I am Grateful
At this time of year many of us think about the things that we have to be grateful for as part of giving thanks. Feeling and expressing gratitude has health benefits both physical and psychological, not to mention spiritual...
Liming Huang - unsplash.com
At this time of year many of us think about the things that we have to be grateful for as part of giving thanks. Feeling and expressing gratitude has health benefits both physical and psychological, not to mention spiritual. Health benefits include better sleep, and a more optimistic outlook which is linked to a strengthened immune system.
It increases our self-esteem as it balances the resentfulness we may sometimes feel if we compare ourselves to others. It also open us up to more relationships, because expressing gratitude can help us to foster new friendships. It strengthens the relationships that we already have.
And feeling and expressing gratitude can increase mental toughness and our resiliency.
Feeling the gentle breeze
And hearing the wind rustle the leaves
Shimmering greens in sunlight
Feeling the connection
The circle of the Earth
Of life
Of nature
I am the earth
I am the wind
I am the trees
Living in the moment
I am here now
To enjoy eternity
A bird calls
An insect whirs
I am grateful
For this moment
JOURNAL QUESTION: What are you grateful for in this moment? Make a list of five things that you are grateful for right now.
For a downloadable guide and guided visualization on Gratitude please go to: Gratitude Cleanse
When You Can't Sit Still to Meditate...
When I am asked: What do I do when I want to meditate but I can’t sit still with (or without) my thoughts for more than a few minutes?
My answer is: Fine! Begin where you are with what you have. That holds true for many things in life and is ...
Photo Credit: Radu Emanuel at unsplash.com
When I am asked: What do I do when I want to meditate but I can’t sit still with (or without) my thoughts for more than a few minutes?
My answer is: Fine! Begin where you are with what you have. That holds true for many things in life and is the answer here. You only need to meditate for as long as you can right now. Even if you start with five minutes or two minutes, wherever you are at right now, and slowly increase as you are able to over time, it will reap benefits for you. Increase from 5 minutes to ten minutes then 15 minutes over time, and you will be amazed by the sense of calm that you feel.
You could try to meditate for five minutes combined with a walk in nature. Or Instead of sitting and meditating you could go for a walk in nature instead. You may feel more able to sit and meditate after that but even if not, the walk will bring you many benefits.
I love to walk! I have a dog and so I walk regularly but I also feel that walking outside, whether it be city streets or nature walks, is a form of meditation for me. Walking is so simple that it is often overlooked as a mindfulness activity but it is a wonderful way to support your regular meditation and mindfulness practice.
Walking a Labyrinth
Walking a labyrinth is an ancient meditative practice which is believed to have the ability to bring about personal and spiritual transformation, a sense of calm and balance, and to increase one’s feeling of well-being...
Photo Credit: Ashley Batz on unsplash.com
A few years ago I had a chance to participate in a labyrinth walk in downtown Toronto at a church that has a labyrinth of inlaid stones on its grounds. The Toronto Public Labyrinth in Trinity Square is right beside the Eaton Centre, a busy shopping place, but it was in the winter on a weekend morning and there really were not very many people around us.
Walking a labyrinth is an ancient meditative practice which is believed to have the ability to bring about personal and spiritual transformation, a sense of calm and balance, and to increase one’s feeling of well-being, although it is best not to have any expectations and to just to enjoy the moment as you are walking the labyrinth. I had been wanting to try this ancient practice which to me seemed mysterious and magical.
The labyrinth walk was led by the phenomenal Jan Marie Dore and began with our group meeting before hand and discussing our intention for the walk. Sometimes it helps to have a question that we want answered and to think about it before the walk begins but the moment we enter the labyrinth we should stop thinking about and just let our minds be clear. Concentrating on ones breathing while walking carefully in the labyrinth and letting yourself just enjoy the natural rhythm of walking is a good way not to think too much. At the end we may have an answer to our question or at least feel more centred and balanced.
A labyrinth is defined as being an intricate combinations of paths or passages, sometimes bordered by high hedges as in a park or a garden, or a pattern inlaid in the stones or pavement of a church. Labyrinths are unicursal meaning that they only have one single winding path, unlike a maze.
The labyrinth that I walked that day was the kind that is a pattern inlaid in the stones by the church. I used to work by there and had walked past this labyrinth many times always determined to one day walk it, but not really knowing how and being put off by the busyness of the area there on weekday workdays.
Going on the labyrinth walk that I did that day, was a subtly incredible experience for me. Oddly enough I now can’t remember the question that I asked myself that day just before the walk. It was something that seemed pressing and important at the time, no doubt. But I remember it was resolved and I had my answer at the end of the labyrinth walk. I also had a strong sense of calm, of peace, and balance, and I knew for sure that to me a labyrinth is a pattern that has a primeval connection to my inner core and energy.
