A Mindful Minute ...

Twitter: @livemindfully

February 04, 2012 The Art of Making Mistakes

2012-02-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Suggestion: Read through the daily A Mindful Minute™ practice in its entirety, and then close your eyes and engage in the short formal sitting session. Before you open your eyes, bring your awareness upon the mindfulness message du jour breathing calmly and evenly. If you have the time, read the Quote and the Reflection once again, and/or come back to it some time later in the day.

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"A genuine spiritual path does not avoid difficulties or mistakes, but leads us to the art of making mistakes wakefully." - Jack Kornfield

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Bring your focus upon your breath, following its natural rhythm. Allow the breath to bring you into a state of calm yet alert awareness ... maintaining your even and easy breathing without effort or strain.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield suggests we consciously name our inner demons (such as greed, fear, dishonesty, judgment, rage, etc.) in order to transcend them. By engaging in radically self-honest inquiry, we can pay closer attention to where we still have areas to work on, and not berate ourselves when we do make those mistakes, but instead forgive ourselves and begin again with greater resolve and clarity. If we choose to remain in denial, justification and blame as to why we even made these mistakes, they will lead us down a path riddled with pain that weakens our energy field with every step. Reflect upon your inner demons, then ask yourself with an open heart what are you getting from each one of them, as human beings do everything for some sort of payoff, whether it is productive or destructive. Be as deeply honest yet as compassionate with yourself as possible. Ask yourself if you are willing to let them go, even if you aren't completely ready. By becoming willing, we open ourselves to mindfully seeing when this behavior arises and how it hinders our growth, and then gently yet powerfully begin to allow ourselves to choose differently.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

February 03, 2012 A Path With Heart

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"For me there is only the traveling on the paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge for me is to traverse its full length. And there I travel - looking, looking, breathlessly." - don Juan Matus, via Carlos Castenada

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

A path with heart is not all "happy happy joy joy" all the time in the way you might think. A path with heart is "easy" if you surrender and don't fight it. It does not mean it is without challenges; in fact it probably has more challenges than a path that does not have heart. But the difference is the spirit of joy, discovery, wonder and adventure that envelops anyone who embraces a heart-filled path with no egoic ambition or resistance whatsoever, as their sheer reverence and gratitude fills each moment and each step with strength, regardless of what comes their way. That includes gratitude for what many would not even consider being grateful for: the hardships that test your mettle, resolve and grasp of a greater picture of Life. A humble heart can find the treasures within every challenge. Gifts that enrich your soul sometimes ask a great deal on the human plane, yet can be immense blessings; that is, if is traveling deeply into the heart of your humanity being matters to you.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

February 02, 2012 De-Cluttering Yourself

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"Certain environments, certain modes of life, and certain rules of conduct are more conducive to inner and outer harmony than others. There are, in fact, certain roads that one may follow. Simplification is one of them." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Breathe calmly and evenly ... and then as a peaceful observer, take an inner inventory of where you still may be holding onto useless and even harmful mental clutter, and ask yourself what the payoff is in keeping it around, positive or negative. Later on, write it all down in your journal without beating yourself up about it; simply view it all with emotional detachment. Then go about your days with heightened, mindful awareness as to when you find yourself indulging in reactive anger, dismissive judgment, feeling superior, slipping into jealousy, self-criticism, worried frenzy, etc., as well as just plain old neurotic mental spinning to the point it makes you feel frantic and out of control inside. Mindfully choose to shift your attention field away from chaos and into calm, using deep breaths as a mental re-setting tool. Be kind, gentle, and compassionate with yourself, as this practice is not something you can master overnight, or even in one month.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

