Natalie Goldberg often says, "do not get tossed away." It's a phrase she passes on from her Zen teacher Katagiri Roshi. Getting tossed away means not practicing (meditation, writing, other forms of practice).
What getting tossed away looks like for me:
- the kids get sick
- shopping online, especially after clicking an email advertising a sale
- when my emotions surge
- when my house is full of company
- when I travel
How to stay rooted, even when the above happen:
- wake up early
- stay up late
- hold back from checking email and/or looking at my phone for large swaths of time
- ask for space to write (when company is in town, when traveling)
Noticing when I get tossed away is the first step towards combating it.