I GO CAMPING š Spending time in nature is my go-to but camping is my favorite way to spend time immersed in nature. I bring bikes, kayaks, and hiking shoes. Bliss.
I JOURNAL. The deep conversations I have with my inner and higher wisdom on the pages of my journal enliven my soul and calm my constitution. I take my time and listen. Much comes from those conversations.
Since I started doing Liz Gilbert's Letters from Love in January of this year, this has become my daily meditation and love always, but always, is there for me to remind me how wonderful I am and that I am never alone.
Me three!! Life changing practice. My birthday wish/intention this year was inspired by Liz and LfL: to cultivate a relationship with unconditional love! š
I count on the wisdom that I didn't even know was there! I have been blessed to hear from various ages, including wounded parts of me stuck at a specific age. Just by having the written connection and giving voice, has allowed so many wounds to heal, and to reintegrate that "frozen in wound" part into my adult healing self. The Divine at work!.
This involves not just being in nature but being still in nature and watching it move around me. On the depleted day in question, I drove to my favorite bench alongside the river that runs through our town. I watched squirrels scuttle. I watched hawks hunt. I watched bees buzz.
The more I feel the effect of this (and anything else I do) being a part of my life the way it is (as well as when it isn't), the more I'm in a mode of "it's a non-negotiable and I will figure out how to have it". And you know what? Even if I change location - so outside of my standard set up - I just can't see how I can't have it. I always can.
I build my days and life around the things I need, because I can't exist ...exist well... without them. If something really can't be done (like I'm up in the air between airports etc), it doesn't affect me. I bounce back to my rhythm and routines as soon as I can. But it's like a foundation that must be a part of the default set-up, to have feeling my top be a default experience, rather than a weekend or holiday allowance.
I so agree!! I enjoy sitting in my beloved tranquil spots, quietly observing and listening to nature, absorbing the cadence of its daily existence. Thereās an indescribable peace that comes with being in such stunning natural surroundings.
Yes, I also find it deeply soothing to lose my 'self' in the larger natural world around me. There's so much to learn from our winged and four-footed and creepy crawly friends!
I OBSERVE THE HEAVENS. In the early morning before light peaks into my world, I grab the binoculars and look for the planets or stars bright enough to shine through the murky North Carolina sky. Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and the belt of Orion greeted me this morning. I could hear a song in my head, and whisper my āthank
you,ā for the softly snoring man who missed the view.
I love the early mornings too! When I can bring myself to it I get up at 5:45 to get ready and spend some silent time before my son wakes at 7:00. The best way to start the day! Makes all the difference. Looking at the starry sky the way you describe it sounds heavenly š
Yes! I often rise before the dawn and enjoy the sunrise or the night sky. My sleeping man usually misses those moments too. But I hold dear these times to enjoy His Creation in stillness and peace.
YES. As many nights as possible, I end the day by walking our property and "observing the heaven." That phrase makes it feel even more meaningful, thank you!
I want to hear more about that. I can imagine experiencing yourself as part of this bigger waking thing would be deeply spiritual. Is that what centers you, or something else?
I think it is similar to watching a sunrise. The fatigue of routine can many times dilute the significance of the opportunities we get. For me, watching the city wake up is a reminder that we get another chance to experience love and figure out how we can help someone else along the path.
Reading with a cup of tea feels like an indulgence anymore and I did just that last night when I felt depleted after a fun but exhausting long weekend. Spending time running, hiking, or biking in a natural setting calms me and recharges my soul.
I GO FOR WALKS AND FOCUS ON MY BREATHING. I have been doing this more often and alot of what Kelly wrote here is something I have been experiencing more in my life and feels heavy. I have more moments of sadness vs happiness taking place. The hour glass example was very relatable. Thank you for the prompt.
Keep going, George. The heaviness is the resistance to the sadness. Once the resistance ceases, the sadness sits right next to the happiness as an equally valuable part of the human experience. Promise! š
I GET ON A TRAIL WITH MY CAMERA. I go to a place where there are never any people, and it immediately calms my soul. I start talking to everything I see, thanking it for being there... "Hello Mrs. Bluebird".... as I snap photos and revel in the sunshine and breeze. Before I know it, hours have passed, and my spirit is completely calmed. On one particularly hard day with my son who has autism, a 5 point buck just came walking down the trail towards me. I simply sat down, amazed and in awe. He didn't spook, but instead looked at me as if to let me know I was not alone. Then, he just started grazing contentedly. As I got up to walk down the trail, I turned to look, and he was watching me take my leave. It was so very powerful.
