Welcoming a New Day

photo courtesy of Loaura Ockel

Meet today with new eyes,

opening wide to grace and beauty as the new backdrop of life.

Be a witness to the sacred in small things.

Be grateful for the gifts

and allow joy to inhabit your heart.

— Mary Davis, Everyday Spirit

Mindful Tip:

Start the day with an inspiring quote and let the quote be absorbed into your bones.

A Zoom Community

“Community does not necessarily mean living face-to-face with others; rather, it means never losing the awareness that we are connected to each other.”  — Parker J. Palmer

During the pandemic, I have found a new and exciting community on zoom.  The classes and workshops at One Spirit Learning Alliance in New York City are highly professional and most informative.  I participated in a 4-week zoom class entitled, “Finding Your Soul in Nature”.  It was lovely!  My fellow students were from Europe, Australia, South America and the U.S.  It was fascinating to listen to them share their experiences of nature living in such diverse natural settings.  Technology brought us together in an amazing way.  I got a front row seat to talk with people from all over the world.  In a deep and meaningful way, I did feel the truth that we are all connected to each other.  We all share the same breathing planet. 

Thank you One Spirit!

Mindful Tip:

Take a look at One Spirit’s website; www.1spirit.org and mindfully consider taking a workshop to enrich your life.  Invite a friend to experience it with you.  The organization also offers fabulous programs. Enjoy!

3 Tips for a Meditation Practice

photo courtesy of Ellieelien

A regular meditation practice is invaluable during these uncertain times of COVID-19 as the country begins to open up.  Meditating everyday releases stress, builds a resilience of calm, lowers blood pressure and helps us to be more compassionate toward ourselves and others.

Over the years, I have experimented with when and where to meditate in an effort to establish a steadfast practice.  In order to reap the benefits of meditation, it has to become a daily routine.  Here are my top 3 tips for making sure you develop a consistent practice and stay committed to maintaining a healthy mind.

1) Meditate first thing in the morning if you can.
I have found that meditating at the beginning of my day works best for me.  When my mind is clear at the start of the day, I find it settles more quickly into a deeper meditative state.  It also contributes to a more mindful day. 

2) If you choose to do it at another time of day, prioritize it.
For a couple of years I had to be out the door to work very early in the morning, so my meditation practice shifted to the early evening.  I put it on my calendar and committed to it in the same way I would commit to any other kind of meeting.

3) Think “same time, same place.”
After much consideration, I designed a space dedicated for my meditation practice in our new townhouse.  In an alcove in our dining room, I placed an altar on top of a built-in cabinet. My altar consists of meaningful statuary, a couple of bleached white shells, a small candle and a container for incense.  Fresh flowers also adorn my altar.  This is a sacred space for me.  It is here, in the early morning hours before Rick gets up, I sit meditation for thirty minutes and pray.  

            Meditation spaces can be an entire room, an empty closet, the top of a dresser, a broad window sill or a lovely bench in your garden.  Be creative by embellishing it with a few meaningful and favorite things.  Then this special place will call out to you to sit. 

Mindful Tip:

Designate a consistent time and place to establish and strengthen your meditation practice.

Morning Rituals

photo courtesy of Jacek Dylag

             This morning, like most mornings, my husband, Rick and I had breakfast together. We enjoyed a cup of coffee, read from our inspirational books and did a guided meditation.    Some of our favorite meditations are by Sarah Blondin on Insight Timer.  Her voice is lovely and she creates exquisite imagery through her words. 

            I’m entirely grateful we both have our own businesses availing us the opportunity to spend quality time together as the day begins.  This hour over breakfast allows me to start the day in a mindful manner as opposed to being shot from a cannon.  I believe how we spend the first hour of our day acts as a rudder steering the remainder of the day.

Mindful Tip:

Even if it means getting up 5 minutes earlier, start the day by doing either a short guided meditation or a breath meditation.  It will prepare you to be more present throughout your  day.  

           

Early Blossoms

Here it is the beginning of March and the Cherry Blossom trees that line our street are revealing their first paper thin, pale pink flowers and rose colored buds.  This morning, I reached up and cut off a small branch and put it in a tall, thin vase and set it on my desk.  The delicate blooms have the scent of fresh air.  Looking deep into their faces, the stamens are white with a brownish dot at the end of them.  Fascinating!!! Its presence on my desk is a testament of the upcoming season. 

Mindful Tip:

Place a flower in a vase on your desk and when you need a break, simply look deeply at its beauty. Notice the subtle shift of being refreshed by something alive and be filled with the enchantment of spring.