[Day 12] Are you impatient? (Copy)

How often do you say " hurry up", "come on" or think to yourself "I want it to be done NOW"? Or how often does someone else say the above to you? Do you dream of being more patient in your life?

It can be a valuable exercise to stop and reflect on why you feel so busy in everyday life. Is it always necessary? Does impatience set the agenda? Note the answers that emerge.

We experience daily impatience, both our own and others. When the car in front of us is a little too slow, when the light turns green. When the kids aren't listening. When people don't do something the way we want it done etc.

What does impatience feel like? It often holds irritation and criticism and can make ourselves and those around us feel uncomfortable. If you aren't aware of your own impatience, then how does it feel when someone else meets you that way?

Especially when we have decided to create some changes in our lives, and shifts don't happen fast enough we think we've failed, that that method doesn't work and we are on to the next thing. Maybe you've felt impatient during this challenge - come on already get to some good exercises... :)

A ton of questions today, but important ones to look at.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

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[Day 11] Do you get enough sleep? (Copy)

A lot of clients have trouble sleeping and come to me to see if meditation can help them turn off the constant stream of thoughts, worry and speculation that seem to keep them up. Although mindfulness meditation isn't a relaxation practice, it can be a great bonus effect.

A lot of things keep us up at night, but what prevents us from going to bed in the first place? I created this challenge with a smile on my face because my answer would a big fat YES - I stay up way too late!

With two small kiddos and a business I drink too much coffee and stay up late into the night so I can get things done. When my head finally hits my pillow, two girls crawl into our bed and a night of pushing and shoving begins. It's cozy, but not good for resting...

I defniately feel the lack of sleep in my body. And I know that I have to get more rest to be able to function properly. Somehow it's "hard" to tuck myself in at 20.05. Because at night I get to hold hands with my partner and have some time to myself. Do you know the feeling?

Do you get enough sleep? 

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL  http://www.mindfulground.com/day-11-do-you-get-enough-sleep/ as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

[Day 10] Unplug (Copy)

A few years ago I decided to give up my iPhone because I hoped it would help me unplug. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, texts, emails, calls, we are plugged in a lot. It didn't really help, because even though my phone was gone, I still felt I had to be on call and stay in control of all incoming messages - at all times.

When I worked corporate we had a 24 hour reply policy. Which was fine and in some cases we could wait 3-4 days to give the best respons possible. It doesn't seem to be acceptable anymore. Facebook rats us out. We read a message and it tells the sender that we have seen it. If we don't reply it seems weird and we get follow up messages like "are you there". Have you experienced similar situations? We have to be quick on our feet.

Sometimes I have received a business proposal and answered back the next day only to get a reply saying they found someone else, and there are loads of examples.

For me getting rid of my phone, deleting apps etc. didn't help. I needed to allow myself to go offline and let people know what to expect from me. And I just can't be everywhere, with a quick reply - all of the time. Maybe you don't find it as stressful as I do, which is great. No matter how you feel about being plugged in, I can't wait to hear what being unplugged brings up for you.

PS. Try to do it during hours where you normally would be on your computer or phone.

Now IN A FEW HOURS write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

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[Day 8] Look up! (Copy)

  Meditation and mindfulness training are often linked to the image of a person sitting with her eyes closed, focused and alert (and most of the time amazingly gorgeous).

But what if it also included looking up and really noticing what’s right there in front of us. How often do we investigate and take that in? It can be a good practice to see what is going outside of ourselves and how we relate to it. Do we see with an open mind, or seewhat we think we see.

There are clearly many reasons why we as adults don’t always look up with curiosity. We are in a hurry, stressed, tired, worried or we've been in the same spot so many times we rely on KNOWING instead of seeing.

One thing a teacher of mine brought up that hit home for me was - remember to be curious. When I look at my children and people that are playful in life they are curious about themselves, life, objects and whatever they stumble upon on their way. I have always admired that ability, since it seemed to fade in my life.

Looking up can be taken very literal - what is in front of you. wall, trees, cue, window etc. You can also take it one step deeper with your partner, children, colleagues. Who is this in front of me? What do they look like today? What are they saying? How does it feel to be here with them? Taking in what we see with curiosity and open eyes.

