when i sit still i see.

my child has a beautiful style all his own. most of us carry our own style, and we do so well. his delight in color, all things red, ropes and sweat bands is completely cool in my book. i love watching him grow and learn and play. it's tough on the mama heart when he is hurt, whether tripping on those long feet or because he's frustrated by limits. as i carry the wee one within, she kicks in her own way. his kicks were with hands and feet at once. she has her own style i'm growing to love and delight in.

this ability to witness one and the other is but a taste of the adventure to come. more than i ever thought i'd be, i'm so happy that he's had seven plus years of our trio. now we'll be a foursome, and he'll show so much more of what he's capable of. we will grow into communion with one another. they will have an us - and - them mentality at some point, a team of their own. they will be for one another what my brother and i were for each other. they will each soar on their own and together, so much mischief!

when i sit still long enough i can witness and ponder. most of the time i'm aiming to accomplish more, more, more :: cleaning out the house. making room. finishing custom sewing projects. traveling to and from his school. packing orders. traveling. creating. cooking. ... all those life tasks that we all share in some form. we're here. in this. together.

this week is my boy's spring break. i'm committed to be devoted to good time with him each day while maintaining my work. attempting to practice self care, presence, and focus in mindful, meaningful ways. and... to simply sit still and notice.

life stories: on the art of listening. sitting still.

along with morning mindfulness, clearing space and returning items to their place, i am embracing the rhythms that surround me. i listen.  i learn.  

standing in the light of my truth.

i listen to my body and my spirit.  i aim to see what returns to routine in this winter-ish season.  with the weather so fickle, my hope is to embrace the season of winter from deep within.  this season of hibernation and slowness.  this season of comfort foods and blankets and mugs filled with hot goodness.  a season of sitting still and listening.

a season of stillness.

as my friend & spiritual guide gena tells me: sit, sit, sit.  sitting still has been such a good practice.  yoga is good.  breathing is good.  lighting my candle is good.  some practices need set times while others need to occur spontaneously.  each meet a need within me.

each season of lent i enjoy adding a daily practice to my rhythms.  for this lenten season, i will sit.  i will sit for 20 minutes each day.  i will sit and listen.  i may be distracted, but i will hold myself to the light.

of course it makes complete sense to me that at a time where my business is picking up.  where my art is creating spaces of stillness and reflection for others.  where my schedule is filled.  i must make time to sit.  and i must honor the spaces where i sit.  as gena tells me, those spaces will be blessed.

i will also return to my daily practice of yoga, one that i've let slide here and there to take care of adding an extra meeting into the day and so on.  yoga has been a steady practice that creates a space for wholeness. that is my space for returning to a practice.

whether you give up or give to lent, what practices do you find yourself drawn to in this season?  

a short list of suggestions for lenten practices: 

eat whole foods.

write daily.

handwrite a card and mail it.  daily. 

drink more water. 

light a candle. sit or stand in the light of that candle for 3 to 5 to 7 minutes. 

make a gratitude list daily in a journal or on a scrap of paper.

bake and take something to share with another.  ((bread, brownies, a pie, etc.))

de-clutter one space, one item, or one bag a day. 

sit in a quiet place for 7 to 10 minutes.  ((you can sit in your car if there's no where else.))

write yourself a message a day.  celebrate your goodness.

lean into wisdom, listen to her gentle nudges.  

listen to others.  really listen. 

ding dong ditch. 

share kindness.  

plan & plant a spring garden.  

take a walk.

give up one myth daily.  ((inner critic: i'm not good enough, etc.)) 

give up sugary drinks.  

drink a cup of hot tea.  savor it.
practice yoga.
delight in the every day.
seek the sacred through a daily task: washing dishes, sweeping, folding laundry.

self care truth no. 1.

a little self care truth.  no. 1.

when i need to quiet myself. 

when i need to sit still. 

((or)) when i need a little sparkle. 

i paint my nails. 

when i paint my nails, i must be still so that they can dry. 

i use the time well. sitting. being present. resting.

we all know how hard it can be to take a moment to ourselves.  the time often doesn't magically appear.  as mothers, spouses, as people.  we must make a few minutes in the busy-ness of life to carve those magical moments that add delight and care to our soul.  as january 2012 ends and february 1 approaches, i am met with two deadlines.  one is self-imposed and the other is one i want to make for a grant.  this is the year to thrive.  yes.  in order to thrive i must stop, sit, and paint my nails.  multiple coats.  i must bring a little sparkle and a lot of rest.  then i'm able to become attune to my inner wisdom, the wisdom that surrounds, and to the kind souls who come near to mind, needing a good word.  

where do you find such stillness through self care?