That’s what I love about life

Tina 55, married with five children and one grandchild. She teaches meditation.

How are you?

I just am. (Can you elaborate on that please) There’s lots of stuff going on, there always is. There will always be dramas, that's the way life is so there's no point feeding them. I’m fine, often it's other people's energy that affects me - not my own. I am quite contented. 

I don’t react to things, I breathe and just let life happen. I go quiet and go inside myself. The moment passes and if for some reason it lingers, then I am able to detach myself, even from my own family. 

What's your most memorable experience?

Having my first child and getting married. Both things were exciting and new experiences. 

One time I remember I was in the car looking and watching people walking by; there was a real sense of peace inside of me. It was like I was observing everything from a different perspective. It wasn't from my physical being, if that makes sense. It was a moment when I felt as though I was on a different vibration and it gave me a sense that everything is as it should be. 

How do you think other people see you?

Calm. I think people think I know more than I do. I think they sense my inner knowing and it scares some people. 

How do you see yourself?

Calm, steady and well balanced. 

What do you like about yourself?

I like that I'm non judgmental. People open up to me. They feel confident and able to express their inner feelings to me. For some reason I tend to attract people that are hard work or aggressive. But I like that challenge. I know once we’ve chatted, they feel calmer and more relaxed.

What brings you down?

I don’t get down but what frustrates me is politics. I hate it when the big boys like Trump have all the power. I hate it when things happen in the world and people just stand by and do nothing.

What are you dreams?

For my kids to be happy in whatever they do. Knowing that I can access that inner stillness that I know is always there - it shows me that nothing really matters. 

Where does all you every go?

I often feel other peoples energy the minute I walk out of my front door. It can really impact me. I know it's not my stuff so I take to my bath for an hour and relax. 

How do you best express yourself? 

I have a meditation room at home, it's the most peaceful space - this matches who I am. There's not a day goes by when I don’t meditate and take time for myself.

Who or what inspires you?

When I go quiet I get a sense of grace - a connection.  It's in that stillness that I connect with God.

I believe everything happens for a reason. You have to be quiet to allow that feeling to come.. I don’t go into my mind so much. You can miss out on a lot if you go searching with your mind. You can become tunnelled visioned and forget to acknowledge the small things and to be thankful. 

I have a friend, we have an inner knowing. We don't need to speak, we communicate somehow without words. It’s almost telepathic. There’s no superficial chat, it’s a shared sense of something inexplicable. I like that. 

What is life to you? 

Life is your breath. You are life. We are life. We are looking outward but it’s all going on inward. Life is in everything, take this morning for instance; I opened the back door to let the dogs out and in came the robin, he’s our constant visitor. That’s what I love about life. 

What would you like to leave for the next generation?

For my children to be accepting of themselves and have self belief. Look within yourself first before you look ‘out there’. 

Are you free?

I think we are always free, it’s our minds that tell us we’re not. I get that sense of freedom daily.