Make it a habit several times today to look up . Up at the sky, rooftops, birds or tree tops. What do you see? Do you see something new? If you are somewhere that feels sort routineish how does it feel to look around and observe. Let your eyes wander around - curious and open.

You can remind yourself by writing a post it or note that says " look up". Or set your a reminder on your phone.

What do you notice?

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

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Click to tweet: Look up what do you see? via @mindfulground 's Mindful Living blog challenge #awareness #life #openess http://tinyurl.com/oc5mzns

[Day 7] Enjoy a cup (Copy)

There is no doubt that being TOO busy is an issue in a lot of people's lives - including my own. As for finding time to meditate, well probably you won't the find time, you'll need to take it. Letting mindful living into others parts in important.

For me bringing awareness and mindfulness practice into my daily activities is just as big for me as my formal practice (meditation). If being mindful left me when I leave the cushion, then maybe there wouldn't be that much of a point.

Something I really enjoy doing is setting aside time to drink a cup of tea or coffee and allowing that to be part of my practice that day. Most of us drink tea or coffee (or water etc.) and if you're like me, you "down it" while sitting at the computer, Tv, chatting on the phone or reading.

This is an excellent chance to show up where you are, practice being mindful and enjoying what you are doing - while you are doing it.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

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Click to tweet: Tea meditation today via @mindfulground Bringing mindfulness into daily activities #tea #mindful http://tinyurl.com/npdbx2q

Recommended reading

Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world

By Mark Williams

[Day 6] - What are you grateful for? (Copy)

We often look at what we aren't good at, what needs to change and how we can improve. Seldom do we shout from the roof tops what we are good at and what we are grateful for in our lives. Somethings might be a given. Other things we may forget to truly enjoy.

Being Mindful is showing up for life as it is, and this includes joy, happiness, celebration and gratitude. Do you remember to enjoy life? Do you allow yourself to celebrate your qualities and successes?

Even in the darkest times of our lives, there is still "good" to be discovered and be grateful for. Acknowledging those times and things in our lives can support of us to remember to enjoy.

When stressed or in a hurry we may not be as sensible to the signals to slow down, but are we in such a hurry we also forget to breathe in the wonderful things in life?

I AM GRATEFUL for all of your posts, sharing, insights and openness.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL  http://www.mindfulground.com/day-6-i-am-grateful/ as a TrackBack link

2. Add a comment below with a few words about your post with a link to the blogpost

Share the love

Click here to tweet: Noting what I am grateful for via @mindfulground what are you grateful for in your life? #gratitude #mindful http://tinyurl.com/o3fgtlo

Recommended reading

Gratitude: A Way Of Life

By Louise Hay

[Day 5] with Belinda Pate-Macdonald (Copy)

Who is in control of your life?

Now, this is a thought-provoking question.  We’ve been told by the media and other people that we need to take control, be in the drivers seat and take charge.  But, there’s a huge difference between making choices in your life based on trying to stay in control, and making inspired decisions based on empowerment and love.

One depicts a struggle, the other an openness and flow.  Control stagnates, flowing creates.

Ideally the answer to this question is “no-one is in control of your life”.  When you align yourself with your heart, to manifest a life you love, it’s really important to understand that Love doesn’t control.

Making a commitment to stay in your heart centre and to respond to life from a connected, universal perspective, aligns you with Divine Grace.  You are then guided by your heart’s truth in any given moment.  You understand that everything you create is connected to the whole and for everyone’s benefit.

This is empowering, inspiring and highly creative.  As you release control, and all the fear that is attached to that, you welcome an even greater vision and wisdom, and truly become the “author of your own life”.

Now write a post or grab your journal and write about your reflections, experience and share your story.

1. Add the URL http://www.mindfulground.com/30-day-living-mindfully-blog-challenge-day-3-belinda-pate-macdonald/ as a TrackBack link

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Click to tweet: Contemplating control with @mindfulground 's 30 Day Living Mindfully Blog Challenge. You can still join http://tinyurl.com/nxcwjqk

About Belinda Pate-Macdonald

Belinda is a consciousness illuminator who helps you breathe Love and renewal into your life.  She is renowned for her gift of seeing your Essence and helping you to connect with your true purpose.

