought during meditation, especially when you're working with visualization. One moment, you’re feeling the beautiful flow of light moving through your body… the next, you’re thinking about your to-do list or what’s for dinner. That’s not failure. That’s the nature of the mind. The real power comes from noticing when you've wandered—and gently returning, again and again. Here are some simple and compassionate ways to quiet the mind and guide yourself back into your meditation practice when distractions arise. 1. Acknowledge and Return (Without Judgment) Don’t fight the thought—just notice it. “There’s a thought.” Redirect your focus with gentleness. This is how you build mental strength. 2. Anchor Yourself to Sensations Tune into physical cues like warmth, tingling, or pressure in ...