Tag: Meditation

Posted in Meditation

As The World Wakes Tomorrow

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As The World Wakes Tomorrow

The first moments of the day tomorrow Tuesday, November 5th, before our mind is fully awake, can be a wonderful time for meditation. Before you put two feet on the floor meditate.

As the delicate hues of dawn approach, Mother Nature finds herself in a realm of tranquility. The Earth’s energy remains steady, undisturbed by the chaotic vibrations that accompany humanity’s daily activities.

As dawn breaks and the sun’s golden rays timidly peek over the horizon, our animalistic instincts linger in the realm of dreams, even as our waking consciousness emerges. The restorative power of deep sleep has cleansed us of life’s impurities, leaving us with heightened mental, physical, and emotional potential.

In the tranquil yet vibrant space between day and night, meditation offers a profound connection to the divine. Through morning contemplation, we forge a deeper bond with the universal life force. Our consciousness transforms into a mirror, reflecting the collective earthly awareness. As the world awakens, we awaken with it, embracing the joy of existence. This serene practice sets the tone for a fulfilling day, permeated with tranquility and contentment.

As the first rays of dawn cast a magnificent glow upon the world, the light, air, and energy that surround us seem to whisper secrets about the day ahead. We acknowledge that each new day brings with it the inherent challenges of action and reaction, yet we also recognize that we can harness the unique energetic qualities of daybreak to find solace, creativity, and vitality.

In the simple acknowledgment of a new day’s gift, we find contentment. The gentle ascent of the sun, accompanied by the sights and sounds of nature, inspires us. Birds serenade the growing luminosity of the morning, invigorating our senses. While we may initially feel lingering lethargy, meditation allows us to connect with the awakening of others, restoring our vitality. At the dawn of each day, our fate remains unwritten, presenting endless possibilities for accomplishment and growth.

The significance of meditation lies not in the specific techniques we employ, but rather in our conscious decision to align ourselves with the omnipresent spirit of wakefulness that pervades the world. Even a fleeting moment of silent contemplation, bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun, holds the power to bring clarity and perspective to the uncertain future. It is through these daybreak reflections that our lives are infused with the same steadfastness, serenity, and heightened awareness that humanity has long attributed to the tranquil ambiance of early mornings.

Peace & Harmony, Cheryl

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Put Your Self-Care First

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Put Your Self-Care First

Putting yourself first means it may be necessary to say no to someone else to say yes to yourself.

The familiar advice of airline attendants to prioritize wearing their oxygen masks before assisting others has become a widely cited metaphor for self-care. The reasoning behind this instruction extends beyond safety procedures. It emphasizes the crucial importance of self-care for our well-being and ability to support others effectively. This seemingly paradoxical advice suggests that caring for ourselves is not only a personal necessity but also a means of enhancing our capacity to care for others.

In the myriad of daily obligations, taking care of ourselves seems to often fall by the wayside. We prioritize everything else until we succumb to illness, exhaustion, or overwhelming stress, realizing that we have neglected our own needs. It is at this point that we comprehend the imperative of self-care, not as a form of selfishness or indulgence, but as a fundamental necessity for our well-being and the ability to care for others who depend on us.

Prioritizing self-care may involve declining certain requests to focus on your well-being. It’s common to feel obligated to assist others, but remember the “oxygen metaphor”: just as you need oxygen before assisting others on a flight, you need to care for yourself to be an effective caregiver to others. Remind yourself that self-care enhances your ability to support others and develop a mantra that resonates with you, such as “By caring for myself, I become more capable of caring for others.”

Remember that self-care doesn’t need to be extremely time-consuming. The most effective prescription for self-care is perhaps small, daily rituals. This could include taking 30 minutes for yourself at the beginning and end of the day to meditate, write in a journal, or simply relax. You could also occasionally indulge in a half-hour self-pampering session by transforming your daily shower or bath into a luxurious experience.

Prioritizing self-care, even in small ways, can significantly benefit you and those you care about. Just as we all need oxygen to survive, we also require moments of self-nurturing to thrive. It’s crucial to remember to take these breaths of self-care regularly, just as we naturally breathe air to stay alive.

Peace & Harmony, Cheryl

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The Travelers Stones

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Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

Moonstones For Dreamers

Moonstones are like magic gems that bring love and lots of good stuff into your life.