Through her work as a heart-centered speaker, spiritual counselor, healer and writer, Belinda creates deeply healing, sacred spaces that inspire and transform.  Over the years she has helped thousands to discover their own unique and amazing gifts.

http://www.hummingbirdhealing.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/hummingbirdhealing

What the hell is she doing anyway? (Copy)

I have to face the fact that I am a talker. I have serious issues at times with getting clear. I have a mentor that always "suggests" a less broad language... hmmm well ok, I am working on it. Some might say it's bad for business, or how will people know what to come to you for IF YOUR'RE NOT CLEAR??? And as always with this blog challenge I am doing, I am asked to get crystal clear... The blog challenge Day 10 is:

Which are the key online revenue streams you want to focus on in your existing business?

So basically "What are doing with the your life and business Carina?" Sometimes I find it hard, because in the field I am in, there is no ONE or RIGHT way. I work with life, and that happens is all sorts of ways. I draw on my experience with meditation, mindfulness, yoga specialized in women's body and energy and sometime fall short in how put that into a few bullets...

I know what's important to me though. And that's that people feel connected, worthy, happy, and that they feel that they belong - because everyone deserves that in their life. I want people to own their stories without being caught up in the drama of it, finding peace and ease in everyday life. 

As to how I want to bring this to life in offerings and ways to connect is:

• through one on one programs. These are for the people who are so ready to commit that they feel it in their bones. I love these connections because it is a safe place.
• through the Free Blog Challenge. A way for people not ready to take the big leap, to try out the idea of letting go of a life ruled by stress, auto-pilot, worry and unhappiness.
• through retreats that give people some intense time to look within, relax, meditate and take a break from everyday life, to see it in a clearer light.

And a few other cool things that I am cooking up...

I may not always be clear in my sales pitches and pages, but I am so clear on my vision and WHY I do this work in the first place.

Without any spiritual dogma, and keeping both feet on the ground I want YOU to feel compassion, connection and care for yourself!

Anxiety got me started! (Copy)

Ahh Day 7 - This blog challenge really doesn't feel like a challenge. Which is awesome - big thanks to Ms. Sisson. Today's question is great - just up my alley.

Which key tools will you turn to regularly to maintain your mindset and how will you use them effectively?

For years I delt with anxiety. Panic attacks, a constant sense of nervousness in my body, scared of being scared ruled my life. I isolated myself more and more, just from feeling so tired and not knowing how to face people anymore.

My way through those years became my meditation practice. I wasn't enlightened or fell in love with a guru. I just sensed tiny shifts for every time a sat and closed my eyes and let go of control. It wasn't always peace and ease - but more about handling what arose.

I became less scared and reactive, but learned to respond with more clarity. I began to see I had a choice. No matter how I felt, I was in control of the next step.

As for my mindset anxiety has become my "warning signal". I haven't had a full blown attack in years, but when a certain feeling creeps up I know it well, I know that this is when to slow down, take better care of my self, and allow myself to be vulnerable.

Easy - no, necessary - Yes.

Meditation and presence isn't only what happens on a cushion somewhere quiet. I bring it with me. It is how I move through life. It is compassion, care, curiosity, it is being connected to how I feel.

I am still me, I still have triggers and less flattering sides at times, but I am so much more aware of how they effect me, and stop a lot sooner then I did before. It is just so much easier to deal with when I am not on never ending auto-pilot.

So what supports me in business and life (and hey isn't it all just life??) is my meditation practice.

Perfection is feeding chickens... (Copy)

So I thought I would skip Day 5 of the blog challenge, but then something perfect happened, and I had to go back to this challenge.

The question for Day 5 was: What’s does your perfect day look like?

I have written this down for every single business program I have attended. All good fun, but sometimes it just feels so far away. Maybe mostly because I have tended to think it had to be really different from my life as it is. Those perfect days are great, but I want to remember that the process is just so much more important. That's why I do what I do - to live my life as it is happening.

