Buoyancy

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Buoyancy

This description of buoyancy has come to my attention twice in the last 24 hours. While chatting with a fellow collaborator, she pulled the Porcupine Spirit card from an animal oracle card deck. Porcupine quills are filled with air and will float on water. By staying open and curious, rather than defensive, we can swim rather than sink. Then, rereading the Trust chapter of "The Seat of the Soul," the "personality that is engaged in the work of its soul is buoyant," jumped off the page. Message received!

So off I go today with curiosity engaged. What might happen if you did also?

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A Manifesto

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A Manifesto

Are you familiar with Holstee and their awesome manifesto? I recently signed up for their (very affordable) membership to add to my mindfulness toolbox. Guess what? Their welcome kit includes developing your very own manifesto, identifying what you value most. I found this process enjoyable. The end result is below. A personal, mindful, value-filled declaration I'll reference regularly until its time to write a new one! 

P.S. I put my face on it to, you know, claim it and hold myself accountable. 

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It's been a month

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A month of Thursday's rather than the adage "a month of Sunday's" when speaking about time passing slowly. February 23rd, was the first Thursday after Mom died; then March 2nd, the second Thursday; March 9th, the third and today, it's been a month. 

After someone dies, it feels as though the march of time shifts. Some days we walk more mindfully and other days roam about with little purpose or drive.  It's been a month of tears and reminiscing and wondering. And acceptance. And learning to live in a world that's changed yet again. 

I feel her presence in previously unexplored ways; while chopping veggies wearing her apron, when saying evening prayers, while gazing at my favorite photo of her smile glowing on a Hawaiian vacation. 

What will it feel like when I have the courage to listen to Mom's last voice mail? We'll see.

Maybe next month. 

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Do it beautifully

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Beauty and fully. These type of graces are on my mind lately while thinking on how I might do anything and everything more beautifully. Whether cooking oatmeal on a chilly morning, holding a friend's hand while crossing a busy street or putting a brush to a fresh canvas, there is opportunity to do so fully and with beauty. 

If I'm listening to something, can I focus on only that? Greg McKeown, in "Essentialism," says something about focus as a action rather than labeling it as something to achieve. In other words, might I listen more beautifully when expending my thinking time rather than on how to gain more focus. 

If I'm walking down the street, might I enjoy more grace by gazing at the tree tops rather than the sidewalk cracks, which raises my head which improves my posture which helps me breathe and move with purpose. 

And when I talk, may I speak with kindness and confidence. If I know little of the topic, recognize silence is a choice. Albert Einstein said, "If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself." To me, that means more listening is in order. I'm fairly certain there is much I'm not able to explain. 

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