Moonstones, these gems are named cause they look like the glowing moon in the night sky, and offer us more than just pretty looks. They’re all tied in with moon goddesses all over the world, which might be why they seem to help out people who are out under the moon, whether it’s travelers, sailors, lovers, or even dreamers. All over the world, people have given moonstones magical powers, saying they have the same powers as the moon, even during the day.

Moonstones, which look like raindrops or tears, have always reminded people in Asia that when it’s raining, you can’t see the moon, just like how tears can make it hard to see. In India, they’re said to give you sweet, nice dreams at night, but they’ve also gotten a reputation for making your intuition and spiritual vision, or “third eye,” better at any time of day.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, people thought gazing at a moonstone was like a magic sleep potion that made you see the future. And get this – they also believed moonstones had a fertility superpower! In Arabia, ladies sewed them into their clothes to boost their baby-making abilities. Not just that, moonstones were even said to help crops grow, so folks hung them in their fruit trees before harvest.

Moonstones are like little beacons of hope and abundance, guiding us toward a future filled with awesomeness. They’ve got this magical ability to help us see all the good stuff that’s in store for us. If you want to give your moonstone a power boost, just pop it outside under a full moon. It’ll soak up all that mystical energy and become even more powerful. Cool, right?

A Room-by-Room Guide to crystals and moonstones . . . Enjoy!

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl

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Meditation Is Popular

Posted on by Lifestyle-by-designs

Meditation has gained popularity for good reason—it offers a wide range of benefits for both mental and physical well-being.  

Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Stress Reduction: One of the most well-known benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress. Meditation helps calm the mind and relax the body, which can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
  • Improved Focus and Concentration: Regular meditation practice has been shown to enhance concentration and attention span. It can help train the mind to stay focused on the present moment, reducing distractions.
  • Enhanced Emotional Well-being: Meditation can promote emotional health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. It encourages a greater sense of positivity, resilience, and emotional balance.
  • Increased Self-awareness: Through meditation, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their thoughts, and their emotions. This self-awareness can lead to greater self-acceptance and a more profound sense of inner peace.
  • Better Sleep: Many people find that meditation can improve the quality of their sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing insomnia. Practices like mindfulness meditation can help quiet the mind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
  • Pain Management: Some studies suggest that meditation can help reduce the perception of pain by altering the way the brain processes pain signals. It may be particularly beneficial for chronic pain conditions.
  • Lower Blood Pressure: Meditation has been linked to lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, meditation may help improve overall cardiovascular health.
  • Improved Relationships: Meditation can enhance interpersonal relationships by fostering empathy, compassion, and communication skills. It can help individuals become more present and attentive in their interactions with others.

These are just a few of the many benefits of meditation, and research into its effects continues to uncover new insights into its potential for promoting health and well-being.

How Can Incense Meditation Help You?

If you’re into meditation and incense, here’s the 411. Burning incense during your meditation sesh can take your spiritual connection to the next level. Certain scents are said to help unlock your chakras and give you that crystal-clear clarity you crave. But, heads up, some folks say it’s smarter to light that incense before you start your meditation gig. Why? ‘Cause sometimes that smoke can be a real distraction or make it tough to breathe. By burning it beforehand, you avoid any shaky breathing and still get all the aromatic benefits.

I like to chill out and meditate when there’s incense burning. Sometimes, my mind wanders, and I gotta bring it back to what I’m supposed to be focusing on. Watching the incense smoke helps me get back into the zone.

So, when it comes to incense, Sandalwood and Patchouli are totally the A-listers. In Buddhism, Sandalwood is like the rockstar of meditation incense.  Its warm and sweet smell has also been used in Tibetan medicine and is said to help open up that third eye chakra, which is pretty cool if you’re into that kinda thing.

Patchouli is a strong scent that, in addition to its usage in aromatherapy, has a wide range of spiritual, therapeutic, and purifying applications. An age-old custom that is still prevalent today is burning incense. Your neurological system receives an immediate, pleasant, and mild wake-up call from the scent of patchouli. The aroma of patchouli is energizing, strong, and uplifting — ideal when you need a boost of inspiration or self-assurance!