Being self-employed can be challenging, I  often loose sight, get into a panic when we are low on cash, sit up too long at nights and do everything that all the really rich business people tell you not to do.  My website isn't perfect, I don't have really expensive pictures and badges. I procrastinate and drink too much coffee. I mess up and say I'm sorry a lot.

I meditate and look at the guilt I feed myself and compassion is a part of it. So do I strive for perfection or see perfection in what is. The other day it became SO clear.

Last Thursday I decided to keep my oldest daughter home from daycare. My partner had done a night shift and was sleeping. On impulse me and the two girls hopped on the bike and went for a little ride. We ended up in a little haven in the middle of Copenhagen. A little area with farm animals.

We were invited in to feed the chickens and pet the rabbits. We ate apples and had a chat with a 94 year old man. We ended up having the time of our lives.

I was behind on work, reading, napping but in those few hours my day was perfect. Just what I want - freedom, happy children, time to enjoy the little things, and the ability to let go.

In the back of my mind Lou Reed was singing "Just a perfect day"... minus images from the movie Trainspotting...

What is does your perfect day look like? 

Homeless or independent? (Copy)

Ahhh Day 4 of the Blog challenge. I am warming up, getting into writing again - which is so much fun. The feel of getting clear and focused is great. Little by little the post are making more sense... to me. :) So today's question from Ms. Natalie S. is: What is your definition of location independence?

When I first started out, I felt more homeless than independent. I worked/work at home for the most part, besides when I teach meditation classes. Which is great, but can create a little trouble in really getting clear on the difference between WORK HOURS and FAMILY/RELAXATION TIME. Do you know the feeling?

(I work at home with a little more advanced hardware...)

Instead of me going to work and coming home, my family sort of comes home and invades my work space. And that just isn't fair to them or me. So not having an office created a little stress for everyone in the house. I have gone to cafés etc. but couldn't get into a real flow there. So I have roamed the streets with my laptop seeking, and not working...

It has been my excuse for why I haven't been totally focused and why my business has taken a while to really get moving. UNTIL I met Natalie, and not having a base to work from really couldn't be the excuse anymore.

It draws back to the last few posts about freedom. I have clients where I go to their house, I teach group classes at a beautiful venue, I do 1:1s a third place, and do admin work at home or where ever I can find a quiet spot.

Now, instead of feeling homeless, I like to think of it as having many "homes". Being connected and spreading my wings all over town. Using the various spots for the different purposes that are called for there. It all gives me room to change, evolve, create without having to deal with the admin of having my own office. Which I know, for me, would take even more focus from what I am really passionate about.

It's a balance and takes some ability to adapt and work with what you've got, but isn't life that way anyway?

When I used to be a puppy dog... (Copy)

Blog challenge DAY 3 - What’s your definition of freedom in business and adventure in life?  My lovely brother used to tell amazing stories of when he was a puppy dog. We all listened and laughed, but he was always caught up in the stories like he really had been a cute little dog and oh  my the adventures!

In a lot of ways I look back at the time before a became a mommy dog, hmm grown up, hmm gave birth to two beautiful girls, with smiles and nostalgia. Missing life as it was. I remember feeling and speaking of myself as adventurous and interesting. Life just flowed in whatever way we, and it, wanted to.

Awakening to the fact that I am now human, with bags under my eyes and subtle smell of spit up, makes me divide adventure and now even more...

I really love my life, but I don't feel so adventurous anymore. Or I guess contemplating the question it all comes back to MY definition of what that is. Where I see lack, and where I see life and joy unfolding before me. Adventure has turned into some huge and un-reachable thing. Nothing to with responsibility, worries or domestic life.

Freedom in business is what I am doing (close to anyway - still working on the how). But freedom is in the fact that I am in charge. I can have a full day mid-week with the girls if that's what we want to do. I can sit in my PJs all day and write emails, I can work with the most inspiring clients because I chose to (and they chose me).

Within our family, work doesn't define how we live, 9-5 etc. We define the life we want and how business can be a part of that - amazing eh!?

Next year we are leaving our apartment and crossing the US and Canada. It might take 8 months, maybe 9 and we are just going to go with it. Going back to my roots and visiting my family in the reserve, feeling the wind in our hair, showing the girls that part of the world, and living our adventure as a family, with responsibility, and I guess you always worry a little as a parent.

