Stress less JEM

MUSIC is my muse...for cooking, dancing and ugly sweater headstands, of course. The music in this morning's yoga flow was wonder-full! If you missed practice because of holiday libations, you can watch the replay anytime. (Merry Christmas).

Here's the MUSICAL PLAYLIST:
"Strength from the Inside" by Above & Beyond
"Some Other Day" by Solcal
"Slow Down" by Jonathan Ogden
"I'm in Love-9 Theory Remix" by Kevin Graybill (dance to this!)
"Flesh of My Flesh" by John Lucas
"Winter Snow" by Audrey Assad
"Mystery of Faith" by New Life Worship
"Breathing Space" by Sacred Earth

There are many techniques I’ve shared regarding minimizing stress, but not this. Until now. Because, this morning, life felt heavy so I do what I always do.

I head outside, take a moment to look up at the trees, listen to the birds, sip my coffee and then say “Good morning God.” Right away, I sense that I’m not alone in the crazy.

I open my Centering Prayer book—the same one I’ve read for two years now—and read a passage. Then I reflect through journaling. But here’s the best part—I close my eyes, take a deep breath and become still in the presence of God (like savassana).

In my spirit, I can let go of the heavy and, in its place, RECEIVE: peace, love, and an all-consuming awareness of Emmanuel—God with us.

During centering prayer this morning, a gentle, quiet whisper of LOVE filled me so intensely that tears streamed down my cheeks. And I thought...shame on me for not sharing this practice sooner.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”- Psalm 46:10

Online schooling: the struggle is real! I may have strategically placed yoga mats next to my son’s desk 🧘‍♀️ ...and my son’s desk next to the bar for parent teacher conferences 🥂.

To all the moms and dads helping kids through the crazy, I’m thinking of ways to show up for you in this space 💪🏼.

Drishti is the bomb 💥. It’s Sanskrit for “focused gaze” and makes all the difference in how we show up to our moments.

In a handstand, if you shift your gaze towards your fingertips, you can find the sweet spot to balance. 🙌🏼

In life, when things feel like they are falling apart, shifting focus to what is true, noble and good can change everything. Anger can turn to peace. Frustration can turn to contentment. Sadness to joy.

My daughter and I experienced this yesterday. While on a friend’s boat (beautiful day!), something happened and she lost it. Full on Meltdown. Once feelings were addressed, I let her know that sticking with the sadness was her choice.

Then I shifted my own drishti cuz kid whining gets me like 😳. I jumped in the water. I chose JOY. And, eventually, tears turned back to smiles.

Small shifts in focus (drishti) can create huge waves of change.