I have some thoughts on the matter....

A quick summary:

Awareness:  (knowing) What is.

Mindfulness / Meditative Engagement: Focusing on / being fully present with what is.

Creativity: The play between / how we engage with what is and "everything else" (our judgments about what is, our dreams, how we feel things "should be", our thoughts, fears, etc.)

What do you think?  Do you practice any of these in your own life?  Please share...I really want to create conversation around this!

Namaste.

If not, allow me to introduce the two of you.  

I purchased this mug almost a week ago at an Arts Fair at our Farmer's Market from a local artist (Benjamin Cirgin).  I usually don't buy pottery (being a mom of two who plans on everything being scratched, dented, colored upon, torn, written in, cracked, or broken within a few weeks of purchase).  However, this one caught my eye.  

There is so much to share, but I wanted to start with this one to perhaps inspire you to think outside of the "art box".

On her website and in her life, my dear friend Kathy explores everyday habits that lead to bliss, and shares stories on her aptly named site, Bliss Habits.  (http://www.BlissHabits.com) Each week, she explores a different habit, cycling through 13 total.

This week, she is exploring Serenity.  I'm honored to be guest posting over at Bliss Habits tomorrow, but couldn't wait to offer a bit of contemplation on serenity (now).

I have an art area - a studio of sorts - that is well-used.  I've been meaning to clean it.  I really have.  But I've been dragging my feet on that.  Every time I went downstairs, I wanted to play...not organize.

Yesterday when I went downstairs, I noticed the carpet felt a bit cooler than usual.  This is the basement, mind you, so nothing that set off any alarms.  But I decided to investigate...

I'll save you the dramatic build: Over the past few weeks, it appears our basement has been lightly flooding.  

I want to publicly thank Natasha for her beautiful abilities to constantly shift my perspectives, and to help me see mysel and my world in such a playfully real way.

I also want to share with you a very tiny peek into how I see myself, and to invite you into the same contemplation of YOUR self.

You can watch the video here:

(Or view it on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/67433637)

Namaste. 

I am a horrible caregiver for the poor thing.  I haven't repotted it in years.  And as far as watering it?

I pass by it multiple times every day.  Almost every time, I think, "I should water the plant".  And almost every time, I'm in the midst of doing something else.

"Clean your room, please."  They were even promised a "night off" after rooms were clean.

The typical look we get when the kids are told to clean their rooms.  This photo was actually taken 15 minutes before we told her to clean...she was distraught about something completely unrelated.  

I'd been driving on the back road by our house, and a deer had bounded across the road.  That isn't unusual in Southern Indiana.  But behind her, a little fawn - barely able to walk - tried to cross the street as well.

Her mom, apparently afraid of my car, had continued on into the woods.  The fawn made it just to the side of the road, then paused there - unsure what to do next.

That made two of us.

I pulled over to the side of the road and climbed out of my car.  The fawn had settled herself down into the tall grasses, barely visible even from where I was standing.  I did take a couple of photos (with a long lens - don't worry, I wasn't THAT close), but was also trying to find her mom.  I wasn't comfortable just leaving this poor little animal huddling so close to the road.

Knowing that her mom might be watching, and too afraid to come back while I was there, I climbed back in my car and headed a bit up the road.  I watched for a few minutes.  Eventually, I saw the fawn hobble up onto her legs, and cautiously venture on into the forest.

I'd like to think she's walking with her mom right now.

The past few weeks have brought several opportunities to stop and view the wildlife.

(I posted a few photos on Facebook of some turtles that I've rescued off the road - including these little guys below.)

And while the animals and their stories are fascinating enough, what most brings a smile to my face is this:

I had the time to stop.

I wasn't so rushed that I felt the need to keep driving, to hurry on to my destination.

In each case, I was observant enough to see the animal, and present enough to engage with the moment.  It was a choice, of course.  I had places to be and schedules to keep.  

But day by day, I'm designing my life so that those very-loose schedules include space for pauses.

Because I never know who might show up in front of me.

Namaste.

I've written you a new one.

You don't have to replace your old one.  Simply place this one over the top, like a transparent cover.

Begin here: