Find a Moment's Peace
I had totally forgotten I submitted an essay titled A Mother’s Intuition last spring. An unassuming email arrived in my inbox this morning– A Mother’s Intuition made it through the selection process and now is available to all readers of This I Believe!
Take a minute to read why I believe in A Mother’s Intuition
The first day of December has finally brought a change of season to Houston. As much as I welcome the cooler weather this time of year also brings us the ever-challenging mindset of feeling peace and joy and love amidst the beginning of the holidays.
Do you want to feel more peace, joy and love this holiday season? CREATE IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
One of my favorite spiritual mystics Eknath Easwaren talks about “dwelling on oneself” as the root cause of most personal problems. He says the more preoccupied we become with our own fears, cravings, memories, the more power they have over our attention.
The source is within us
With practice, we can learn to pay more and more attention to the needs of others. The source is within us. My mood or judgment is projected onto someone else and it reflects what I am feeling.
A touchstone I come back to everyday? If I want to feel more peace and joy and love? I need to create more peace and joy and love for someone else. Join me. Today, I will act with more compassion. I will choose more peace, more joy and more love in what I do. Now watch this space!
Try out this simple breathing and visualization exercise to stay calm and centered. Whenever you find yourself stressed take a few moments to be with your breath.
Be with your body and your breath
Simply lie flat with your hands at your sides, and relax. Bring all of your awareness to your body. Just think about what you can feel. Feel your feet touching the ground. Feel your bottom sitting in your chair, your head and neck in line with your spine. Now bring your attention to your breath. Notice that you are breathing. Begin to feel your breath moving in and out. Watch your breath, watch it move deeply, slowly, and gently, in and out as your body begins to relax and let go.
If your mind wanders
If your mind wanders off, gently and firmly bring your attention back to your breathing and body awareness practice. Relax and be fully present for fifteen minutes (or even just a few minutes). You will be amazed how this simple practice can make a big difference. Do it now!
Excerpt from A Moment’s Peace: A Mom’s Guide to Creating Calm Amidst Chaos now available in e-book!
What people are saying about A Moment’s Peace:
Recently I lead a retreat in Michigan. The women who came together at this retreat created an experience that we all felt was nothing short of magic– nourishing body and soul. Happy but tired, I looked forward to seeing my family and my own bed again. Somehow the angels must have known that I needed some comfort along the way.
Earth Angels
My journey back to Houston felt “sprinkled” with Earth angels, guiding me home. It started with my ride to the airport. My cab driver had a long white beard and was wearing a biker hat that proudly displayed his name, Father Time. As we drove along he explained how he was a 25 year alcohol-free, Harley-riding lover of nature who had just purchased a mobile home. He planned to set off across America in this traveling home, as he had absolutely everything he would ever need. I felt the excitement for his adventure. It was truly contagious. At that moment everything in life felt simplified. Not that I aspire to travel across the USA in a mobile home– but his enthusiasm was so genuine, so simple and fresh, I could taste it.
Next, I find my airplane seat where a lovely 87 year-old woman named Betty is sitting next to me. One of my dear friends uses the name “betty” as a nickname for me, so this new airplane seat companion already felt like a comfortable travel friend. As the plane was gaining speed almost ready to lift into the air over lake Michigan, Betty leans over and says, [Read more...]
