If you have been reading for a while, you know that my personal focus for 2009 is to be more present to my life…up the mindfulness quotient.  Towards that end, I have begun some practices and indulged in experiences to support me in this intention.

I gave up driving over the speed limit for lent.  Driving at the speed limit has certainly helped me be more present in my driving AND, I’m learning more about MY pace with with other activities.  More on that later.

I went to a mindfulness meditation retreat at the Buckhorn Inn.  It was just the juice I needed.  The facilitators, Doris Kilgore, Dianne Lemieux and Ferris Urbanski held the space with easy joyfulness and peace.  The retreat has continued to bear fruit.  And as you may know, I totally believe in the power of retreat. (The last link is an exerpt for a talk I did to a local group on the power of retreat).  Check out my book to learn more.

I’m feeling a little link happy this morning.

Anyway, another practice I’m engaging in that is paradoxically supporting my in my intention to attune more to the Presence in the Present is reflecting on 3 good things. Everyday, at some point, I reflect on 3 good things that I have experienced that day.  Sometimes I blog about them, sometimes I don’t.

A few of you have joined the party and post your 3 good things here and some of you have emailed me your 3 good things.  What I’m loving about this practice and your sharing is that I am becoming more and more attuned to the goodness in life.  I love reading about your good things and what you are learning from this practice.  Somehow, when you are sharing your good things…they seem to become part of my experience as well…in that quantum physics space-time continuum magic, your experience becomes mine.

Thanks for sharing.

All this to say, I decided to add a page to my blog so we could all have a place to share our 3 good things…when we feel so inspired.  If you’ve been a little shy about posting, I hope you decide to join the party.  If not, no worries.  It’s all about good things on this page and if posting doesn’t enhance your joy and peace, no worries.

1.  My daughter had 2 photos accepted in the University of Tennessee student art show.  The photos were well-received and looked great hanging in the gallery.

2. An art student was wearing a cafeteria style white paper hat.  On the side, she had written “Ask me about the NEW economy!”  I love that.  I want a pin that says that.  Then I can make up all kinds of stories about a brilliant new day with an economy where everyone wins.  That’s one of the things that I love about art, it’s provocative.  I like what this piece of performance art provoked in me.  This artist, Katie Reese, also won an award for her piece in the show, not the hat.  Katie, if you happen to read this blog, let me know so I can link to your art.  And, Congratulations!

3.  I have a pilates ball to use at my desk instead of my desk chair.  My back is happy for the change.