“Just sit there and do nothing!” This was Mom’s stern directive when she made my sister and I sit on separate chairs in the living room when she was fed up with our picking at each other. It certainly wasn’t a invitation! We often heard instead: “Get busy!” “Keep moving!” “Hurry up!” “Quit daydreaming!” Action, productivity, forward motion, work ethic. “Don’t you want to MAKE something of yourself?” The invitation,“just sit there” might seem counter cultural because it ISN’T about doing. And this is exactly the point! Continue reading “Take Your Seat – A Practical Guide to Beginning and Sustaining a Mindfulness Meditation Practice, Part 2”
Begin – A Practical Guide to Beginning and Sustaining a Mindfulness Meditation Practice, Part 1
Begin
Where do I begin? How do I start a meditation practice? Where do I find the time? These are some of the questions I get when I lead a mindfulness meditation group. Without being outright snarky, the easiest answer is, just begin! Sharing from my own personal experience, here are a few guidelines to begin and sustain a meaningful mindfulness meditation practice. Continue reading “Begin – A Practical Guide to Beginning and Sustaining a Mindfulness Meditation Practice, Part 1”
Mindful Friendship – Mindful Goodness
Mary Ann and I met in kindergarten at Jackson Elementary School on the south side of Youngstown, Ohio. We spent the next eight years in the same classes together. My mother even allowed me to walk to Mary Ann’s house – which included crossing busy Midlothian Blvd. We played. We laughed. We sat on each other’s beds to share little girl secrets.
Once we went to high school, our interests took us in different directions and toward different careers. Mary Ann went to nursing school. I pursued my music and theology degrees. Continue reading “Mindful Friendship – Mindful Goodness”
Courage and Kindness
A few weeks ago my husband and I went to an afternoon matinee of the documentary about Mister Rogers, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” No sooner did the film begin, than I found myself in tears! Throughout the poignant retelling of Fred Rogers life and career, I found myself at points actually sobbing. Continue reading “Courage and Kindness”
I Honor You
I Honor You…
As I walk into the dimly lit room, I see several people sitting with eyes closed, heads bowed, hands placed delicately in their laps. Soft music is playing. There is the scent of lavender like incense lingering in the air. On first glance, it might appear that I have walked into a church – a sacred place. Continue reading “I Honor You”