Mindfulness Moments: Awaken to Beauty

I can awaken to the beauty that is all around me.

Gratitude Adjustment

I am grateful for signs of Spring

Mindfulness Mondays: Clear the Clutter

My home quickly accumulates paper, books, photos, and unfinished projects. On any given day my brain swirls with to do lists, frustrations, happy thoughts, and random ideas.

Somewhere in all of the STUFF (mind and closets) there are sparks of joy. Would you like to join me in cleaning the clutter?

I am honored to be the keynote for this year's Sisters In Spirit conference: A Year of Peaceful Intentions on Saturday, February 6. We will start with mindfulness in the morning and take a mid-day break with the magic of tidying up. In between there will be great sisterhood with women of all ages and break out sessions to help you grow and learn.Call (405) 366-7616 for more information.

I can calm my mind, clean my space, and find joy this week.

Mindfulness Monday: Calming the Stressed Brain

  

 "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." William James

A stressed brain is flooded with thoughts that justify the negative emotion. We are triggered by something outside of ourselves and gather evidence to react. Our mind becomes flooded with internal defensiveness. Mindfulness is the process of quieting the mind so we have more awareness of our thoughts and feelings.Step back from your stressed thinking so can choose your thoughts.

This week I will choose my thoughts with a calm mind.

Mindfulness Mondays: Creative Problem Solving

h/t Pinterest

Maybe this week will go smoothly for you. If so, have gratitude for a smooth week.

But in real life the chances are high that at least once a week you will have what Tim Gunn (of Project Runway fame) refers to as "make it work moments."

• When you are missing the main ingredient for a recipe you already started.
• When you spill coffee on your notes before a meeting.
• When a traffic jam is ticking away your estimated time of arrival for an appointment.

Mindfulness in your "make it work" moments will bring a calm mind to find creative options when the unexpected happens. 

 

Thank you Alliance Rubber Company
for the "make it work" experience!

This weekend at the Arkansas Women Bloggers conference we were given an "unconventional challenge" of wrapping a housewarming gift showcasing Alliance rubber bands. Knowing that we were expected to be creative opened our awareness to looking at materials in a new way. There was excitement in the process of discovery and satisfaction in overcoming obstacles.  Can you approach every day life problems from this perspective?  

This week I will be mindful of moments that call for creativity in problem solving.

Mindfulness Mondays: The "To Be" list

Santa Fe Snail 2015

Summer is winding down and the "Back to School" rush is beginning- don't give in to the hype.

The more comfortable I become in my mindfulness practice the more aware I am of the trap of hurrying. An adrenaline induced pace gives the illusion of completing more things on the internal "to do" list. But are they the MOST important?  

Be a rebel, resist the push to do more.  This week try "to be" more.  Make some memories with the summertime you have left. Enjoy the moment.

This week I will work on my "to be" list.

Mindfulness Monday: Silence

Zion National Park 2015
Columbines growing from rock face
h/t Lindsay Marotta

Silence is hard to come by in our culture. On a recent hike I was impressed by silence- only occasionally interrupted by birdsong or wind rustling leaves.  Fellow hikers also respected the silence by speaking rarely and quietly along the path. I chose to rest my mind.  The result was refreshing. Remarkable.

Have a remarkable week with a silent retreat.   Create time within each day to tune in to hushed quiet. Rest your mind with silence.

This week I will rest my mind with silence.

Feelings Friday: My Thank You Note to the Universe

Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Rest
The Narrows, Zion National Park
h/t Lindsay Marotta 2015 

Dear Universe, 

Thanks for . . .

• My parents- and their warm welcome at every stage of life (even the angsty ones).
• A special needs brother- who stretches, stresses, and continues to teach me.
• Coffee (And 1% milk with a dash of cinnamon)
• Grammie- a “grand mentor” and spirit guide.
• Outstanding achievements and horrifying failures.
• The lousy boyfriends I dated before "the one."
• Chocolate.
• The responsibility of raising two wonderful people (stretch marks are fading).
• Losses that taught me to appreciate life.
• Nature. Including needy squirrels, and pesky mosquitoes.
• Remarkable friends- some lifelong, others time limited.
• Red wine (shared with above mentioned friends).
• Well-deserved laugh lines.
• The world wide web AND screen free zones.
• Talents that shape me.
• Weaknesses that humble me.
• Today.

Thank you Universe for fifty (plus) years of love, loss, joy, and sorrows.

Sincerely,

Me

P.S. If it isn’t too much to ask- I’d like fifty more tomorrows.

    

Mindfulness Monday: Memorials

Memorial Iris Garden
St. John the Baptist Edmond, OK 2015

Twenty years ago many lives were lost to terrorism in Oklahoma. We mourned and bonded in the community effort to recover.

Throughout our state there are memorials to this shared history.  Memorials are important because they invite us to stop and reflect on the people and experiences that shape us into who we are today.

"We cannot tell what may happen to us.. But we can decide what happens in us... How we can take it, what we can do with it .. and that is what really counts in the end."     Joseph Fort Newton

This week I will take time to reflect on the people and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today.

