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
Gentle yoga stretches, breathing and meditation are three powerful tools that make up my daily morning practice of yoga– a practice that brings balance to my body and re-connects me to my soul everyday.
Just like brushing my teeth
Those tools have become as essential and regular for me as brushing my teeth or washing my face every morning. My practice gives me a way to tap into a place that allows my body to self-heal and re-connect to me and my divine essence and I have more capacity to deal with whatever life deals me. After fifteen years of dedicating an hour of my day to my practice, there are still mornings I have to convince myself to begin! However, once I light my incense as a ritual of my intention to create this sacred space and allow my body to stretch, I am almost instantly transported into a new and better place.
You can feel this way too
If you dedicate the time to practice every day you too will begin to see a real difference, increased energy, a sense of calm, and more joy. Yoga is not an exercise that asks you to wear special clothes, hang out with an incense-burning crowd, or become vegetarian. It can begin as simply as taking some time to explore the idea of focusing your attention in a new way. You can wear your p.j.’s, relax in a quiet space and count your breaths, or try out some gentle stretches with focused awareness in a pair of jeans, or sit and quietly meditate on your bus ride home.
How I came to yoga
I began with a weekly Wednesday morning gentle breath-based yoga class in a local activity center—on Wednesdays I felt fantastic, and so I kept going.What I am suggesting is you decide what might work for you—what you can do to ensure that you will begin to care for your body and soul. And if that means a morning walk while focusing on each step in connection with your breath, or any of the numerous ways reconnecting with you happens– just do it.
Crave the good feeling
What I can say, is that once you get a taste for the good feelings of caring for YOU can bring–be prepared to continue, as your body and mind will crave the repercussions of balance–ultimately healthier, happier and more at ease in this new and better place. Nothing beats a certified, enthusiastic, compassionate teacher to guide you on your path. I frequently remind others the best way to find a class that fits is—to make it convenient, and resonate with your teacher. If you aren’t too sure about the session, keep looking—the good news is you can sign up for a yoga class almost anywhere: a local gym or YMCA, a studio, or a church hall. Set your intention and dedicate your energy to making it happen. You’ll be so glad that you did.
My current workshop EVENTS OR Can’t make it to class? Check out my Free Guided Relaxation Podcasts as a tool to get you started.
The recent engagement announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, made me stop and think. If I were in Kate’s shoes, how would it feel to become a real-life princess?
Living in England for fifteen years my family and I have a strong connection with things British. Castles and princesses go with the territory. Last week I had the opportunity to feel like a princess. Invited to speak for the Junior League at the enchanting River Oaks home of Terri and John Haven’s (Owners of Cal-A-Vie Spa and Resort) made me feel graceful, elegant– princess-like.
Creating healthy peace, comfort and joy all season long
The setting of my speaking venue was nothing short of magic. A crisp evening’s excitement in the air, we mingled on the terrace before entering into the 14th century chapel (imported from France) where Terri and I spoke about Creating a Holiday of Healthy Comfort and Joy. Terri lead with her personal stories and healthy tips from Cal-A-Vie’s chef and nutritionist. I talked about how to create more peace, comfort and joy through the season.
I was in California recently promoting my new book A Moment’s Peace. One of the highlights of my trip was the opportunity to spend the afternoon with a Zen Master.
Shifting gears
The sensation didn’t arrive in an instant. It was steady and gradual. The opportunity to unwind, to feel deeply relaxed and content– like sinking into a warm and soothing bath tub after a long tiring day. A feeling that made it’s way through me, traveling up from the soles of my feet, the back of my knees, hips, through my fingers, hands, arms, shoulders and neck all the way to the top of my head–one of those blissful sensations that I want to continue to savor and call back as I write this post. This afternoon with Master Miao Tsan and the people of the Vairocana Zen Monastery in Garden Grove, California (one neighborhood over from Disney Land) allowed me to shift gears from feeling pressured to keep up with life and step into a new world, one fresh with subtle but powerful awareness in the present moment.
Un-kinking the built up pressure
Arriving earlier than my scheduled 1:30 meeting, brought me the good fortune of a lunch invitation. After our silent meal of fragrant vegetables and rice Master Miao Tsan and I walked in the garden. Mindfully walking, we stopped each time we made conversation. I talked about my work, new project ideas, my life in Houston. He listened. It felt as if I was an un-kinked garden hose that now free from built up pressure was able to release and pour freely.
