What’s New: Why are you happy?
At our town’s tree lighting on Friday. This was Annabelle’s first bonfire, and she was in awe!
Annabelle has officially reached the stage of constant questioning. “Mom, what would happen if…” is uttered countless times each day. She’s also turning outward, noticing, and taking an interest in people so much more, so the questions revolve around others often, too. Like a very small guru, she forces me to stop and think about my thoughts and feelings several times each day, “Mom, are you happy?” “Mom, are you upset?” “Why are you happy?” “Why are you upset?” It’s a reminder of how aware my children are of my moods, too – a huge responsibility.
This week, we finally got into the holiday spirit. I had been thrilled to learn some weeks ago that we would be able to pick up a tree from a nearby farm, just down the road at our local market. I jumped right on pre ordering one, completely underestimating what a bummer it would be to wait all the way until market day on December 8th to pick it up. I have always looked forward to putting the tree up Thanksgiving weekend, once everything is cleaned up from the festivities, and I am not a patient woman. Finally, on Saturday morning we picked the tree up – literally, as Andrew insisted it would be easier to carry it the half mile home on his shoulder than to put it on top of our car. Continue reading
Giving From the Heart
When I decided to write through my study of Nonviolent Communication, I thought I would dedicate a post to my experience with each chapter, for a total of thirteen posts. As I write, however, I’m reminded of how very much there is in each one, and how deeply they all resonate with me. Instead, I’m now planning to move back through the book, writing on each concept that has touched me separately. This means, of course, that my Sunday posts may go far beyond NaBlogPoMo (yes, I missed a day). We’ll see where this goes!
Giving From the Heart
Photo Credit: Jesslee Cuizon on Flickr.
The title of the first chapter in Rosenberg’s book is “Giving From the Heart,” a concept that has been on my mind almost constantly since I encountered it in my first reading months ago. We all give of ourselves on a regular basis: a smile, a word of appreciation, a gift, an act of kindness. Many times, we do these things simply because we would like to. I hug and kiss my husband and daughter because I love them. I cook for them because this love gives me a desire to care for them. I say kind words to friends because I feel they deserve it, and I want them to know that.
These small gifts not only gratify the receiver, but knowing that I have been able to give something of value, however tangible or intangible, brings me a great deal of joy as well. At the same time, my relationship with those I give to often leads to a desire in them to give back to me, and the cycle continues, ideally anyway. Continue reading
Transforming Reactions into Responses
“While the words [react and respond] are listed as synonyms, looking closely reveals subtle, but important differences. When we react, we take some action, usually one that is intended to counter the thing that we’re reacting to. We may react to yelling by yelling back, or react to change with attempts to stop what is happening. When we respond, we acknowledge what we see and give an answer, but do not necessarily feel a need to counter what we’re responding to.”
To read the rest, please visit TouchstoneZ, where I’m honored to be guest posting today!
On Becoming an Aspiring Mindful Mama
Welcome to the First Mindful Mama Carnival
This post was written for inclusion in the Mindful Mama Blog Carnival hosted by Zoie at TouchstoneZ. Participants are writing posts about what mindful practices mean to them, how they parent mindfully, obstacles to mindful practice and experiences along the way. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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Visit TouchstoneZ to find out how you can participate in the next Mindful Mama Blog Carnival!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
- The Lost Art of Chill One Rich Mother explains how she overcame her habit of screaming through mindfulness
- Mindful Running Jenn @ Monkey Butt Junction shares how running has become her meditation.
- Mindful Mama…Who, Me? Kelly at Becoming Crunchy talks about why it’s difficult for her to be a Mindful Mama.
- Ritual of Affirmations Patti @ Jazzy Mama finds out that a simple evening ritual can take on new importance when it is done with thoughtfulness and intent.
- My Mindfulness Challenge Amanda at Let’s Take the Metro has set forth a mindfulness challenge for herself in an effort to become a better person.
- Keeping My Sanity by Losing My Mind CJ at Imperfect Happiness describes how she connects with reality by disconnecting from her mind.
- On Becoming an Aspiring Mindful Mama Melissa at The New Mommy Files has found that motherhood demands mindfulness, so she’s working toward becoming a more mindful mama.
- Perfect and Complete, Lacking Nothing Rachael at The Variegated Life finds more time in the practice of being now.
- On Mindfulness and Multitasking Terri at Child of the Nature Isle reflects on how her mindful practices have changed since having children and how multitasking has been the key to maintaining a balanced life.
- I’ll Have What She’s Having Zoie at TouchstoneZ shares how she learned to trust in the “YES!”
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