meditation

When the World is broken, you Don’t have to Be!

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“Rather, God has commissioned us as agents of intervention in the midst of a hostile and broken world” ~ Philip Yancey

It is consistently painful hearing and watching the news. It seems like we live in a world where feeling safe, happy or peaceful, is not a reasonable possibility. Catastrophic weather patterns, violence in the name of God or religion. Hatred and disharmony is a way of life.

Being a Christian for many years,  I often want to share the kind of peace I find in just having faith in the unseen, hope in something so much bigger than the world I inhabit. I don’t want to ever be the crazy Christian, screaming my beliefs at people in my life and even less in the subways or streets. I once heard a pastor say “don’t be a crazy Christian, be someone so bright with Gods love that people will feel his love through you.”
I am human and even with so much faith, I often feel overwhelmed with the brokenness of our world. I often feel such enormous sorrow and such a weight at what I see and hear — feeling so helpless in promoting change and making a difference. Wanting so very much to live in a very different world. Somehow, though, I have found a way to stay positive and even spread a bit of it.

There is an internal peace that I carry. A shield of armor that allows me to walk and live with a light, loving and grace filled heart.

I can only explain that it comes from God. There is a grace of peace that comes from knowing him and knowing that I am cared for and protected. He gives me the ability to speak the language of love and in doing so, I am able to share it.

Whatever you believe in my loves, let the unknown mercy of something bigger than yourself give you hope. I speak to many who believe and many who don’t and even some who believe in something –but are just not sure what that something is. The one consistent thing I see, is that those who believe in God or something bigger than what is seen, tend to be less anxious, handle difficult times with more ease and typically tend to maintain an attitude of hope and positivity.

Being a Christian does not spare you from feeling lost, scared or even helpless. I have to work very hard through, prayer, meditation, and even in doing good deeds to spare myself these feelings. My dears, this world is not for the weak at heart, we must constantly seek out all our internal hidden ammunition and not surrender to depression and feelings of hopelessness. It is a real challenge — Every. Single. Day. Even for those who are well armed and have a hefty reserve of emotional ammunition, it is challenging.

Here are some things that help connect us to that ammunition:

* Disconnect or decrease the amount of Screen time – Whether it is television or your access to electronics. Bad news is everywhere and it seems that it spreads like wild fire.

* Meditate – lately, I have been using the App Insight Timer (it’s free). You can can do as little as 5 minutes in the early morning (I find it wonderful before the sun comes up) and then 5 minutes before bed (when the sun goes down) — you can meditate as long as you are able to. I have found it useful, to find a quiet place at lunch time and meditate in the middle of the day as well.

* Plug in to some relaxation/yoga music. It helps to ease your mind and reduce negative thoughts.

* Spend time in nature; close your eyes, let your senses reconnect with the earth. Let yourself feel the breeze on your skin, the sun on your face, the sounds of nature sing to you. Hear, smell, feel all that is natural and a gift to us humans.

* If you don’t pray, read a daily healing devotional to start your day and then spend some quiet time reflecting on how you feel and focus on self-love and sending out love. If you pray, make it a daily habit. Not left for just the moments of despair. Praying daily keeps us

* Try to only engage in positive talk with people. Negativity leads to increase heart rate, ill feelings and more negativity.

* With kindness and gentleness, eliminate toxic people from your life. Engage only when absolutely necessary.

* Most importantly, be purposeful and convicted in giving Love, Kindness and Compassion. Give all three with deep generosity.

The world is broken in so many many ways but it does not have to dictate your inner joy or peace. It can pass through you and then you can release it back to the universe. Do not hang on to it. All things come and they go. Be the light in a dark world. Choose to heal the space around you by being a reflection of loving grace and universal compassion. Let it begin and end with you.

With Love, Light and Joy ~

Maria

Mindfulness for Healing

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“The key to knowing joy is being easily pleased.”
― Mark Nepo

What is all the rage with Mindfulness?!

The truth is that mindfulness is nothing new. Buddhist and yogis everywhere  have been practicing mindfulness far longer, than the “now” trendy groups, want to admit . It is not a new “thing” it is in fact an ancient practice — it just seems that we are now understanding just how very much we need it. Therapists, like myself, and wellness centers across the nation, are observing the longing for a centeredness and groundedness.

Our world is spinning at a rapid speed and so is our mind. We live in a constant galaxy of stimulus coming at us. With technology at our literal fingertips all day long, we are at a constant hyper alert to all that goes on around us. No longer do we commute and just wait to go home and turn on our television to find out what is happening in the world — it is in our face all the time, as we travel about our day. We set up alerts for everything, news, calendars, dates, emails,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, even alerts to visit or call our parents etc… There is no more waiting to be in the know. We cannot escape it! We don’t speak to people to know what is going on in their lives — we just look at their Facebook and decide which of the icons we want to press….like, love, wow or sad, without ever really having to speak to anyone.

What?!!! Mindfulness?!!! Where?!!!

So let me slow you down for a bit.  Put your phone down, turn off the television or radio. Look around you, what do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear?

Stop holding your breath and just breathe.

As much as we enjoy and find benefits to our ability to have things quickly and immediately, we are all suffering from sensory and stimulus overload. Suffering an increase in anxiety that is causing us to say, “what is happening?” We are exhausted, anxious, and always in a rush. Overloaded calendars with little time dedicated to the self. So, there is mindfulness.

What exactly is it?

mind·ful·ness
ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/
noun
1.
the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
“their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition”
2.
a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

Many people are utilizing this tool as a means of bringing a sense of calm and order to their lives. Understanding that life cannot be stopped but that we, as individuals, can stop ourselves in order to catch our breath, regroup, find stability, and focus.

You don’t have to run out and find a mindfulness center or a therapist, but it helps to have some one guide you as to the principles, especially if you are not familiar with this method of finding ground and center.

There are simple ways to start:

*There are several Apps ( yes, I hate to say it – on your phone or iPad) such as Calm, OMG meditate, bNirvana. All guided meditation. Many are free and there are many more. Starting with just a few minutes in the morning is helpful. Please don’t think you have to twist yourself into a chanting pretzel for an hour (leg cramps, stiffness, and pain are a real thing – seriously!) Start slow. The point is to do it gradually so you enjoy it and want to return to it.

*Start your day reading a meditative devotional. One of my personal favorites, Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening. A wonderful daily devotional that ends with a guided meditation.

*Go to a yoga class. Many studios have a light yoga and guided meditation time. Yoga and mindfulness go hand in hand.

*If you happen to drive to work – drive in complete and utter silence. I know right!! WOW Crazy. Try it – its amazing. Silence is freaking mind blowing and mind opening.

Mindfulness works. It is a quieting of our world and mind in order to help us find deeper meaning, gratitude, peace and joy in a world that is not going to stop spinning any time soon. It will be up to us good souls to stop the external spinning by controlling the internal one.

Try it, email me – have a go at it and let me know how it goes 🙂 I am here to help!

With Love, Light and Joy ~

Maria