By March 31, 2021 Read More →

ZenView: Detaching from the Past

ZenView: Detaching from the Past
By Mary Layton

Looking back to my old life I feel a sense of bereavement and loss. As much as I wish that things were still like before I am learning to accept once again that everything comes to an end at some point. My schedule and routines have changed and many of my cherished experiences have ended faster than I could ever have imagined. I am realizing that that past experience with all its wonders and magic and fun and connections and habits had its life, time and place. Even though I may not ever continue down the same road as before I feel that these experiences live on in the cells of my body and in my soul. They are there for me to give and share with others and to draw strength and hope from. Endings are never easy to accept. But I feel I have a chance now to redefine myself and to redesign my life. Detaching from the past is to accept change. It is helping me to be open and present for whatever shows up right in front of me. This year the arrival of spring seems especially lovely. What a good feeling to see flowers and the sprouting of new life and to take in the good smells all around. It reminds me that nothing stays the same forever. We can count on the renewal of life. With it comes a more uplifting mood, new opportunities, the budding of new ideas and creations. There have been many losses but there have also been many gains. The pandemic and the many stresses that we have gone through as a society has made us learn things that may make life better for us as we recover and move forward. We needed to depend on our families more, spend more time together, maybe even moved in with family. I heard that many spouses, partners and friends got closer and we’re feeling grateful for many things that they had taken for granted. We found new innovative ways of connecting with each other through Zoom and FaceTime which added a new facet of communication tools. We learnt to entertain each other, sending pictures and videos. The other great thing is that we can work anywhere now and that is truly a break from the past. It’s a new day! It’s a new life! It’s a new world. We are all in this together.

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About the Author:

Mary Layton has practiced T'ai Chi for 35 years and co-founded T'ai Chi Ch'uan Academy of Modesto in1995. She and her partner have taught hundreds of students. Mary travels frequently to learn from her teacher Grand Master Kai Ying Tung. Interested in every aspect of health Mary likes to follow a natural path. She loves writing, painting, gardening, hiking and playing piano.