Day 91
Yesterday, Sally my flop eared smiler and I went for walk/run at dusk. I remembered as I walked to smile and look up. There really is much to be grateful for this season. For me, December has typically been a time of regret and pressing. I would find myself disappointed in my year, thinking I should have done more, been more, accomplished more, made more...more-more-more! I would rush around trying to buy gifts to send to family, decorate, shop, wrap and bake in a season of quiet.
It might be my practice, it might be I'm another year older and perhaps wiser. I don't know. I do know this year I feel at ease. I have found a love of this time of year that had eluded me in the past. My house isn't decorated, my presents aren't all wrapped and sent, my cards not completed and my house isn't that clean. And yet- and this is a drum roll moment- and yet I am surprisingly content and happy.
As Sally and I crested a hill yesterday we looked out into the sound and had to pause. The sun was setting, pink was painted across the sky with blue, white and gray in wide strokes. We stopped. We paused, looked and listened. The noise of my walking, my arms brushing up against my sides, our foot steps, breathing, my busy brain all came to a pause. The quiet was so loud! I heard birds and peace. It is hard to put words to this feeling of quiet. All I can really offer is a suggestion.
In this season of more, go outside and walk until you find a place of beauty. And then pause. Do nothing but stand perfectly still and absorb the moment. If you are looking for peace on earth you don't have to go far.
Wishing you a season of peace, contentment and the inner wisdom to know when to pause,
Denise
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Saturday, December 7, 2013
A shift in direction for the holiday season
Day #80!
And 80 days have moved through this practice. I'm find myself smiling without cause lately. As I move through the day, I will automatically remember to smile. And when I smile my whole body relaxes and I breathe deeper.
This year for Christmas you will not find me in the malls or off buying because I have a list. You may find me in the grocery store gathering supplies or in front of my stove creating.
For years, I have fought with my own spirit when it came time to shop and spend and ship and exhaust myself this time of year. Partly I think from a feeling of not having enough and partly because this time of year my energy/spirit/internal rhythm wants more TLC than any other time of the year.
The thought of just buying because I would feel guilty if I didn't seemed so superficial. The idea that I was separated from family and needed to buy a gift every year just to stay connected and so they know I love them does not fit well in my spirit.
Through this practice I have had a shift in Christmas gift giving. I am making most of our presents, except for an ancient recipe book I found and ordered online. But for the most part, I will be creating body butters, lip balms and skin healing creams to give. I will be whipping up batches of Ghee plain and maybe a few mixed with raw honey or cooked with garlic. I'm giving from my heart not my bank account or some misdirected guilt complex that shows up for Christmas.
When I create in the kitchen the very act makes me smile. I gain energy. I come from a place of creativity and abundance. When I shop I feel depleted, tense and poor. And so in the spirit of my 1000 day practice, Christmas like every other season and day of the year should be a gift of joy. And as I prepare to make Ghee this morning I smile because this gift is a gift from my heart. It is a gift I know will be given from the spirit of love and not from the guilt of not loving enough. Maybe I will spend more hours in the kitchen creating but I know I will spend less hours in malls and stores. Maybe I will turn on my own stereo and listen to the nutcracker dance, Maybe I will drink a cup of tea and snack on some homemade treat. Maybe I will invite a girlfriend over to play as I play. For creating is a way of playing and doesn't that seem wonderful to play through the holidays again???
And like most everyday since I have started this practice back on the 17th of September I'm so thankful for the grounding and consistency of this practice to remind me of my joys, my love of living and my gratitude for this day.
May your holidays, whatever they are, be a reminder of who you are deep inside. May the gift you are be enough this season. May you smile for no reason, breathe deeply and be content with your life as it is today.
Denise's ponderings on day 80
And 80 days have moved through this practice. I'm find myself smiling without cause lately. As I move through the day, I will automatically remember to smile. And when I smile my whole body relaxes and I breathe deeper.