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl

Posted in Uncategorized

Spiritual Well-Being

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Stay On Track

In our everyday lives, we’ve got routines for everything, but we often forget to give our spiritual side the same attention.

In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to have routines for just about everything. We have a set route to work, a workout plan, and a daily schedule. But it’s surprising how creating a routine for meeting our spiritual needs often gets overlooked. We rush around to make it to appointments and fulfill our commitments. In our drive to be productive, our spiritual well-being often ends up taking a backseat.

Let’s be real, meditating or writing in a journal doesn’t exactly put food on the table or give us six-pack abs. With all the pressing stuff we have to deal with, it’s easy to wonder who the heck has time for that. But guess what? Taking care of our spiritual side is like the secret sauce that keeps us energized and grounded. When we nourish our souls, it’s like we unlock the superpower to keep our lives on the right path.

Meditation can be super helpful for staying calm and focused. Some folks only need to do it once a day, while others might find it more beneficial to spend up to 20 minutes with their eyes closed and their mind clear. It might sound like a lot of time to do nothing, but this state of nothingness is powerful for staying calm and focused, so you can get more done. Writing in your journal every day is another great way to stay connected with your thoughts and feelings.

If you want to live a happy and healthy life, you need to take care of your soul regularly. This means setting aside some time each day to do things that make you feel good, like spending time with loved ones, getting exercise, or reading a good book. When you take care of your soul, you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm, and you’ll be better able to handle life’s challenges. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your life, start by taking care of your soul. It’s the best investment you can make.

Creating a daily routine to care for your soul can be a lifesaver when things go sideways. It helps keep you down-to-earth and connected to yourself during rough patches. Taking care of your spirit not only keeps you on track but also ensures that your life aligns with your soul’s desires.

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl

Posted in Uncategorized

Be Quiet and Listen . . .

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Nature Sounds Meditation

Meditating with the calming sounds of nature is a great way to connect with something way bigger than yourself.

When we sit down to meditate, we usually focus on our breath to help us gather our thoughts and energy. This is because it’s easy to get distracted, but focusing on our breath helps us stay in the present moment. It’s like a tool that helps us center and ground ourselves.

  • The sounds of nature are all around us, like our breath
  • Whether it’s the rain, the wind, the ocean, or the birds

Listening to these sounds can bring us peace and connect us to the world around us.

It’s easy to get lost in our little worlds and forget that there’s a whole world out there. We get so caught up in our own goals and plans that we forget to take a step back and appreciate the world around us.

You know that feeling when you kind of take a step back from your everyday grind and just soak in all the good stuff around you? It’s like a switch flips inside, and suddenly the world feels bigger and brighter. Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about! When we give our attention to the background noise of life, we’re discovering this whole new dimension, and it’s pretty darn awesome. It’s like we’re connecting to something larger than ourselves, and it leaves us feeling refreshed and full of life. Isn’t that just the best?

So, you wanna find the perfect spot to meditate and connect with nature’s symphony? Look no further than the mighty ocean, my friend! Just plop yourself down somewhere comfy and let the thunderous roar of the crashing waves wash over you. Forget about your worries and ambitions for a while and just listen. And hey, don’t forget about rivers and lakes – they’ve got their tunes to share too!

Even if you’re a city dweller, you’ve gotta admit that the wind can make some crazy noises. It howls and whistles like crazy! And then there’s the rain. It can sound so different depending on where it lands. It’s like a whole orchestra out there!

Next time you hear these sounds, instead of ignoring them, really listen to them. Stop what you’re doing and take it all in. It’s like listening to a beautiful piece of music. Let the sounds of nature take you on a journey and just enjoy the show!

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl

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Embracing Bliss

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When you write a poem, it’s like taking your thoughts on a wild ride. It’s like your brain goes on vacation for a bit, and you just let the words flow.

Listen up! Makin’ art ain’t just ’bout showin’ off your skills—it’s like a major meditation sesh (enjoyable activity) and a way to let your true self shine through. Picture this: you’re flinging paint onto a canvas with all your might, shedding the world’s burdens like a boss. Or maybe you’re belting out high notes with your squad, and it’s like your fears are fadin’ away, makin’ room for you to reach new heights in life. That’s the power of creativity, my friend!

