{re}made by hand

theminimalistas: (via Minimalist Quote | | The Minimalistas)

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 11:54:31 -0400

theminimalistas:

(via Minimalist Quote | | The Minimalistas)

simplifyyourlife: You don’t.

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:18:31 -0400

simplifyyourlife:

You don’t.

Kitty catches a breeze

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:49:00 -0400

Kitty catches a breeze

GoodLifeProject

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 01:31:39 -0400

GoodLifeProject:

zenhabits:

Amazing new project!

Mindfulness 101: Week 7, Day 6, Session 1 and Week 8

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 03:28:01 -0400

I did practice two days ago! I just forgot to post. It was my last actual planned session because…

As the authors of my chosen reference say, week 8 is the rest of your life. I need to figure out how I’d like to formally practice mindfulness from now on on my own.

This morning I tried guiding myself through a body scan. I liked being able to go at my own pace, and I’m not sure my mind ended up wandering more. I’ll definitely try it again.

Mindfulness 101: Week 7, Day 5, Session 1

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 22:44:12 -0400

Another half practice today. I’m traveling, which makes keeping up with the routine hard. However, my goal is to practice at least a little six days a week — so far so good!

Mindfulness 101: Week 7, Day 4, Session 1

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 02:32:09 -0400

Half a practice today due to time constraints. Still, I didn’t skip altogether! And that’s an achievement :)

Mindfulness 101: Week 7, Days 2 & 3, Session 1

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:36:32 -0400

Forgot to post yesterday BUT I did practice. Both days, in fact. I really like the pairing I chose. I feel like they’re both easier to do than when I started, which is encouraging!

Mindfulness 101: Week 7, Day 1, Session 1

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:01:59 -0400

Week 7! I’m three quarters of the way through my project. This week, I get to pick which two of the eight sessions I want to practice: one I found particularly grounding, and the other I felt I didn’t fully “get” the first time through.

For the former, I’m going with the body scan, as I love how it gets my mind and body back in sync after a night during which my mind was off dreaming while my body rested. For the latter, I’m revisiting the “sounds and thoughts” meditation. I’m good at observing sounds without getting drawn into them, but I’m not so good with thoughts. Perhaps another week will help.

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 7, Session 1

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:40:59 -0400

First week I’ve practiced all seven days! At least, first one I recall…

Had a really nice session this morning. For whatever reason, it was easier to stay with the recording. Curious to see what next week’s focus is.

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 6, Session 1

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 22:46:15 -0400

It seems like the more I listen to the tracks provided with the book I’m using and the more familiar with them I become, the more my mind seems to wander off. I’m wondering what it will be like to practice without the prerecorded tracks — better? Or will I just spend my entire session thinking??

These are the things I think about, now that my program is nearing its end and I’m contemplating how I’ll continue my practice.

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 5, Session 1

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 21:40:47 -0400

Another morning session today. I’m loving the routine and the peaceful start to the day. Though, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, which makes me feel unproductive when I sit down to practice.

It’s interesting — I’m noticing the effects of my practice in ways that go way beyond my morning sessions, even on days my mind is all over the place. That’s encouraging :)

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 4, Session 1

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 22:35:52 -0400

Another nice morning. I’ve realized if I keep pen and paper near me, I can jot down ideas that come up during my sessions. It interrupts the process a little, but at least the thought I struggle to hang onto for fear of forgetting stops bouncing around in my head so much. Not sure if that’s “legal,” but I’m going to keep experimenting with it!

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 3, Session 1

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:28:31 -0400

First morning I’ve been in my own home to practice in over a week. It was nice to settle down in my little office, on my folded up blanket, with my cat trying to get her paw under the door to harass me. I like traveling, but I like coming home, too :)

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 2, Sesssion 1

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:29:10 -0400

Really liking this befriending focus. Such a kind, warm way to start the day.

Also, though I’ve been posting here in the evenings, I’ve been keeping up with morning practice sessions, which are working out really well.

Mindfulness 101: Week 6, Day 1, Session 1

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:48:06 -0400

Week 6, it turns out, focuses on befriending: self, loved ones, strangers, and people you’re not especially fond of. It’s a practice I’ve heard of from Buddhism—tonglen—and I’ve been interested to try it. The authors do a nice job making it seem straightforward and accessible, which is good. It’s much easier for me to do than the difficulty focus was last week. Looking forward to exploring it more.

Mindfulness 101: Week 5, Day 7, Session 1

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:17:00 -0400

I’ve practiced right after waking up this whole week! Except for my day off, that is. I’m interested to see what tomorrow’s new session holds!

Mindfulness 101: Week 5, Day 6, Session 1

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 23:08:34 -0400

I finally feel like I’m getting into a routine of waking up and practicing mindfulness right away. The temptation to put it off is getting weaker by the day.

I don’t feel like I’m focusing any better, though. I miss huge portions of the sessions, especially when I have a lot on my mind. I wonder sometimes if it’s because I’m trying to pay attention to what the session is talking about instead of just staying with my breath.

Mindfulness 101: Week 5, Day 5, Session 1

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 00:11:17 -0400

I skipped yesterday, my one day off for the week.

I did practice this morning, though. I skipped the difficulty section and did everything else. I resist digging up past problems. I don’t think I’m avoiding them — I feel like they’re resolved, so why go there? But perhaps I’m wrong…

thrivewithless: Thrive With Less is officially here. 110%...

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:02:13 -0400

thrivewithless:

Thrive With Less is officially here.

110% worth investing an hour in. So inspiring, honest, and beautifully filmed!