Mindfulness


My kids went back to school this week after more than two weeks off but we’ve been slow to get back into our routine. We all really enjoyed our uninterrupted family time, sleeping in and not having to rush out the door every day and we are a bit in denial that it is over. 

 
January is the month for organizing, making lists, setting goals and New Year’s resolutions.  Now I am an organizer and a list maker and I love starting the year with a fresh outlook and lots of plans. But last year I was inspired (by The Whimsical Gardener) to ditch the list of New Year’s resolutions and pick a word for the year.  The idea is to choose a word to be your inspiration for the year. This year my word is Mindfulness. a state of active, open, intentional attention on the present. Instead of letting your life go by without living it, you awaken to experience. 



Usually when I am working in my garden my mind is always thinking (insert planning) forward to new garden designs, plants to add, or the long list of chores that need to get done. So this year, my aspiration is to be more mindful and slow down, quiet my mind and be in the moment. Really feeling the soil running through my fingers, hear the butterflies whisper as they flutter by and see the beauty in everything.



What direction will you find yourself going this year?

Comments

  1. What a beautiful squirrel picture! And what a great word of the year. We could all stand to live our life being more mindful of where we are now.

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  2. Ah, mindfulness. I love reading about mindfulness, but often fail to make time to practice it. Bird watching brings me closest to a state of mindfulness. I can identify with incessant planning while in the garden as well as impulsive action to "fix" a perceived flaw (weed, plant that needs pruning, etc.) Great goal for the new year!

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  3. A tough habit to acquire but so worth it...I practice every day looking for when I am not in the moment and finding myself drawn back to being mindful...I am adding choices this year and my main word is to simplify....

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  4. It's amazing how our minds run away from us instead of allowing us to be in the moment. I love your word for the year!

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  5. Your word for the year is a good one. It is always a good thing being mindful. I love your squirrel photo. They rarely have their tails down, and this squirrel really has a long tail.

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  6. oh I love your quote too!! I need to pin that!! xoxoxo! Quiet...mindfulness!!
    Love you!

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  7. Mindfulness is a great word and theme! I'm getting better at it as the years pass, so I guess that's one good thing about maturity. Your squirrel shot is fantastic--everything about it...the colors, the squirrel's pose, the composition, everything. Nice post!

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  8. Yes, it seems we are all so busy that we don't stop to really pay mind to the little things. I know people who like to have their ipods playing in their ears all the time. When I am in the garden, I want only the sounds of nature surrounding me. It just adds to the pleasure of being in the garden. Why would you want to drown it out? I love the thought of "really feeling the soil running through my fingers" -- makes me smile to think about it.

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  9. Thanks everyone for your kind words of encouragement! FYI, the squirrel photo was taken through the window at my mother's house in Michigan. The squirrels in Georgia are not that large. I thought it was nice to see a more reddish colored squirrel and a bonus that it was posing so nicely!

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  10. Hi Karin, Mindful is a great choice. I too would like to live more in the moment and not let life slip by unnoticed.
    I too have been influenced by Cat's yearly selection of an inspirational word. I have decided my word will be optimistic. 2011 was a tough year for my family and that makes it easy to adopt a negative perspective on which way the world is heading. So, I have decided I will be optimistic going forward. Things are going to get better!

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    1. Jennifer, optimistic is a great word. I will enjoy reading your posts on the challenge throughout the year. I hope 2012 will be a better year for you and your family!

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  11. Great word to have for the year! I think gardening makes one more mindful, as we see such small delights there. I don't usually do resolutions, but I may have to try to think of a word. There's a lot of wisdom in the posts I've seen that have done this.

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    1. I think choosing a word for the year is a nicer way to approach the year than a long list of daunting resolutions. I highly recommend it!

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  12. A wonderful word to guide you this year Karin. Now you've prompted me to think early this am. Right now I guess I'll have to myself to FOCUS!!! If I can stay focused this year great things will happen! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

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    1. Happy New Year Eve...focus was my word last year!...now, I am going to opposite direction with mindfulness.

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  13. Just had to stop by and say hi and Happy New Year Karin. Real late right now - I'll be back. soon.

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  14. Excellent word! It's something I try to work on, too. I once read a book where the main character was never happy with the present because she was so focused on the future. Such a profound lesson. I try to take a cue from my dogs - life is good, love this moment RIGHT NOW.

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  15. I think I will "steel" your word and use it for myself! there are never too many reminders in our daily life that we need to live and enjoy the present with our best attention. Thanks, Lula

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One of my favorite things about blogging is the conversation with readers. Leave a comment and let's get talking. ~Karin

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