There are people that are doing the work of living and seeing and growing, within the system. They are stretching consciousness in all they do with all they are, pushing against the systems of fear and oppression with their own internal work, and in that they are opening everything around them. In a practical way. Not rebelling against the system, or creating a new one, but being open within what is.
Last Thursday morning, having my coffee at Tarallucci E Vino on 18th, I meet Marta, who is doing exactly that. Seeing, and working, and learning and ready to share.
Hello Marta, what have you learned?
WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGY?
My approach is to whatever happens meet it with curiosity. when you say to yourself “what can i learn from this situation, what can i challenge myself” suddenly the stress is not that overwhelming - but the problem with the approach is that you have to be mindful. otherwise the situation pulls you in and the situation takes over and emotions and hormones.
I have been reading this book about the power of habits. There are these inflection points, moments when you think this is your day, and something happens that has the possibility to change direction. This is the point when the habit comes in. when you train yourself to be good in a stressful situation that takes you outside of your comfort zone. you learn to deal with these moments better when you change your habit. Then you can face anything.
We need to plan for things outside of our comfort zone.
HOW TO PRACTICE?
Meditation helps. because of the focus. i can see more and separate things. Through the training of meditation I can more more easily from one moment to another without dragging a past moment or feeling with me. If in this moment you think of past negativity I will carry it with me.
WHERE TO PRACTICE?
The restaurant is a great place to learn. I feel forces from customer, bosses, and employees. The interests often collide and I am in the middle and I have to make discions. That is the time where I need to not go to my habit but breathe and be curious.
Everything starts with your own internal work and takes a certain mindfulness. if you aren’t mindful a person, your habit takes over. if you see the triggers with emotionality it takes a small trigger and you are there. the pull is unbelievable. but if you work on your habit. you are ready to approach it when it arrises. then you can change it.
WHERE TO MEET MARTA?
If you are lucky, Marta will greet you at Tarallucci E Vino on 18th street. And if you are smart, you will ask her for more than just a table.