| Hi Friend,
Have you had a day when much of what happens during the day takes you to the edge and feels like a test? A day that calls all you have learned and practiced over the years to save you from falling off an emotional cliff. Today was one of those days.
To add to the stress, was the loud, very loud banging of a hammer and distant buzz saw sounds from above that lasted A-L-L D-A-Y L-O-N-G. It was definitely not the most fun day to be working from home. Yet, I could not leave. The work I do on Monday requires a good internet connection and, get this, quiet. Yep, it's the day I lead my Wisdom Tea virtual retreat.
I thought of canceling. I could not imagine how was I going to lead a 20-30 minute meditation session with that loud noise in the background. I went to my Facebook group to post a cancellation, but something stopped me from doing so, and I decided to post my wish for the noise to stop (hoping the universe would answer).
Turns out, the universe was busy, or my request was late. The noise persisted and it was time to lead the call. In that moment, I was presented with yet another option to cancel. I could simply announce the noise dilemma, apologize, and reschedule. Again, something told me to persist and simply give the attendees the option to stay or leave. They stayed - which lifted my spirits a teeny bit. But didn't stop the worry.
I switched from my desktop mic to my helicopter-like headset mic hoping for better noise reduction. This was a test in so many ways.
I had to let go of perfection, and just go for it. Wondering if the recording would amplify the banging, and the attendees would be even more stressful than when they arrived. Damn, was I glad for the decades of mindfulness practice. I had to call on most every technique to keep going.
Blocking out the noise in the room. Blocking out the doubt in my head. Staying focused on the meditation while my brain was wishing I could yell at my neighbor. Attempting to focus on the intention for the call without constantly bringing attention to the loud noise by asking, "can you hear the banging? I simply forged ahead hoping my choice of headset mic, with recommended noise reduction, was doing it's job. Hoping that the noise, almost deafening at my end, was not so at their end. All this was going on in my head as I attempted to lead the guided meditation.
As the universe would have it, my intuitive pick for the meditation reading from the Tao (I turn the pages and let my intuition pick the reading) was on perfection. WOW! Was I grateful for that sychronicity.
I practiced returning to breath as I read the passage, with gratitude. Allowing myself to be present to what was going on around me without judgement, or complaints. Moving from pure distraction to breathing and connecting with the attendees. Choosing to focus on the gift I was sharing over the noise that was crashing into my day. Breathing and thinking of serving others helped me come present and let go of the negative energy running through my head. It later helped me be at peace for the next couple hours of banging.
This also brought me to the realization that the entire situation was my practice. That something in me needs to let go of the outside noise, come present, and keep moving forward with my work.
Although I hope my neighbor's renovations come to an end sooner than later, I am grateful for the mindfulness practices that allowed me to avoid quitting or being pissed. To stay my path and share the gift I love giving. The gift of retreat.
I hope your practice supports you in dealing with whatever noise exists inside or outside of you.
Wishing you peace amidst the noise. Hope to share the gift of retreat with you on our Monday Wisdom Tea: A Little Sip of Peace virtual meditation circle. (stay connected in our YINpreneur™ Wisdom Circle Facebook group)
From my heart to yours, | 
