Monday, January 31, 2022

Positive Feedback


Last year I published 17 posts specifically around my word theme of mindfulness. It was a how-to guide breaking down many aspects of bringing mindfulness to the present. Mind you, pun intended, it was just a beginning, but it made a difference to several of my dear readers. Most often comments to me centered around realizing various things about themselves they had never thought about. Then there are comments such as these: 

 “I love this one, in fact after about the 6th one (breath) I felt like I was swinging back and forth. I have experienced this feeling often when I lay down and close my eyes totally relaxed. Thanks Michelle.” 2/4/21

“Thank you for this latest post. I have been doing the deep breathing every day and I believe it has helped a great deal. Since I have COPD I think my breathing is better and am able to do more walking, house work, gardening or carrying more than one item at a time. I feel more limber doing my exercises since my falling incident. I'll be doing these (breathing exercises) as long as I can.” 5/11/21

“Your postings have been on my mind during the past year and find myself really listening more and realizing what my friends and even family are going through during this pandemic and aging. We all need to talk to each other and feel that someone is listening and offering understanding and compassion. Thank you for opening my eyes to see what is going on around me in this offbeat nutty time. Send more and I will be reading and listening.” 9/22/21

“During the last 12 months of the year I have become more tolerant of things that used to bother me and have more peace of mind. I take things as they come because to me that is the way of things in my life. No stress, just accept the present as is. Let annoyances go, accept and deal with them as best I can.” 12/26/21


I value and appreciate all of your comments. Many times I simply hit the post button and away it goes off into the universe with the hope something I've said helps someone. It's nice to know you are listening. Thank you!


While my word this year is grow, all previous word themes have stayed with me and most of them are building blocks to mindfulness. Just know, I will continue to add a mindfulness post from time to time to expand our exploration of this powerful positive word.

Take care,
Michelle

Photo ©  Dreamstime.com

Friday, January 7, 2022

Begin Again in the New Year

George Bernard Shaw

Most of us seem to like the idea of a fresh start, a point in time we can mark as a chance to begin or begin again. While a fresh start can happen any time we choose, a new year seems to be a popular time for many of us to begin again.

Since 2005 I have chosen a word as a guidance point or theme for the entire year. It’s a word that brings me closer to being the best version of myself. It helps me create a better self. This year I have chosen the word grow. I intend to grow by planting new seeds, branching out in new directions, trimming, thinning out, and even pruning out that which is growing in my life garden. And as a gardener, I know I can promote more and even better growth by simply keeping my garden in check with a little snip-snip here, and a clip-clip there.

To begin with, I’m going to welcome the new year by taking classes in tai chi, a practice I have wanted to learn more about for a very long time. I first saw someone doing this in a park when I was in my mid-teens. I was mesmerized by it. Over the years, I have seen entire groups doing this and I am still mesmerized by it. In case you are not familiar with it, tai chi is a kind of meditation in motion. Think of it this way - gentle body exercises and stretches flowing into the next connecting the mind and body. After our mindfulness theme last year, tai chi will be the perfect thing for me to begin and grow on as the year progresses.

I’ll begin each day with my word theme in mind. At days end, I’ll consider my word and do a quick review to understand how my word might have woven its magic around me.

How about you? How will you begin again? What will your guidance point be? What word will help you be the best version of yourself and create a better self?

Stay safe, be well,
Michelle