January 4&5th 2012 ~ Between Peace and Joy

Yesterdays meditation was a simple one, and I have been doing it on and off yesterday and today. The meditation for today is one I'm unable to do at this time as you need to do it with someone, so it will just go on the back burner for a while.

The visualisation given for this meditation was of a dried up sponge, being walked out to see and upon getting moist in the ocean slowly unfolding and deep within a fish which had been sleeping came back to life and swam away. You then imagine the sponge is you heart, and as you are doing the dishes, washing your hair, anything you visualise your heart opening to the situation and finding peace.

 So as I struggle to actually recall what I did yesterday (I am pregnant don't forget) I do know that I actually did the meditation while I was getting my son to sleep, you might say I was so open to peace and joy that I ultimately drifted off myself, this being the main reason for this post being late. Having my 20month old boy quietly snoring curled up in my arms it was easy to have my heart fully open to the situation at hand and then ultimately join him in snooze land.

Today was a busy day, and yet again I opened my heart a few times and receive great peace and joy. We had visitors today, and I would love to be able to say I had my open heart enjoy a cuppa and a chat but I have to admit I was so caught up in the conversation and watching the delight on my son's face of having some playmates that I never even boiled the kettle (bad hostess!). Watching the children play was a pure joy moment, hearing my son giggle with delight and watching him hand over his toys was ... bliss.

Another significant moment today was simply folding laundry (sad but true) but maybe you'll understand when I tell you it was folding little 0000 sized clothes for the baby. Yes, my heart is definately calm between peace and joy waiting to hold my new little child.

And the simple pleasure of being gracious and accepting good will from another, in the past I'm not sure if I would have accepted. I would have insisted on paying or doing something in return, ultimately it always comes around but I was never one to be beholden to another. I asked for some pie, lemon meringue pie to be brought over (I was planning on paying). See I'm kinda stranded at present, no car, not allowed to go anywhere on my own with my son as I am on crutches with this pregnancy. I've learnt to ask a little more if I get the opportunity, good lesson I think. Anyway, not only did I get my pie, I got white choc mud cake too. Can I just say that bubby has a bit of a sweet tooth and the sweets won't be lasting long enough to be shared (much). So as I sat on our bed in the lovely cool air conditioning, with my husband home from work early watching the cricket on tv and our son flitting between being content to sit between us and play with the iPad and jumping all over the bed I ate a very large peace of pie and I once again opened my heart, to the moment, to the joy of eating, to having my family beside me ... to it all. Even my husband commented on how nice it all was (and he wasn't eating pie!).

So from this point forward, I will make a concious effort to remember to open my heart, to visualise it as the sponge in the sea, slowly unfolding and being open to the moment at had and in turn, being open to receive.

What have you opened your heart for lately?