Alla inlägg märkta: mindfulness

Surrender

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”In this moment I am exactly who, and where, I need to be.” There is no way we humans can control what is happening around us. We may think that we have control, or we may have thought that we had control (and now; all is lost). However, thinking that we have control is nothing but an illusion. Control can be seen as something that our minds have made up, in order to create a sense of security and safety. Earlier this year I listened to a Ted Talk podcast with Elisabeth Gilbert. She said something that I’ve been thinking about lately, something I remind myself of whenever I start to feel anxious and worried. Hopefully it can help you in this moment, in case you feel out of control or fearful. Whenever you tell yourself ”I’m losing control” or ”I have no control over the situation I’m in”  – Know that the sense that you had control was a myth to begin with… Recognise that you never had control, all you had was anxiety, and that’s what you’re …

Mindfulness & Resilience

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”Resilience is not about overcoming, but becoming.” – Sherri Mandel Resilience (noun) re-sil–ience ”… the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress – such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace or financial stressors.” – American Psychological Association The past year has definitely been a year filled with adversity, threats and significant sources of stress. For many of us our sense of control swiftly disappeared, and we found ourselves solely relying on our inner strength. Taking it day by day. And some days, hour by hour. In a Ted Talk, Shauna Shapiro talks about mindfulness as one of the most effective vehicles for how to help people transform. ”What you practice grows stronger”, says Shapiro. According to research we can sculpt and strengthen our synaptic connections based on repeated practice. However, paying attention in the present moment is not enough, says Shapiro – it is how we pay attention. She talks about paying attention with kindness. The beneficial effects of kind attention are that it decreases …

How to manage stress

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”While you cannot control the weather, you can always choose to kiss in the rain.” To not encounter some kind of stressor in your life is rather impossible. Stress is inevitable, and most certainly we will feel stressed out at some point in our fast paced life. However, what are the steps we can take to master stress, and not become its victim? But firstly, what is stress? Stress can be seen as a process. This view emphasizes the importance of how we appraise – that is, judge – demanding or threatening events (stressors); these appraisals, in turn, influence our reactions to such events. Therefore, stress is largely in the eye of the beholder; it’s not so much what happens to you as it is how you respond. Stress can, however, be a positive, motivating force that can improve the quality of our lives; a moderate amount of stress can be beneficial in challenging situations. Nonetheless, when a person experiences very strong emotions – especially those associated with a perceived threat – the body’s sympathetic nervous system and …

Dear November…

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… there’s no June without you. ”The silent hour of night,and my heart suddenly arise,caressing my awaken sight,while awaiting life, with blissful eyes.” Your days short, nights endless. Swimming in your darkness, facing our deepest fears. There’s no way escaping the twilight, but to invite it to dance. Pour your insecurities on us, cover our lives in darkness, but, you’ll never, ever destroy us. This November is all about harnessing the talents within. Cultivating curiosity, courage, confidence and creativity. Life is filled with opportunities. Trust. It’s about accepting and releasing emotions, negative thoughts. Reaching out to humans through loving kindness and warmhearted action. Striving for growth and progression. Connection and compassion. Speaking with integrity. Being impeccable with the words. There’s always a reason to choose happy. Keep it fresh and wild, darling soul child. In the beginning, even when your goals seem out of reach you’ll have to trust yourself. Trust that you have what it takes to get to where you want to be. In the end it’s only you who decide who you …

In art I find peace

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”Home is where the heart is – within.” .. and that I believe is the most beautiful thing about our hearts: that there’s enough space for everyone. in a world where everythingis chaoticbe the onebreathing calminto it all slow livingthe new living – some things,not meantto be rushed. it’s when the safety around ushas been taken away from usthat it’s time to relyon the safety within listen to the universewhile it sings to youdon’t wait until it screamscause it will

