mindful Archives - LiveWellFlow

Active 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…

What 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…

Meditation Tips to Get Your Practice Started

Meditation is a simple (though not always easy) practice that we often make more complicated than it needs to be. It is well worth the effort as a wonderful to get out of your head and into the body. If you’re new to meditation, here are some tips to get started. Settle into a comfortable…

Timing Your Mindful Pause

close up shot of scrabble tiles on white background

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…

Tapping Into Your Subconscious With Meditation

Meditation is one of the best ways to connect with your subconscious. It has been used for that purpose for thousands of years. Calming the mind clears out the interference and provides space for the layers beneath to come to the forefront. Many forms of meditation exist. You have probably heard about a simple (though…

How to Slow Down & Get More Done

I recently received this question by text: “How do I slow down without slowing down?” Have you ever wanted to slow down but fear it means you will be sacrificing what’s important to you? My in the moment response: “Let go of unnecessary distractions, both the ones your brain is fabricating and the ones other people are fabricating for…

Escaping the Assumption Trap

We make so many assumptions – those stories that bounce around in our heads about why someone did something or what people are going to do. Someone didn’t say hi when you passed one another on the street or you were left off of some work emails. Or you assume a potential business partner is…

Connecting With the Peace Within You

“If I don’t give my peace away, can’t nobody take it,” my Aunt Marjorie recently said to me, explaining that God gives us peace. You may have a spiritual faith that provides a path to finding and maintaining a sense of internal harmony amidst life’s challenges. Or you may benefit from additional practices. It struck…

Three Questions to Ask If You Stress Over Other People’s Problems

How often do you internalize other people’s problems, whether by aligning with their emotions or taking actions on their behalf? I have noticed that my stress often relates to what I am thinking (or doing) about someone else’s experience. Or, it could relate to decisions that are theirs, not mine, to make. In other words,…

Three Questions to Help You Decide Where to Set Boundaries

Do people expect a lot from you? If you’re reading this article it is likely your answer is yes. Let me also ask you this – do others’ demands on and expectations of you take up an outsized amount of time and energy in your life? Keep in mind that what constitutes outsized differs. The…