We think in words. Too many words. What if we turned down the volume of the words and listened to the spaces in between? Sometimes joy and wonder live in a wordless space. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
―Mahatma Gandhi We say that a person handles stress with poise when they carry a feeling of self-composure, dignity, strength, and ease. Navigating a challenge with poise might include deeply breathing, grounding, and continually re-centering. We can mindfully become more comfortable with the discomfort. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
―Maya Angelou Emotions like disappointment, frustration, and anger are important. They spur us into action. Once they have served their purpose, we can process these emotions and allow them to pass, returning to the harmony within. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.
—Dalai Lama Belly breathing moves the diaphragm up and down, causing the belly to expand and deflate. This diaphragmatic movement massages the vagus nerve, the superhighway between brain and body that regulates emotion and your whole self. Instead of “thinking” about the breath, “feel” the breath in the body. Rest into the rhythm of breathing and be where you are. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Breathe deeply to bring your mind home to your body.
―Thich Nhat Hanh There are so many ways we may define spirit, but it is truly hard to put into words. What is spirit to you? What nourishes your spirit? In mindful presence, Lori Furbush When the ego dies, the soul awakens.
―Mahatma Gandhi Beauty and suffering are counterparts in life. Because we’re wired for survival, we often focus more on the suffering. The brain is ever-vigilant, watching for trouble on the horizon. So we may need to make an effort to open space for the beauty. November is when we collectively open our hearts to connection, abundance, and gratitude. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.
―Rumi It is tough to be at peace when life is so filled with uncertainty. Making a plan of action helps us feel more in control. Once we’ve identified our next steps, then it is time to return to now, knowing we will handle each step as we get there. If this particular moment is a safe moment, peace is waiting for you. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.
―Randy Armstrong Autumn reminds us of the value of letting go. At just the right time, a leaf simply releases and falls to the ground. Each year, nature cleanses itself, opening space for spring and something new to emerge. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.
―Rumi Our thinking mind loves to run the show, continually narrating and judging everything. But there is so much more to being human. We experience life through all of who we are—the body, thoughts, emotions, sensations, sounds, energy, and spirit. Today you might nourish the wholeness of yourself through movement, being in community, spending time in nature, listening to music, cooking, creating, or whatever helps you feel whole again. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush You are not your mind.
―Eckhart Tolle Perhaps the most courageous journey is the journey within. Being with ourselves can be challenging. We’re so used to being on alert that it is difficult to recognize those precious moments when it is safe to let down our guard and soften into the quiet. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush All of man’s difficulties are caused by his inability to sit, quietly, in a room by himself.
―Blaise Pascal When the body is still, we often find that the mind and emotions are anything but still. Thinking mind may be the reality of the moment and meditation may not always bring peace. But we can be at peace with the noise. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Meditation is not evasion, it is a serene encounter with reality.
―Thich Nhat Hanh Life is surely complex and chaotic. If you’re waiting for the right moment or opportunity to find peace, you may be waiting for a long time. Now is the perfect moment to pause, settle in, and rediscover the stillness within. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
―Anonymous Even though we spend a lot of time thinking of the past and the future, the present moment is truly the only moment in which we can live. There are countless small wonders that we only notice when we’re living in the present. And there are countless small ways we can impact the world. A smile, a kind word, or a small step forward can ripple out in all directions. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.
―Martin Luther King, Jr. To have merit is to be worthy of or earn your honor or reward. It starts with recognizing your inherent value and builds as you live in integrity and kindness. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush When you know your worth, no one can make you feel worthless.
―Unknown Is there something you’ve been putting off that needs attending? Now is always a good time to start. Set the goal, identify one small next step, and then take that step. When tackling big projects, taking one baby step at a time is the best way to feel successful and keep your commitment alive. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.
―Ayn Rand To physically balance, we need to ground our shoulders, lower back, legs, and feet while gently lifting heart and head. To find our mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual balance, we also need to establish a firm grounded foundation while also opening up to new horizons and reaching for the stars. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
―Theodore Roosevelt We all know that self-care is important. Self-care is not a luxury or indulgence—it is required maintenance. And not all self-care is relaxing and gentle. Sometimes treating ourselves with kindness and compassion includes expanding our boundaries, motivating ourselves, and doing the work needed for health and well-being. Discipline does not have to be grueling—just intentional focus and a firm but gentle nudge. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush You can either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is yours.
—Unknown We humans need to push the edge of our comfort zone just enough to create space for growth. When we say ‘yes’ to something that feels right but may also feel a bit scary, we invite unimagined possibilities for insights and learning. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush Do one thing every day that scares you.
―Eleanor Roosevelt When something feels unpleasant or challenging, our brains like to close in, trying to solve the problem. Often it can help to step back a bit and view the situation from a distance, dialing down the story and emotion while opening up to possibilities. Expanding awareness can reveal new options. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
―Helen Keller Every inhale is a new beginning. The last breath is gone. The next is yet to come. The breath you’re breathing now is another fresh start. In mindful presence, Lori Furbush The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
―Chinese Proverb |
AuthorLori Furbush teaches Qigong, Yin Yoga, & Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She weaves MINDFULNESS & RELAXATION into every moment. Archives
April 2024
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