Category: Mindfulness

Enjoy Ron Culberson's insights on a variety of topics

I Have a Lot on My Mind

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I Have a Lot on My Mind

My mind functions like a pile of garbage during a windstorm. One thought after another gets dumped onto the pile until there is a mountain of unnecessary, discarded trash. Then, a gust of wind comes along and the thoughts are stirred up into a whirlwind as I chase each one all over the heap. This […]

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Happy New Year…uh…Day

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Happy New Year…uh…Day

It’s that time of year again. Even if you haven’t put away the decorations, I suspect you have spent the past few weeks putting away enough food and drink for the both of us. And I’m right there with you. Now, it’s time to get back to work, back to school, and back to the […]

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Thinking Takes Us Places

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Thinking Takes Us Places

When I mow the yard, I think. And I think. And I think.  Between the repetitive movement across the grass and the loud noise from the mower, there is not much else to do. It’s not like I can call up a neighbor and engage in a pleasant conversation about how his grass is growing.  […]

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Responding to the Cards We’re Dealt

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Responding to the Cards We’re Dealt

A couple of weeks ago, my wife Wendy and I were engrossed in a one-on-one game of Canasta. The two of us started playing last year and have even joined a monthly Canasta group in our community. I don’t really have a mind for card playing so these games can test my patience. Add to […]

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Taken For Granted

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Taken For Granted

Have you ever considered how much we take for granted every day? Most of us don’t have to worry about basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. When we do, we become acutely aware of their value. However, if we look beyond these basics, there are many important conveniences that we may not even […]

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Just Being

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Just Being

I recently got demoted by United Airlines. Well, that’s not exactly true. They didn’t really demote me. I just didn’t fly as much last year so my frequent flyer status is lower. In the big scheme of things, this is not a big deal. It’s not a serious illness; it’s not a car accident; it’s […]

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Living in a World of Impermanence

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Living in a World of Impermanence

The C&O Restaurant in Charlottesville, VA is a very special place for my wife and me. Back in 1982, when I was in college, I had more hair but less money. I took my then girlfriend Wendy to the C&O Restaurant for Valentine’s Day. We had a wonderful evening but the meal set me back […]

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It’s Good to Retreat

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It’s Good to Retreat

I remember a colleague once saying that he no longer went on “retreats” but preferred to go on “advances.” I like that. A retreat should always lead to an advance. And recently, I experienced a retreat that might very well advance me into a good place in the future. It all started with a casual […]

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Curing Center of the Universe Syndrome

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Curing Center of the Universe Syndrome

The following stories are true. The names have been omitted to protect the guilty. But you know who you are. Recently, I was walking to my gate when I saw four airport employees pushing four empty wheelchairs. They were walking side-by-side while talking and laughing. It was an amusing sight. That is, until I realized […]

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