Have you ever walked a labyrinth? Where was it and how did you feel afterwards?
Can I make art and meditate at the same time? Yes!
When it comes to the question “Can I make art and meditate at the same time?” the answer is “Yes you can!” Art can be meditation in motion just as walking meditations are. There is a long ancient history of art and meditation. Throughout the ages art has been made while chanting, or repeating mantras, or meditating with breathing exercises. Try it!
Photo Credit: Dingzeyu Li at unsplash.com
When it comes to the question “Can I make art and meditate at the same time?” the answer is “Yes you can!” Art can be meditation in motion just as walking meditations are. There is a long ancient history of art and meditation. Throughout the ages art has been made while chanting, or repeating mantras, or meditating with breathing exercises. Try it!
It has been commonly done while painting, drawing, doing calligraphy, there are so many creative traditions with meditation. You may wish to do a basic meditation breathing technique or repeating the words of a mantra, while drawing or painting.
Or try the following:
Find a comfortable position, even sitting in a chair is fine, and take deep slow breaths. The breaths should begin and end in your stomach.
Say the following words to yourself in your mind, with each slow breath:
Breathing in, I know that I am alive
Breathing out, I am grateful.
Breathing in, I know that I am here.
Breathing out, I am living in the now.
Breathing in, I know that I am connected to the earth.
Breathing out, I am balanced.
After this basic meditation technique sit until an image comes into your mind. If you have multiple images don’t worry just pick one. Now draw the image or if you feel it is too complex express the colour and essence of it using paints, pencil crayons or markers.
Enjoy!
Rhubarb Chopping + Meditation
I didn’t just volunteer to chop it to be helpful, but because I saw it as accomplishing the meditation portion of my afternoon in addition to achieving the task of chopping up the rhubarb.
I am looking forward to the rest of the afternoon for writing, meditation, sipping herbal tea and reading a good book with my dog curled up beside me. The rhubarb awaits, a pile of it pulled earlier today and needing to be chopped. I was not the puller, and won’t be the stewer either. My part is a small one, in the overall picture of the rhubarb and the making of the rhubarb stew. I volunteered to chop it, this rhubarb from someone else’s garden and for someone else’s kitchen but which I’ll be able to enjoy too.
I didn’t just volunteer to chop it to be helpful, but because I saw it as accomplishing the meditation portion of my afternoon in addition to achieving the task of chopping up the rhubarb. Instead of listening to guided meditations, walking in meditation while hiking, or doing my own sitting with a beeswax candle flame, today I’ll be meditating in motion while chopping rhubarb.
Remember the Karate Kid movie and the “wax on, wax off” scene? Yup, that’s about it. In Thich Nhat Hanh’s books he has explained that meditating in motion and as one goes through one’s daily tasks is valuable and beneficial to us and our loved ones. Although it is more challenging for us, it is vital to begin to incorporate this into our meditation practices. Even if it takes a little longer, I will chop the rhubarb mindfully, enjoying the moment. The sounds of the birds through the open window, the smell of the fresh vegetation after the rainfall, the enchanting green and reds of the stalks, these are all part of the magical afternoon task of chopping the rhubarb.
Numerous times, because I am no Thich Nhat Hanh or Mr. Miyagi, my mind will wander off and I will suddenly be chopping to finish my task, thinking of my to do list, distracted. But without judging I will notice this and gently and with kindness, bring my mind back to noticing the moment, my breathing, the sounds of the birds, and just be. Taking one’s ordinary task and using it to meditate. Silly and fun sounding, let’s just call it what it is…Rhubarb Chopping Meditation.
Get Crafty!
The sewing machine was bought years ago on sale, left in its box unopened, survived moves and came with me from one city to another before finally, last spring, I opened it up, looked at it, and signed up for a beginners sewing class at a local sewing studio.
The sewing machine was bought years ago on sale, left in its box unopened, survived moves and came with me from one city to another before finally, last spring, I opened it up, looked at it, and signed up for a beginners sewing class at a local sewing studio.
I loved it! I had wanted to make stuff with a sewing machine for so long, and I finally listened to the calling and learnt to use the sewing machine. I had to not care that as a beginner I wasn’t that good at it yet and to not care that the first items I made didn’t look like the professional skill level that I naively expected but rather looked very homemade….by a small child. In celebration of homemade and trying something new, I thought I’d write this post and even include a few pics of my first clumsy attempts.
The class was an intensive one held all day each Saturday and Sunday for two weekends. I was very surprised that although I loved it, I was physically tired at the end of each day. I was working hard and concentrating and the instructor was a professional trained as a costume designer…..and a bit of a slave driver. But for me that was great because I felt that I was really learning a lot fast. Just the way I like it.
