Mar

15

The best advice ever?

Mindset

I belong to a group of bloggers who, every other Tuesday, write a post about a specific idea worth blogging about.  This week, the #LetsBlogOff crew is asking, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?”

I’m surrounded by good advice. I have books piled high on creating a better life, appreciating the moment, meditating, eating, cooking, juicing… And then, there’s all the wisdom my down-to-earth, live-within-your-means, pick-up-after-yourself and play-well-with-others parents have given me.  So, to pick one piece of advice was hard.

Until I picked up my favorite daily meditation book, “Journey to the Heart”  by Melody Beattie. The reading on March 11th was “Enjoy the Changing Scenery.” I think it captures the slow-down, resist-the-need-to-figure-everything-out and have-faith-life-is-unfolding-as-it should message I try really hard to live by…

“How easy it is to think, I will be feeling like this forever. But look how quickly the scenery changes… In the space of a few hours while driving down the highway we can see mountains, deserts, a forest and mesas. In the space of a day we can see courage, faith, despair, anger, healing, joy. If there’s one thing that’s true, it’s this: the universe is always changing. It is constant, continual evolution.”

Just about a year ago, my “scenery” from a favorite meditation spot in Dana Point, California. I was about to  move to Tucson… not sure of my future.

Just about a week ago, I was missing that view so I went for a walk to find a favorite meditation place in Tucson.   I  found this oasis, and it even has a bench! I set my timer and sat for 20 minutes.   Afterward, I looked up and saw this incredible view:

Melody continues, “The same holds true for the minutes, hours and days of our lives. We are continually changing and shifting. Each motion, attitude and experience – each piece of scenery – leads into the next. Put them all together and what do you have? A grand journey – an exciting trip that leads to someplace worth going and someplace worth being, each moment you are here.”

Look how quickly the scenery changes. Learn to enjoy the view.

For more “best advice ever” check out the rest of the LetsBlogOff crew here.

 

 

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Mar

14

When life’s too big & little distractions

Mindset

I’m starting the week by sharing a post or two from some of my favorite bloggers.  I am constantly inspired by their thoughtful content.  Their willingness to share their stories, in their own unique voice helps me want to dig a little deeper and find my own.  I hope they’ll encourage you to do the same and…  maybe even help you gracefully get through the week.

 

Dr. Kristin Shepherd (@kristinwonders)

Dr. Kristin Shepherd (@kristinwonders) is a chiropractor,  writer, Yoga Journal blogger, actor and speaker.  I love her diversity and the way she so eloquently presents each aspect of herself on her blog. It’s also refreshing to see the simplicity of her Tweets – a single “Why mediate?” suggestion, first thing in the morning.  I commend her for resisting the social media pressure to Tweet 24/7. She’s staying true to what works for her.

Her post, “New thwack, same love” starts by telling us she’s off to Toronto with her husband.  It feels like a regular day with the colour turned up a bit….He’s having his eyeball removed this morning because of a malignant tumor…

“An unexpected thwack in the head.  And what matters, what comes in handy,  is the skills we’ve already developed to deal with thwacks in the head….Life is big.  Sometimes bigger than i’d like.  Not for a second does that change the fact that Love wins, and that my greatest task, no matter how big life gets, is to remember that.”

In “And the world comes crashing in” Kristin tries not to let her husband’s early am cappuccino making distract her early am meditating…This reminded me of a meditation teacher saying that you don’t need silence to meditate. In fact, unexpected distractions are great ways to practice your reactions to uncertainty.  Just notice the sounds and breathe into them. Instead of resisting them, welcome them. Pay attention to the feelings that get stirred, without reacting to them.

Kristin’s story is a great example of the ordinary, everyday, annoying moments we all experience… Instead of letting these distractions ruin our day, consider them a chance to practice patience and acceptance of what you can’t control, with compassion.

I hope you’ll let her thoughtful content settle in and spend some time with her blog this week. Visit: http://www.kristinshepherd.ca/

Take care,

Denese

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Mar

09

2 big picture tips for staying on track

Marketing, Blogging

One way to ensure you stay on track with New Year goals (or set them if you haven’t already) is to keep your eye on bigger intentions. Thinking about the type of life you want to lead can make goal setting and priority making much easier.  Here are a couple of ways to re-connect with what’s most important to you…

1) When Let’sBlogOff presented the challenge, “Write your own obituary,” I wasn’t real excited about the exercise. However, it did  get me thinking about how I’d like to be remembered. The more I keep “the end result desired” in mind, the more the tactical to-do’s and answers to, “what should I do?” are  falling in place.

2) If you’d rather not think about your obituary, try @ChrisGuillebeau ‘s Postcard Project. He asks readers to jot down the answer to what he considers the two most important questions in the world on a postcard and send it to him for posting on his blog.  It’s interesting to read the other responses – plus, it can kick start the habit of writing thank you’s – one of this year’s top marketing trends.

So, write Chris and answer:

What do you really want out of life?  
What can you do that no one else can?

Here’s mine:

Now it’s your turn. How would you answer these questions?

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