I INFUSE MY NEXT BREATH WITH LOVE. Sometimes I'm so depleted that it's all I can do. I close my eyes, soften my body and breathe deeply. Finding internal solitude and loving myself through the deepest depletion helps me center myself before I'm even able to engage with the outside world.
Yes! In this spirit, I find that lovingkindness meditation helps me radiate loving breath with wholeness and gratitude that (does my flawed human best to) encompass all life. This practice is so connecting for me.
One of my favorite descriptions of the Examen is to breathe in the goodness and love of God, and when you breathe out, fill the space around you with that goodness and love. Breathe it in, breathe it out.
I love how āsmallā this is, so doable and it can make all the difference! I have a lot less time to replenish than I used to, less than I ideally need. So thank you for reminding me that it doesnāt need to be big, or take any extra time. Just breathe, just add a little love, just change whatās hard with a little bit of softness.
I GO MUSHROOM HUNTING. Walking in the woods, keenly observant, experiencing the thrill of discovery is very exhilarating and calming at the same time. And when I discover that choice edible, I experience gratitude to it and God who gave it.
PS. Did not intend to highlight last two words of my previous comment but don't know how to edit. It actually takes you to some unknown website so please disregard.
I LISTEN TO PODCASTS. I listen to Rob Bell when I want a smile on my faceāI somehow feel lighter afterwards, more okay with the silliness of being human, more allowed to just be me. I listen to Turning to the Mystics with Jim Finley āhis voice makes me feel relaxed and the poetic ways in which he speaks of deep truth helps me ground myself. I listen to We can do hard things with Glennon Doyle when I want a good laughāthe three hosts make me feel like I am part of a kind of community that is real and imperfect and beautiful.
I do other things, also nature and reading and creating and journaling. But this one wasnāt on here yet.
Love, love, love Rob Bell and have seen him live twice... mind always blown. Have been a part of the "Pod Squad" since its inception and so look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays! Nice to "meet" you, Lara!
PLAN A SOLO TRIP. Going on the trip is restorative but so is planning. What can I see? Is there a concert or opera? Roman ruins? Architecture? I like short trips, just 2 or 3 nights. I like to learn public transportation in unknown cities.
Thank you for this idea Renee! As a wife, mom and grandmother I often plan trips and make sure everyoneās needs are met, which I love!! But oh the thought of planning a trip just for me sounds grand!!
Renee, I discovered the joy and adventure of traveling alone, a long car drive š to a destination. Stop when you want, eat where you want, not having to confer or coordinate. I'm social and caring, and periodically like to know I can take care of myself. I always meet friendly and helpful people.
I just got back from a solo journey to New Orleans, where I officiated the wedding of some friends. I can attest to what you say here Carol, it is very fresh for me!
I GO CAMPING š Spending time in nature is my go-to but camping is my favorite way to spend time immersed in nature. I bring bikes, kayaks, and hiking shoes. Bliss.
You beat me to it. š And nature is part of mine too. Thank you for sharing this, CarrieLynn!
Me too!
I JOURNAL. The deep conversations I have with my inner and higher wisdom on the pages of my journal enliven my soul and calm my constitution. I take my time and listen. Much comes from those conversations.
Journaling as listening. Calming your constitution. I love this. Thank you for sharing, Cindy.
Thank you for starting this engaging conversation, Kelly.
I love journaling and making it habit to do it more often. It helps get me out of my head and center myself when feeling overwhelmed.
I agree šÆ, George.
Deep conversations - yes, with myself, with God, with loved ones who are not around. It helps a lot to get it all out on paper.
It really does. I do the same. It confirms connections beyond myself.
I love this - I should do it more often too.
Since I started doing Liz Gilbert's Letters from Love in January of this year, this has become my daily meditation and love always, but always, is there for me to remind me how wonderful I am and that I am never alone.
I love her Letters from Love too. Love always has so much to say and give.
Me three!! Life changing practice. My birthday wish/intention this year was inspired by Liz and LfL: to cultivate a relationship with unconditional love! š
Make that four of us here who are big fans of LfL!
What a beautiful intention for your birthday. š
Thankyou for this...I need to check it out!
You will love it, Heather!
Absolutely- I frequently have no idea how I actually feel or whatās really going on for me until I put pen on paper and see it looking back at me.
Right?! I love those moments when you read your own gems.
