Being Mindful

As children we are taught to mind our manners.

As adults, we strive to mind our own business.

As menopausal women, we try not to lose our minds.

Amen.

A word that keeps popping up in my head lately is

'mindfulness'

Yes.

My mind is full, that is for sure - but what I'm talking about is finding meaning in all the little mundane tasks that fill our days.

Finding contentment in our possessions, and not needing more.

Honoring what we have, appreciating the provision.

Breathing.

Thinking.

Recognizing.

Pausing.

It's true that our life is made up of moments such as these.

I'm hellbent on not missing them -

Right now, it's raining out, and it's all gloomy and thundery.

I adore it.

The grass looks so green it almost hurts my eyes to behold it.

My tea is the perfect drinking temperature.

I awoke to the scale showing under 5lbs to my goal weight.

Aaron is still snoozing upstairs, and I'm letting him.

The banty hens are right outside my window, scratching around by the clothesline.

It's Friday.

The weekend is here, full of promise.

It's a beautiful moment.

 You hear the phrase 'practice mindfulness' - and it's true - it takes practice.

At first, I almost let this moment slip.

I almost told myself I'm much too busy to sit down and write out my thoughts.

I have one hour, and I shouldn't 'waste' it like this.

Poppycock.

Writing these thoughts out, just reinforces it all in my spirit.

I wrote this on our Bootcamp forum earlier this week:

This morning as I was making the bed - I questioned how I could find 'meaning' in something like making a bed. I questioned why I make the bed. Well, it's tidy. Yes, that is one reason. Think deeper. I realized what a comfort it was to me to climb in a made bed at night. A clean, made bed. It's a simple pleasure. It brings me a sense of order and well-being. So in fact, the act of making that bed in the morning, is preparing my future. I choose to prepare my future (that very night) for a sense of well being.

Now, let's transfer that thought process to other things. Can you say that spending money foolishly is preparing you for the future? Yes. A future of lack. Can you say that eating the DingDongs is preparing you for the future? Yes. A future of diabetes. But let's not put a negative spin on this....

Today's workout is preparing you for a future of energy, strength and vitality. Today's clean meals are preparing you for a future of clear thinking, health and self confidence.

I think this is why I adore homemaking so much.

I do find peace in my chores.

I do find meaning in laundry, gratitude in dishes and nuturing in dusting.

I don't see them as 'chores', although I do use that word.

I see them as opportunities to give thanks for what I have, to love my family with a sense of order, stability and wholesome food.

It's my deepest desire that this little corner of the Interweb here can give you a moment to pause - count your blessings - encourage you to love your family - love yourself - take care of yourself - see the beauty that surrounds you - and get chickens.

Lots and lots of chickens.