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Thursday, December 24, 2015

Thursday Thoughts...

“A tiny bud of a smile on your lips nourishes awareness and calms you. It returns you to the peace you had lost. A smile is the most basic kind of peace work.” 

 Thich Nhat Hanh

I have skimmed over this thought before; but it has come to hold more meaning of late.  I know for myself that if I am feeling down or cranky or even angry - if I can physically form my face into a smile that something changes.  Something changes within me and I automatically feel different. Not cured for sure, but better.

No doubt there is some chemistry stuff involved; no doubt some psychology stuff involved; and probably a tad of just who knows what involved, but I have found that in a small way, it shifts something in me.

Maybe it can also shift something in somebody else.

I think Thich Nhat Hanh is right that it returns you to the peace you had lost - those words capture beautifully for me, the fleeting re-calibration that occurs.

It is Christmas time and I wish my friends across the interweb, the world and nearby, a time of togetherness, of sharing and of peace.

Our family will be gathering but without our centre - my mum died ten days ago and we are bereft.  I try a tiny smile every now and again.


Our Christmas tree decoration this year - Barry's metal peace doves...

20 comments:

  1. Oh I'm so sorry. Losing a mom is such a hard thing ... tears prick my eyes with the remembrance of it. So yes, small smiles accompanied by soft-spun memories of happy days. I bid you and yours peace.

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    1. Liz, thank you. You are right, it is so very hard, but I like your words of soft-spun memories...beautiful Go well.

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  2. I'm so sorry about your mother. I hope the love around you at Christmastime feeds your soul. :)

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    1. Thanks for your kind words AES - 'twas good to gather again. Go well.

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  3. Fiona, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to be in the holiday spirit when a loved one has just passed away; we had a death in our family on Friday. As to your thoughts on smiling, there is actually research showing that smiling causes a change in brain chemicals that makes you feel happier. Wishing you many blessings for the holidays, and keep smiling.

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    1. Thanks Sharmon, I must admit the holiday spirit sort of passed me by this year...I'm interested in the research around smiling and brain chemicals and am sure it is right! Go well.

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  4. I am sorry to hear that you have lost your Mother. Take your time to grieve and remember all the lovely times.
    Big hugs from Sandy in the UK

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    1. Thanks for the long distance hugs Sandy - losing a mum is hard and so very sad. I am going gently which is good. Go well.

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  5. Oh Fiona I am sorry, Christmas never seems a good time and yet I seem to have lost more relations around then than at any other time of the year. I miss my mother so much, still talk to her, she was 98 and had been a big part of my life for so long. Hope the New Year is better.

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    1. Thanks Penny - I think the loss of a mother at any age is hard; what a life your mum must have led! Hope your new year goes well.

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  6. Dear Fiona, I'm sorry to hear such sad news. Never easy to lose loved ones but Christmas makes it even harder. I lost my mum six years ago and still think daily of things I want to tell her. I know you are surrounded by love at this time. Go well...

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    1. Thank you Carol - it is hard at anytime but this time of year means we have faced lots of 'firsts' quite quickly. I imagine I will always be thinking of things to tell her, or ask her...she was a remarkable woman. Go well...

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  7. I am so sad for your loss, Fiona. I wish there was something I could say to comfort you. Sending love and strength.

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    1. Ah Gaby thank you so much from across the miles...love and strength received! Go well.

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  8. The loss of a mother creates an unfillable void in the family. I am so sad for you.

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    1. Thank you Dana - our centre is gone and leaves a big hole. None of us can fill it, but we will do our best to mend it...go well.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.