This year for Christmas you will not find me in the malls or off buying because I have a list. You may find me in the grocery store gathering supplies or in front of my stove creating.
For years, I have fought with my own spirit when it came time to shop and spend and ship and exhaust myself this time of year. Partly I think from a feeling of not having enough and partly because this time of year my energy/spirit/internal rhythm wants more TLC than any other time of the year.
The thought of just buying because I would feel guilty if I didn't seemed so superficial. The idea that I was separated from family and needed to buy a gift every year just to stay connected and so they know I love them does not fit well in my spirit.
Through this practice I have had a shift in Christmas gift giving. I am making most of our presents, except for an ancient recipe book I found and ordered online. But for the most part, I will be creating body butters, lip balms and skin healing creams to give. I will be whipping up batches of Ghee plain and maybe a few mixed with raw honey or cooked with garlic. I'm giving from my heart not my bank account or some misdirected guilt complex that shows up for Christmas.
When I create in the kitchen the very act makes me smile. I gain energy. I come from a place of creativity and abundance. When I shop I feel depleted, tense and poor. And so in the spirit of my 1000 day practice, Christmas like every other season and day of the year should be a gift of joy. And as I prepare to make Ghee this morning I smile because this gift is a gift from my heart. It is a gift I know will be given from the spirit of love and not from the guilt of not loving enough. Maybe I will spend more hours in the kitchen creating but I know I will spend less hours in malls and stores. Maybe I will turn on my own stereo and listen to the nutcracker dance, Maybe I will drink a cup of tea and snack on some homemade treat. Maybe I will invite a girlfriend over to play as I play. For creating is a way of playing and doesn't that seem wonderful to play through the holidays again???
And like most everyday since I have started this practice back on the 17th of September I'm so thankful for the grounding and consistency of this practice to remind me of my joys, my love of living and my gratitude for this day.
May your holidays, whatever they are, be a reminder of who you are deep inside. May the gift you are be enough this season. May you smile for no reason, breathe deeply and be content with your life as it is today.
Denise's ponderings on day 80
Thursday, November 28, 2013
The Practice of Pausing
Day 71 of 1000
" If you want to learn you practice"
Seven Sacred Pauses
Macrina Wiederkehr
In high school and a bit in college I ran track and cross country. Most everyday, I would practice. I would practice gaining endurance and strength. I would practice breathing deeply and gaining power. Each practice added to my training. Without practicing I would have never improved my running skills. Some days, I practiced poorly. In high school I remember a few days we took a short cut and ending up in the local Dairy Queen for ice cream. Other days, my practice was almost spiritual in its power to transform. Having quality days of practice was good but it was the daily practicing that made the most difference. Showing up for practice was the key. My body, mind and spirit would often dictate the "quality of practice". Maybe ice cream was indeed the perfect practice for the day.
I don't always know what I really need. My days start to blend together, my to-do lists take priority in my brain and sometimes I just forget what is truly important in life. This is why I practice. I practice pausing and coming back to center. I practice writing as a gift to myself. I practice smiling to see the gift of each day. I practice running to be honest.
These practices keep me humble and awake. The curiosity of what will happen after 1000 days of practice keeps me motivated.
Macrina reminds me, "I believe that the word practice is one of the most important words in the spiritual life... If you want to be a dancer, a pianist, a singer, a figure skater, you practice...Why should the spiritual life be any different? We practice pausing to remember the sacredness of our names, who we are, and what we plan on doing with the incredible gift of our lives - and how we can learn to be in the midst of so much doing." pg 13 Seven Sacred Pauses
" If you want to learn you practice"
Seven Sacred Pauses
Macrina Wiederkehr
In high school and a bit in college I ran track and cross country. Most everyday, I would practice. I would practice gaining endurance and strength. I would practice breathing deeply and gaining power. Each practice added to my training. Without practicing I would have never improved my running skills. Some days, I practiced poorly. In high school I remember a few days we took a short cut and ending up in the local Dairy Queen for ice cream. Other days, my practice was almost spiritual in its power to transform. Having quality days of practice was good but it was the daily practicing that made the most difference. Showing up for practice was the key. My body, mind and spirit would often dictate the "quality of practice". Maybe ice cream was indeed the perfect practice for the day.
