September Moment of Mindfulness

Hello Everyone,

This month’s “Moment of Mindfulness” like most critical situations unfolded within a matter of seconds. 99% of the time whenever traveling outside of the home I use my white cane to assist with navigating the environment which is now nicknamed “The Game Changer” since my reality of the World and how people interact with me is completely different as far as night and day based on whether I have it out or not. If I have “The Game Changer” unfolded people are extremely nice, accommodating, and overly sensitive to my needs such as opening doors or allowing me to have the right of way while passing. When I don’t use the white cane I get attitude, hostility, and men sometimes want to fight, “Why don’t you look where you're going!” is the typical response received if I accidentally ever happen to get to close or bump into anyone.

Just the other day while walking across the street to the local neighborhood food market, there was a group of three men approximately in their late 20’s early 30’s; standing and shooting the you know what on the corner, blocking my right of passage on the sidewalk. Although I had “The Game Changer” inside of my backpack on this particular occasion I didn’t feel the need to use it since I was only going to really quickly pick up a package of hot dog buns and return back home. As I came closer to the group of men I could hear their laughter off in the distance and knew I was approaching their proximity. Yelling out I in a joyous playful tone said, “Pardon me guys.”. “One of the men walked over towards me responding, “Yeah, excuse you.” Within a matter of split seconds I witnessed my Mind and Body shift from being calm, open and relaxed to anger, tension and irritability. My knee jerk reaction was to stand up for myself and react to his comment with further aggression especially as someone who throughout childhood often received advice from his Father, “Stand your ground.” And don’t take no shit from nobody.” Once as a child, I even witnessed good 'ol Pops enter a fist fight over a parking space inside of a crowded Fedco parking lot during the busy Christmas season.

But did I react with aggression? Everything within my Mind and Body told me to do so however I took a moment instead to pause, found my Breath, and reacted with Mindful Awareness. I walked away from the group of men, picked up the package of hot dog buns but this time while returning home I made sure to have out the “Game Changer”. I approached the group of men once again and profusely apologized for any inconvenience I may have caused. This time however the same guy that was mouthy to me earlier said out loud as I was passing, “Don’t worry about it, the World is yours, Papi! Exercising “A Moment of Mindfulness” allowed for me to completely change the trajectory of what may have happened. ”

Just Be & Be Well,

Eric Cooley, MSW, TMF