practice
February 8, 2017 § 7 Comments
Today the sky emptied its clouds of delicate flurries that made the world feel new and I relished the promise of those first footprints scattered across a perfect canvas. I was reminded of January’s resolve.
So much of creating an intention for the year is inviting conscious action to hopeful expectations with small goals. The first month of the New Year enthusiasm and momentum upended more stagnant routines with the promise of controlled change. The novelty of work feels a bit like play and I approach frustration with curiosity and determination.
Living mindfully has meant rooting myself more firmly to the moment I’m in while still trying to create a plan for my time. This is where the work of practice has been essential to cultivating new choices into stronger habits.
Mindfulness, in practice, has given me a path to simplify larger ideals into smaller actions that nourish my well-being and connectivity. In particular regular exercise, sacred rest, and healthier food. I’ve turned my attention towards a definition of health that embraces a kinder sense of self-care.
When I was ill, this meant rest in place of play. In good health it has meant embracing new physical challenges for greater strength. I’ve become less apologetic in honoring my awareness for those foods that leave me tired or unwell with the same wholeheartedness I embrace those moments of celebration or comfort with food choices that reflect joy. Most importantly, I have begun to indulge in bedtime routines that carve aside time to unravel the day from my night.
Scheduling time to move and be still has created a more “awake” in between the busier rhythms of my day so that I am present among others. I am listening more intentionally and leaving space in my relationships for appreciation; pausing in gratitude rather than dwelling in anxiousness or frustration.
It is an imperfect practice, one that demands flexibility and forgiveness as insistently as routine and accountability. Moment to moment, one choice at a time; mindfully connecting the optimism of New Year’s expectations with the work of daily efforts.
scribblechic 
And just listening to your heart Marie, it loves you too 😀
Thank you, Mark!
Good luck in living a more ‘whole’ life. Whole as in wholesome and wholehearted, in a great, creative balance. (Great opening line, by the way. Very poetic.)
Thank you, Andy. It’s such a simple concept, deceptively so. Writing out my thoughts, progress and error, helps.
The first line was my favorite, too. The rest felt more mechanical, but my writing hour has been lost to a new schedule with work. Yesterday was as much about honoring that piece of self, as documenting my word for the year.
I guess the rest felt mechanical because that opening line came through inspiration. Inspiration feels light, and yes, inspired, funnily enough 🙂
With poetry I often ‘get’ lines or a combination of words. Everything else is added to try to sustain it, without making it heavy.
In that line, I appreciated your recent sharing about the inspiration behind your poetry. Lovely insight.
Thanks for reading.