A Guided Candlelit Labyrinth Walk

A labyrinth is a special kind of mindfulness meditation, and if we don’t have access to an actual labyrinth, we can still walk on one by connecting with a labyrinth in our minds. For the next few minutes, we’re going to go on an imaginary walk through a labyrinth, either as preparation for taking anContinue reading “A Guided Candlelit Labyrinth Walk”

Acceptance

Allowing things to be as they are Reminding myself I can . . . Pause Breathe Let go Detach as needed Slowing down Slowing the inhale and exhale Letting go of the planning and worry Letting things unfold in their own time Cultivating patience Coming to stillness Accepting myself . . . My body inContinue reading “Acceptance”

Striving Not to Strive

While honoring my mother-in-law’s life last week, I found myself distracted by the arrangement of the room, especially the bottleneck at the photos preventing people from reaching the coffin. I desperately wanted to rearrange the funeral home for better flow, but I redirected myself to focus on connecting with the people in the room instead.Continue reading “Striving Not to Strive”

Who put me on this tightrope?

I used to ask, “Where is my soft space to land?” After hectic days with meals prepped, heart-to-heart conversations, lost items found, tears dried, laundry folded, problems solved, hurt feelings soothed, schedules arranged and rearranged, and on and on – I sometimes felt tired and alone Balancing family, work, social connections, health, errands, and allContinue reading “Who put me on this tightrope?”

Wishes for Wisdom: A Gatha

Wishes for WisdomMay I consider individual perspectives while continuously deepening my own.May I refrain from judgment and exhibit empathy and understanding.May I practice deep listening and thoughtfully decide when and if to speak.May I choose kind and compassionate words to share with myself and others. May I set good intentions and align them with meaningfulContinue reading “Wishes for Wisdom: A Gatha”

Truth Metta Meditation

Get into a comfortable position. Sit quietly, mentally repeat the following phrases slowly, thinking about their heartfelt meaning with loving intention. May I quiet my mind often to know my truth. May I be nonjudgmentally honest with myself about who I am. May I be open to the truths life is teaching me. May IContinue reading “Truth Metta Meditation”

Lessons Learned at Locust Grove Labyrinth

Our labyrinth at Locust Grove still feels as sacred and supportive to me today as it did on the day we summoned the powerful energies of all labyrinths everywhere to imbue its bright center and dedicated its graveled paths to serving the highest good of all who walk them. Over the past three years, manyContinue reading “Lessons Learned at Locust Grove Labyrinth”

Collecting Connections

What if we collected connections?Waving to a stranger, eyes meeting for a momentCelebrating accomplishments with genuine enthusiasmGiving pets and receiving wags and wet kisses from four legged friendsDrinking coffee with a friend on the porch as the morning sun shinesSending funny reels to someone in the same room, anticipating laughterReaching out to someone suffering toContinue reading “Collecting Connections”

Listening to the Heart

Slowing downComing to stillnessFocusing on the breathI sense my body in spaceI am reminded to be grateful For this life For this moment For this body For this breathLooking inward, I ask my heart Are you happy? Are you heavy? What is uplifting you or weighing you down?If I am still enough, I can hearContinue reading “Listening to the Heart”

Presence:  Overcoming Inner Criticism and Building Self-Confidence

Although she’s really calmed down since I started my mindfulness journey, my inner critic is always with me waiting for an opportunity to crush my joy, and I notice she does so especially well when I shift into autopilot instead of driving my life from a place of awareness and self-compassion. Luckily, there are toolsContinue reading “Presence:  Overcoming Inner Criticism and Building Self-Confidence”