I just wrapped up my 8-week online Wellbeing Class! It was amazing to watch everyone’s journey in making shifts to create more balance and healing in their lives.
They all commented on how helpful the teachings have been and how they’re walking away with so many new insights.
But the most important thing they gained was awareness – awareness about what wellbeing means to them, what habits they’d like to change, the different tools they already have to maintain good health and a sense of wellbeing.
Once you became aware of something, you can’t erase it, unsee it, un-know it – or forget it.
From that point on, you get to take action steps, or not – it’s up to you. You are no longer in that ‘ignorance is bliss’ place. 🙂
Every positive change in our lives starts with (some level of) awareness.
When we cultivate awareness (aka. mindfulness) we’re able to notice the different experiences we are having.
As we practice awareness, we begin to notice more. We notice when we are hungry, what nourishes our bodies and what doesn’t. We notice when we are tired, emotionally drained, in need of rest, and when we feel energized and creative. We notice how our actions and words uplift and inspire someone, or are hurtful. We notice our soul’s desires and longings, the lack of abundance, and inner peace.
We begin to notice a million little miracles that happen all around us each day.
Instead of just looking at the weather app and taking in the numbers and icons, we step outside, breathe in and become aware of the humidity. We see the movements of the wind and hear it rustling in the trees.
If we aren’t in a rush, we pause and let our awareness expand even more: we notice the clouds and feel the sun’s rays on our skin, which then brings into our awareness the vastness of the universe and how everything in it – including us – is connected and interdependent. We become aware of the gratitude that floods our mind and our heart in that instant, calming the body and preparing us for a great day!
Without awareness, life can feel like a hamster wheel through which we move on auto-pilot, half asleep.
For many people, it feels better to be in this place. Because the moment we ‘wake up’ from the illusion that life is happening to us (as opposed to us experiencing life), we move front and center. We fall right into the hands of God, where the Light illuminates all parts of us.
And that can be uncomfortable. Because there are a lot of parts of us that are filled with aches and emotional pain, sadness, and maybe even anger, fear, and shame.
(That’s where the saying “Ignorance is bliss” comes from – in those uncomfortable moments, it feels better to not notice and not face those parts of ourselves. But in the long run, unprocessed emotional and psychological pain can hurt our physical health and well-being, ruin our relationships, and interfere when we engage in meaningful work.)
I just wrapped up my 8-week online Wellbeing Class! It was amazing to watch everyone’s journey in making shifts to create more balance and healing in their lives.
They all commented on how helpful the teachings have been and how they’re walking away with so many new insights.
But the most important thing they gained was awareness – awareness about what wellbeing means to them, what habits they’d like to change, the different tools they already have to maintain good health and a sense of wellbeing.
Once you became aware of something, you can’t erase it, unsee it, un-know it – or forget it.
From that point on, you get to take action steps, or not – it’s up to you. You are no longer in that ‘ignorance is bliss’ place. 🙂
Every positive change in our lives starts with (some level of) awareness.
When we cultivate awareness (aka. mindfulness) we’re able to notice the different experiences we are having.
As we practice awareness, we begin to notice more. We notice when we are hungry, what nourishes our bodies and what doesn’t. We notice when we are tired, emotionally drained, in need of rest, and when we feel energized and creative. We notice how our actions and words uplift and inspire someone, or are hurtful. We notice our soul’s desires and longings, the lack of abundance, and inner peace.
We begin to notice a million little miracles that happen all around us each day.
Instead of just looking at the weather app and taking in the numbers and icons, we step outside, breathe in and become aware of the humidity. We see the movements of the wind and hear it rustling in the trees.
If we aren’t in a rush, we pause and let our awareness expand even more: we notice the clouds and feel the sun’s rays on our skin, which then brings into our awareness the vastness of the universe and how everything in it – including us – is connected and interdependent. We become aware of the gratitude that floods our mind and our heart in that instant, calming the body and preparing us for a great day!
Without awareness, life can feel like a hamster wheel through which we move on auto-pilot, half asleep.
For many people, it feels better to be in this place. Because the moment we ‘wake up’ from the illusion that life is happening to us (as opposed to us experiencing life), we move front and center. We fall right into the hands of God, where the Light illuminates all parts of us.
And that can be uncomfortable. Because there are a lot of parts of us that are filled with aches and emotional pain, sadness, and maybe even anger, fear, and shame.
(That’s where the saying “Ignorance is bliss” comes from – in those uncomfortable moments, it feels better to not notice and not face those parts of ourselves. But in the long run, unprocessed emotional and psychological pain can hurt our physical health and well-being, ruin our relationships, and interfere when we engage in meaningful work.)
Awareness About Overwhelm in Today’s World
I find nature to be a great awareness coach. She never preaches but provides us with plenty of opportunities to learn about life and ourselves.
In February, I started my garden by planting seeds indoors. I did research, subscribed to Farmer’s Almanac, gathered tools, and budgeted resources. I wanted to save money so instead of investing in those little pallets that germinate seeds pretty much foolproof, I opted for collected egg cartons and salad containers.
I planted way more seeds than the plants I needed because I wasn’t sure if all would survive.
I don’t have a greenhouse, so I chose my office as the perfect warm location with plenty of natural light. I also skipped doing a thorough risk assessment, which resulted in my dog overturning several of the egg cartons and spilling soil and seeds all over my floor.
The dog sitter who was at the house when this incident occurred assured me that my seeds were ok because she put them all back. Which meant she swept up the soil and the seeds and put them – all together – into a salad container.
I spent several evenings sifting through the soil to save the seeds (placing them in the pallets, since my egg cartons were ruined). I re-arranged furniture in my dining room and spread the seedlings across the big table.