Want to create some calm amidst holiday chaos? Why not indulge yourself in an afternoon of a gentle yoga, relaxation techniques and create the space for a meaningful peaceful holiday season.
In this workshop we will focus on gentle yoga asana with an emphasis on breathing, body awareness and relaxation. After preparing the body physically, the student is then instructed in the practice of mandala drawing. Mandalas create patterns the mind can understand, thus bringing order and harmony. Techniques of self-reflection and goal setting are then followed with a guided relaxation to “plant the seeds” of intention that conclude the session.
San Diego is a beautiful place. It feels like one of those perfect places to live. Sun shine, temperament weather, clean, “not too big or too small” with the calming Pacific ocean as it’s backyard playground. Maybe one day I could live here too. But for today, I can relish my “day in the life of Jen Byard ”
My publisher, Bright Sky Press along with social media guru Kirtsy cooked up the idea for me to help a mom create peace and calm in their life in conjunction with my latest book, A Moment’s Peace: A Mom’s Guide to Creating Calm Amidst Chaos.
Jen submitted her name and entered the contest. And, just as life seems to sometimes have mysterious ways of finding solutions, I began to understand why Jen had won and could truly use a moment’s peace. Together Jen and I where about to craft ideas and remedies for more peace and calm amidst the life of a mom who was in the middle of transitioning between leaving a fifteen year career as the national director for Young Life to caring for three young boys (one with Down Syndrome) in her California home.
The day was here
The contest day had arrived. Jen picked me up from my hotel and as she got out of her car to greet me I felt as if I was hugging an old friend. Her natural warmth radiated out to me and made me feel as a “local” in an unfamiliar city. We drove off to one of her favorite cafe’s for lunch and I knew this was going to be tons of fun.
You know how it feels when you stumble upon something by chance– maybe it’s a great pair of jeans at a bargain price, or an adorable cafe that makes the most incredible cappuccino, or a go-to-resource for great information?
This is how I felt when I recently came across the site- Mother Nature Network (MNN). I also discovered one of their writers Jen Savadge who writes about green parenting, raising eco-friendly kids and she had this to say about Finding A Moment’s Peace
Check it out- they have loads of great information.
P.S. Haven’t been on vacation this summer? Need a virtual one? Check out Mother Nature Network’s slide show 8 of the Greatest Eco-Friendly Beaches 
Though making your own home cleansers may sound daunting, the recipes are easy, surprisingly versatile, money-saving and good for the environment! Join me…
Read my recent post on Weil Baby Simply Beautiful: Natural Cleaning Alternatives to Household Chemicals
Here are my best five tips:
How to Clean Naturally–Get Back to Basics
If you prefer to have some help with “getting it all together” check out this Eco-Me Cleaning Kit
Practice creating a “feeling” and learn to raise your vibration!
Learning to create “Sunday morning” feelings gave me a tool to help myself. With practice, it becomes quite easy to re-create something that feels great—a relaxing body sensation, a wonderful sound, or a laugh-out loud memory. In doing this, I raise my vibration in attracting other positive vibes, people and situations in my life—with the bonus of feeling good in my self. Here is one of my favorites—can you “feel” this?:
How do we begin the shift, the process of creating a positive feeling? It’s about learning how to raise our vibration…
A moment’s peace
To combat the occasional morning blues, sometimes I like to pretend it’s Sunday morning, even when it isn’t. A wave of relief comes over me, oh-yeah, it’s Sunday. Thank God. I roll over, snuggle in my soft sheets, comforting pillow, and let myself drift back into a blissful, peaceful rest.
Use this scene as an example to practice an exercise in feeling this moment.Think back to how you created a feel good sensation in the first chapter and begin to create this feeling in your imagination right now.Imagine your body is feeling relaxed and full of contentment. In this dreamy and stress-free ‘moment,’ your mind is relaxed, free of worry and frustration. Allow yourself the luxurious epiphany of a completely relaxed, content Sunday morning feeling. Let the feeling tickle you. No worry, no commitments, no place to be—only the quiet and loving space of your bedroom. Bring this feeling front and center into your awareness and settle into it. Wrap this sensation around you, covering you in a secure freedom. Allow it to permeate through you. Be confident.
Know that you can re-create this feeling anytime you want. Every moment, a moment’s peace is available to you. The choice is yours. Focus your attention, and do it. Isn’t that a better way to get out of bed?
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