Thriving During the Holiday Season with Kindfulness
The holidays are exciting but they also can wreak havoc on our ability to be be intentional and present. I owe a large part of my sanity during the busy-ness of this time of year on the time I set aside to reflect on the true meaning of the holidays, so that I can focus on what really matters to me and my loved ones. Perspective allows us to remember the true meaning of the holidays. In this article I offer some ideas about how to tune in, be present, be intentional about where you exert your energy and make the necessary shifts to tend to your needs and nurture yourselves so that you’re able to really enjoy each day during the festive season as it comes!
The Power of Language
Language is powerful. It is so very powerful. With it, we not only tell stories to others and express our desires, needs, and deepest darkest secrets, but we also tell ourselves stories about the world, and perhaps most importantly, stories about who we are and why we are the way that we are. With language we piece together the isolated snapshots that comprise our life, and create a comprehensive masterpiece—the narrative of our existence. For these reasons, language is clearly one of the most powerful tools and superpowers available to humans.
I have always been fond of language, and of communicating through the spoken and written word. But, it wasn’t until I realized, through experience and deep reflection, the formidable power of language, to change our moods, our thoughts, our behaviours and our very being, that I gave language more mindful consideration.
Just as words have the energy and power to help, heal and humble, they can also hinder, hurt, harm, and humiliate. In this article I discuss how language impacts our inner and outer worlds, and share some tips on how to help our inner critical voice become a compassionate coach instead!
In the FLOW: Mindfulness for Peace & Joy
I used to try and control life and the people around me, but I eventually came to realize that there really is no reason to get upset if something doesn’t work out as planned or someone doesn’t see things the way I do. I just breathe and watch for what happens next, allow things to fall into place. I can’t count how many times a better circumstance or situation has emerged. The universe synchronizes with my flow and most times it feels like everything just falls perfectly into place.
Once you feel flow, you’re always going to want to stay in flow. Being in flow is so very powerful and essential for attaining a blissful life. When I remain fluid and am in flow, all sorts of opportunities emerge that truly surpass anything I could ever plan for or wish to come true.
Bringing Kindfulness into Back to School Preparation
During these lasts few days and weeks of Summer Break, the realization that change is imminent will inevitably preoccupy the minds of most school age children. Mindfulness can be an invaluable tool to help cultivate resilience, emotional intelligence and awareness— which can help to ease worries as well as support children to navigate the challenges life throws their way with calm, confidence and grace.
Those of you who have some familiarity with Mindfulness and who have experienced its benefits first-hand are likely aware of how it can be helpful to make a smoother transition back to school. But, for those of you who do not have first hand experience, here are some tips on how to establish a Mindfulness practice with your child, so as to help them activate the superpowers required to calm their worries and any other BIG emotions they may be experiencing.
Mindfulness + Mother Nature: How Nature Boosts Joy, Acceptance, Calm and Kindness
Just as a formal mindfulness meditation practices enable us to sooth and nurture our internal systems, so too can connecting with nature. Carving out time to enjoy and be in nature is a simple and effective way to help us feel calm, rejuvenated, happier and more grounded.
A great way to spend time being in and enjoying nature, especially with little ones, is to create mandalas.
The Principles of Kindfulness
It is easy to take for granted the journey I have travelled to re-wire my brain, actually my entire life, since I began regularly practising Kindfulness a few years ago. It’s usually not until I find myself supporting those who are new to the practice, or in this case, facilitating an online program for busy families who are developing a Kindfulness practise that they can share with their children, that I take a step back to consider the tenets of this life-changing practice.
Should Your Mindfulness Practice be Formal or Informal?
I am often asked about the differences between formal and informal mindfulness practices, more specifically, which one is more beneficial. My answer is hardly an answer, because I respond with the question “What are you hoping to gain from your practice?”
My Journey into Kindfulness
After trying every trick you’ve heard of, to naturally deal with nausea, exhaustion and other symptoms of pregnancy, I was surprised to notice how effective mindfulness was at alleviating a lot of the discomfort I was experiencing. The feedback loop ignited by experiencing positive results, with just a few small and easy shifts in my life, was what ultimately inspired the greatest changes in my life.