The Quality of a Thought

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By Annie Shackelford

I’ve been away in thoughts…some quality, some needing more attention, less perseverating. Refocusing and finding my way back to the mat is where I find I can always begin again! 

Last January I attended a 5 part talk and meditation series at Kadampa Meditation Center, entitled: Forget Willpower, Try Wisdom. I connected with the Kadam (teacher) after one session to be sure I followed a message that caught my attention … 

“The quality of our day is directly related to the quality of our thoughts”

A powerful statement that had me thinking for awhile; how does this relate to my own experience? Am I spending too much time on any one thought, unaware of my current experience? Now, a year (of unimaginable events) later, I am once again reflecting on this message. Our ability to connect with awareness to a thought is one of the best ways to ground ourselves to the present. Once grounded, we then have a choice in following a thought or letting it go. 

It’s never too late to start a 2021 mindfulness and/or meditation practice to keep yourself grounded in the swing of things! 

Artwork: My own photo, artist, Kimberly Kae https://opositivefestival.org/mural-program/

Kadampa Meditation Center: https://meditationinnewyork.org/

More posts by Annie: Annie’ Shackelford’s newsletter

Annie Shackelford

Annie Shackelford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in practice for the past 15 years. She is an experienced therapist and group facilitator, having authored and been awarded grant funding for HIV/OB Education and Support groups and Young Adult Psychosocial Support Groups at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has years of experience working with anxiety, depression, adjustment to illness, chronic and acute illness, life transitions, pregnancy and loss.

https://learnmindfulnessnow.com/team/annie-shackelford
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