Introductions

[FeeHutch]

Thank you
We don't have the promised snow but it is more than a bit nippy this morning!
I hope you have a great week too.

[JonW]

Welcome to the site, Saskia.
I had the pleasure of visiting Cape Town this time last year and fell in love with the place.
It's snowing here today in Brighton, UK.
All good things, Jon

[Steve]

I have copied much of this from elsewhere in this forum as I’ve only just spotted this ‘introduce yourself’ section – so apologies if you’ve already seen this but it seemed more appropriate to put it in this section.

I am very fortunate as I don't have any significant health concerns (like some others on here do). However, like many other people, I suffer from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Whilst securely married, I would like my relationship to get back to what it used to be but I shy away from conflict so ended up getting stressed out and fed up by any cross exchange of words. I have also been going through a stressful time at work. Although I am also financially secure, I have had to postpone early retirement following an ongoing dispute with my former business partners (equivalent to 5 years income - too much for me to walk away from).

I love reading and investigating new ideas and have read all sorts of self-help books and came across meditation several years ago and then took an 8 week mindfulness course. I have practised on and off for a few years: every time I pick it up again, it helps me cope, is a source of peace and serenity and helps me deal with the stresses and strains (without taking them so personally) so I get to enjoy life again rather than being perpetually caught up in worrying about the past or the future. It’s great to hear how mindfulness helps those of you who have more life challenges than I (and this helps me appreciate what I have rather than worrying about what I don't have) but mindfulness is also of benefit to those of us who merely 'suffer' from the challenges of everyday living. I am making a determined effort to improve several areas of my life in 2013 and the bedrock of this is mindfulness – I’m enjoying the journey so far.

“Smile, breathe and go slowly”

Steve

[larorra]

Welcome to the community saskia! I am sure you will enjoy the posts and find lots of support in your mindfulness journey it gas helped. Me alot and everyone is friendly. Enjoy!

[Saskia]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all of you.

I look forward to spending more time here and browsing around a bit.

Here's to smelling the roses

[here]

Hi. I'm in week four of my eight week course. I'm nowhere near depressed but prevention is better than cure so they say and besides, why not?

Nice to meet you all. I'm greatly looking forward to discussing mindfulness with you!

[FeeHutch]

Welcome to our community here

[jungblood]

Hello everyone!

My name is Lucas... I'm a 38-year-old guy, from Ireland orginally, but now living in New York by some weird twist of fate (more a twist of economics actually - I was living in Spain for many years, but the economic collapse obliged me to 'go West' a few months ago)... I'm in a happy relationship with a wonderful woman who's patient enough to put up with me... ... I've been a regular meditator for a few years, but recently i've come to see the importance of practising mindfulness more in my day-to-day life too... When I was in my 20s I had 'difficulties' with drugs and alcohol, and although I've been sober for over a decade I'm still a sugar and shopping addict... last year I got interested in Alan Marlatt's work on 'urge surfing' and addiction - basically using mindfulness to observe the rise and eventual dissipation of compulsive urges, rather than acting on them - and it has helped me enormously... so I guess I'd say I'm interested in mindfulness as a means to live a more present and less consumption-oriented life...

I'm glad I found this board and I look forward to 'getting to know' people here... it seems live a very vibrant and interesting forum... nice to meet you!

All the best,
Lucas

[FeeHutch]

Hi Lucas
Welcome to our community, looking forward to getting to know you.
Fiona

[JonW]

Great to meet you, Lucas. Welcome aboard. Cheers, Jon