..bring balance into the day
..enjoy the satisfaction of a great morning workout
..remember to have patience with other morning drivers
..be grateful for wonderful family and friends
..reaching out with compassion for others who also begin this day
..and lest you think it’s all peace and light, another slow deep breath before I rush to finish getting ready and get out the door.

Have a great day!

She teaches the Tonglen practice (briefly it is):

1) resting your mind
2) visualize breathing in what is hot, dark and heavy and breathing out light, cool, and bright
3) breathing in a painful situation close to your life and breathing out relief or whatever will help situation
4) extending thoughts during breathing in #3 to any who are suffering from a similar situation.

Over time and continued practice, it’s a way to become more compassionate for yourself and others.

I’ve been trying it over the past few days for family who are going through tough times and friends who are not feeling well. I’m not sure that it’s helping them, but it is helping me, although I find myself having to take cleansing breaths every so often. It’s difficult to visualize breathing in pain and not be affected by it. I guess that is part of the point.

I first thought about choosing “change” as my word. Doing so could encompass all of the things I want to do in the new year. However as I thought more about it, for me, choosing change would be at the “do” level and not the “be” level.

Next I thought about choosing the word discipline. Who doesn’t want to have a little more discipline to finish what you start. But, it still didn’t feel right.

Finally, I’ve settled on the word “breathe” for 2009. Without the breath, nothing is possible, and with the breath, there are no limits to what I might accomplish at the core level.

In Start Where You Are, Pema Chodron talks about noticing the breath as a starting point to more compassionate living.

I’m staring right here, anew, breathing deeply and optimistic about what the new year will bring.

Happy New Year to you all!!!

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. ~ John Burroughs

And, the top result just a moment ago for “life” at flickr, was this picture.

Whenever synchronicities such as this occur, I feel amazed.

One take-away: Grant says she begins her day by going outside, whatever the weather, and says (out loud) “This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.” She says it multiple times with emphasis on different syllables as a way to wake up consciously and begin the day. I want to add to that: “What will I make of this day? This day is full of possibility.”

Morning is really my best time (that is, once I’m awake). I feel like each day is a new opportunity to start over. It has an energy to it and if I work it right, I can tap into it.

Last weekend, I read Monday Morning Choices. It’s a quick read. I read it over a couple sessions on the treadmill. The ideas were those that I’d encountered in other texts, but it’s nice to have them all in one place. It’s good information for someone who is beginning their career (or for someone who might have made some inappropriate ethical decisions (ala Enron)) and how important it is to have integrity and take personal responsibility. I might consider it for a graduation gift. It reminded me to check in every Monday morning to focus myself on the things that I’ve defined as important.

One of the other things that I’ve been doing to get my day started off right is to listen to the Morning Coach podcast. JB Glossinger does a live conference call during the week at 7:45 ET; however, I just don’t have the time to spare before I’m in the car, so I listen to the podcast. Usually the most recent episode is posted before I leave for work so I can just sync it and listen in the car; although, lately there has been a little delay (e.g. the one for today is not posted yet). I’m sure they’ll get the kinks worked out, so give it a try if you need a little something to start your day off right. I’m not really into the talks on the weekends, but I recommend the M-F talks by JB. Topics include Energy, Spirituality, and Abundance.

Other than a good strong cup of coffee or tea, how do you get your day off on the right track?

At the same time, I have to confess that I’ve been a little nervous because the job that I have is a contract position. This is the first time in a long while that I’ve worked as a contractor. To be honest, some things I wish were different:
–there’s no guarantee that it will go permanent
–no paid holiday or vacation time
–no paid medical benefits

Although, because of these issues, there is also more opportunity for me to believe in the abundance of the Universe–the right and perfect job, home, colleagues, money, etc. always shows up at the right time. One of the other things that I’ve thought about doing is starting my own business, so perhaps working as a contractor is preparation for that kind of work some day. Who knows? I just have to believe.

I have to say, it just feels better to give up the fear-based thinking such as that above. And, why not, reach for the thoughts that feel better?!!

I was listening to Wayne Dyer’s The Power of Intention today in the car. He talked about Rule #6: Don’t take yourself so damn seriously!! He urged listeners to remember Rule #6 whenever they felt stressful thoughts coming on. (and, despite it’s number “6″, there are no other rules!) It’s easy to forget that stress is usually self-created.

I’m learning — Life and work don’t have to be stressful and drain my energy. I can choose differently and reach for the thoughts and opportunities that feel better (in every moment). Then, always choose again when that small voice inside urges me to do so.

It’s all good.

As the holidays approach, I hope everyone out there is doing well and reaching for the thoughts that feel better.

Every night I look over at those sunflowers and smile.

Then, tonight on the way home, while I was “parked” next to the flowers, I found an oldies station (late 60’s and early 70’s) on the radio. I had a good time singing along (the car and the shower are my only venues) and trying to just make the best of it.

…just reaching for the positives, right?!

Today, while scanning mindfulness news, I discovered the following info on introducing children to mindfulness practice.

The Hawn Foundation (started by Goldie Hawn) supports teaching K-12 students about mindfulness. They are looking for schools to partner with to introduce their Mindfulness Matters curriculum.

From what I read, I gathered that it’s not an after-school program, but an in-school curriculum project designed to help children increase their self-awareness, develop problem-solving skills, deal with stress, and learn more social behaviors.

Even though the foundation was started in 2003, it looks like they are still working on developing content for their website. From cruising around, it appears that they might eventually have classroom tips and sample handouts available. For now, however, if you’re interested in finding out more, you can use the above links to contact them.

She cites Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response, who says:

Prayers, words, mantras, songs, crocheting, swimming, exercise–anything that involves repetition…allows the body to rebound and return to its innate sense of quiet.

Carter also talks to James Baraz, of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, CA. Baraz says,

It’s not about getting to one place where things are fine and there are no mess-ups. Life is more dynamic than always having calm and peace. In an instant, the situation can change. You’re in on the joke, not the butt of it.

From the article, it seems that Carter is plagued by blenders and Cuisinarts that test her equilibrium by breaking or refusing to work at the most inopportune times, but she has learned how to regain her equilibrium.

Taking a little down time from heavy reading also helps a person regain some equilibrium. (g) It also helps a person to know that she’s not the only one who had a proposal returned for more work to be done. Heck, that’s almost as good as having the darn thing accepted. (G!)
I’m hoping I can interest the other person in a cup of coffee to discuss our proposals so we can maybe help each other clarify our thinking, get our proposals accepted, and continue our research.
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