{"id":11451,"date":"2016-05-11T17:17:09","date_gmt":"2016-05-11T21:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beginnersheart\/?p=11451"},"modified":"2016-05-11T17:17:09","modified_gmt":"2016-05-11T21:17:09","slug":"one-step-over-the-fine-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beginnersheart\/2016\/05\/one-step-over-the-fine-line.html","title":{"rendered":"one step over the fine line"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"via<\/a>
via flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am, far too often, a judge-y shrew. Seriously: I\u00a0frequently<\/em> think that my advanced years, coupled w\/ too much education, not to mention a\u00a0boatload<\/em> of books read, entitles me to offer comment to complete strangers. We won’t even go in to how often I say things to sons, nieces, nevvies, etc.<\/p>\n

There’s a fine line, I’m figuring out, between caring deeply what happens to those I love. Or even to the world around me — a child stuck in a hot stroller, parked in the sun. A teenage girl being reprimanded insultingly in a public place by a parent who should know better. A politician who hands out\u00a0racial & sexist slurs as if they were bumper stickers.<\/p>\n

Lately — in large part, I acknowledge, because of the vitriol swirling around election year — I’ve been over the line. More often than once. For which I am heartily, deeply, apologetically sorry. But it keeps happening. (This is what happens when you let your meditation practice lapse!)<\/p>\n

\"via<\/a>
via flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So I’m getting ready — yet again — to stop pretending that breathing slowly while I watch the birds cavort in this amazing spring we’re enjoying is the same as sitting. Or walking mindfully. Or even drawing. My beloved & I end up discussing (re: yelling about) the newest idiocy that masquerades as politics in today’s election arena, and I’m apoplectic again. Sheesh.<\/p>\n

And the next thing I know? I’m not only judging some politician, but everyone who walks into my purview. NOT good beginner’s heart, I’m telling ya!<\/p>\n

Does this happen to you? Do you find yourself upset about A<\/em>, only to fly off the handle — or be less than loving\/ compassionate\/ open to R<\/em>? Want to share what you do to unravel the snarl? In the meantime? It’s back to the chair, to sit patiently. And maybe learn some patience…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I am, far too often, a judge-y shrew. Seriously: I\u00a0frequently think that my advanced years, coupled w\/ too much education, not to mention a\u00a0boatload of books read, entitles me to offer comment to complete strangers. We won’t even go in to how often I say things to sons, nieces, nevvies, etc. There’s a fine line,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":398,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[256,1175,1176],"tags":[11,1181,1187,262,1171,1245,470,903],"class_list":["post-11451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-meditation","category-patience","category-sitting","tag-beginners-heart","tag-britton-gildersleeve","tag-buddhism","tag-buddhist-blogs","tag-election-year","tag-meditation","tag-patience","tag-sitting"],"yoast_head":"\none step over the fine line - Beginner's Heart<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I am, far too often, a judge-y shrew. 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