Adventure in life is living it fully, with the circumstances you face. Going after what you dream of without being attached to the outcome. And I think I will remind myself of that from now on...

If I were free... (Copy)

Aha, blog challenge Day 2. Was feeling all great about Day 1. And then... Day 2 challenge:

If you woke up tomorrow and were free to do anything you wanted with your life, what would you do and who would you be?

Gulp... well freedom. I have wanted to be free most of my adult life, and then after working with several teachers, attending a bunch of retreats, and meditating for years, I find out I am already free, and then I forget it again...

But thinking of the question in mind I do have desires. After working through Danielle LaPorte's Desire course, I really feel good about desire. Something I thought, for a while, I couldn't, if I were to follow the Buddha's words. Anyway...

If I were/felt free I would be me, but happier. I would be me, but complain less. I would be me, and enjoy my family more. I would be me, but with more smiles. I would have a thriving business working with what I love. I would live life as I dream of. I would say "I am" instead of "I would be"... 

What can make me smile is remembering, that I am free to do what I want. Panic, money, sleepless hours get to me sometimes, and pushes me to look closer at my fears and worries. In times when it takes different shapes, when life throws you a challenge, I am free to relate to it in the way that I want.

For me freedom and feeling free is there more than it isn't.

Being curious and connected supports me on the journey in life, and I tend not to strive (read slave drive) myself, but remember the process of life - it is happening anyway, why not show up for it?

For me that's where freedom awaits - showing up for life, as it is happening.

Do you show up? 

Why do it at all? (Copy)

I AM BACK - in english. :) So I joined the blog challenge over at the suitcase entrepreneur. And this is day 1... Today is all about why? Something that in business has been a great adventure the past 3 years. Why do I do what I do - and at other times "what the hell am I doing...?"

I started this blog back in 2011, because I wanted to share my story. I wanted to let people know how I use and practice meditation in everyday life. I have 2 daughters, a business, loads of friends I have neglected and a big family that I love. It is important to me that practice, integrating meditation and becoming more present in life, is down to earth. It is doable for everyone.

I feel very passionate about inspiring others to own their story, and break free from the drama of it, and use it to connect to their sense of worth and belonging. Because of that I want to share mine - honest, connected, and out loud.

That being said, I fell off the wagon. I had a good start, then business panic, then work freeze, then another baby, and bam 2 years later there hasn't been a lot of activity.

So the amazing Natalie Sisson sent me an email, gave me a push and I am back to share, listen and connect to my creativity again.

I am back on Twitter as well... Oh my. Maybe you would like to connect? I'm at @mindfulground

See you tomorrow. :)

Sommer(bog)regn - VIND A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (Copy)

En dejlig bog af Elisha Goldstein og Bob Stahl. Jeg har brugt den meget som inspiration og der følger en fin cd med mange gode meditationer med. Den giver et godt indblik i MBSR kurset og kan være god til de der gerne vil i gang med MBSR, men vil prøve det af på egen hånd først. Den blander øvelser, refleksioner og teori rigtig godt. Den følger fint op efter hvert emner og den kommer godt omkring. Det erstatter ikke MBSR kurset, og den støtte man finde med en lærer og en gruppe, men den er god alligevel.

Underviser du selv, kan den også være god at læse. Den kan give nye vinkler på øvelser og inspiration til nye.

Som en lille note til denne bog, så har min yngste datter været så venlig at tegne på de to første sider, men resten af bogen er super fin... :)

Hvad skal du gøre for at være med i lodtrækningen? 

Du skal smide en kommentar om hvorfor du gerne vil vinde bogen. Hvorfor er dette emne interessant for dig.

Vi trækker lod fredag d. 16. august kl. 12.00 :)

Om bog-regnen.

Hver uge i løbet af sommeren vil jeg give en bog væk. For at finde ud af hvem der skal have hvad, og for at lære jer bedre at kende, vil jeg enormt gerne høre jeres historier, kommentar, inspiration eller skepsis i forhold til de forskellige temaer bøgerne omhandler. Der bliver trukket lod blandt besvarelserne og vinderen får direkte besked. Jeg skal nok beskrive nærmere hver uge.

