April is all about getting back to basics...

April has been a month of doing mode, which is the opposite of being mindful. SIGH. The world has swirled all around me, full of doing and living. Being human and allowing the space for that is being mindful. The awareness of when life is taking over and when we find ourselves stuck in a cycle that feels counter to where we want or need to be, as well as acknowledging our need to be elsewhere—in an opposite zone—is the essence of mindful awareness. I find the acknowledgement itself to be freeing and empowering and can create a snippet of tenderness in my mind and body.

Something else helps me immensely: a reminder to return to the basics and create a foundation. What do I mean by going back to basics? I promise I will explain once I provide some context. When I am swirling in the doing mode, I often feel consumed by difficult emotions like overwhelm, anxiety, and negativity bias (yes, I convince myself of all sorts of wild things - I know you do it too because WE ALL DO). Fact moment: We are all our worst enemies, and our inner voices can be mighty and powerful. It means we also have the power to create an equally powerful inner compassionate voice (Gilbert, 2020). Start by giving yourself permission to pause and go back to the basics to ensure you are tuning in to what you need each day to create balance and harmony between your mind and your body. I promise you can find a way back to balance. Where there is intention, there is possibility (see below for my tips on how to return back to the bascis).

"Remember the importance of small actions. They're the building blocks in the architecture of your life, the quiet victories you win for yourself each day." ~ Diane Dreher

Mindful Moment

What are some easy ways to get back to basics?

Ask yourself three questions. (1) What brings you joy in your life? (2) How can you add the joy bringer back to your week? (3) Who can you share this with to help you stay accountable or share the joy?
Pause periodically throughout your day. Give yourself space and pause. Whether you pause before you turn on your camera for a meeting, before you open the door to greet someone, or before you pick up the kids or enter the next space. Pause and check in with yourself.
Try the STOP exercise. Want to know more? Reach out and ask me for it.
Say yes, even if you want to say no. Try saying yes more, even when you feel outside of your comfort zone.
Give yourself grace and compassion. We are all human and it's normal to get caught up in living and doing. Say that to yourself; give yourself space to be human and imperfect. However, it's not an excuse. What can you learn from your experience of getting caught up and how do you move forward? WRITE IT DOWN.

Mindful Poem

Little Things by Julia Carney

Little drops of water

Little grains of sand,

Make the might ocean,

And the pleasant land.

So the little moments,

Humble thought they be,

Make the mighty ages

Of eternity.

So our little errors

Lead the soul away

From the path of virtue,

Far in sin to stray.

Little deeds of kindness,

Little words of love,

Make our earth happy,

Like the Heaven above.

Monthly Mindful Meditation

Sometimes our minds are full to the brim with thoughts, ideas, and distractions. This does not mean we are incapable of meditating. It means now more than ever we need to tune into what our body and mind are telling us and create space and energy to reconnect and find ways to generate awareness so we can soothe the swirl. Meditation is one of the many ways we can do that. I invite you to join me in this meditation for breath awareness.