Reading the mindful poem, “Stand Still” by David Wagoner. Nature has wisdom to pass down to all who listen. Nature is the place where we can easily dial into the awareness of the present moment, where happiness and peace have always been. Stand still and find what your have been seeking. Thanks for listening... Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music: Faith, Prod. Ryini Beats: https://www.youtube.com/ryini

Stand Still
By David Wagoner

The trees before you and the bushes beside you are not lost.
Wherever you are is a place called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes.
Listen.
It answers, I have made this place around you,
If you leave it, you may come back again saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost.
Stand still.
The forest knows
Where you are.
You must let it find you.

Creating the balance we so much want but something always seems to get in the way. Conditioned behaviors become our walls. Hence, why life can easily turn into the imbalance we are hoping to avoid. Adapting mindful attitudes such as patience, generosity, and gratitude, we can gently find happiness. Perhaps it’s true, we should be more like our trusted companions. Thanks for listening... Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music: Believe in You, Prod. Ryini Beats: https://www.youtube.com/ryini

Family Dog
If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you when,
through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can do all of this,
THEN YOU ARE PROBABLY THE FAMILY DOG!

Reading the mindful poem, “Allow” by Dana Faulds. It reminds us that life is unfair at times. And trying to control the unfairness is not the answer. Happiness may be found in accepting all things as they are and all people as who they are. Choosing how you want to respond to the “lightning bolts," “tornados,” and "tides," could make all the difference. Simply allow grace-acceptance, forgiveness, and love. Thanks for listening... Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music: My Dreams, Prod. Ryini Beats: https://www.youtube.com/ryini

Allow by Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt, containing a tornado.
Dam a stream and it will create a new channel.
Resist, and the tide will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry you to higher ground.
The only safety lies in letting it all in — the wild and the weak; fear, fantasies, failures, and success.
When loss rips off the doors of the heart, or sadness veils your vision with despair, practice becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your known way of being, the whole world is revealed to your new eyes.

Reading the mindful poem, “Limitless” by Dana Faulds. Reciting the poetic words in my mind, I imagine myself on a mindful walk with my companion on a nearby coastal trail early one morning. It’s only at this moment, I can notice the wonders of nature with full curiosity and clarity. Much like the nurturing messages from the sun, the wren, the stream, the wind, the stars, and the ant, nature here too can create endless gratitude for life. YES, the quiet is truly where everything is clear. Thanks for listening... Being Mindful at Sea Level. 

Music: Clarity, Prod. Ryini Beats: https://www.youtube.com/ryini

Reading the mindful poem "Autobiography in Five Chapters" written by Portia Nelson. The poet describes change with such simplicity. The words should remind us that we can set a change in motion if we decide to change. It's a personal decision that can be very difficult sometimes. Some of us find ourselves trapped in whatever life brings us, whether it's everyday routines or worse suffering, pain, addiction, or unhealthy relationships. Finding happiness could be as simple as becoming aware and making mindful intentions. Thank you for listening… Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music by Guitarfulness.com, Soothing Mindful Guitar, https://youtu.be/CFR3rQf95Aw

Reading the mindful poem "The Guest House" by Rumi. Penned over 7 centuries ago, the poet reveals life as being brilliantly colorful with constant change, much like life today. Thoughts and feelings seem to constantly visit our wondering minds, “this being human.” The ruminating and rehearsals of life events are best welcomed, but allowed to pass like “guests in the guesthouse.” Why? To find our restful minds, even if it's just for a moment. Thank you for listening... Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music: Storytelling, Prod Ryini Beats: https://www.youtube.com/ryini

Reading the mindful poem "Dear You" by Kaveri Patel. This riveting poem captures what we all know is true. We seem to get lost and exhausted in our mental restlessness with ruminating and rehearsing thoughts of yesterday and tomorrow. It’s in the present moment that we can choose to be in our restful minds. It’s always there. “Being” instead of always “doing” is a choice. Thank you for listening… Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music by Whitesand - Forgotten, https://youtu.be/Gw7YRbVWx4w

Reading the mindful poem, “The Invitation“ by Oriah Mountain Dreaming. The mindful poem is about relationships. It’s about awareness, focus, and discipline in the relationship that’s in right in front of you, perhaps after years of being a student of failed relationships. Have the courage to be responsive to your own needs, and not others. Thank you for listening… Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music: Anchor, Seldom

Mindful at Sea Level podcast is a personal journal of mindfulness with readings of insightful poetry, guided meditations, reflections, and curiosities I hope will resonate with you. This podcast is offered by Bob A, yep that’s me!!! I’m a trained mindfulness coach and military retiree living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing over four decades of world travel and plenty of life experience "in the pursuit of success combined with restlessness.” Thank you for listening… Being Mindful at Sea Level. Music by Black Piano Classics, Guitar and Sea #10, https://music.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-melodies-guitars-vol-2020/1500410526