Since I can remember, I've been an over thinker, worrier, busybody, observer, and curious human being.
- I was a nail biter as a child.
- I couldn't fall asleep with any noise (tv, music, people talking).
- I often needed touch or distraction to relax. My best friend and I would massage and play pictionary on each other's backs to fall asleep.
- The way that I learned to calm myself and self regulate was to be outside in nature.
- I loved being in the trees, hiding in the brush, or swimming in the pond.
To this day, every bit of my mind, body, and soul needs time 'with' nature.
Notice my choice of saying 'with nature' rather than 'in nature.'
On this Father's Day, I reflect on how my dad was a model for my mindfulness practice. He enjoyed being 'with nature.' He showed us how to pay attention and how to feel your surroundings in your body. We enjoyed our experiences 'with nature' with our full bodies (all of our senses.) We were totally present!!
So, here is where we get to the adult section of this blog post. You're saying to yourself, "That sounds amazing as a child" or "Well, I don't have time to do that very often."
- You don't have to have a specific meditation time and space.
- All you need is awareness and gratitude! All you need is Love, do, do, do, do, do.
- Focus on the things that bring joy to your soul.
- Wash, Rinse, Repeat as often as you can so that it becomes daily habit.
Thank you to my dad for helping cultivate this and the importance of nature to my well-being. Without this, I would be struggling so much (or more than I already do.)
On this 2nd Father's Day since my dad lost his battle with lung cancer, I choose to focus on the Joy that we shared together! I choose to take the time to cultivate joyful experiences for myself. (Disclaimer: This by no means that I don't allow myself time for sadness.)
Joy is my job during times of overwhelm.
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Nothing of me is original. I am a combined effort of everybody I've known." --Chuck Palahniuk
This week as we approach Mother's Day, I always have mixed emotions.
After losing my mom, I thought this would be the hardest holiday to be missing her.
In actuality, I am always overwhelmed with immense gratitude.
From an early age, my parents made me feel special and loved and that I was destined for great things.
But, it wasnt only my parents who motivated me, I had an intrinsic confidence and a yearning to learn from everyone that has had a part in my life. I've had so many guiding moms in my life and am so grateful to have such mentors.
Still, no one can replace the love of a mom. After my mom's death almost 3 years ago, it took such a long time to process.
I was "Adrift. Wandering around. Lost in grieving. Not letting go, but being cut loose. A castaway is a person set adrift or one whose boat has been cut from its anchor."
A part of me went missing. I suddenly felt changed and had no idea how to grieve.
"Grief has its own undertow, an undertow that can be just as treacherous as the one beneath the sea. As we let go of grief and move once again toward a new life, we often misjudge our own strength and readiness. As survivors, we want to move forward. We want the blessing of honoring and remembrance, and we want to get back into life again. But we aren't always ready."
And then, one day, you are ready. You dig deep and find your roots!
I'm finally ready to give my gifts to the world. I am worth it! Because, "those who have reached the shore turn and pull others out of the crashing surf of grief, saving them from being pulled down by the undertow."
My gift to you on Mother's Day.
Quoted from the book:
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