February 01, 2012 Serendipity

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for.” - Lawrence Block

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

One of the key aspects of mindfulness is to let go and not push so hard for how you think things are supposed to or should turn out. The beauty and power of allowing what happens in the moment to be perfect as it is opens us to access pathways of possibility that we may have never chosen when are trying so hard to control everything that happens. Even when the darkest clouds roll in - if we are willing to see and find the bright spot within them - even if it is a little speck - that is enough space for us to also find the treasure in the trash heap. And that treasure, even if we have to rub hard to clear away the soot and polish away the imperfections, can very well be more suited to our needs than what we thought we were looking for.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 31, 2012 A Successful Life

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Emerson's quote is a meaningful recipe for a well-lived life in multiple dimensions. Do you have a "bucket list" of what you want to see, do and accomplish before you pass away? Even if you have, Emerson's suggestions give us an opportunity to take stock of what success means in ways we may not have considered. The last line is especially worthy of our reflection: Has even one life breathed easier because you have lived? Consider multiplying by a factor of your choice.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 30, 2012 Wondering

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering." - Augustine

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

The vast treasures to discover in the outer world are often wrapped in myth and mystery. Stories of heroes and heroines make the pursuit of elusive external treasures epic and romantic. Yet internal exploration is often avoided at all costs. If only more people would be as fearless and adventurous to take on the spirit of an inner archeologist of their own heart and mind, mining deep into their own being would become the greatest exploration to champion. Are you willing to take on this extraordinary challenge? It's not the stuff of fantasy novels and movies and video games ... I'm talking about the magnificent story of your Real Life. Are you passing your own self by without the state of wondering?

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 29, 2012 Becoming

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might" be. - Lao Tzu

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Even if we are perfectly happy with who we are in this moment, we can still allow ourselves to grow and blossom in so many ways - lifetimes within one lifetime - when we are open to the process of becoming. This is different than living in a state of perpetual potential; it is attainment after attainment. There is always something more we can learn, ways we can expand and evolve - yet if we grip so tightly and fear letting go, we'll never become who we might be. Mindfulness is about being receptive with an ever-curious heart and mind, as though we are a child in wonderment of all that is around us. So consider opening yourself fully to the adventure that is Life. None of us knows how long we have, so why not become all that we can?

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 28, 2012 Being Kind

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"If we begin to surrender to ourselves - begin to drop the story line and experience what all this messy stuff behind the story line feels like - we begin to find bodhichitta, the tenderness that’s underneath all the harshness. By being kind to ourselves, we become kind to others. By being kind to others - if it’s done properly, with proper understanding - we benefit as well. So the first point is that we are completely interrelated. What you do to others, you do to yourself. What you do to yourself, you do to others." - Pema Chodron

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Breathe in deeply and appreciate with compassion and kindness that you are human and no matter where you are at, you do have the capacity to learn and grow and change in positive ways. Instead of being hard on yourself, you can choose to be kind, gentle and understanding. Now, take a few moments to visualize or imagine yourself bringing kindness and compassion to every person or situation that crosses your path throughout the day … and if you find yourself in any conflict without or within, how you can use your breath to help you to take a mindful, centering pause to clear your mind, re-focus your attention, and to choose to thought-fully respond instead of compulsively react to anyone or anything that can throw you off center.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 27, 2012 Consent

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar". - Helen Keller

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

[Image] Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Visualize or image with a wide angle lens view the depths of where your subconscious vulnerabilities come from, and from this moment forward seeing yourself becoming more highly attuned, with a more refined awareness, connecting deeply with your inner vision ... and with a resolute, purposeful and attentive sense of self, giving yourself consent to forgive yourself for the times you were made to feel less than your true nature and to merely creep along through life, as well as granting yourself permission to follow the impulse to soar to the very heights of your highest and brightest potential in this lifetime … knowing you have the freedom to spring yourself from old ways of thinking or being in any given moment, no matter what happens to and around you … your mind and heart functioning with greater flexibility, clarity and precision, with expanded introspection, self-awareness, compassion and empathy.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 26, 2012 Monkey Bars

