Intentional Living
Letting Go of Toxic Stuff
It is easy to pick up all of the negative energy around us whether it be from a political, social, work, relationship, or home environment. There is plenty of it to go around. Being mindful about when you are unnecessarily exposing yourself to toxic energy is an important part of bringing peace into your life. This means considering…
Read MoreActive Relaxation
In Qigong, an ancient Chinese mindful movement practice, there is a foundational principle of active relaxation (versus slouching and lazy relaxing 😊), called Fang Song Gong. There are a number of components to the Fang Song Gong Qigong practice. At the heart of it, of course, is a mindful awareness, without which one would not know where they…
Read MoreActive Waiting
One of the foundational attitudes of mindfulness is patience. The importance of this characteristic is underscored by its central presence in all major religions as well. In my re-reading of the late theologian Henri Nouwen’s book Discernment, he highlights that patience is not passivity but an “active waiting”. This spiritual view of patience as an active waiting applies in the secular…
Read MoreLiving in the Moment
If you want to be truly happy in life, learning to live in the moment is important. However, it is kind of an ambigous phrase, “living in the moment”. So, what does it mean to live in the moment and why is it so important? What is living in the moment? Living in the moment means…
Read MoreWhat Matters Most?
At the beginning of the year we often have lofty goals. By the third week of January though many of us have already given up or are starting to feel discouraged about reaching those goals. But that presents an opportunity for us to dig a bit deeper and be more aware of what we REALLY want and WHY. And…
Read MoreTiming Your Mindful Pause
Taking ten to twenty minutes out of the day for a sitting meditation is not for everyone. Short pauses during the day works best for some people. This can also be a part of a mindfulness practice. To practice this method, you take several short stops, or “pauses,” throughout your day. During this pause, you…
Read More5 Ways Relaxation Benefits Brain Health
You just need to relax… Odds are you have heard this advice before. And you are wondering how are you supposed to relax in the middle of all that you have going on. Whatever your personal reason for your stress and tension, there are good reasons for you to take the advice. This Scientific American…
Read MoreCreating a Special Space For You
You probably know that meditation is good for your body and mind. Still, it can be a challenge for you to find a place to sit and settle into a contemplative mode. Learn how to create a meditation space in your home or find a sanctuary nearby. After all, your surroundings play an important role…
Read MoreAvoid Being Limited By Your Old Beliefs
Your fundamental beliefs about yourself have a deep influence on your life. You may not have given many of them much thought. You may not even be conscious of some of them. These beliefs may be about religion, physical attributes like your weight, your intelligence and ability, the role you are meant to play as…
Read MoreSetting Boundaries: Establishing Limits to Simplify Your Life
Do you feel like your responsibilities are crowding out what’s most important to you? Regain control of your life by setting healthy limits. Why? Because: It can lead to a more manageable, less stressed life. You will more likely succeed at reaching your goals. When you have more respect for your time, others have more…
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