Mindfulness, Playfulness, Connectedness, Livewellfulness and Gratefulness
For the past couple of month I have been aware of a movement within me, a small voice becoming stronger by the day. While I felt my family and I were doing a good job of taking care of ourselves, the movement was pushing me to do more. I tried to ignore it, however, I knew that once you feel or hear something from within, the choice is to follow. Of course once I opened myself up to God's movement within me, the answers appeared miraculously.
Here I AM at last. The holiday season and our adventure has been filling my time joyously! So in the least possible words (for a minister that is) here is a journey. Each section has a story with suggestions for books. May you take what you desire and what feels right to you.
Mindfulness, Playfulness, Connectedness, Livewellfulness and Gratefulness
(ok, so I made up the fourth word.)
Mindfulness
My husband and I talked and found that we wanted to become more mindful. We wanted to listen to that inner voice which lets us know the answers that we seek. What we found was that being mindful was not just about the "big" questions in life, if was about integrating mindfulness in all areas of our life. What is so funny that after making this decision, we read Everyday Life Path's book club selection, "One Minute for Myself" which asked, "What can I do right now to take better care of me?" Have you ever really asked yourself that question? If you have, did you take action on what you heard? Sometimes it is as simple as getting something to eat, or stopping to rest and relax if only for a few minutes. Being mindful, we listen inwardly to what we can do for ourselves and in return I feel better. Feeling better, I can contribute more to life and those around me.
Mindfulness, Playfulness, Connectedness, Livewellfulness and Gratefulness
(ok, so I made up the fourth word.)
Mindfulness
My husband and I talked and found that we wanted to become more mindful. We wanted to listen to that inner voice which lets us know the answers that we seek. What we found was that being mindful was not just about the "big" questions in life, if was about integrating mindfulness in all areas of our life. What is so funny that after making this decision, we read Everyday Life Path's book club selection, "One Minute for Myself" which asked, "What can I do right now to take better care of me?" Have you ever really asked yourself that question? If you have, did you take action on what you heard? Sometimes it is as simple as getting something to eat, or stopping to rest and relax if only for a few minutes. Being mindful, we listen inwardly to what we can do for ourselves and in return I feel better. Feeling better, I can contribute more to life and those around me.
There are so many books on mindfulness. Find one which works for your spirituality and enjoy each moment you take as you travel the path of mindfulness. You may also contact me through this blog and I AM happy to discuss.
Playfulness
We became mindful about playfulness. Now those who know my husband and I, know that playfulness is not the first word you think of. However, I knew it was time to create memories for our family. First I took my family up to Avon for a few days in October. I did not tell them where we were going. My son caught on when he looked back and saw the suitcases. His reaction was the greatest! We had a great time riding bikes by the river, taking walks, skipping rocks on the river, and enjoying the hot tube under the stars. I have planned another surprise trip very soon. What I have found is that there is never the "right" time to play. If play is not in your schedule, plan it today. It can be as easy as going to see the lights in your neighborhood. Take time with your family today. See what happens when the schedules are left behind, if only for a couple of hours.
Playfulness
We became mindful about playfulness. Now those who know my husband and I, know that playfulness is not the first word you think of. However, I knew it was time to create memories for our family. First I took my family up to Avon for a few days in October. I did not tell them where we were going. My son caught on when he looked back and saw the suitcases. His reaction was the greatest! We had a great time riding bikes by the river, taking walks, skipping rocks on the river, and enjoying the hot tube under the stars. I have planned another surprise trip very soon. What I have found is that there is never the "right" time to play. If play is not in your schedule, plan it today. It can be as easy as going to see the lights in your neighborhood. Take time with your family today. See what happens when the schedules are left behind, if only for a couple of hours.
Book: Frommer's 500 Places to take your kids before they grow up.
If your kids are already grown up... it is not too late to enjoy them as adults!
Connectedness
Our family, along with all our friends, are very busy living life. It is easy to dis-connect with those we care about because of day-to-day obligations. We have made it a priority to connect. Connectedness is also a way of reconnecting to life. How easy it is to stay busy and rush around. We love to take the time to talk with people we just met, or enjoy time with friends. Listening and sharing our lives with others is such a gift for all of us. Have you given the gift of yourself to someone today? Please do, for you are the best gift of the season.
Book: "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy", Sarah an Breathnach
"SnowFlake", Paul Gallico
"It's Not Easy Being Green", Jim Henson
Livewellfulness
Have you ever had a thought, a feeling, or push to maybe take up a project, take a vacation, loose weight, do something you had not done before, or just feel better? Well for the past couple of months I felt an urge to take better care of myself and my family. I kept ignoring it because I knew it would take some time to implement. We have spent years researching and discovering ourselves spiritually, however physically we started and stopped more times than I can count. We usually stopped because we were too busy! Well, I came across a book series which was exactly what I needed to take care of myself and family. After receiving the book, I decided to wait until January to read it. Of course I started reading it within a week. What a change it has made for us. Amazing how a few choices in our favor can change how we look and think. However, most importantly, is how choices can change how we feel and improve our life experience so greatly!
"The Eat-Clean Diet" Tosca Reno (Any in the series. For those who want a way of life and renewal. This is the set of books my family and I are working with.)
"SnowFlake", Paul Gallico
"It's Not Easy Being Green", Jim Henson
Livewellfulness
Have you ever had a thought, a feeling, or push to maybe take up a project, take a vacation, loose weight, do something you had not done before, or just feel better? Well for the past couple of months I felt an urge to take better care of myself and my family. I kept ignoring it because I knew it would take some time to implement. We have spent years researching and discovering ourselves spiritually, however physically we started and stopped more times than I can count. We usually stopped because we were too busy! Well, I came across a book series which was exactly what I needed to take care of myself and family. After receiving the book, I decided to wait until January to read it. Of course I started reading it within a week. What a change it has made for us. Amazing how a few choices in our favor can change how we look and think. However, most importantly, is how choices can change how we feel and improve our life experience so greatly!
"The Eat-Clean Diet" Tosca Reno (Any in the series. For those who want a way of life and renewal. This is the set of books my family and I are working with.)
Books: "Get With the Program", Bob Green for those just staring to think about well being
"The Spectrum", Dean Ornish, M.D.
While we may not agree with everything in the books mention, we take what works for us. Feel free to do the same. After reading Tosca's books, and implementing clean eating, we feel better than we have in years. We are exercising not to loose weight but to feel better. We are lifting weights (ok, so I am only at 5 - 8 pounds). After a only a few weeks we are noticing a difference in ourselves and how our son is handling life. I have more energy to get things done. I have given up my chocolate chips (by the bagful) and have replaced it with food my body loves. I no longer need the afternoon naps and love playing in the yard, ping pong, or golfing with my family.
Join us! I am very excited to share this with you and anyone you want to share it with as well. For the first time in 20 years my husband and I feel like we have found a way to live physically well!
Gratefulness
Of course each of these is surrounded in gratefulness. Being in gratitude for each moment we have to choose our responses to life. May this day bring you mindfulness, playfulness, connectedness and livewellfulness. Begin to listen to your inner voice, your inner wisdom. It may just change your life!
Happy New Year to all and to all a great day,
Rev. Rosanne
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