I was initially confused about how to even use a sewing machine and so taking the class was very good for me. The coaching to use the machine was invaluable for me as I broke a needle, forgot obvious steps and somehow turned into an Amelia Bedelia, although some of you will have no trouble teaching yourself off of YouTube videos.
My first projects included a pencil case style makeup bag, a simple cotton navy and cream tote bag and a raincoat for my dog. For the raincoat I used a light blue water-resistant material with a cherry blossom print. It came out looking a little feminine and that wasn’t my intention because he’s a boy dog but he won’t care.
A year later I’m about to get the sewing machine out and put the finishing touches on the Velcro closures. Yup that’s right, I put it aside for a year instead of finishing the closure tabs but he doesn’t wear a raincoat in the winter (that’s when he wears his winter coat instead) and I somehow forgot how to work the machine again and kept putting it off. Now I’ve pulled it out to write this blogpost and finishing the tabs on the coat is a TO DO item on my radar again.
Getting crafty means getting outside your comfort zone and not being too hard on yourself when your first attempts at learning a technique don’t look the way you expected. You’re learning, that goes with the territory. But like anything else, keeping at it will bring improved results. Even though I’m not a professional seamstress, at least I can do one of my favourite things with my new skills ….. MAKE STUFF!
Spring Renewal and Spiritual Transformation – Taking Care of our Goddess Selves
Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation for all of earth. Not only the trees plants and nature but us as well. We can help the process along by taking some simple actions.
Spring Renewal and Spiritual Transformation – Taking Care of our Goddess Selves
Primavera by Boticelli c. 1477 o- 1482
http://www.uffizi.org/artworks/la-primavera-allegory-of-spring-by-sandro-botticelli/
Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation for all of earth. Not only the trees plants and nature but us as well. We feel the miracle of spiritual transformation even if we do nothing, the simple fact that it is spring gives our souls nourishment and renews us. We can help the process along by taking some simple actions.
1) Begin our spiritual mindfulness practice again if we let it slide over the winter months. No guilt and no admonishing ourselves, just begin.
2) Increase the amount of raw whole healthy foods we eat, whether we are simply eating more fresh raw vegetables or using our juicers or making delicious nourishing recipes. I love looking at the delicious recipes on the website www.earthempress.com , Shakaya Leone’s website. The ones that I have made are phenomenal. In addition to her store she also has free recipes on her site at: http://earthempress.com/recipes/
3) Nourish our spiritual goddess within by enjoying ourselves and having fun. Whatever you find feeds that energy within you, find something and do it. Going for a walk in nature and simply looking at the renewal around you, smelling the fresh air, dancing, writing, art, using aromatherapy by going for a spa session….anything that works for you. The importance is in nourishing your spiritual goddess energy within, so that it grows stronger and you feel more YOU!
Spring Affirmation
I feel that I am rooted in the Earth and growing.
There are buds on my branches that are new beginnings.
I know that I am connected to the Earth.
I am a part of the trees, water and soil.
Ancient and elemental, I am also new and young.
Breathing in, I know it is a new beginning.
Thinking About My Garden - March 1, 2015
....my thoughts turn to spring and the welcome anticipation of what I will plant this year....
Gustave Caillebotte "Garden in Trouville"
Today is the first day of March and with the feeling that it has been a long cold winter, my thoughts turn to spring and the welcome anticipation of what I will plant this year. Last year my tomatoes and peppers did so well that I was encouraged.
My zest for having a garden has always been strong but my experience not so much. Last year was the first time that I had tomatoes and peppers. They were in containers and they were easy enough to look after. The joy of being able to eat tomatoes and peppers that I had grown myself on a city balcony was great, and I will admit to feeling a sense of bliss at being able to share them with others. The look on people’s faces as they asked, “you grew these?” was hilarious.
This spring I will have the bliss of being in The Countryside. I am thrilled by that and of the idea of being able to plant a garden in the ground if I choose and not just have a balcony garden. Of course there are some seasoned country folks who suspect that I won’t like digging or doing manual labour and find it hilarious that I have Big Ideas to cover acres of fields with crops of lavender. I’m not in the business of selling lavender. But like many former city dwellers, I have for some reason always dreamt of having an acre of it planted and then making sachets of dried lavender and selling it at a country farmers market.
In reality, it is not necessarily the fairy-tale experience it would seem and I would probably be more suited to growing it for fun and then photographing or painting it or writing about it than I would trying to sell it. Selling it wouldn’t really be my cup of tea. In actuality I will likely convince myself to buy a few lavender plants instead of planting acres of it.