I count on the wisdom that I didn't even know was there! I have been blessed to hear from various ages, including wounded parts of me stuck at a specific age. Just by having the written connection and giving voice, has allowed so many wounds to heal, and to reintegrate that "frozen in wound" part into my adult healing self. The Divine at work!.
That truly is divine at work! I feel the same.
WATCH NATURE
This involves not just being in nature but being still in nature and watching it move around me. On the depleted day in question, I drove to my favorite bench alongside the river that runs through our town. I watched squirrels scuttle. I watched hawks hunt. I watched bees buzz.
That's how I 'must' start my every day :)
I wish it was a daily practice for me. I'd like to make it that!
You're making me think...
The more I feel the effect of this (and anything else I do) being a part of my life the way it is (as well as when it isn't), the more I'm in a mode of "it's a non-negotiable and I will figure out how to have it". And you know what? Even if I change location - so outside of my standard set up - I just can't see how I can't have it. I always can.
I build my days and life around the things I need, because I can't exist ...exist well... without them. If something really can't be done (like I'm up in the air between airports etc), it doesn't affect me. I bounce back to my rhythm and routines as soon as I can. But it's like a foundation that must be a part of the default set-up, to have feeling my top be a default experience, rather than a weekend or holiday allowance.
I so agree!! I enjoy sitting in my beloved tranquil spots, quietly observing and listening to nature, absorbing the cadence of its daily existence. Thereās an indescribable peace that comes with being in such stunning natural surroundings.
Beloved tranquil spots is a great way to describe it, CarrieLynn!
I do a lot of that myself, as much as I can. š
Yes, as much as possible. I'd like to challenge the limits of what I consider possible in that regard! š
Yes, I also find it deeply soothing to lose my 'self' in the larger natural world around me. There's so much to learn from our winged and four-footed and creepy crawly friends!
I OBSERVE THE HEAVENS. In the early morning before light peaks into my world, I grab the binoculars and look for the planets or stars bright enough to shine through the murky North Carolina sky. Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and the belt of Orion greeted me this morning. I could hear a song in my head, and whisper my āthank
you,ā for the softly snoring man who missed the view.
I love the early mornings too! When I can bring myself to it I get up at 5:45 to get ready and spend some silent time before my son wakes at 7:00. The best way to start the day! Makes all the difference. Looking at the starry sky the way you describe it sounds heavenly š
Yes! I often rise before the dawn and enjoy the sunrise or the night sky. My sleeping man usually misses those moments too. But I hold dear these times to enjoy His Creation in stillness and peace.
I am there with you, now! What a "stellar" practice.....excuse the pun!
Ha! Well played.
YES. As many nights as possible, I end the day by walking our property and "observing the heaven." That phrase makes it feel even more meaningful, thank you!
What a wonderful practice, Joyce.
Ahhh, what a glorious way to soothe the soul!
I GET UP EARLY AND GO FOR A DRIVE
Watching the city wake up centers me and helps me grasp the belief that Iām loved and have a purpose.
I want to hear more about that. I can imagine experiencing yourself as part of this bigger waking thing would be deeply spiritual. Is that what centers you, or something else?
Hi Kelly, thanks for asking.
I think it is similar to watching a sunrise. The fatigue of routine can many times dilute the significance of the opportunities we get. For me, watching the city wake up is a reminder that we get another chance to experience love and figure out how we can help someone else along the path.
Beautiful, thank you, Roger.
I CREATE, I SELF-CARE, I CONNECT WITH MYSELF.
It makes me feel anchored and nourished.
I READ OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE
Reading with a cup of tea feels like an indulgence anymore and I did just that last night when I felt depleted after a fun but exhausting long weekend. Spending time running, hiking, or biking in a natural setting calms me and recharges my soul.
I read too!! Itās my favorite go to ā„ļøā„ļø
I STRETCH. I tap into the mind-body connection and the benefit of slow, gentle movement and breathing to relax and restore body and soul.
Getting back into the body is so essential, Brenda, thanks for sharing this!
Brilliant
This is one I can definitely bring more of into my days! Thank you Brenda for the reminder.
I GO FOR WALKS AND FOCUS ON MY BREATHING. I have been doing this more often and alot of what Kelly wrote here is something I have been experiencing more in my life and feels heavy. I have more moments of sadness vs happiness taking place. The hour glass example was very relatable. Thank you for the prompt.
