"Harmony is a beautiful balance between mind, body and soul measured in tender peaceful moments." Melanie Koulouris
We all know that not all moments in life are peaceful or filled with a harmonious state of being. We learn by the trials and errors of our ways. Think back to a time before you learned to do something like ride a bike, or to skate, or to swing. It took a few attempts before you figured out how to do those things. Sometimes in the learning we can get frustrated. When that happens it pulls us right out of the here and now. Somewhere we find the courage to try again until we reach the point where it all clicks into place and we are in harmony with the activity. What is something you've learned that took time before you could get it right? How did it feel when all of a sudden you could do it?
"Nothing in the Universe can stop you from letting go and starting over." Guy Finely
When life feels a little or a lot overwhelming, turning to Nature can bring us back to the now moment. Birds go about their business of seeking food and shelter when it is sunny or when it is raining. The waves of the ocean crest and fall, in and out, just like our breath. The breeze gently moves the clouds. Life is always happening all around us. We do not need to carry the burden of life upon our our shoulders, that is God's job. Our job is to know Oneness; to see ourselves connected to life, to all hearts, to all beings, to Nature and the Infinite Universe. The more you can stay centered in the here and now, the more you give permission for others to do the same. We can not change the past and the future hasn't yet arrived. The only moment we can be in harmony with life is the here and now.
"The Divine Mind is Infinite. It contains all knowledge and wisdom, but before it can reveal its secrets, it must have an outlet." Ernest Holmes
Here are a few questions to discuss with your family. Explore the things that might be taking you out of the here and now so that when it happens again, you can bring yourself back into Harmony with your life.
What things distract you when you are trying to focus on a task? How do you feel when things don't go the way you wanted? How do you feel when things do go the way you wanted? How are they different? What is one thing you can do for yourself to help you stay focused when you need to be? What is something you can ask for help with? What is your favorite activity to do in Nature and... if you can't do it, can you imagine what it feels like to do it in your mind?
Affirmations are a great way to help us stay focused on the Here and Now in a Harmonious way.
Today I give my attention to what really matters.
I live in a loving, abundant and harmonious universe and I am grateful.
I am whole, perfect, strong, focused, powerful, loving and happy!
Our Mindfulness practice is a Mirroring Game.
It requires two people to play. If you choose a big person and a small person, then have the big person lower to the small persons level (Maybe on your knees or siting on the floor). Both people will face each other. Imagine that you are looking into a mirror. Each person will take turns creating movements that the other person will mirror back. Start off slowly with one hand, palm out moving in a small circle, then try the other hand. Keep your movements slow so that the person being the mirror can keep up with you. Now move in a way that feels good to you. You can even make silly faces together. Give the other person a chance to lead so that you can be the mirror too. Enjoy the connection of being in the moment with your movements.
We are also combining our mindfulness into our reading time this week. Each book has a video link so that you can listen to the story.
My Magic Breath by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
Breathing makes it Better - by Christopher Willard and Wendy O'Leary
Puppy Mind - by Andrew Jordan Nance
Creativity
Our creative activity this week is making a Nature Collage or Sculpture. You can do this a few different ways. If the weather is good where you are, it's a great time to get into the Here and Now in NATURE! - Go for a hike, or stroll through a park. Take a small bag with you to put your items in. As you wander on your journey you can choose a few "found" items. The items must be freely available and not attached to a plant or tree. Fallen leaves, acorns, a heart rock, what ever catches your eye. Or if you take a walk on a beach, maybe a few shells, pebbles or a small piece of drift wood. You get to choose what goes into your bag. When you are home create a sculpture out of your found items. Or arrange them on a plate that you can see to remind you of your time in nature. If the weather isn't good to go on a hike gather up a few magazines and find pictures of nature that give you a happy feeling. You can create it like a vision board of all the places you will go when the weather clears up.
A second option is to create a family puzzle. You can download a pattern of puzzle pieces or maybe visit a local craft store to find a blank puzzle. Each member of the family receives at least one piece of the puzzle and gets to decorate it however they choose. When they are all complete, fit the pieces together to create a family art piece. It will be as unique as you are and all the time you spend creating it will keep you in the Here and Now.
Have a great week everyone!
(Photo credit to Jamie Taylor on Unsplash)
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