I don't always know what I really need. My days start to blend together, my to-do lists take priority in my brain and sometimes I just forget what is truly important in life. This is why I practice. I practice pausing and coming back to center. I practice writing as a gift to myself. I practice smiling to see the gift of each day. I practice running to be honest.
These practices keep me humble and awake. The curiosity of what will happen after 1000 days of practice keeps me motivated.
Macrina reminds me, "I believe that the word practice is one of the most important words in the spiritual life... If you want to be a dancer, a pianist, a singer, a figure skater, you practice...Why should the spiritual life be any different? We practice pausing to remember the sacredness of our names, who we are, and what we plan on doing with the incredible gift of our lives - and how we can learn to be in the midst of so much doing." pg 13 Seven Sacred Pauses
Washing dishes and smiling- a deep- deep practice for sure!!!!
Wishing you a day of practice that tastes like ice cream,
Denise
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The art of Kaizen
Day #60
Today, I have taken care of myself. We had a wonderful family gathering of 19 yesterday- an early Thanksgiving celebration. Which by the way I highly recommend. Not only did we have today to get our home back in order, rest and eat left overs. We also opened up a new tradition of having an un-traditional Thanksgiving two weekends before Thanksgiving. It feels wonderful to have gotten to enjoy a vibrant family gathering. But I now feel so blessed to still have a not- traditional Thanksgiving day awaiting us. A new tradition of having a day set aside for pausing and being thankful, not rushing, cooking and cleaning like a whirlwind.
And so tonight, as I puttered around my creative room and saw a familiar quote I have had on my wall for years. I realized, it is really the definition of my 1000 day journey.
Kaizen
An interesting Japanese concept
The art of making the smallest subtlest changes possible
Is is not about feeding our appetite for the grand gesture.
It is about producing real and lasting change:
However Small
May your days be simple but rich in Kaizen,
Denise
Today, I have taken care of myself. We had a wonderful family gathering of 19 yesterday- an early Thanksgiving celebration. Which by the way I highly recommend. Not only did we have today to get our home back in order, rest and eat left overs. We also opened up a new tradition of having an un-traditional Thanksgiving two weekends before Thanksgiving. It feels wonderful to have gotten to enjoy a vibrant family gathering. But I now feel so blessed to still have a not- traditional Thanksgiving day awaiting us. A new tradition of having a day set aside for pausing and being thankful, not rushing, cooking and cleaning like a whirlwind.
And so tonight, as I puttered around my creative room and saw a familiar quote I have had on my wall for years. I realized, it is really the definition of my 1000 day journey.
Kaizen
An interesting Japanese concept
The art of making the smallest subtlest changes possible
Is is not about feeding our appetite for the grand gesture.
It is about producing real and lasting change:
However Small
May your days be simple but rich in Kaizen,
Denise
Monday, November 4, 2013
Different Kinds of Smiles
This morning I woke up and smiled. I thought to myself, there are thousands of different smiles. My smile this morning was a sleepy contented smile. This little happy smile is completely different than my new discovery smile or my unexpected surprise smile. It seems kind of silly but the idea that I have zillions of different smiles made me happy and somehow relieved.
The key to an effective smile is two fold: engage eyes and if at all possible emotions. The second is not necessary but always a huge bonus. Some days, my energy is not as strong as other days. Depending on where I find myself a goofy, silly smile may not be appropriate. But I'm guessing if I pause and breathe long enough I might find enough reason to smile a little smile of gratitude or even a smile of relief. The fact is each day will give me reason to smile- to say thank you.
