STOP ... a Mindfulness Tool

Kimberly Wilson, dear to my heart as the Hip Tranquil Chick, and her boyfriend took a cross-country road trip in their vintage camper this fall, holding Tranquility Popups everywhere from Richmond to Portland.  The saga was covered on her wonderful blog and podcast Tranquility du Jour.  I learned two things that are helpful to my journey.

1. Don't get a vintage camper, no matter how cute. 

We will rent something a bit more conventional for our cross-country adventure.

2.  Use the STOP tranquility technique.  I've altered it to fit my Christian approach to mindfulness.  When confronted with a problem or a tense moment, STOP:

• Stop
• Take three breaths.  Three counts in, four counts to hold and five counts to exhale.
• Observe with love.
• Pray, put on the mind of Christ and proceed under grace. 

I like it.  Thanks, Kimberly.

A Mindful Cold

"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

St. Theresa

Where I am today is getting over a cold that I've decided was actually some kind of flu.  Which is great since I got a flu shot for the first time in decades this year.

I had a couple of  no-kidding deadlines this week, so I had to haul myself into work when it was roughly 1 degree and icy.  I stayed home on Wednesday in the midst of a snowstorm, originally planning to work from home.  But taking three naps isn't really a work day, so I ended up taking it as sick time.

Being mindful of illness actually is allowing yourself to be more gentle with yourself... as least as far as I'm concerned.  I've had very little patience with the need to rest and hydrate during my life, and I've always powered through. In the '80s, I went on a work trip to Florida, concealing the fact that I had scarlet fever.  Mindful or not, that was pretty stupid and inconsiderate.

So now I am listening to a body that's been screaming at me for decades.  I will be nice to me today.