Mindfulness Monday: Savor Springtime

h/t Lindsay Marotta April 2015

It's spring!  The colors are vibrant, flowers blooming, trees budding, and the wind is "sweeping down the plain." This phase of new growth is fleeting and fragile.  Make sure you don't miss it.

Mindfulness about nature is an experiential event- you must go outside to notice.

Tip toe through the tulips today- they might be gone tomorrow. Mindfulness is all about the now, be present to nature's moment.


This week I will make time to savor springtime.

Birthday Presence

The Gift of Birthday Cupcakes 2015 YUM!

Have you ever had an unexpected gift?  Maybe it was disguised in a strange shape- or maybe your first instinct was to return to sender. But then time reveals the true gift.  This is my “birthday week” so I thought I’d unwrap a few with you.

I am grateful for:  

“Distraction”

This is where most of the other gifts have originated. In the process of blogging I have cultivated an interest in mindfulness. Taking time to set an intention for the week for you has given more clarity to me.  The mindset of being present to this moment has great implications. Look for more mindfulness on the blog as I begin more formal mindfulness education on April 10^th at a seminar in OKC. I am happy to share my “present of presence” with others.

“The Hangries”

Sweetness asked me to discuss my "hangries" at my annual physical.  He noticed that a late night, or delayed travel that changed meal times did not bring out the best in me (to say the least).  I became snappy, irritable, and RAVENOUS. Turns out that what I thought was a temporary problem to endure (menopause) was a treatable problem- hypoglycemia. A nutritionist confirmed the diagnosis and helped me develop an eating plan of smaller, more frequent meals.  I celebrate Nutrition Awareness month with dramatically improved energy and healthy weight loss! 

“Detours”

I have been in the company of a wonderful group of writers for over 10 years.  Several of our members have published traditional books and are actively writing.  I went into this adventure with the expectation that I would be more “successful” at writing. Blogging was an unexpected plot twist. I am undergoing a massive paradigm shift in defining writing success. Renewed creativity is a gift.

“Clutter”

A client and Amazon recommended a book to me that made a strong promise and hit a definite chord.  The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo ….  My aha moment: I have a problem of abundance  Despite the habit of regular donations of used clothing and household items, there is never enough storage. Too much stuff is too much stuff no matter how cleverly you organize it! I have begun my quest to reduce my home base to the zen like simplicity of my lake trailer. Simplicity is a gift.

This post is an attempt to be generous with my gifts in the hope that they will create a framework of unexpected gifts in your life. 

I am grateful always for your readership and shares.

Mindfulness Monday: The Power of Words

Laura Ingalls, The Cat, & Pinkalicious
Women Readers and Writers OWFI 2014

"One kind word can change someone's whole day." 

YOU have the power to influence others in a positive way with your words. Consider the value of words to a writer, a reader, a friend, a child, a parent.

Be selective with this superpower.



I will choose kind words this week.

Mindfulness Mondays: Celebrate Healthy Relationships

"Sisters in Spirit" Conference 2015
My Spirit Sister Mary Jane Metzinger

Today is the beginning of National Healthy Relationships week sponsored by the  Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Their philanthropy raises awareness to prevent domestic violence.  

Be mindful of the verbal and nonverbal ways you connect in your relationships.

• Give your "sister" a hug 
• Compliment your significant other
• Dedicate time to nurture a friendship

I can be intentional in celebrating the healthy relationships in my life.

Mindfulness Mondays: Imagine

Chalk Farm Gallery/Santa Fe 2012

The year ahead is an open calendar of possibilities.  This week build some time into your day to consider your personal, professional, and relational lifestyle.

Make room in your imagination to visualize yourself entering 2015.

• What should you hold on to in the New Year?
• What do you need to release ?
• What would you like to cultivate in 2015?

I will take time this week to imagine a new year of possibilities.

Mindfulness Mondays: Being Present

Suki Claus

Wishing you a Merry (Mindful) Christmas!

Love, 

Lisa & Suki

This week I will remember the best gift of all is being present

Mindfulness Mondays: Listen

"These are the days of miracle and wonder." 
                                    Paul Simon

We recently received the gift of music.  Sal's company car spontaneously connected to Sirius Radio for the month of December.  It is delightful- music to my ears (literally).  Some of the playlists are like visits from old friends, Paul Simon included.

Music doesn't need to stay in the background of your holiday.  Make an intention to still your body, calm your mind, and tune in to wonderful music. Get ready.

I WILL SLOW DOWN TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AROUND ME.

Mindfulness Monday: Vote!

Suki at her favorite look out spot
Lake Tenkiller 2012

Apathy is not resilient.

Despite the negative campaigning there are still a brave few who are daring to run for political office. Consider the sacrifices made by our ancestors to provide a system of election, the suffragists who courageously advocated for the right to vote by all peoples. Reflect on our military who have risked everything to protect our freedoms.

Take these intentions to your local polling places this week.  Your vote counts towards making meaningful change.





This week I will make a conscious choice with my vote.