If I can remember to pause long enough there will be a reason. And if the reason isn't obvious at first, then I may I remember to practice my smile and by the end of my smile pause- just maybe I will have my reason.
I wish you great joy on your journey,
Denise
Day # 47
Thursday, October 31, 2013
A litle more playing and pretending please!
It is day 42 of my 1000 day practice and Halloween morning. This morning I was reminded to lighten up. For when I smile this is not a smile of just muscles and teeth but an internal smile. Connecting with my own radiance and spirit and smiling a smile not just from my face but from my heart.
This week I started my blog site from good vibrations. My new business cards arrived and I love them. Practicing, playing and pretending are on the list of things to do today. Maybe I outwardly know the answers to my many questions but if not, I can pretend I do and as if magic the answers usually come. As a matter of a fact answers that come from this place seem very wise and very light hearted.
The practice of smiling is really a reminder to pause and listen. To pretend and play and practice nurturing and expanding my radiant energies. These energies are where joy- begets joy and where gratitude revs up the engine.
So on day 42 my practice is to pause. And when I pause to relax and smile. And when I smile to pretend this smile is one from my heart and soul. And when I smile to remember to listen and be present. And when I am present and joyful so, I will get to notice all the blessing of the day. So today, I will smile, I will run and as you can read, I will write.
May the merits of this little 1000 day practice land on the wings of angels and may they be blessed and delivered to their highest good.
wishing you a joyful practice,
Denise
This week I started my blog site from good vibrations. My new business cards arrived and I love them. Practicing, playing and pretending are on the list of things to do today. Maybe I outwardly know the answers to my many questions but if not, I can pretend I do and as if magic the answers usually come. As a matter of a fact answers that come from this place seem very wise and very light hearted.
The practice of smiling is really a reminder to pause and listen. To pretend and play and practice nurturing and expanding my radiant energies. These energies are where joy- begets joy and where gratitude revs up the engine.
So on day 42 my practice is to pause. And when I pause to relax and smile. And when I smile to pretend this smile is one from my heart and soul. And when I smile to remember to listen and be present. And when I am present and joyful so, I will get to notice all the blessing of the day. So today, I will smile, I will run and as you can read, I will write.
May the merits of this little 1000 day practice land on the wings of angels and may they be blessed and delivered to their highest good.
wishing you a joyful practice,
Denise
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Day #27 Why smile?
Smiling sounded like such a simple little practice. Turn up the corners of your mouth and twinkle your eyes. But in reality smiling is more about coming into the present moment. As it turns out my true smiling seems only to come when I'm present. And so this practice of smiling is also practice of being present.
I find when I am present I also have better posture and I breathe deeper. When I smile I tend to be relaxed and at ease. And so this practice of smile is also one of relaxing and being at ease. When I'm at ease I tend to have more faith my next move in life will be supported. And so this practice of smiling is also about trusting in life. The practice of smiling is about having faith.
And when I do smile from the heart, I feel happier. I seem to be happier more often. And so this practice of smiling is also about nurturing my inner radiance and joy. I seem to notice our home has more laughter- maybe it has always been this way and now I join along.
I find when I'm present and at ease I am a better listener. And so this practice of smiling is about learning to listen. And when I'm listening I notice more things- I see better. I taste the flavors of my food. I catch the aromas of the day and I feel the weight of my dishes as I put them away in the morning. And so this practice of smiling is about being connected to my own senses.
Funny- this practice of smiling is a bit bigger than anticipated. It is a good practice. I'm understanding why it is a 1000 day practice and not a 21 day sprint.
Wishing you a good practice,
Denise
I find when I am present I also have better posture and I breathe deeper. When I smile I tend to be relaxed and at ease. And so this practice of smile is also one of relaxing and being at ease. When I'm at ease I tend to have more faith my next move in life will be supported. And so this practice of smiling is also about trusting in life. The practice of smiling is about having faith.
