Tag Archives: mindfulness

Use your mind to stop the hands of time to simply experience and savor this moment

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Use your mind to stop the hands of time to simply experience and savor this moment.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Alejandro Piñero Amerio

Today’s quote is about the power of mindfulness.

Time relentlessly moves forward, but through conscious awareness, we can pause mentally and fully immerse ourselves in the present.

This practice allows us to appreciate life’s simple joys — whether it’s the warmth of sunlight, a heartfelt conversation, or the taste of your favorite meal.

By intentionally slowing down our thoughts and focusing on NOW, we enrich our experiences and reduce stress.

Embracing this mindset transforms fleeting moments into lasting memories, making life far more meaningful and fulfilling.

EXERCISE:

Take three to five minutes throughout your day to take a breath, engage your mind, and truly savor these pauses in time.

When you savor the moment

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When you savor the moment, you’ll discover more moments to savor.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Shantung Kulkarni

Today’s quote beautifully captures the essence of mindful living.

By immersing ourselves in the present — whether it’s enjoying a cup of coffee, a heartfelt conversation, or a quiet sunset — we train our minds to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

This practice not only enriches our current experience but also heightens our awareness, making us more attuned to future joy.

When we savor moments, we create a positive feedback loop, attracting more meaningful experiences.

In our fast-paced world, slowing down to truly enjoy the “now” can transform ordinary days into extraordinary days.

EXERCISE:

Take a few deliberate pauses throughout your day to fully immerse yourself in the current experience without rushing to the next task.

Explore all five of your senses in these moments to heighten your awareness and appreciation of these times, making them even richer and more memorable.

Food, Try to do a little better

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“Food, Try to do a little better.”

——Anne Lamott, American novelist, essayist, and political activist

Image from Unsplash by Emanuel Ekström

Food is much more than fuel for our bodies — it’s a powerful connector of culture, memory, and emotion. Every meal tells a story, reflecting traditions, family bonds, and personal creativity.

Good food nourishes not only the body but also the soul, bringing comfort and joy. It has the unique ability to bring people together, sparking conversation and celebration.

Yet, food also challenges us to do better — choosing healthier, sustainable options that respect both our well-being and the planet.

When we say “Food, try to do better” it’s a call to be mindful to emphasize quality, embrace diversity, reduce waste, and appreciate the journey from farm to our tables.

In every bite lies an opportunity to nourish ourselves and the world around us.

EXERCISE:

Consider watching the Netflix movie, Nonnas.

It’s a heartwarming story of an Italian restaurant staffed by grandmothers, bringing authentic family recipes to life and creating a new sense of community through food.

The mind can take you in a thousand directions

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The mind can take you in a thousand directions, but on this path, I walk in peace.

—Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk

Image from Unsplash by Darius Bashar

I’ve been an avid student my entire life. In my early years, I remember being passionately curious about how things worked.

Even today, I get a dopamine hit by looking up and questioning ideas that pop into my mind.

These days, many more of my inquiries center on my inner world.

Going there through guided meditation and other practices can sometimes be a noisy journey with many competing thoughts pulling me away from a peaceful path.

Thankfully, through ongoing practice and taking my lessons off the cushion and into the world, I’ve discovered more of the peace I seek.

EXERCISE:

In what ways does your mind take you in a thousand directions?

How can noticing these detours in your mindfulness efforts lead you toward a more peaceful path?

The way you look at things is the most powerful force shaping your life

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“The way you look at things is the most powerful force shaping your life.”

—John O’ Donohue, late Irish poet, author, Hegelian philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Bradley Pisney

Today’s quote is an excellent reminder to develop and cultivate our self-awareness and mindfulness abilities.

When we choose to adopt constructive perspectives and attitudes, we can harness our powers of perception to create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

If and when we look at things from a negative or closed mindset, we limit our abilities to navigate life’s challenges and complexities.

