School is back in session. Today is Labor Day. And fall is a mere 15 days away! August seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Looking back over the month, it was a hot and humid one here. That meant I spent more time inside, which meant I did a lot of reading. Not in terms of books, per se, I read only four. Small Game by Blair Braverman, Frieda McFadden’s The Divorce, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, and The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. It was the number of pages I read, however, that really added up. Stockett’s book alone was 656 pages! Two short mysteries, the Braverman and McFadden novels were like delicious appetizers. Guilty pleasures and fun to indulge in. Keefe’s book, a true crime mystery, was like a pasta meal made from scratch. Authentic, well-composed, and each ingredient added something significant to the overall dish. And Stockett’s novel was like an omakase dinner! Multi-courses with each unique serving taking me farther on the journey. All page turners, they provided a welcome respite from the weather. Now that it’s September, I’m looking forward to cooler temperatures, renewed energy, and another mindful activity. This is one that may have been best practiced earlier on. I’ll explain more next, but first, let’s talk about mindful words.
From my journal: August 5, 2026, Newbury Park, California
“…I’m trying to my mind my words…only 5 days in and it’s a lot hard than I expected!”
My journal entry turned out to be quite an understatement. My goal in August was to practice speaking mindfully. I was to consider the five Buddha principles and ask myself, are the words I am going to say truthful? Are they kind words? Do they need to be verbalized? Is it the appropriate time to say these words? And am I going to relay words that will lead to clarity, harmony, and respect (or separation and division)? I was to pause and speak from the present moment, not in a reactive mode.
Did I do what I set out to? I can answer in one word, in capitalized letters for emphasis. NO! But why? It’d be easy to point to factors outside of myself. I could blame it on the daily non-stop turbulent news that is delivered to me on my phone, TV, and newspapers. I could say that it’s because I simply got caught up in conversations initiated and driven by others. I could blame it on the hot humid weather that compromised my rational thinking. But alas, the truth is I have only to look in one direction. At…me, myself, and I. I know this is the case because almost every one of my August journal entries says the same thing. That is, I was speaking out of habit. Yes, habit. Now that’s an issue to explore at another time, but I realized that I wasn’t taking the time to pause at all before I spoke. I know this is true too because, aware of this month’s activity, Robert tried to help me out. He’d just say, “Mindful,” when he knew I was about to say or I did say something that was perhaps out of habit and was reactive. This was quite eye-opening…or ear opening to be more precise.
I know I stumbled, said things I wish I hadn’t, and spoke without thinking, still I am glad for this experience. Because now I can step back and take another tact. Instead of beating myself up (which I have been doing all month), I am reminding myself that learning anything new takes practice and is a process, and just being aware is the first step in the right direction. And even more so, with a new approach I can try again.
So, September’s mindful activity is the precursor to mindful speaking. And what comes before speaking? Thinking, of course! (Or hopefully!) The practice of mindful thinking helps break automatic thought patterns and fosters more balanced responses to questions, ideas, and challenges. Like all in-the-moment activities, this one involves being present, being still, and pausing. Pausing to take a beat, a breath, and to give myself some space so I’ll be able to be proactive and decide if the thought I am having is really what I believe. Important because what I think impacts what I say, and ultimately what I do.
I am reminded of the Lao Tzo’s saying, “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” Keeping this in mind, it’s time to pay attention to first things first. My thoughts.
A Journal Journey 