Holding gratefulness and grief
Let’s face it, as a community and as individuals, we are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions right now. We may be grateful for a paycheck, shelter, friends and family to reach out to, food options and our health. Or we may actually be grieving a lack of income, companionship, and threats to our housing […]
Mindful Speech
Words have power and weight, yet we throw them around like little candy grenades at a parade or rattle and flail them like swords. Sometimes they just take up space to satisfy an itch so we don’t have to experience silence. They also can be a salve to heal or a lift to encourage. We […]
Cultivating an attitude of acceptance
Generally, I’m an optimist; a ‘ Glass Half Full’ kind of person. Now, what is IN that glass is usually the story of the moment. Is it un-drinkable, un-shareable, and toxic, or is it a pleasant and nourishing elixir? I came to the rather settling conclusion recently that life is in general a shitstorm. Some […]
Practice the 3 M’s to make your walk more mindful
Our times of isolation and quarantine are starting to lift us finally off our couches and into the great outdoors! Just taking in some fresh air will do a person tremendous good. These walks are also great opportunities to practice mindfulness in very practical ways that support our mental health too. I’ve guided countless walks […]
Take a Self-Compassion Break
According to compassion research expert, Kristin Neff PhD, “Self-compassion involves treating yourself the way you would treat a friend who is having a hard time.” There are three main aspects to Self-Compassion: Self-Kindness vs. Punishment Mindfulness vs. Over Identification Common Humanity vs. Isolation The following practice will help you remember to evoke the three aspects […]
Take a self-compassion break
According to compassion research expert, Kristin Neff PhD, “Self-compassion involves treating yourself the way you would treat a friend who is having a hard time.” There are three main aspects to Self-Compassion: Self-Kindness vs. Punishment Mindfulness vs. Over Identification Common Humanity vs. Isolation The following practice will help you remember to evoke the three aspects […]
Foibles of the absent minded
Last summer I went backpacking with friends for an overnight sojourn at Janus Lake near Stevens Pass. After a 3.5-mile hike we arrived. A fellow backpacker and his two Golden Retrievers were happily fussing around their campsite at the edge of the lake. We introduced ourselves. He let us know he would be picking some […]
Connecting with the senses
There is a saying that you can’t give what you don’t have. Taking care of yourself and addressing your needs is a vital part of improving wellbeing, maintaining balance, and preventing burnout. The 5 Senses This practice is a classic grounding exercise to help get us out of our heads and connected to our senses: […]
Three mindful breathes
Three mindful breathes is a simple meditation to quickly allow the body to relax and find calm and peace in the midst of stressors. Sit comfortably with a tall (but not rigid) spine or lie down. Place one hand on your collar bone and one on your abdomen, just below your belly button. Inhale from […]
The 3 P’s – Pause, Get Present, Proceed
The beauty of Mindfulness is how easily we can integrate it into everyday activities. Today’s practice gives us an opportunity to use mindfulness to help us reset ourselves using the 3 P’s. It can help to have an anchor, a behavioral reminder, to help cultivate this a habit. An anchor, for example, could be whenever […]