Jeg betaler portoen, men skulle du bo i København så kan bøgerne afhentes.

Sommer(bog)regn - VIND Mindfulness for børn og unge (Copy)

Så er der en dansk bog på banen. Jeg anmeldte denne bog sidste år - læs anmeldelsen her... Bogen hedder Mindfulness for børn og unge - teori og praktiske øvelser, af Psykolog Sabrina Justensen Leoni. Det er rigtig fin bog for dig der arbejder med børn og unge, og er interesseret i at bringe mindfulness ind i dit arbejde. Den veksler godt mellem øvelser, teori og inspiration. Den er super overskuelig og kan også virke som et opslagsbog.

Den er primært henvendt professionelle, men kan sagtens læses af den nysgerrige forældre.

Hvad skal du gøre for at være med i lodtrækningen? 

Du skal smide en kommentar om hvorfor du gerne vil vinde bogen. Hvorfor er dette emne interessant for dig.

Vi trækker lod fredag d. 9. august kl. 12.00 :)

Om bog-regnen.

Hver uge i løbet af sommeren vil jeg give en bog væk. For at finde ud af hvem der skal have hvad, og for at lære jer bedre at kende, vil jeg enormt gerne høre jeres historier, kommentar, inspiration eller skepsis i forhold til de forskellige temaer bøgerne omhandler. Der bliver trukket lod blandt besvarelserne og vinderen får direkte besked. Jeg skal nok beskrive nærmere hver uge.

Jeg betaler portoen, men skulle du bo i København så kan bøgerne afhentes.

Sommer(bog)regn - VIND Stress Reduction for teenagere + en Bonus (Copy)

Har du en teenager? Arbejder du med teengere? Er du selv teenager? Så kan denne bog +en lille bonus måske være noget for dig. Gina Biegel som er forfatter til bogen The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens, har forsket på området længe. Hun afholder kurser for børn og forældre, og uddanner lærere i hendes program MBSR-teens. Jeg har taget hendes teachers training og synes hun er dygtig. Hun brænder for at hjælpe stressede unge. Du kan læse mere om hende og hendes arbejde her...

Denne bog tilbyder konkrete øvelser, meditationer og inspiration som er lette at gå til. Denne bog er på engelsk, men meget let forståelig. Som en lille BONUS følger hendes cd med 14 forskellige meditationer med (dog også på engelsk, men Gina og jeg arbejder på en dansk udgave).

Hvad skal du gøre for at være med i lodtrækningen? 

Du skal smide en kommentar om hvorfor du gerne vil vinde bogen. Hvorfor er dette emne interessant for dig.

Vi trækker lod fredag d. 2. august kl. 12.00 :)

Om bog-regnen.

Hver uge i løbet af sommeren vil jeg give en bog væk. For at finde ud af hvem der skal have hvad, og for at lære jer bedre at kende, vil jeg enormt gerne høre jeres historier, kommentar, inspiration eller skepsis i forhold til de forskellige temaer bøgerne omhandler. Der bliver trukket lod blandt besvarelserne og vinderen får direkte besked. Jeg skal nok beskrive nærmere hver uge.

Jeg betaler portoen, men skulle du bo i København så kan bøgerne afhentes.

VIND Jon Kabat-Zinns cd (Copy)

Det er forår. Alt muligt bevæger sig i en spændende retning både privat og hos Mindful Ground. OG der er kommet så mange nye til på facebooksiden, at jeg synes det er tid til en lille konkurrence.

Det du kan vinde er:

(Billedet er godt nok blevet spejlvendt, men håber du kan læse hvad det er alligevel.)

For at være med, skal du blot gå tilbage til facebooksiden og dele denne post.

På onsdag trækker jeg lod blandt de af jer der har delt. Vinderen får direkte besked.

Nyd den fantastisk smukke mandag. :)

Carina

2012 farwell, Aufwiedersehn, Adeiu (Copy)

Det er klassisk at slutte af med en blogpost om det forgangne år. Jeg vil ikke gøre nogen undtagelse. Da det er så populært med år i tal, vil jeg kaste mig ud i at beskrive mit på samme måde.  

