Chapter 46. Begin again

In January 2006, I read an article in Health magazine on meditation, and these words catch my attention:

“The truth is, maybe you have two to three breaths before the mind wanders…

The point isn’t to turn off thinking, but to watch what happens when your mind wanders, to notice it with almost clinical observation, then let go of the thought and simply go back to breathing.

That’s the essence of meditation: being aware of what you’re thinking without getting caught up in it, releasing those thoughts, and starting over again.

‘Simple instruction – 
practicing moments of letting go and beginning again can have lifelong effects…

It’s a big deal to always be able to begin again. 
It says a lot about forgiveness and renewal, 
and being able to be gentle with yourself.’”

I hold onto this --

that it’s a big deal to begin again, 

and that we all need to begin again.

That it’s okay to be gentle with me. 

I repeat it to myself and to others.

I need to let go and begin again 

     and again 
    
          and again

              and again.