Maybe I’ll even buy the plants in pots and keep up my success with container gardening, but now in addition to a ground planted garden. Container gardening is certainly a lovely addition to porches or a courtyard near one’s house. My main questions to ponder right now are what will I put in the containers and the ground garden plots? Will I use raised beds and how will I make them? I feel the thrill and excitement of spring being on its way and am enjoying the sheer bliss of thinking about my garden.
I'm always doing things I can't do....
ThIs is a powerful quote that resonates deeply with me. Thinking this way gets me moving on projects....
Las Menenas by Picasso
“I’m always doing things I can’t do, that’s how I get to do them.“ ~ Picasso
This is a powerful quote that resonates deeply with me. Thinking this way gets me moving on projects, and “stuff” that maybe I had been dumb enough or smart enough to think that I couldn’t really do. Smart enough to know that I’m not yet an expert at it and haven’t mastered it beyond absolute beginner level. Dumb enough to potentially let that stop me from beginning.
If we doubt our adaptability and the benefits of a beginner mindset, and our aptitude to learn, it may derail our plans and confidence to begin a new project or adventure. Sometimes we don’t know that we can do something until we have already finished doing it, surprising ourselves. Or maybe not. This is why I love this Picasso quote.
Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: Made by Crafters and Creatives
If you have reached mid-December without having made your gifts despite your best intentions, do yourself a favour and give yourself a massive break.
Buy the work of other crafters and creatives to give as gifts and support people just like you who have had the courage to put their work out there and go for it!
These crafty creative who like to “make stuff” are making their livings with their small businesses, many through the awesome site Brika.
Tip for late gift buyers: If the gift will still be in the mail on Christmas day, print out a photo from the website and put it in a card.
Below are some carefully chosen selections that I’m shining a crafty creatives spotlight on….
Rosslab - Rosella Manzini of San Jose, California
Black + White Ceramic Planter $28 by Rosslab
Black + White Handmade Necklace $34 by Rosslab
Heart Creamer + Sugar Bowl Set $48 by Rosslab
Heart Creamer + Sugar Bowl Set $48
Rosslab items available on the Brika.com website
Gus and Abby – Shannon McLaughlin of Toronto, Ontario
5x7 Dachshund Portrait Print $14.00 by Gus and Abby
Magnetic Dog Calendar by Gus and Abby
Magnetic Dog Calendar by Gus and Abby
Magnetic Dog Calendar $16.00
Custom profile illustration, 8’’ x 10’’ print, $150
Your gift can be a homemade certificate that you will be gifting a custom profile illustration by Gus and Abby! The giftee can then just email a photo of their dog to Gus and Abby and they illustrate a custom print of the beloved pooch! Note: The finished print is not going to arrive by Christmas - so you are going to write a gift certificate for this gift.
Gus and Abby items available on the Brika.com website
Screech Owl Design – Jacqueline Schmidt of Muskegon, Michigan
Celebrate the Alphabet Poster $39 by Screech Owl Design
Celebrate the Alphabet Poster $39, 20’’ x 26’’
I love the creativity of Screech Owl Designs and the love of the handwritten letter ritual that led Jacqueline Schmidt to design these delightful notecards.
Going on a Journey Notecard $16 for set of 6, by Screech Owl Design
o with the Flow Notecards $16 for set of 6, by Screech Owl Design
Go with the Flow Notecards $16 for set of 6
Screech Owl Design items available on the Brika.com website
163 Design Company of Pittsfield, Maine
Deer Wooden Chalkboard $22 by 163 Design Company
Buffalo Wooden Chalkboard $22 by 163 Design Company
Blue Whale Print $50 by 163 Design Company
MadeOn: Skin Care Products by Renee Harris of Cottonwood, California
I love this Bee Silk Bar by MadeOn: Skin Care Products! And it not only helps with very dry skin but customers find it helps with eczema and psoriasis too. Made by the phemononal Renee Harris and her family and distributed through their website hardlotion.com.
Bee Silk Bar (hard lotion bar) pocket size 0.71oz, $6.95 by MadeOn: Skin Care Products:
Bee Silk Bar (hard lotion bar) pocket size 0.71oz, $6.95
It also comes in a family size bar of 2oz, $12.95, or try a 3 item pack of Bee Silk (pocket size bar and family size bar) and Lip Balm for $22.50.
MadeOn: Skin Care items available on their website hardlotion.com
Drawing Your Life by Michael Nobbs
Available wherever books are sold, or for more info see "Drawing Your Life".
A great way to get started in the habit and art, of keeping a sketchbook: this book “Drawing Your Life” by Michael Nobbs. It’s really a guided journal or sketchbook and the great thing about it is that it encourages one to get drawing right away.
Michael Nobbs’ website is sustainablycreative.com
All of these makers' interesting gift items are sure to delight. Do you have a favourite go-to crafter, creative, designer or maker to buy your holiday gifts from? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.