om symbol found in an antique shop above an old door
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.
1. TWO, count ‘em, two walks with the dogs today.
2. I figured out the dates for a meditation class and created a flyer. That was fun.
3. I found an outrageous air fare deal for Hannah for the trip we are going on in April…Greece! The last time I was in Greece, I was 13. My family lived in Izmir, Turkey at the time and we took a boat to Greece. The main thing I remember about it was the water…crystal clear.
1. While being present on the beach yesterday I received some comforting and reassuring messages from my guides.
2. I have been a giver and receiver of forgiveness in the last few days.
3. My husband hooked up the RV this morning with out any help from me or the kids in the dark so we could travel later this afternoon. He is a giver in the most beautiful of ways.
1. Happy Birthday Dinner with David & Kaitlyn at the Foothills Milling Company. Yum.
2. Happy Birthday Flowers! Stargazers from Hannah, roses from David, and tulips from Cheryl.
3. Happy Birthday wishes, feeling loved and loving.
OK. 1 more. It’s my birthday, so I can add one more. One more good thing.
My dear MuktiLove, thank you. http://goinglikemadandyesisaidyesiwillyes.blogspot.com/
1. I got to reconnect with good friends at ETCA (East Tennessee Coaches Association).
2. I had treasured time with my friend, Terri.
3. Rain is on the way.
1. Lunch with Sara at Lemon Grass.
2. Left over Pad Thai from Lemon Grass.
3. A delicious omelet for dinner. David walked Huxley around the field behind our house while I listened to loud music (yayyy ipod shuffle), and made an omelet.
Today’s good things seem to revolve around food. I think that the idea here is I feel sated. Life is satisfying and nourishing.
1. Playing with Huxley in the yard.
2. Talking with Hannah and her friends in Aix via video skype.
3. Purple flowers in the yard. Mmmmm.
1. Taking a few days off from writing. It’s actually been a bit of a challenge to remember 3 good things when I’m not writing them. And, still, I encourage myself to think of them before I go to sleep … if not sooner.
2. Beautiful spring day. I drove into town today with the top down on my little green Miata. I wore a red scarf around my neck and enjoyed the colors all around me, grateful that my scarf isn’t long enough for me to join Isadora.
3. Reading my daughter’s blogs: http://goinglikemadandyesisaidyesiwillyes.blogspot.com/ and http://adventurekait.wordpress.com/
I love that I get to hang out with such incredible young women
I too am grateful you didn’t join Isadora.
1. Rain. More specifically, rain on a Saturday when I have the morning free. Even more specifically, rain on a Saturday, dogs at my feet, a good book and a comfortable comforter.
2. Coffee with milk and chocolate soy milk.
3. The sound of my beloved snoring during a rainy Saturday mid-morning nap.
1. Air conditioning.
2. Gourmet Indian In Minutes: Over 140 Inspirational Recipes by Monisha Bharadwaj
3. Running with my dog, Huxley. What’s especially fun about this is that he has such a good time. We run/walk and he gets to romp in the stream.