To Begin Anew

"Do small things with great love". 

~Mother Teresa

The above quote is one of my all-time favorites. It is pinned above my desk and is visible to me throughout my days.

It is such a potent reminder to me, in every moment, that my actions count. My words matter. How I show up in my life is important, no matter how small and mundane the tasks may be.

While this quote doesn't necessary reflect the theme of this weeks newsletter I feel that it is an important one to circulate during these times.

What is speaking to me is the message to do our lives with love.

And, when we forget, melt down, throw a tantrum, get angry, feel sad, become overwhelmed....hold ourselves with love.

Love is the medicine for everything. I believe that these unbelievably crazy times are reminding us of this simple truth. We have a choice everyday.

We can choose love or not.

So, in moving into this weeks offering, may we do so with love at the forefront.

I figured that we could all use some levity and inspiration in these final days leading up to the long awaited election here in the U.S., while those of us living in Colorado have also been navigating some pretty scary wildfires, many of our kids have returned to in-person school which is an added element, the Supreme Court fiasco (putting it mildly!), and, oh yes, the pandemic!

Yet, here we are. Still standing and chugging along on this wild path that we have been given.

I continue to hold the light that this reset on every level is for the greater good. Even if some moments and days and weeks feel heart-wrenching and excruciating.

I thought it would be a great opportunity to dip back into some dialogue about how we are beginning our days. I cannot emphasize this enough. It is pivotal to our well-being to bring intentionality into our arising every day.

There is no judgment here….How often do you wake up and immediately go to your phone? Scan social media? Check your email? Read the news?

How do you feel getting out of bed when you are first inundating your headspace with that input?

Choosing, instead, to wake up and sit quietly by candlelight, focusing on your breath, feeling your body, noticing what’s alive for you, and holding yourself in a space of love is a declaration of self-care.

It is an attestation of your aliveness.

When we make the choice to arise in the mornings and spend adequate time with ourselves, tending to ourselves, and nurturing ourselves... everything shifts in our lives.

It doesn’t require any special skills to make this choice. It requires will, an inner strength and focus, and a determination to transform your being.

Ideally, awakening a minimum of an hour before your household wakes. Doing a practice for your mind (meditation), a practice to empty and open to your creativity (writing), and something to tune into your body (gentle yoga), provides the ground and platform for you to meet your days ahead – connected, present, and alive.

Here is a brief description of some ideal morning practices (my go-tos):

• Meditation: Create a space in your home that is your sacred place to sit. I suggest a minimum of 20 minutes but even 10 minutes is effective. My practice involves keeping my eyes at a soft gaze while staring at a candle. I use mantras to bring my mind back to the present. Here is a link for my 11-Day Meditation Jump Start Program if you need some inspiration.

• Morning Pages/Journaling: I have always been a morning writer, and am currently doing the Artist's Way Program which is re-enlivening my writing. The practice of "Morning Pages" is life-changing. After meditation, write 3 pages stream of consciousness every morning. (I use a cheap spiral notebook). Do not censor yourself, just allow the thoughts to come up and out. You will notice immediately the effects of this practice on your state of being.

• Gentle Yoga/Movement: Beginning our days with some sort of movement which supports our embodiment is also so important so as to move through the day ahead feeling connected. I love doing a simple and gentle yoga practice (even 20 minutes makes a tremendous difference). The key is to do something that you can connect to your breath and tune into what's alive within your physical body so as to meet your needs with presence and authenticity.

How we begin our days has tremendous impact on our state of being and our capacity to navigate the ups and downs of our human existence.

Right now, in midst of so much uncertainty and chaos, it truly is up to us, as individuals, to do our work. To do whatever we need to to create inner balance and peace.

With the outer world in turmoil, the time is now to implement any practices that bring solace to our inner world.

And, remember, keep love at the forefront of your life, of your practices, of your interactions, of your days.

We are all in this together.