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”
Category Archives: Presence
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”
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”
Mindful Life Connections 