First I just want to say a big HELLO to you all and tell you that I’ve missed talking with so many of you during these strange, unique, and stressful times! I honestly believe that ALL of our lives in one way shape or form have been turned upside down in the past bunch of weeks!
I also believe that change for many of us is quite often difficult and unsettling. But when life as we know it gets flipped on it’s head…when life as we know it is not here anymore… what do we do? What can we do? How should we feel? How do we cope? When will life get back to normal? Or at least a new normal? I really don’t think that things will or can be quite the same ever again! We have to be open to mourning the loss and pain that these changes bring. And for some of us these losses may be truly great. And yet knowing all of this to be true, I do believe that some changes will indeed be for good!
What are your thoughts? How are you doing?
Recently I completed a mediation workshop. It was very powerful and very helpful for me. It felt so good to be part of a small group of like minded people wanting to be more present and more mindful of themselves, others, and the world around them.
I have learned the power of turning my focus and attention to my breath, especially in moments of anxiousness or stress. More often than not, it’s the one thing we can indeed control. And sometimes, that may be all that we can control…or feel like we can control. So in this strange and uncertain time, taking time to tune in to and follow our breath, may just be the perfect antidote. Indeed it is making a difference for me!
So what I’m thinking about right now is my desire to share a quote or poem or perhaps even both…a mindful moment with you here each week in my blog. I think we can all use a little bit of inspiration. And hopefully…what touches me, will touch you too!
So here is the first…
“Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment. We feel more alive. We also gain immediate access to our powerful inner resources for insight, transformation, and healing.” Jon Kabat-Zinn
Joy & Love,
Goddess Mandy 🙂 XO
Thank you Goddess Mandy. I look very forward to this. Not just inspiration from the quotes you share but inspiration from your own intellect. Which you are blessed with.
Ohhhh Cindy…thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts with me! 🙂 What a beautiful compliment you’ve given me! Thank you SO much!! I truly love inspiring people any way that I can so I hope to do a great deal more of it! 🙂
Mandy, you always are so inspiring with your thoughts and words. Here is a poem from Post 9/11 that reminds us of hope –
When the desperation hit
When the people cried in the streets
When everything felt at loss
Hope stayed, even though fleaing would be easier
When the eyes were full of tears.
When kids and families were torn apart
By that last desperate grasp
Hope tried
When all else gave up
When all else backed off
When people lost all they had
Hope flew
When they cried
When the world was shocked with desperation and dispair
When nothing seemed good
Hope worked
When those four planes crashed
When the buildings fell
When the lives were lost
Hope was there
Hope was only a tiny glimmer
Hope was still there
She ran to those who needed her
She worked to help
When all else failed
Hope didn’t
She flew through us all
Letting us know, we still had her
We just needed to look hard enough
Hope was there
Hope remembers
Jessica Millsaps
Ohhhh Russ….thank you so much!! I love this poem. Thank you so much for sharing it. It really is perfect for what is going on. I think that we ALL need a little bit of hope right now. 🙂
Dear Goddess:
Thanks, as always for sharing Your thoughts and insights with us. i always find Your quotes inspirational.i guess the good thing about being retired at the moment, is the lack of disruption in my little sphere. i am bummed the major hiking trails are closed for the season so seek to find something beautiful closer to home. Speaking to, and hearing from You always helps immensely there.
And yes, as long as we can control our breathing and focus on each moment, things get better. As You know, one of my favorite quotes comes from Your favorite singer: “The secret of life is enjoying the passing of time.”
Thank you so much kneel…both for stopping by to read and for sharing your thoughts and feelings! 🙂 And I am bummed about those trails, too! It was definitely a sad day for Me when I received an email from Mass Audubon speaking of just this and when I learned from you about the AT. I really do hope that you can find a beautiful place close to home to enjoy!!! And YES…JT…the amazing song man. I so do love him and couldn’t agree more with that wonderful lyric! 🙂