Stillness.
The center point.
A space inside so quiet, so peaceful, so pure
It takes my breath away.

I’ve been craving it, knowing that I need the internal space stillness provides. To find that inner space, I have to create external space – in my day, my home, my overfull calendar. I’m up for the challenge.

It’s a powerful pull, this call toward stillness.

It’s a call toward wholeness, toward living from a place that feels filled up, pregnant with possibility and open to magic.

Stillness means not only sitting at the center of the hurricane, but slowing the whole thing down. Even if it’s only for seconds at a time.

It’s a place and a practice. A moment and a desire. And when I’m there, it feels like Home.

What is your relationship to stillness? Deeply needed? Terrifying? Are you best friends? I’d love to know.

**********

P.S. It’s last call for Shine! We start tomorrow. Come explore your inner terrain, fill yourself up and remember who you are when the stories begin to drop. Find space for Presence, Joy, Hope, Grace, and yes, Stillness. Bite-sized practices even you can fit into your day. Open your eyes to your own beauty. (I can see it from here.)

Join us.

Right now my body is asking for hot soup, spicy green juice and rest. My mind is aching for stillness. My soul is wanting to drink in the ocean. My creativity is craving playtime with watercolor crayons. My heart wants snuggles with my growing-up-so-fast little girl.

How do you nourish yourself? Your body, your mind, your soul?

Take one minute right now. Pause. Breathe. Listen.

What do you need to feel nourished?

It’s okay if you can’t have it right this second, or even at all. Sit with the need and the feelings that come up. There’s wisdom and beauty right there.

**********

P.S. Shine starts next week. I won’t offer it again until fall, or perhaps next year. This little e-course is a life-changer. Join us.

The Shine experience exceeded my expectations. Alana asked me to review the course from a male perspective. I recommend it for everyone. As a psychotherapist, I have my clients do exercises outside the office. I believe this series could be helpful with depression, anxiety, and self esteem, not to mention awakening the divine spark that lives in us all.
~ John Buse, Marriage & Family Therapist

 

When the ache rises and
Nothing makes sense
The brain, scrambled,
Claws at reason with desperate fingers.

Breathe
And with a soft smile whisper
Welcome and
Thank you
To this wise teacher, pain.
Resistance is pointless.

Close your eyes,
Turn within
And repeat gently
Until your heart pulses
With the belief,
I trust life. I trust life. I trust life.

**********

P.S. Shine starts February 21st.  Join us for 28 days of exploring practices that will support you in listening to your inner wisdom and claiming your truth.
Embrace where you are. Become who you want to be.

“I entered parenthood confident in my ability to play with my child. Earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from a contemporary arts school, I spent many hours as a young adult following impulses, living in imaginary worlds and rolling around on the floor.  While studying for my Master’s Degree in clinical and community psychology, I learned that play was a child’s most important way of making sense of the world until the age of seven. I wasn’t going to make the mistake of getting too serious too soon. I even planned to home school  (unschool actually) to keep her childhood playful as long as possible.

Then life happened…“

I’m thrilled to be today’s guest on the wonderful 28 Days of Play series over at You Plus 2 Parenting. Hosted by parenting expert and mama Rachel Cedar, the series asks 28 parent/writers to talk about the ups and downs of playing with their kids from a very personal point of view. No advice. No how-to’s. Just the rawness of how it really is, even when it’s not pretty.

You can read the rest of my post here.

Be sure to check out the first four fantastic posts by Dana Talusani (The Kitchen Witch), Pamela Hunt Cloyd (Walking On My Hands), Aidan Donnelly Rowley (Ivy League Insecurities), and Jason Good (author of This is Ridiculous. This is Amazing).

There’s also a link on the site to sign up for the 28 Days of Play mailing list if you want to make sure you don’t miss a post!