Mindfulness Mondays: Be G.L.A.D.

Bricktown River Walk 2015

Mindfulness guru Donald Altman developed a technique called *G.L.A.D. In quiet reflection each day consider your:
G- One gratitude
L-  One new thing you learned (google if needed)
A- One accomplishment
D- One thing of delight 

This buffalo statue from the "Spirit of the Buffalo" community art project DELIGHTED me on a recent walk downtown.


This week I will get my G.L.A.D. going.

*You may use this acronym for a journal prompt or record your G.L.A.D. on index cards.

Learn more about Oklahoma Public Art

Mindfulness Mondays: Watch your Language

Our word choice is a newspaper headline to the world about our lifestyle. Do you often describe yourself as stressed out, overly busy, or slammed?  You are communicating an out of balance life to yourself and the world. 

While we all have times when we are pushed to our limits, it isn't a way to live.

Mindfulness also has a language. Consider these words: In the zone, finding clarity, being curious, in the here and now. If this sounds like a breath of fresh air to you- you are right! Bring mindfulness into your every day habit and watch how your internal language (and lifestyle) shifts.  

This week I will tune in to my language.

Mindfulness Mondays: Moment by Moment

Lake Tenkiller 2014

Have you had the experience of driving somewhere and feeling uncertain of how you got there because your mind was on so many things at once?  The habit of multitasking creates layers and layers of thinking that can result in a brain fog.

The practice of mindfulness acts like a "mental Fabreeze" to clear your thinking and help you engage in life moment by moment.

After all, this moment is the only moment that is guaranteed.




I WILL LIVE MY LIFE- MOMENT BY MOMENT.

Mindfulness: Acceptance

h/t Pinterest

As a behaviorist I am all about change. I seek it out and relish the challenge of goal setting.  I love lists, homework, charts, and accountability.  Identify the problem- Develop a plan was stressed in my training.  But there is this tricky other step that can't be ignored. It is so essential that no matter how fabulous the plan, it will be derailed if we don’t attend to it. We have to develop acceptance before we can execute the plan.  

If we get stuck in continually striving, reaching, seeking out the next mountain to climb we won't integrate change- it won't last.  We cannot deeply change without first accepting where we are. 

Acceptance is not passive.  It does not involve “settling” or “lowering our standards.” It is an active process of seeing things realistically, a moment to moment awareness. Acceptance creates the condition for change.

Yoga instructor Denise reminds the class to “leave your ego at the door.” She is referring to the inner striving that can make us ignore what our body needs for that practice.  When I listen to this wise advice I become aware of my body in this moment and prevent injury. Acceptance allows me to continue to come back to the mat. If I continue to accept myself and be kindly aware of my body each time I return to the studio- change will come.  

There is a gentle but strong anchoring that happens when we attend to acceptance. We are more patient with the process of change.  We can heal when we allow ourselves to see realistically and kindly where our wounds are at this moment.  When the conditions of change are right, we will master the pose, lose the weight, or forgive our friend.  

Mindfulness encourages us to accept our “perfectly imperfect self.” That is VERY hard work.

Mindfulness Mondays: Challenge yourself

H/T My friend and Hang Zen Guru Heather Ezell 

When we try something new our awareness is naturally heightened as we take in the experience for the first time.

Regular mindfulness practice will stretch your attention muscles to arrive at first time awareness even on an ordinary day.


This week I will try something new.