“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.” ` Serenity Prayer
I have always enjoyed walking. For me, walking is an opportunity that I usually share with our dog, Eto, to get some good exercise. But it is also a time to help me to refocus and release anxiety. I especially enjoy going for walks in the early morning hours, when most people are still sleeping and the world is just that much more gentle and quiet.
It is also a wonderful “reset button” activity. When I start to feel anxious, overwhelmed or upset (sometimes all three can happen at once), I literally say out loud, “reset”, followed by a few deep breaths in and out. If possible, I try to just walk away from whatever is causing the problem so that I can literally start over.
Remember as a child when you used to say “do over” when you were losing at a game you were playing? That’s a strategy that I use when things aren’t going my way…and this week I said “reset” out loud more times than I want to admit…
A few weeks ago I wrote about being flexible when making plans and again this week I needed to take my own advice. My son and I had plans this week to go with my brother and sister-in-law to another beautiful vacation spot near Lake Superior. For over 35 years, my parents had a cabin, later made into their home, right next to Lake Superior. I graduated from UW-Superior and the south shores hold a dear place in my heart.
But plans had to be changed due to my husband Jim’s foot surgery so this summer I will instead look back at old photos from previous, wonderful vacations, and do as my mother would say and “be thankful for all the great memories.”
This week I also was saying “reset” throughout the day, as I have found myself with much more to do and limited time to do it in. My husband Jim does most of the shopping for our family, along with many other daily tasks that I never really thought about until he wasn’t able to do them anymore.
Our son Michael is doing his part too, including helping Jim when I am at work during the day. Together we will get through this, but it is a process that will take patience and time.
Besides being able to recognize when I need to “reset”, it is just as important to remember why I need to do it.
So many times we are hard on ourselves, much harder than others usually are. But when we live within each moment, when we learn to better accept when something isn’t going our way and basically shift ourselves in our thinking, and our actions… that is the beginning of personal growth.
We have all had “one of those days” when everything seems to not be going our way. For me, I have been learning new ways, better ways, to deal with that stress.
And remembering that each day is its own chapter in our story and even though we can not control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. And that reaction is the key to leading to a happier, more fulfilling life.
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This week’s Smile Video
Sian Pierre gave his mother a hard time growing up with no money; he was ungrateful for his mother's hard work as a single mom. But since she got fired from her job, he's showing her just how grateful he is by helping her fulfill her bucket list, one trip at a time. Steve Hartman reports.
#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos
Headspace app
If you are looking for a meditation resource (and you don’t mind paying an annual subscription fee) I would highly recommend the app, Headspace.
This is a great resource for learning strategies for meditation, relaxation and guided imagery. You can try it free for the first 14 days to see if it meets your needs. It is a $69.99 annual fee but if you hit the right sales, you can get it for less. I personally think it is a great investment in yourself.
Click here for more information!
What I am reading…
Cleaning your house does have some benefits including rediscovering a book that I haven’t read in years but starting re-reading this week.
Back in 1999, a dear friend of mine gave me the book Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
The Amazon summary is as follows: “Simple Abundance is a book of evocative essays - one for every day of the year - for women who wish to live by their own lights. A woman's spirituality is often separated from her lifestyle. Simple Abundance shows you how your daily life can be an expression of your authentic self ... as you choose the tastiest vegetables from your garden, search for treasures at flea markets, establish a sacred space in your home for meditation, and follow the rhythm of the seasons and the year.
Every day, your own true path will lead you to a happier, more fulfilling, and contented way of life. Embrace its gentle lessons, savor its sublime common sense, and dare to live its passionate truth. The authentic self is the Soul made visible.”
If you are looking for a daily devotional, I think you would love this book.
Poetry for the Soul
I love poetry and why not share it when you can? Here is this week’s selection for Poetry for the Soul…
This week’s TED Talk - The Missing Ingredient in Self Care
I have watched TED Talks for many years now. I love the wide variety of experiences and opinions TED Talks offer. Here is one I would like to share for this week:
What happens if you push yourself too hard? What happens when your body tells you to stop yet, you keep going? Portia shares how self-care brought her back to health and it can help you too. Portia is passionate about promoting a holistic and inclusive approach to self-care that takes into consideration how cultural and social factors as well as experiences of discrimination based on identity markers may trigger one's need for self-care and shape one's willingness--or reluctance---to engage in self-care practices.
Making Memories…
Yesterday I had a fun, somewhat spontaneous, time with our son Michael. He enjoys watching YouTube cooking videos and he put together a menu of what he would like to make for a Friday night supper. Together we made homemade “Big Macs”, a white bean salad and lemon-pepper chicken wings in our air fryer.
When he brought up the idea (on Friday afternoon) I was reminded of all of the times he shared in the kitchen with my mother, baking and cooking together. So I jumped at the chance to spend some quality time while doing one of my own favorite activities, cooking.
It had its moments of slight chaos but the result was a delicious meal that the three of us enjoyed together. Another example of making memories as a family in the kitchen…The tradition continues…
Children’s Corner - It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
Every now and then we make mistakes. Kids make mistakes and adults do the same thing too. Todd Parr's "It's Okay to Make Mistakes" reminds us we don't need to be perfect.
Holistic Wellness Spotlight - exploring the mind/body connection
Give yourself this gift of restoring your love, joy, hope and optimism that is innate within you. Take some time for yourself for healing and listen to this guided meditation by Dr. Bernie Siegel. Ask for support and receive it while you become calmer and more at peace. Relax and let go of all of your tension and worries. Simply follow the healing voice of Dr. Siegel as you let the burdens of life roll off your shoulders. Love moves through your body, leaving behind resentment, hatred and disappointment. Peace fills your life and your body, offering a deeply relaxing state of being. This beautiful mediation is perfect if you are facing a health challenge or a stressful time in your life. Dr. Siegel’s wise words, the soothing music and this rewarding journey will open every cell in your body and fill them with love, joy, hope and optimism.
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….