From Mind full to Mindful

These days, as our days are filled with stress and more to do than we can manage, many people hurry to get anything done. Many people today rush through their days as if their lives depend on how many items they can cross off their to-do-lists. In addition to physical lists, either on paper or in digital format, many people also keep mental lists in their minds. They literally occupy their minds with all the different, and sometimes tiny, tasks they have to do. At the end of the day, many people feel tired and drained. Does this sound familiar to you? If yes, read on.

A few months ago, I joined a small group to practice Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a term that you might come across quite frequently these days. Perhaps you have already heard of it. Perhaps you even practice it yourself. Mindfulness is often described as a practice of doing everyday things in a mindful way by, basically, simply paying attention to what you do when you do it, or, by simply letting go of your thoughts without judging them.

May 2016
Butterfly mindfully basking in the sun

In my group, we often listen to meditations, count our breaths, and scan our bodies for any discomfort in order to release it. In our relaxed positions, we become more aware of sounds around and within us. These sessions are very relaxing and soothing.

I often wish the sessions were longer. However, already after ten minutes of meditation, I can feel a difference in my body and mind. Gone is the stress I had encountered at the office earlier, gone is the argument I had had, gone are any to do lists.

At the end of the meditation when we are asked to open our eyes, I often wish the meditation would continue. However, we always get homework to do in order to practice mindfulness during the sessions. These tasks vary from washing your hands in a mindful way (feeling the water, looking at your hands etc.), eating and drinking more slowly, to noticing the blooming trees on the way home. The latter is my favorite. Nature always reminds me that nothing can be rushed. Life is not meant to be rushed.

No seed blooms from one day to another; no tree bears fruit on the first day of spring. Yes, indeed, looking at trees on my way home not only is a great exercise after the meditation session. It is a reminder of our Mother Earth, that life is not a to-do list but a wonder in itself that is supposed to be enjoyed mindfully. Therefore, next time you feel like rushing through your day trying to get everything done, find a tree or something similar in nature that you enjoy looking at, and remind yourself that nature takes its time but accomplishes complex biological processes in miraculous ways every single day.

Love, Barbara

 

Copyright © 2016 by Barbara Bullock, Photo credit © 2016 by Barbara Bullock

#Mindfulness #Mind #Meditation #Group #Stress #Psychology #Nature #Trees #Visualization

A thought on Colette V. Paul’s Butterflies Dance in the Rain, a collection of poetry and prose

 

Butterflies Dance in the RainDear friends,

As many of you know, I try to live my life in truth and honesty. When I tell you that I love you, I mean it. When I tell you that I don’t, I also mean it. When I review a book, I won’t tell you what you want to hear so you’ll buy it. I won’t tell you the story in an objective, journalistic style. However, I will tell you what I feel, hear and see when I read it – from my heart to yours. Be inspired by my review of Butterflies Dance in the Rain.

To be honest, I don’t remember how I know Ms. Colette V. Paul. What I do remember is a video of her that I had come across on the Internet. As I listened to her speaking one of her poems, I realized that the way she spoke reminded me of someone. Colette’s soft yet strong voice articulating words of wisdom resonated with me immediately. Colette’s outer beauty is a reflection of her inner world of love, faith, hope, and the wonderment of life. Colette has a light around her that shines brightly and enlightens everyone who knows her. However, as Butterflies in the Rain shows its readers, this wasn’t always so. Lessons of life likely propelled Colette into higher spheres of her own spirituality.

I believe that Butterflies in the Rain reflect that to the point. Filled with the sadness of a broken heart, Colette is a true artist with an understanding that there is a higher power we can all call upon in times of distress. Dear God Letter is the quest of such search for healing. It opens the poetry collection and leads me, the reader to the realization that we are all eternal and a part of this higher power whatever name one wants to give it. As Colette realizes that she is a part of this eternal power, her spirits seem to lift and carry me to the next poem. Many poems read like Japanese haikus when so much can be expressed in just a few lines. Colette seems to know instinctively when this is the case. Stillness, aspiration, intuition, love, renewal, music and human tragedies are described boldly without complications as they do not need more words but the recognition that only one thing is needed – love.

Back to reality and everyday problems, Another year feels rushed at first suffocating me, the reader, with stress, disturbance and problems. However, the last three lines free my mind and entail the deep message that I found buried under the problems. Cursed is another favorite of mine and deeply touches my soul. It is as if I almost can feel Colette’s soul crying out for help and freedom. Now the poetry collection gains in speed and depth as I learn more details on Colette’s life changing experiences, newly given responsibilities, facing prejudice and difficult circumstances in I’m Doing Just Fine. Colette puts into words what others cannot express. Suddenly, I knew who Colette reminded me of in the video. I am Woman is a masterpiece filled with dignity and strength of a woman. Elevations and Vibrations bring me back to my memory of watching the video and help me realize that, Colette is, as Dr. Maya Angelou would likely call her, a Phenomenal Woman.

Indeed, Colette is a creative soul on a journey. Life might have knocked her down a couple of times. However, her gift of words lifts her high and let her soul fly freely through life’s turning points and complications. I call Colette the next Dr. Maya Angelou. I don’t say this lightly. I mean it with my heart and my soul. Let Butterflies Dance in the Rain take you to higher spheres. Follow Colette on her journey here:

https://www.facebook.com/cocopoet1

To Colette: Next time, look up into the clouds. I am sure Maya would be proud of you. Perhaps she’ll put a rainbow in your clouds.

Love,

Barbara

 

Copyright © 2015 by Barbara Bullock

Photo credit © 2015 by Colette V. Paul

Works cited:

Paul, Colette V. Butterflies Dance in the Rain. Atlanta : Southern Butterfly Publishing , 2015. Book .

https://www.facebook.com/butterfliesdanceintherain

https://www.facebook.com/cocopoet1

Dr. Maya Angelou www.mayaangelou.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Bullock/277533425653786

#ColetteVPaul #Poems #Poetry #Soul #Love #Writer #Review #MayaAngelou #ButterfliesDanceintheRain #butterfly #butterflies #rain #dance #poet

All views and opinions expressed in this review and other posts are purely personal views of the author Barbara Bullock. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of any person mentioned. My blogs are for information/entertainment only and are not meant to replace any spiritual, psychological, medical or legal advice.