Meditation isn’t just about sitting still, it’s about creating poetry. When you put your heart and soul into a poem, it takes you on a wild ride deep inside yourself, like a temporary trip to your inner world where your mind can just float free!

Writing poetry is like other forms of meditation,. It’s all about staying in the moment, fully present, and not worrying over the outcome. When you do that, you let go of all your inhibitions and preconceived notions about what “needs to happen.” That’s when the magic happens, and your thoughts just flow through you, as easily as a summer breeze.

When you write poetry, it’s like your deepest self is spilling out onto the page. It’s a reflection of your inner world, laid bare for all to see. So, embrace the bliss, let your thoughts roam free, and see where your poetry takes you.

 If you’re looking for a way to use poetry as a meditation practice, here’s a cool exercise you can try.

First things first, find a quiet place where nobody will bother you for the next 20 minutes or so. Check out some poems written by other people for some inspiration, and see if any particular style tickles your fancy. Don’t be afraid to go wild and try out Freeform writing too!

Writing a poem isn’t that complicated. Just grab a pen and paper and let the words flow, friends. Don’t even freak out about what you’re gonna say next, or if your spelling and grammar are on point. Just be as descriptive and creative as you wanna be. When you’re done, take a step back, read over what you wrote, and let it vibe from within!

Just wanted to say that your work is going to be awesome! And guess what? It might even bring up some old thoughts and feelings that you’ve been pushing down. Don’t worry, it’s all good! Writing poetry is like meditation – it helps you chill out and let your soul express itself. That’s pretty cool, huh?

Post your poems here, if you are willing – there is zero judgment @ LBD ♥

Peace & Harmony, Cheryl

Posted in Happy, Meditation, Morning routine, Peace, Simple, Smile, Uncategorized

Tips To Being Happy

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think happy be happy~Simply try it. A little effort can go a long way in increasing happiness. There are plenty of experimental studies that have found that simply trying to be happier could actually elevate your mood and well-being. 

~Make happiness your number-one goal. People who are happy choose to make happiness among their top goals in life, according to psychologist Tom G. Stevens, Ph.D., author of You Can Choose to Be Happy. Learning good self-management skills, interpersonal skills, and career-related skills along with choosing to be in environments and around people that increase your probability of happiness. 

~Linger in those tiny little, positive moments. “Our brains are wired to scout for all that’s bad — the brain is like velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones. This “negativity bias” causes the brain to react intensely to bad news, compared to how it responds to the good news. But we can counter the brain’s negativity bias — which triggers us to form stronger bad memories than good ones — by appreciating and lingering on those tiny, positive moments.” – according to Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and author of Hardwiring Happiness.

~Choose mindfulness. The secret to happiness could be as simple (and difficult) as becoming more mindful. Meditation — a practice that anyone can do, anywhere, so long as they’re willing to sit and try to silence the mind — is thought to be a happiness-booster. I used to think that this “meditation stuff” was . . . excuse me for saying — bullshit! But, I have been using meditation since 2003. It was actually prescribed to me by my holistic doctor out of Madison, CT. The best tool I have found to calm my mind — no bullshit!

~Smile your way to happiness. The secret to boosting your mood could be as simple as making yourself smile. Fake smiling, on the other hand, results in the worse moods and withdrawal from others. It really is that simple, you create a happy environment when you’re smiling at people instead of frowning or showing a face of anger. Smiling can change our brain. Let’s say you experience a positive situation and you see a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. This means that neuronal signals travel from the cortex of your brain to the brainstem (the oldest part of our brains). From there, the cranial muscle carries the signal further towards the smiling muscles in your face — And you have a smile!

~Practice compassion. Want to increase your brain’s capacity for happiness? “Compassion is the most transforming energy in the universe with all the ingredients that everyone longs for; the embodiment of kindness, of caring, of loving. It is a skill that can be enhanced with practice, it’s not impractical or touchy-feely but a courageous state of mind and heart, with far-reaching consequences in terms of how we experience ourselves, the world and reality” (Mindfulness at Work). Try meditating on compassion.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

~Dalai Lama

 

 

Posted in Meditation, mindfulness, yoga

Wellness Wednesday

Posted on by Lifestyle-by-designs

Oommmmmmmm – I like his meditation brings calmness to my life.

Namaste.

Peace & Harmony ~ Cheryl