And when I do smile from the heart, I feel happier. I seem to be happier more often. And so this practice of smiling is also about nurturing my inner radiance and joy. I seem to notice our home has more laughter- maybe it has always been this way and now I join along.
I find when I'm present and at ease I am a better listener. And so this practice of smiling is about learning to listen. And when I'm listening I notice more things- I see better. I taste the flavors of my food. I catch the aromas of the day and I feel the weight of my dishes as I put them away in the morning. And so this practice of smiling is about being connected to my own senses.
Funny- this practice of smiling is a bit bigger than anticipated. It is a good practice. I'm understanding why it is a 1000 day practice and not a 21 day sprint.
Wishing you a good practice,
Denise
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Sacred science of 1000 journey
In the yoga tradition, it takes 1000 days to master a new skill. Yesterday, I watched the documentary called Sacred Science, it also mentions the 1000 days to become a master- at least a beginning master. Why do you practice anything? To improve your skills, in focus of a larger vision. If I want to run a marathon, I would have to practice/train, stay focused and keep my mind on the larger goal of running the marathon- healthy- happy and strong.
And this 1000 day journey is a practice. A practice to keep me focused on improving my skills for a larger vsion. The time of 1000 days gives me time to learn, get stronger and have it become part of me. If it was any shorter I would want to press- like I normally do- but with a 1000 days, it reminds me this is a long journey and not a 100 yard sprint.
1000 days is a long time but if I count the number of days I have been alive, I have already had 17.52 1000 day journeys. The fact is everyday is a journey, but most days I am asleep, wondering around and often disconnected. Year after year I find myself tired and remorseful come December. And so as I start day 22nd day of a 1000 day journey, I realize I would be having this day no matter what. The difference being in having a practice is I have reason. This is just a practice. This practice will never lead to perfection, it isn't possible. But what I know this practice will give me is vision, insights and many, many gifts along the way.
This 1000 day practice is largely about faith. Having the faith that by practicing and trusting in the process, whatever I will need will appear within the steps of this journey.
Wishing you a good journey today, a good practice.
Denise
I would highly recommend the Sacred Science Documentary. It is about 8 people, all with different health troubles. They travel and stay in the Amazon forest and get treatment from multiple Shaman. By using the ancient art of healing from the gifts of the Amazon they look to help heal these 8.
for more information visit http://www.thesacredscience.com
And this 1000 day journey is a practice. A practice to keep me focused on improving my skills for a larger vsion. The time of 1000 days gives me time to learn, get stronger and have it become part of me. If it was any shorter I would want to press- like I normally do- but with a 1000 days, it reminds me this is a long journey and not a 100 yard sprint.
1000 days is a long time but if I count the number of days I have been alive, I have already had 17.52 1000 day journeys. The fact is everyday is a journey, but most days I am asleep, wondering around and often disconnected. Year after year I find myself tired and remorseful come December. And so as I start day 22nd day of a 1000 day journey, I realize I would be having this day no matter what. The difference being in having a practice is I have reason. This is just a practice. This practice will never lead to perfection, it isn't possible. But what I know this practice will give me is vision, insights and many, many gifts along the way.
This 1000 day practice is largely about faith. Having the faith that by practicing and trusting in the process, whatever I will need will appear within the steps of this journey.
Wishing you a good journey today, a good practice.
Denise
I would highly recommend the Sacred Science Documentary. It is about 8 people, all with different health troubles. They travel and stay in the Amazon forest and get treatment from multiple Shaman. By using the ancient art of healing from the gifts of the Amazon they look to help heal these 8.
for more information visit http://www.thesacredscience.com
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Why practice
Why would anyone start a personal practice? There is no finish line, no ticker tape or fan fare. A personal practice is a personal commitment. It isn't external. No shiny cars at the end of this journey- or who knows maybe the journey will surprise us all.
