It seems like every month that goes by I am left thinking, “Where did the time go??” I look back and sometimes struggle to remember my daily interactions and accomplishments. Instead I am left with this blur of time in my life’s rear view mirror. I have written a lot about mindfulness on Citrus & Sun, but a simple yet profound takeaway from a book that I recently read has changed my entire practice of mindfulness in my daily life.
As winter arrives and the snow falls, the nature around us takes on a new look. While I personally prefer the green leaves, the bright flowers, and the fresh smells of spring and summer, a goal of mine has been to become more of an observer throughout these cold months in order to discover the beauty and wonder that is winter.
Capturing moments seems to be the way of life these days. We are so lucky to live in a time where there are so many different options for documenting our days and recording snapshots of our experiences. We are able to have memories that live on through our photographs, our videos, and our words.
How many times have you said, “I need a vacation from my vacation?” Recently Chuck and I traveled to Orlando, Florida to have the Disney World/Universal Studios experience. I definitely came back feeling like I needed another vacation! Our four days away from reality consisted of nonstop running around after a busy work week and not much sleep!
I know that it has officially been spring for almost two months now, but to me it feels like the season has only just arrived! Chuck and I spent our wedding anniversary weekend in Traverse City, Michigan this past week, and it seemed as if the world was only just beginning to wake up from its long winter slumber. The thing I have learned about spring is that if you blink . . . you might just miss the best parts of its performance.
I have always loved drinking tea, but rarely do I sit down to actually enjoy it, especially throughout the week when its sole purpose is to keep my eyes open. It hasn’t been until recently that I have considered how I can use tea to create a moment in my day that is mindful and purposeful. Tea has the power to make you feel calm, energized, awake, relaxed, and even rejuvenated! I’m so excited to share with you my newly discovered mindful approach to tea drinking with the help of some very special people!!
In order to put our listening skills into action, we must be present. Eliminate distractions. Look the other person in the eye. Clear our minds and focus on what is being said. Easier said than done, right? Listening can sometimes be an abstract idea. How can we stay focused in this fast-paced world? How do we manage our emotions and our ideas when they differ from another person’s thoughts? The language of listening comes down to 3 essentials: our brain, our heart, and our courage.
January is a month that seems to arrive very abruptly year after year. No matter how many times I tell myself that I am ready for the return of quiet routine and the familiarity of home, the dead of winter always hits me like an ice storm.
The holidays are in full swing and December days seem to come and go with every blink! This time of year always seems to go by so quickly. All of a sudden it is January 1st and I’m left with a vacation hangover and Christmas decorations covering my home that I’m not ready to take down!
The other day my husband asked me an interesting question: “Are you an early bird or a night owl?” It was a question I had never put much thought into before, but the more I did the more I realized my love for both the morning and night. I became more mindful of the feelings, thoughts and memories that these hours bring to my mind. So I ask you the same question — are you an early bird or a night owl?
Of all the advice that I received as I approached my wedding day, it seemed as though nothing was stressed more than the concept of time and just how quickly it passes by on this particular day.
What do you feel lucky to have in your life? Or maybe you don’t feel so lucky? Maybe “luck” is a symbol to you — a pot of gold, the color green, or a leprechaun. Whatever the word luck means to you, I am here to tell you that you are in fact lucky in ways that you might never have considered!