How to give yourself a mental makeover

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”Be pure, bright, white, light” You can take your life in a new direction at any time. Every now and then it’s good to change things up, to keep things (thoughts) fresh, in order to stay motivated and inspired. It’s easy to become under-stimulated if you keep on doing the same things over and over again. In a sense it’s like driving on autopilot, where you just keep on moving forward, and still, you haven’t got the slightest idea what you’re doing, cause you’re not the one in control. Then it’s about time. Time to open up for fresh, new perspectives to enter.  If you’re looking for a mini life-makeover, then, first things first, you need to start from within. In other words, start with your mental state, since most often it’s the root to all problems. If you don’t change what’s going on inside your mind – with your thoughts, and the way you think about certain things – then it’s going to be very hard to find a new sense of happiness, contentment and …

A thing to get rid of

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”Comparison is the thief of joy.” Have you ever compared yourself to a person that you don’t even know? If so, why? I’ve done it myself many times, without even questioning why I actually would waste my time doing such a dumb thing. It’s actually rather funny when you think about it. Let’s take an example. You’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, and all of a sudden you stumble upon a beautiful picture. Immediately you assume that the person, who you don’t even know, has a wonderful life and that they most probably have everything in life figured out. You look at the pictures and all you see is a person that is more successful than you; more abundant, more popular, more at peace. More perfect. More everything that you’re not. All this you have figured out after scrolling through someone’s feed for 30 seconds. Great job! However, 30 more seconds pass by, and hopefully your brain has gone back to a healthier state-of-being. We have no idea how other people are doing or feeling, …

Contemplation

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”In silence you will find yourself.” mornings are for coffee and contemplation. truth be told the past four months have been mostly about becoming one with the stillness, one with the unknown. never have i spent this much time in my own company. i would lie if i said it hasn’t been tough at times – cause it has. however, it has been one of the greatest opportunities i’ve experienced thus far, simply cause it has forced me to go within. forced me to not run away from myself, from all the emotions – fear, pain and anxiety – that come with uncertainty. it’s a beautiful thing to be able to carry oneself through deep healing. still, an important aspect to bear in mind; we’re never alone, although we might be and feel lonely. there’s always an opportunity to reach out to a friend, family member, mentor or why not even a stranger if you feel the need to share your thoughts with someone. journal. create. or simply choose to just be, to sit with …

Dear July…

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… it’s you, since no one else makes sense. ”There’s beauty in simplicity.” July, I can’t believe you’re almost here. I don’t even know if I’ll have time to say goodbye to June. She is warm, she is lovely, filled with laughter. Please, be like June. Please, be forever. Please bring us humid days, foggy nights. Soul searching and loving kindness. It has always been you, dear July. Always been you. 5 am. Finding stillness. Seeking magic. Being free as the ocean, beautiful as the wildest flower. Inhaling confidence, exhaling doubt. Breathing in the warm days, short nights. Wide awake, we are, while watching the sunset gracefully transforming into sunrise. I’ll be all there, wherever you’ll take me. July is for meeting childhood friends who will always be friends although you meet far too seldom. It’s for being vulnerable, being soft. Finding that inner, burning fire. Moonlight, thunderstorm and heavy rain. Poetry filled with soul and passion, the wildest of dreams coming true. July is for festivity and reading books. July is for being me. ”Be careful who you make …

Meditate

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”We can never run out of love,it’s in the air we’re breathing.” Awaken your creativity, dear human. Awaken your soul. Find the bright light within. Know that life is amazing, exactly as it is. You’re amazing. Every breath a sign that you are. We are. Cherish every heartbeat, every sunrise. Every tear drop. It all happens right before your very eyes; hearts illuming, red roses blooming. Breathtakingly beautiful this precious moment alive. … and then fear asked courage teach me please teach me it’s about a lifethat’s flourishingand excitingbeautifuland unexpectedit’s about life i see oceanin your eyesi smell the flowersof your heartevery flawinsecuritycracked openbleedingsoft raindropsresting on your cheeksa reflection of mehealing Don’t let yourselfBe fooledMy soulNot defined byIts shell speakwith no wordsundress mewith your eyeswhatever you domy feelingsplayingbutterflies it was the wayin which she worethe color purplein every wordsmile and toucheven every breatha hint of magic