EXERCISE:

How can and will you exercise and develop your powers of perception to shape your life and your world for the better?

“No matter how mundane some action might appear, keep at it long enough and it becomes a contemplative, even meditative act.”

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“No matter how mundane some action might appear, keep at it long enough and it becomes a contemplative, even meditative act.”

—Haruki Murakami, Japanese bestselling writer

Image from Unsplash by Pille R. Priske

Taking a daily walk and meditating each morning are habits I’ve had for many years.

These activities begin most days stress free and mindfully aware.

When the rest of my day gets going and things heat up, I can sometimes lose my balance and my cool.

To regain my centeredness, I often find the mundane chores of cooking and cleaning help restore my well-being.

The act of chopping vegetables for a stir fry and simply tidying up does wonders to restore a bit more Zen in my days.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the mundane actions you take throughout your days to restore and renew yourself?

Feel free to reply to this post if your care to share what works well for you.

Ring the bells of your days and sit in their reverberations

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Ring the bells of your days and sit in their reverberations.
—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Manga Vitriolic

The days go by in a blur for most of us. Whether we’re rushing around like chickens without their heads or the world around us is speeding by, it’s all a bit dizzying.

Living with greater mindfulness and intention slows things down so that we actually notice our surroundings and reflect on what is going on, moment-to-moment.

With our best focused efforts, we take in and appreciate the bells we ring and the whistles we blow to signal the marks we make in our communities.

EXERCISE:

Take some extra time throughout your day — or just at day’s end —to feel the reverberations of your efforts and the impact you’ve had on the world around you.

Consider giving yourself a quiet celebratory high five to acknowledge the good you’ve done before you head to bed.

If you’re too busy to sit for 10 minutes you need to sit still for an hour

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“If you’re too busy to sit for 10 minutes you need to sit still for an hour.”

—Zen Proverb

Image from Unsplash by Alex Ware

During my busiest working years, it was a source of pride for myself and many of my colleagues to pat ourselves on the back for our workaholic tendencies.

When asked how someone was doing words like slammed, jammed, and swamped were ways we stoked our egos and compared ourselves to mere mortals.

We were not only booked virtually every minute of the day, some folks actually overbooked themselves to show how incredibly important and indispensable they were.

For many of these people this way of operating had a double edge with a considerable downside to their health and their espoused important relationships.

EXERCISE:

To what degree do you include buffer/relaxation time into your daily schedule?

Consider starting with blocks of ten minutes and work your way into hours, days, etc.

Feel free to reply to this post on how this proverb applies to you and your world.

Pause when provoked.

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Pause when provoked.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

What would be possible if you resisted the urge to judge and criticize others?

Where could an intentional pause allow you to pivot in a better direction when you are hooked by what others say and do?

Unfortunately, the time between stimulus and response seems to keep getting shorter and shorter.

Our urgent need to get things done, multitask, and speed though the unsavory parts of our lives often has us shoot before we aim.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life that push your buttons and provoke you?

What are some frequent topics or events that trigger heated emotions and upsets?

What approaches can you take to mindfully pause before your amygdala is hijacked?

There is a big difference between fresh air and an air freshener

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“There is a big difference between fresh air and an air freshener.”

—Gretchen Rubin, NYT Bestselling Author

Image from Unsplash by Matthias Hyde

AQI or Air Quality Index is a term more and more people are familiar with these days due to the many Canadian wildfires.

Do a search for the most polluted cities in the world and you might be shocked at how many cities are almost always at unhealthy, severe, and hazardous levels.

Looking beyond forest fires, what other activities are the cause of such hazardous conditions?

Look into the ingredient lists of various air fresheners and you’ll see many noxious substances adding to the toxic load!

How aware are you of the things you put into your body?

How mindful are you of what’s in your food, water, and air, and their impact on your health?

EXERCISE:

What can and will you do to clean up your inner and outer worlds so we can all breathe a little easier tomorrow?