As November is shifting into December, I’m noticing changes in the vegetation, in the light and dark, and in the temperature. I am enjoying some of the changes this fall as I also note some anticipation of a busy holiday season approaching. If you happen to relate to these feelings and thoughts that bring both gratitude/appreciation AND awareness of all the things that you want to accomplish/engage in before the end of 2023, now is a great time to regularly engage in mindfulness practices. Mindfulness practices can be brief or longer, done in stillness or movement, practiced formally and informally. I hope this blog will bring you some awareness of how you might engage with your practice in skillful ways even during busy or difficult times.
My own mindfulness practices this month will include practice with open awareness of all that is present for me moment to moment. I will also be intentional about practicing gratitude meditations and compassion meditations. For me, including some intention and awareness around all that is present and responding with gratitude and/or compassion for whatever arises, supports me in allowing myself to experience what is occurring in a skillful way. Over the years, I have become more aware of all that I am grateful for. I have also become more aware of the difficulties of grief and change in my life as I engage in celebrating holidays throughout November and December and mark the end of another year. For many the holidays can be a loving, kind and exciting time. For many, the holidays can also bring memories, thoughts or feelings that are difficult.
Successfully navigating all that life presents requires awareness, persistence, passion and grit. These are qualities of resiliency. In her book, Grit, Angela Duckworth hypothesizes that what really drives success is not “genius” but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance. Her research reminds us that how we respond to things in our life is a great determinant of longer term outcomes. These are concepts we explore in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction practices.
Mindfulness practice can support us in finding peace amidst the storms of life and in establishing a practice of stability. Please see the brief practices for gratitude and stability below. Both are seeds that need water and care. I hope that you will find ways to water the seeds of your practice as you engage in whatever presents itself over the next month or two. I trust that mindfulness practice will contribute to peace and ease. Consider joining us in person or via Zoom for the Free Monthly Mindfulness gathering on Dec 3rd (check out events page on website).
Wishing you well, Karen
Gratitude practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fhijtqx4PM
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