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” - C.S. Lewis

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

No matter what painful things happen to us in life, no matter how difficult the challenges we have to make our way through or how deep the loss, it is up to us to decide how long it will take to heal. No one can decide that for us. It can take time to make our next move, and that's OK. Sometimes we need to hold onto that one spot on the monkey bars for a while. The ground below looks so far away, and we might fall if we move when we aren't focused and ready. Yet day by day, as we stay present and learn how to steady our hands, and to bring that easy swing to our bodies once again, we will reach that point where we can take a deep breath, loosen our grip and let go with the trust the next bars will connect easily with our hands. And then there we go, moving forward once again.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

You cannot be buried in obscurity: you are exposed upon a grand theater to the view of the world. If your actions are upright and benevolent, be assured they will augment your power and happiness." Cyrus the Great (c. 600 – 529 BC)

January 25, 2012 Upright and Benevolent

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"You cannot be buried in obscurity: you are exposed upon a grand theater to the view of the world. If your actions are upright and benevolent, be assured they will augment your power and happiness." - Cyrus the Great (c. 600 – 529 BC)

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

[Image] Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Even if we think we've covered our tracks so perfectly that no one would ever see if we committed an abominable action, the fact is that even if no one else finds out we know. And if there is a Higher Power, he/she is at least as smart as we are - so then there's two of you who know - and one of you likely won't keep it a secret. Karma will hit. We can live a dishonest life, dodging our own self-created messes; after all, we do have free will. Or we can simply choose to stand exposed upon a grand theater to the view of the world and choose to not live a life we always have to avoid responsibility for or to clean up after. If we are upright and benevolent, the deeper realms of power and happiness will open up to us without trickery or thievery of any sort, and there will be no desire to seek obscurity in life or in death.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 24, 2012 Emphasis

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

don Juan: "The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Castenada, Journey to Ixtlan

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

When you understand that everything is energy, then you realize the amount of personal power and freedom that can come from the mindfully productive choices you make. The opposite is just as true. You can play small, kicking and screaming from cradle to grave, blaming, justifying, denying and running away from accountability for your thoughts, choices, actions and behaviors - and have a life of noisy misery. Or, you can play big and choose to be courageous, honest, humble and responsible for the impact of your energy - and have a life of quiet strength. The emphasis is yours - and so are the results.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 23, 2012 "Oh the Thinks You Can Think!"

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" - Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection:

With all the colors and ways and directions we can think, our thoughts can be pretty routine and dull. Thinking about the same old stuff, day in and day out. Yet if someone suggests we "think outside of the box" many people don't even know where to begin. Is this you - even a little bit? How often do you play, imagine, daydream? Even those of us who are creative can get stuck in a rut in how we see and experience the world and our place in it. In 1997, Apple Computer came out with the slogan "Think Different" - and it is a happy challenge for all of us to take to heart. Why think the same way all the time? So today give some thought to all the different thinks you can think up if only you try - and see if new pathways of possibility open up for you.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 22, 2012 Willingness

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs." - Joan Didion

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Reflection

Being willing to be responsible and accountable for your thoughts, choices, actions and behaviors, and to look without fear at your own reflection accompanied by the allies of self-compassion and radical honesty is not only where self-respect begins, it's also the doorway to inner freedom. Willingness doesn't mean you need to fling that door wide open right away; as long as there's a crack where the light can come in, and as long as we don't close the door once we've opened it - the more we can move step by step into that space and open it wider, breathing in the experience bit by bit, just enough each time to see there is nothing to be afraid of. Just a small bit of willingness is where the seeds of courage, humility, gratitude and resilience are planted in both our mind and our heart, where they sprout, and bloom into the beautiful flowers of a liberated soul. Breathe in willingness, breathe out fear ...

