to remind myself of mindfulness

In the midst of studying for yet another major exam, it seems like a good time to return to why I started this blog. It's easy to be dragged down by monotonous days, but even in the simplest day there are many beautiful simple things, things that make life wonderful if we would just notice them. I've been learning more about the idea of mindfulness in terms of mindfulness based stress reduction and  Zen Buddhism. There's a lot more to share about this, but right now the part that I'm working on in my own life is trying to keep my mind connected to my body, rather than letting it wander into the future, even as I think about the future.

Here are a few things that have helped me to do that in the last couple weeks, shared with the hope that they will help you notice more in your own day-to-day life:

• Looking up at the moon always fills me with a peaceful energy, admiring the recent "super moon" was an incredible moment.
• The way the light streams in my kitchen window in the morning.
• Biking to the farmer's market.
• Fireflies, which always remind me of summers at my grandparents' house.
• Making oatmeal pancakes before Ian left for Italy, and listening to Chelsea Morning. That song always helps me start the day.
• "I release all disappointment from my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual body, because I know that spirit guides me and love lives inside me." -India Arie