Some of the seeds were so small that I couldn’t separate them. I left them in a salad container.
When they started to sprout, I had no idea what was what. I took them outside to start transitioning them, and brought them back in at night. I put so much effort and love and way too much time into this process. I joked that with so many hours I was putting into this, I might qualify for a government farmer’s subsidy LOL.
The seedlings eventually grew their first true leaves and a phone app helped me identify what they are.
I now have way too many plants for my three small raised beds: dozens of tomatoes, bell peppers, more cabbages than I can count (did I really sow cabbage seeds? LOL), scores of parsley, cilantro, and basil, and a whole flat of morning glories. I’ve already started giving them away to friends and neighbors.
Here is how this whole process is similar to our overall lives…
-> We plant seeds everywhere and say yes to too many things, out of a fear that we won’t do, be, or have enough.
-> We exhaust ourselves tending to too many things in our lives, often not having the right tools and resources, and not asking for help.
-> We are afraid to thin out the projects or people or even clutter from our daily schedules, because how can we be sure that the ones that appear stronger now won’t wither and dry out?
Of course, there is great satisfaction when we can bring a basket full of juicy, tasty fruit that we raised with love to the table and share it with others. It feels amazing to have extras to give away.
The awareness of the cost and benefits is everything. It’s important to have the self-awareness of just how much we can really do, and still be able to rest and tend to our own needs.
On that note, I leave you with an invitation to spend some time evaluating your level of awareness (and self-awareness).
What can you change to live with more awareness?
What are some of the ways you already practice self-awareness?
What spiritual gifts does awareness (or mindfulness) bring into your life?
Curious about my Wellbeing Course? Click here.
IF you need a coach to help you with managing overwhelm, reach out to me at this link.
Awareness About Overwhelm in Today’s World
I find nature to be a great teacher of awareness. She never preaches but provides us with plenty of opportunities to learn about life and ourselves.
In February, I started my garden by planting seeds indoors. I did research, subscribed to Farmer’s Almanac, gathered tools, and budgeted resources. I wanted to save money so instead of investing in those little pallets that germinate seeds pretty much foolproof, I opted for collected egg cartons and salad containers.
I planted way more seeds than the plants I needed because I wasn’t sure if all would survive.
I don’t have a greenhouse, so I chose my office as the perfect warm location with plenty of natural light. I also skipped doing a thorough risk assessment, which resulted in my dog overturning several of the egg cartons and spilling soil and seeds all over my floor.
The dog sitter who was at the house when this incident occurred assured me that my seeds were ok because she put them all back. Which meant she swept up the soil and the seeds and put them – all together – into a salad container.
I spent several evenings sifting through the soil to save the seeds (placing them in the pallets, since my egg cartons were ruined). I re-arranged furniture in my dining room and spread the seedlings across the big table.
Some of the seeds were so small that I couldn’t separate them. I left them in a salad container.
When they started to sprout, I had no idea what was what. I took them outside to start transitioning them, and brought them back in at night. I put so much effort and love and way too much time into this process. I joked that with so many hours I was putting into this, I might qualify for a government farmer’s subsidy LOL.
The seedlings eventually grew their first true leaves and a phone app helped me identify what they are.
I now have way too many plants for my three small raised beds: dozens of tomatoes, bell peppers, more cabbages than I can count (did I really sow cabbage seeds? LOL), scores of parsley, cilantro, and basil, and a whole flat of morning glories. I’ve already started giving them away to friends and neighbors.
Here is how this whole process is similar to our overall lives…
-> We plant seeds everywhere and say yes to too many things, out of a fear that we won’t do, be, or have enough.
-> We exhaust ourselves tending to too many things in our lives, often not having the right tools and resources, and not asking for help.
-> We are afraid to thin out the projects or people or even clutter from our daily schedules, because how can we be sure that the ones that appear stronger now won’t wither and dry out?
Of course, there is great satisfaction when we can bring a basket full of juicy, tasty fruit that we raised with love to the table and share it with others. It feels amazing to have extras to give away.
The awareness of the cost and benefits is everything. It’s important to have the self-awareness of just how much we can really do, and still be able to rest and tend to our own needs.
On that note, I leave you with an invitation to spend some time evaluating your level of awareness (and self-awareness).
What can you change to live with more awareness?
What are some of the ways you already practice self-awareness?
What spiritual gifts does awareness (or mindfulness) bring into your life?
Curious about my Wellbeing Course? Click here.
IF you need a coach to help you with managing overwhelm, reach out to me at this link.
Music
I’m sharing the most beautiful fruits from my garden with you: my three sons and my music.
These videos are from 2010… when I was really really busy tending to their growth AND working full time. I had the support of my late husband Matthew, and many friends around the country. My mama came often to help me tend my ‘garden’ and Matthew’s family was there as well. Parenting (like gardening) is not supposed to be a one-person job.
Blais (age 5.5, now 16): Sunshine (by Blais).mov
Evan (age 8.5, now 19): God Bless America
Dante (age 10.5, now 21): Wonderful World with Dante
I’m sharing the most beautiful fruits from my garden with you: my three sons and my music.
These videos are from 2010… when I was really really busy tending to their growth AND working full time. I had the support of my late husband Matthew, and many friends around the country. My mama came often to help me tend my ‘garden’ and Matthew’s family was there as well. Parenting (like gardening) is not supposed to be a one-person job.
Blais (age 5.5, now 16): Sunshine (by Blais).mov
(Check out his website blaiscameron.com)
Music to inspire and well-being coaching to
help you live a balanced and thriving life.
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Music to inspire and well-being coaching to
help you live a balanced and thriving life.
Get weekly emails, exclusive content. special offers and
event updates directly to your inbox.