zoom in…zoom out (ZIZO)

This weekend I chatted with a stunningly mindful friend.  She shared her "Zoom In/Zoom Out" technique for not getting pulled into forgetfulness, and becoming upset due to any craziness she may see (like, for instance, the news…)

At the basic level, it works like this: read whatever news or info is in front of you, feel the feelings.  Zoom in to the details for a certain, smallish, amount of time.  Then, zoom out and consciously remind yourself that the birds are still singing, flowers are blooming, and the world will continue to be filled with beautiful things...no matter what we humans do.

ZIZO is a valuable technique for living in this world and not being overwhelmed by it.  It lets our left brain get its "story," but not get lost in it.