Keep going, George. The heaviness is the resistance to the sadness. Once the resistance ceases, the sadness sits right next to the happiness as an equally valuable part of the human experience. Promise! š
Ty š and will lean into this blessing.
I GET ON A TRAIL WITH MY CAMERA. I go to a place where there are never any people, and it immediately calms my soul. I start talking to everything I see, thanking it for being there... "Hello Mrs. Bluebird".... as I snap photos and revel in the sunshine and breeze. Before I know it, hours have passed, and my spirit is completely calmed. On one particularly hard day with my son who has autism, a 5 point buck just came walking down the trail towards me. I simply sat down, amazed and in awe. He didn't spook, but instead looked at me as if to let me know I was not alone. Then, he just started grazing contentedly. As I got up to walk down the trail, I turned to look, and he was watching me take my leave. It was so very powerful.
You are a safe person, Jayne, all of God's creatures can sense it. Glad you're on this Earth with us!
Wow, Jayne, what an incredible gift to be in presence with and in awe of our more than human companions.
I INFUSE MY NEXT BREATH WITH LOVE. Sometimes I'm so depleted that it's all I can do. I close my eyes, soften my body and breathe deeply. Finding internal solitude and loving myself through the deepest depletion helps me center myself before I'm even able to engage with the outside world.
Yes! In this spirit, I find that lovingkindness meditation helps me radiate loving breath with wholeness and gratitude that (does my flawed human best to) encompass all life. This practice is so connecting for me.
Preach. I'm receiving this right now. Thank you, my friend.
One of my favorite descriptions of the Examen is to breathe in the goodness and love of God, and when you breathe out, fill the space around you with that goodness and love. Breathe it in, breathe it out.
I love how āsmallā this is, so doable and it can make all the difference! I have a lot less time to replenish than I used to, less than I ideally need. So thank you for reminding me that it doesnāt need to be big, or take any extra time. Just breathe, just add a little love, just change whatās hard with a little bit of softness.
Mmm. "Just change what's hard with a little bit of softness." That makes transformation feel so doable. I love it.
I GO MUSHROOM HUNTING. Walking in the woods, keenly observant, experiencing the thrill of discovery is very exhilarating and calming at the same time. And when I discover that choice edible, I experience gratitude to it and God who gave it.
There's a sense of union with nature in what you're describing. Beautiful.
PS. Did not intend to highlight last two words of my previous comment but don't know how to edit. It actually takes you to some unknown website so please disregard.
Usually, if you hit the three buttons next to the comment, you can edit, but no worries if you can't. I love this practice!
I LISTEN TO PODCASTS. I listen to Rob Bell when I want a smile on my faceāI somehow feel lighter afterwards, more okay with the silliness of being human, more allowed to just be me. I listen to Turning to the Mystics with Jim Finley āhis voice makes me feel relaxed and the poetic ways in which he speaks of deep truth helps me ground myself. I listen to We can do hard things with Glennon Doyle when I want a good laughāthe three hosts make me feel like I am part of a kind of community that is real and imperfect and beautiful.
I do other things, also nature and reading and creating and journaling. But this one wasnāt on here yet.
Love, love, love Rob Bell and have seen him live twice... mind always blown. Have been a part of the "Pod Squad" since its inception and so look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays! Nice to "meet" you, Lara!
Holy cow, I love all three of those people but didn't realize James Finley had a podcast. Thanks for letting me know, Lara!
Heās done about 7 seasons on different mystics. Itās really a gem! Glad I could help š
PLAN A SOLO TRIP. Going on the trip is restorative but so is planning. What can I see? Is there a concert or opera? Roman ruins? Architecture? I like short trips, just 2 or 3 nights. I like to learn public transportation in unknown cities.
So good. Planning one of those right now.
Thank you for this idea Renee! As a wife, mom and grandmother I often plan trips and make sure everyoneās needs are met, which I love!! But oh the thought of planning a trip just for me sounds grand!!
This!
Renee, I discovered the joy and adventure of traveling alone, a long car drive š to a destination. Stop when you want, eat where you want, not having to confer or coordinate. I'm social and caring, and periodically like to know I can take care of myself. I always meet friendly and helpful people.
I just got back from a solo journey to New Orleans, where I officiated the wedding of some friends. I can attest to what you say here Carol, it is very fresh for me!
I look thru old photos . Nothing can fill me up like the memories of my children. The sweet smiles of my grandkids give me total joy!
Yes... memories from old photos are so soul nourishing!
What a great idea! š