Graviditet - 1

Måneder med kvalme: 3 mdr. som det meste af tiden ramte en 10'er på skalaen. Jeg undskylder hermed, hvis jeg nogensinde har tænkt "hvor slemt kan det være...".

Fødsel - 1, fantastisk oplevelse hjemme i stuen. Er så taknemmelig for at man i Danmark helt selv må vælge hvordan rammerne skal være.

Datter - nu 2 stk. Ved godt det ikke er specielt for mig, men er pave stolt i mit stille sind og helt udmyg over hvor heldig jeg er.

VoksenMorMeltdowns - hmm 2 den seneste uge bare. Så dejlige som de er, så er jeg også engang i mellem helt magtesløs, når trætheden rammer hårdt.

Antal fester - 1... Hold da op. Det sættes der hårdt ind på i 2013.

Indkøbte bøger både faglige og skønlitterære: 36... (jeg har et problem)

Antal bøger læst færdigt: 7...

Kæreste der på alle måder gør mig glad: 1 <3

Kursister der har udforsket, udfordret og rørt mig gennem dette år: 32 (foruden jer der har taget introforløb og virksomheder og retreats) Tak til de af jer der har investeret så mange uger i jer selv, og den rejse I har taget.

Ferier: 1. Den første fælles familieferie nogensinde. Lilli taler stadig om den. Helt klart noget jeg ikke har prioriteret højt nok før. At holde HELT fri.

Drømme: ualmindeligt mange, og sådan fortsætter det forhåbentligt.

Vi ses i det nye år. Pas på jer selv og hinanden. Drik rigeligt med vand og brug beskyttelsesbriller, som min mor siger (og skrev til mig i går).

Kærligst

Carina

Anmeldelse: Mindfulness for børn og unge, af Sabrina Justesen Leoni (Copy)

  For en måneds tid siden fik jeg denne bog tilsendt med et ønske om at anmelde den. Jeg har rigtig mange bøger om mindfulness, dette er dog den første på dansk om mindfulness med børn. Et område som gerne, for min skyld, må udvide sig endnu mere i arbejdet med børn og unge i Danmark. Jeg har virkelig nydt at læse den.

For mig som forældre har området en klar interesse. Selvom bogen særligt er henvendt til de der professionelt arbejder med børn, så åbnede jeg bogen i håb om også at blive inspireret som mor og i min måde at møde min datter på. Professionelt er det altid spændende at læse om andres viden og fordybelse med området.

Jeg er ikke "akademisk uddannet” i mindfulness. For mig har det været praksis, praksis, praksis og at lære af de lærer jeg har fulgt, der har været min primære vej. I det lys er “Mindfulness for børn og unge” fantastisk godt opbygget. Det er nemt at gå direkte til øvelser, som man kan prøve af i hverdagen. Det mere akademiske stof er samlet særskilt i starten, og giver mig som læser et godt og tydeligt overblik.

Baggrundsstoffet giver en god intro til mindfulness og dens indtoget i Vesten. Der er en dybde og en respekt for både forskning og praksis.

Øvelserne er godt bygget op, og er ikke krydret med for meget “snik snak”. Jeg har en klar følelse af, at kunne gå i gang med dem med en børnegruppe uden for meget tvivl om “the hows and whys”. De udstråler en varme og en nænsomhed for de børn der deltager. Det giver mig lyst til at være barn igen, i selskab med en voksen der sad på gulvet og gav sig den tid og opmærksomhed til at bare at være til stede.

Det er også glædeligt, at der bliver lagt vægt på den voksnes praksis. At arbejde med mindfulness kræver i det hele taget en solid egen meditationspraksis. Man er nødt til at arbejde med det selv, hvad end man er forældre eller har en professionel tilgang. Derfor mener jeg, at det er så vigtigt med de konkrete øvelser til de voksne.

Hvis du har en professionel interesse for området med børn og mindfulness, vil jeg klart anbefale denne bog. Som forældre kan du dog også hente en masse inspiration i øvelserne. En dejlig velskrevet bog.

Få mere information om bogen her...