Any changes I make affect those around me. My practice is no longer internal but connected to all I know. If I smile instead of cry. If I run instead of sit on the couch. If I write instead of watch mindless TV. These changed affect us all. Subtle changes are still changes.
So why would anyone want to start a personal practice? To see what happens when you change your life. The unknown of shifting energies and habits. Hopefully for the better, for the spectacular for the benefit of all connected. But you can't really know, you just do and you have faith.
Today, I ran early with Sally, our flop eared smiling dog and walked with later a good friend. I got up early and wrote and I'm writing tonight. I smiled when I ran. I smiled when I drove. I forgot to smile when I worked at my desk.
Today is a good day. A good practice.
Wishing you a good night,
Denise
Any changes I make affect those around me. My practice is no longer internal but connected to all I know. If I smile instead of cry. If I run instead of sit on the couch. If I write instead of watch mindless TV. These changed affect us all. Subtle changes are still changes.
So why would anyone want to start a personal practice? To see what happens when you change your life. The unknown of shifting energies and habits. Hopefully for the better, for the spectacular for the benefit of all connected. But you can't really know, you just do and you have faith.
Today, I ran early with Sally, our flop eared smiling dog and walked with later a good friend. I got up early and wrote and I'm writing tonight. I smiled when I ran. I smiled when I drove. I forgot to smile when I worked at my desk.
Today is a good day. A good practice.
Wishing you a good night,
Denise
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The practice of smiling
Smiling, everyone does it. It is natural and spontaneous...right? Yes, but is there more? Smiling can also be a practice. Smiling stimulates your radiance. Smiling empowers your faith, all is OK in the world. Smiling connects you to others. Smiling is done in the present moment. Smiling is a gift, a gift we receive and can give. Smiling relaxes our nervous system. Our smile give us inner compassion. Smiling makes us healthier. Does smiling make us happier?
What would happen if I smiled as a practice? Everyday, no matter the weather, the time or events practice smiling. I run, I practice running to get stronger, improve my endurance and speed. If I want to write, I need to practice to improve my connection, flow and message. I don't need to practice to run or write but they are greatly enhanced by practice. If I practice smiling will my smiling be enhanced?
As in running and writing quality practice leads to better running and writing. Quality smiling should also lead to better smiling. Better smiling?
Maybe we can chance the world by smiling. Or maybe we can just make our lives a little happier. Maybe we can make the lives of those we love a little happier. Who knows where a practice of smiling will take me, this is only day 6 of my smiling practice. It is still a little baby practice.
Today I smiled, I smiled as I ran, I smiled as I write. I will smile tonight before I close my eyes and I will smile when I wake up. Aren't you curious to see what would happen to our lives if we smiled everyday? Smiled frequently and brilliantly as we went about our normal old everyday lives. Would they still be normal or old anymore??? I wonder.
1000 days of smiling, running and writing- the secret practice of finding a way to love your life and appreciate everyday!!
Denise
What would happen if I smiled as a practice? Everyday, no matter the weather, the time or events practice smiling. I run, I practice running to get stronger, improve my endurance and speed. If I want to write, I need to practice to improve my connection, flow and message. I don't need to practice to run or write but they are greatly enhanced by practice. If I practice smiling will my smiling be enhanced?
As in running and writing quality practice leads to better running and writing. Quality smiling should also lead to better smiling. Better smiling?
Maybe we can chance the world by smiling. Or maybe we can just make our lives a little happier. Maybe we can make the lives of those we love a little happier. Who knows where a practice of smiling will take me, this is only day 6 of my smiling practice. It is still a little baby practice.
Today I smiled, I smiled as I ran, I smiled as I write. I will smile tonight before I close my eyes and I will smile when I wake up. Aren't you curious to see what would happen to our lives if we smiled everyday? Smiled frequently and brilliantly as we went about our normal old everyday lives. Would they still be normal or old anymore??? I wonder.
1000 days of smiling, running and writing- the secret practice of finding a way to love your life and appreciate everyday!!
Denise
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