After my long run today, as usual my routine would be to end with a quiet-sit-down-mindful meditative session. It doesn't matter how long it lasts - as long as I feel calmed down and peacefully satisfied to continue my day.
The chosen pavillion at the park was empty when I settled in to cool down. However, a mother with two young children entered the space and settled down opposite me, as I was getting ready to have my mindful moment.
The pretty preschool girl went to scale on the nearby slide, while the toddler brother was in his pram, and his mommy calling out periodically to his sister in a loving voice, to make sure she was ok. At the same time she was talking to the toddler, and snapping pictures with her phone.
My immediate reactive emotion was of a tensed one. "There goes my quiet moment, with the intention of listening to the calming sounds of nature."
However, the interaction of the family was such a loving one, I couldn't help but feel joy listening to them as I was trying to ease my emotions.
If practising quiet moments to calm down the self is to better face the reality of everyday life with ease, surely the actual practice of this in real life situations would be so much valid. Why would I need to be irritated and tensed when here I am doing this practice in reality!
And so, with my eyes closed and through calming breaths, I absorbed the activity of the little family. In the background the chirping of birds continued.
It was only for a brief moment. For not long after, the little girl was called back and they proceeded to leave.
I opened my eyes and exchanged looks with the mommy, both of us smiling. I waved bye-bye to the toddler who was too shy to return my goodbye - only to fix his gaze at me. The active little girl spontaneously said bye bye to me cheerfully with fully-lit eyes.
It was a good moment, and a good practice day for me.
