Mindful in the Midst

As I sit outside on this hot summer afternoon, I am mindful and enjoying the complexity of nature, writing, meditating and completely absorbing the stillness around me.

(Ok it’s not too quite, my children are laughing and playing with a “Mom, Look!” every couple minutes and some occasional screaming.)

Within my busy life, it is so beautiful and wondrous to be present, fully aware, feeling gratitude, hearing every individual bird chirp and sing to each other on a quiet weekend at outside.

As a mom, I’ve learned to be mindful in the midst of chaos, especially since the neighborhood kids gravitate to my house daily.

The older I get, I have realized how presence and breathing is more effective than alcohol, food, vacations, shopping or any other kind of addiction, for balance and stress relief.

When you need peace and love and want to strip away the stress of our busy lives, all you have to do is stop; breathe in

what your heart is calling for and breathe out what you are releasing.

Something as simply as taking a few deep cleansing breathes, can be as powerful as taking an entire day off.

It is our perception that we need a vacation from our lives to feel relief, but you can feel relief in minutes solely through breathe and mindfulness.

When you are overwhelmed, have the stress of a presentation at work or just want to help a friend with solid and heart-centered advice, it is important to remove your ego and let love flow through you. A simple prayer and mindfulness always does the trick for me.

Here is a prayer/meditation that I wrote and use whenever I need to feel supported. (Feel free to insert a higher power of your understanding since this prayer is non-denominational.)

“I am not alone. I am guided. I am loved. I am safe. God/Spirit/My Higher Power is always within me, around me, supporting and loving me. I call on that divine guidance of the highest good and understanding to work through me, speak through me, breathe through me, be as me. I breathe in love and breathe out fear. I release resistance, as I return to love.”

You can use what I wrote or create your own in your own words to help soothe you and connect you to a power beyond yourself, to a higher power of your own understanding.

You don’t have to carry all the weight, you can surrender it.

I would love to hear your favorite mantra, prayer or meditation in the comments below. You never know who your comments will help and support in the Art of You Community.

Peace and blessings,

Laura