An Unexamined life is not worth living (uttered by Socrates)
I believe a lot on this philosophy. I have been a doer for a lot of time, it is essential to stop a while and do more thinking so I could understand what I have been doing is leading me to my desired life.
I would start examining my life, by summarizing things I have done and learned/experienced for each month. Hopefully I get to improve any mistakes when I review what I have done.
The stress was piling up in the month of April, I know well that the stress came most from my work. I would think about the work, before and when I was sleeping. However I was able to face it and control my mind better to put them aside and put myself to sleep.
In each morning, I managed to notice what were bothering me during my meditation, yes, mostly from the undone works from my job. But meditation helped me get through them, the morning meditation was like a daily cleansing, I was as if clearing my stress out to live a brand new day.
My interest on Yoga practice has become stronger and stronger. Though I have started practicing it by 2-3 times/week since February. I was especially moved after attending the Baptiste Yoga session on March, which was such an eye opener for me, I did not know that Yoga could be such empowering especially when we do it in a group and with the guidance of a Yoga teacher. I attended another 2 group sessions of Yoga practice, one was a private class, at Yoga In-Common and another one at a park, by Yoga Seeds (it was another new experience to me to do a group yoga practice under big trees and on the green grass). Both left me great energy throughout my days, especially I got my best friend accompanied when practicing Yoga at the park.
I felt deep calmness and happiness after my Yoga practice (be it practicing it at home or attending a class).
I also realized I could finally sit still with straight back for longer time during my meditation. I remember I used to start hunching my back after a 5 minutes of sitting. Now, I could easily sit straight for over 20 minutes without feeling pain on my back.
I felt great improvement from Yoga to my body parts. This motivated me to keep practicing more, longer each time.
From mid of April on wards, I almost practiced Yoga everyday, early morning at 5am during weekdays and evening practice during weekend.
*I could do a ‘Crow post / Bakasana’ now (Happy~)
14th April was public holiday, I planned myself a retreat in eat coast park, a 24 hours trip which I only wanted to get myself to the nature, and got away from the crowd, entertainment, noise.
The trip was very fruitful to me, I got to meditate as long as I wanted, practiced Yoga as much as I wished (under big greens, on the grass), read books I love. 24 hours trip was short, but I learned to appreciate the time no matter how short it is. We can make good things last longer, but when good time ought to be short, we should appreciate every moment we spend. I only felt blessed, nothing regretful. I wrote more about my treat in this post.
I did not miss my every Saturday class to learn Ukulele, and I often practice it at home at night, I think I have started to annoy my neighbors and my housemates. But I need to practice more.
I left only 2 more lessons in May and my Beginner Ukulele class will end. I still remember the joy when I managed to play and sing at the same time for a complete simple song (“Somewhere over the rainbow”).
The joy was that much when I found by singing while playing ukulele, it was actually helping me to destress, I was feeling happier after I sang. I totally believe music could switch someone’s mood, music could totally be powerful enough to heal, a lonely soul.
My test for JLPT (Japanese language) is getting nearer (early July), I started to go to library more on weekend, library is a place I could stay more focused, and motivated to study.
The bicycle-sharing service (oBike) has given me a chance to cycle without needing to own a bicycle, I think it is such an awesome idea. I started to cycle to a lot of places using the service from oBike. I also invited my friends to use it so we could cycle together, which means we got more reasons to gather and hang out. I try to make the chances to meet more often while we could. I cycled to music school, I cycled to market, it saved my time, money (I wrote about it here)
I got the news from my father that my uncle passed away from a car accident. I did not go for the funeral but I prayed for him in a buddhism event. It took my courage to make a call to my aunty, I was bad dealing with emotional people, situation. But I was glad I made the call and listened to her. I promised her I will make more calls to her whenever I got free time, and this time I shall not break my promise.
I continued making my Matcha Latte every morning. I also make my own meals more often.
Perhaps only when I wrote them down, then only I would ask myself what are more than these all for me to feel more greatful about April in 2017?
Namaste
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