Cultivating Contentment
There are specific roots that can be directly cultivated. These roots include the capacity for being present, generosity of spirit, gratitude, loving-kindness and forgiveness.
mindful movement
Gratitude is our front line defense against stress, anxiety and despair. And if that’s not enough, Cicero described it as “not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others, the moral memory of mankind, the most passionate transformative force in the cosmos, the key that opens all doors, and the quality that makes us and keeps us young.”
There are specific roots that can be directly cultivated. These roots include the capacity for being present, generosity of spirit, gratitude, loving-kindness and forgiveness.
The ability to repair – be it your body or relationship – is a life skill. We’re not taught this. We’re a fast-paced culture that doesn’t encourage slowing down, but that’s exactly what healing demands.
Did you know that there are four independent brain circuits that influence our lasting well-being? While each circuit contributes beautifully on their own, when joined by the other circuits they create magic – broadening our everyday existence to include a wider and more vibrant range of experience.
This Danish commercial captures the heart of yoga, which is wisdom to know that we are not separate. We connected.
Judith Weiser calls snapshots “footprints of the mind,” where the present holds the past and carries the story behind the words. Photos capture a moment that holds the feelings, thoughts, and emotions forever in time.
Self-motivated activities like yoga, gardening, bird watching, photography, etc. are driven from within. You want the locus of control to be in your hands, where it belongs, not at the mercy of others. It can involve others and is often more fun, but it needs to be something that already makes your heart sing. But if all your activities involve others, go back and change a few.
Want to know a secret short cut to creating more joy in your life? Be a light in another’s life. Compliment and give thanks as often as you can. Reflect back the beauty, strength, creativity and wisdom you see in others. Be specific. “You look amazing in that dress and it’s all in the way you own it!” A snap of the fingers is optional, though highly recommended.
Every morning, I spend a few minutes sitting quietly with a cup of tea. For the last ten years or so, I’ve spent it staring through the large picture window that faces my garden.
Being satisfied with what we already have is a magical golden key to being alive in a full, unrestricted, and inspired way. – Pema Chödrön We cannot exile undesirable parts of ourselves without dulling the rest. That’s because our juiciness and aliveness is all mixed…
I have fond childhood memories of going to the Angel Stadium with my dad. He loved baseball and his enthusiasm for anything was contagious. Swept in the memory of a simpler time, I checked the box with a “heck yeah” I’ll volunteer!