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 21, 2012 Emancipate Yourself

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds." - Bob Marley, Redemption Song

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

One may not readily recognize if he or she is experiencing mental slavery; after all it sounds like brainwashing has taken place. To admit we've been influenced to think a certain way can be frightening. Yet sometimes that is exactly what is occurring in our lives. We're given a handful of choices - for instance in the arenas of popular music, fashion, social trends, etc. - and we might not even question the effect that mainstream media, our peers, and/or the groups we belong to have in terms of our willingness to "drink the Kool-Aid." One of my favorite phrases is "Own Your Own Mind." Ask questions, think for yourself. Step outside your status quo comfort zone to experience different perspectives. Realize you have freedom of choice beyond what is placed in front of you, and by doing so you will begin to free your mind. Only you can do it.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 20, 2012: Successful People

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking 'What's in it for me?'" - Brian Tracy

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

No matter how much is in your bank account, when you see people in the light of what you can give and not what you can get, you are successful beyond measure. Today, find the opportunities where you can help others, without agenda, without need, without asking for anything in return. Feel the authentic sense of happiness it engenders, the deep soul satisfaction that words can never express. Give anonymously, pay forward the kindnesses given to you, and express gratitude for every opportunity you are given to give.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 19, 2012 Right Here, Right Now

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Sometimes we think we need entities outside of us to make a difference in the world - that how can we, just regular people - be a force of positive change? Doesn't it take politicians or wealthy people or religious leaders or charismatic business leaders to do this? They have their place, their ways and means - but so does each and every one of us. We can lead by empowering, liberating example within our own sphere of influence in every thought, choice, action and behavior we set forth. Our energy - no matter what form it takes, positive or negative - is contagious, and impacts all the people who cross our paths every day. Imagine for a moment the ripple effect of your positive energy - within a smile, a selfless gesture, offering wise and loving guidance when needed, a doorway opened - either literally or figuratively. Who knows how far that it will carry, and what benefits it will have along the way? This is how you can make a difference, right here, right now ... so don't wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

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Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 18, 2012: Believe in Yourself

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

“We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” - e. e. cummings

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

Now breathe in the awareness that there exists inside of you something valuable, worth listening to, worthy of your trust, sacred to your touch. Open your heart and mind to believe in yourself with a sense of humility, honor and dignified ownership for the unique gifts and talents you've been given in this life, and to not wait for someone outside of you to grant you the vision of such a precious and important gift that is your light on this journey. Choose to risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals your human spirit. Express gratitude for the the fact you awoke to another day, and do not waste a drop of it not believing in yourself.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

And then eyes fully open, please take one extra minute to read this quote to yourself right now, before you head out into your day - even if you've read or heard it many times before.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

Shine on ...

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Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com

Twitter: @livemindfully

January 17, 2012: True Wisdom and Power

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Mindfulness Quote:

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power." - Tao Te Ching

A Mindful Minute™ Practice:

Sit up with a strong, yet comfortable and balanced posture. Softly close your eyes.

Let the breath move into any area of tightness or tension in your body or your mind, and allow it to soften and release.

Feel a warm sensation of inner peacefulness, strength, calmness, courage and clarity growing in your emotional heart, and radiating outward through your entire body and mind.

Be with that feeling for several cycles of breathing. Release any negative energy with the out-breath, and invite kindness, self-compassion and care with the in-breath.

Then purposefully, and with your entire awareness, take a calm, slow inhale, followed by a calm, slow exhale. Feel yourself sitting tall and poised.

The realization that the more clearly we can see and know ourselves gives us the freedom to proactively choose how we can navigate our way through life's ups and downs without allowing ourselves to be pulled in all directions, or to be perpetually snared in the quicksand of our stagnant status quo. Do not fear diving deeply into your own self and gaining self-mastery over your own darkness; it is the direct route to freedom. Life is too short to waste it by donning blinders or hiding your head in the sand, afraid of facing your inner shadows. Be bold, and breathe in the spirit of fear-less self-mastery, and trust your heart to lead the way to true wisdom and power.

When you are ready, open your eyes, feeling centered, energized and grounded, ready to move into your day with mindful awareness, and a sense of honor, humility and humanity.

_____________________________________

Website: TheMind-BodyCoach.com