Tag: mindset-shift

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Reflect. Plant seeds. Rest.

Lessons learned

2020 has been an incredible teacher, if you were in the space to hear and receive the lessons. For me, some of the greatest lessons and take-aways have been:

  • Stepping into my spiritual gifts
  • Become a student grounded in the art of boundary setting
  • Connecting with my ancestors
  • Opening myself to relationships with incredible teachers
  • Allowing spirit and faith to guide my steps
  • The power of exploring and fostering my inner sanctum
  • Shifting my perspective on loss

This is not an exhaustive list. It currently feels critically important to acknowledge the seeds that this year has planted. The seeds that I will continue to foster with intention and allow to bloom in their own time.

May we learn from winter

Winter is a season of rest and hibernation. A season of internal preparations. As the leaves fall from the trees, leaving barren limbs – the tree is focusing on replenishing it’s energy. Simultaneously, as it dropped its leaves, it has spread it’s seeds- Seeds of new life and ideas.

May we learn from this awesome and powerful season – which, in the case of 2020, has metaphorically been carrying on through the year.

Call to action

To prepare for the challenge and call to action below, I invite you to get grounded. Some of the ways I ground are through yoga asana flows, meditation with my plants and music. A current favorite song is Grounded by Ari Lennox

Take a few moments and some deep breaths as you explore these questions:

  • What do I desire?
  • What do I want to create for myself?
  • How can I foster my imagination?
  • What does it mean to live with intention?
  • What “seeds” can I plant now – knowing that they will grow later?

Invite your answers to guide you and then allow yourself to rest knowing that the ideas -as seeds- have been planted.

I’m glad my words were able to reach you. Hello solstice.

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Learning to love the power of stillness

Mia sitting in stillness with hands in prayer

The space between breaths

I am generally an advocate for movement in all forms; physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, etc, but the need for restoration, the power of stillness and reflection are equally important. Imagine the space between your breaths. That is a place of stillness and endless potential; a discerning point between the in and out breath. This pause is a neglected yet significant part of the breath.

Mind and body

I have been struggling to find mental stillness for the past couple of days and today a conversation with a dear family member brought things into perspective. As my mind moves a million miles a minute, I can be still and breathe. I am able to find stillness with my body and allow it to transfer within. Returning to the present with love in my heart, for that’s all that is.

The present is a gift

For the sake of transparency, I have been spending less and less time in my stillness. My intentional meditation practice has dwindled and I am beginning to feel it. Constantly on the move, going to the next idea, thought, or task. Running from myself figuratively and literally. This post serves as a reminder to myself and you, the reader, that being present is a gift.

Unlearning busyness

In this life, we are constantly stimulated and distracted. Finding stillness does not need to be boring. This is something to unlearn. Tapping into the power of your stillness and being present has the potential to hold the answer to any matter of the mind or heart. Being still, we can actually hear and be with ourselves. Can we learn to be still and breathe? Give it a try with this song, a personal favorite, and jot down anything that comes to mind.

How I the power of stillness

  • listen to guided mediations
  • play music without lyrics
  • sit in nature
  • walk on grass barefoot
  • look at the palms of my hands
  • focus on a stagnant object

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Trust the process: turn off the GPS

a road in O’ahu Hawai’i surrounded by greenery and mountains

How often are you present to your journey- this gift that is life? A few nights ago, I was on my way home from a dance class and I turned the GPS on in my phone without thinking. The path I was taking home was not unfamiliar to me yet, the need to have a defined path set for me and directions spoken out loud was important.

The goal is set, now what ?

Halfway through my ride, I thought “why do I need the GPS? I know where I’m trying to going. I’m turning this off.” GPS is great because it helps us get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time and helps us navigate around traffic and detours. Perhaps those detours, scenic routes and traffic are missed moments of joy.

To be transparent, I used to hate traffic and did everything in my power to maneuver around it. Whether that was taking a different train line to get to work faster or taking local roads or another parkway to avoid sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. But what’s the harm is getting “lost” and taking a few extra moments on your journey?

Shifting perspective

As of late, I’m taking notes from traffic and detours; allowing them to be my teachers – reminding me to slow down and appreciate the present. Consider this for a moment, how often do you set a goal, do the work, and then accomplish said goal? How does it feel when you accomplish the goal? For me, sometimes I am elated, other times I’m dissatisfied or I’ll feel something else in the range of emotions.

I have this goal checked off on my list (yes, I like lists), now what? What’s next? Do I have another goal in mind? This thought pattern – without a pause to appreciate the accomplishment or the journey – is one that I am unlearning.

The process

A crucial part of achieving goals is the work it takes to get to your result. For me, it’s the grunt work, the “put your right foot in front of your left”, the journey, the crippling doubt, the transformation, the sweat, the joy, the tears. Learning to enjoy and be present during each stage of the journey has made accomplishing goals an even more enjoyable experience.

The featured image for this post is a road in O’ahu Hawai’i that I experienced last year. We were on our way to one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever experienced (in this case, the goal). If I’d just been paying attention to point B, I would have missed out on the awe inspiring mountains and nature that I was surrounded by during the journey.

An invitation

Being goal oriented is dope, at times. May you see the beauty and trust yourself throughout the journey. There are blessings, teachers and gifts hidden in life’s traffic, detours, and scenic routes. I invite you to turn off the GPS every once in a while.

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Lead with Love

I have grown and shifted in ways that I did not know was possible in the past 6 months. With the goal of fostering my healthiest and happiest self, I removed myself from situations and relationships. I began to open up to my family about various aspects of myself that I kept hidden away. My awareness of the relationship between mind and body grew. I began to lead with love; a love that starts deep within and radiates out of me.

Where I was

Reflecting on the person that I was 6 months ago, I remember playing small, being ambitious, feeling overwhelmed with life situations, and existing in a state of fear and anxiety. Intense, vivid nightmares, panic attacks, and fatigue were regular. Above all, I had more questions than answers and I felt something pushing me. This was something I did not understand and that scared me.

The time for change is now

I discussed my fears and concerns with my family members, co-workers, my therapist, and some friends. The responses and advice that I got varied. With each conversation, my narrative about the push that I was feeling became more clear. The time for change, the time to take a leap without a clear next step, the time for faith, the time to lead with love was now. For context, I am known as a very meticulous, detail oriented person who is always following a set plan. Consequently, this shift appeared out of character. Today, I see that I was preparing to stand more fully in my self and my truth.

Allowing love to flow

My perspective about my goals and desires began to morph. I made moves with joy and love in mind. The fear around the shift began to fade. Gradually, the doubt became less crippling and before I knew it, I walked with the lightness of liberation. I had unburdened myself mentally, emotionally, and physically. This freedom opened up space for creativity and presence, which produced the outcome that you are reading and seeing now. Words, movement, and art that flow freely from a place of love, endless and deep within me. I no longer hide my creative side from myself and the world. I need not censor and move from a place of lack or judgement.

Part of the process

The words may seem simple, but the process involved awareness and was (and continues to be) gradual. Every interaction provides an opportunity; a choice to think and move differently; a space to inquire “what is motivating my response?”. In my case, the default was usually with the goal of other peoples comfort at my own expense. Thankfully, there are more moments when I choose a new option; I move, react and lead with love and respect for myself.

Magnificent multi-faceted being

A few months ago, I was fearful of myself and my magnificent, multifaceted self. Can I be an academic researcher, a dancer, an emotional being, a mover, a yogi, a lover, a plant, a creative, a friend, etc. all at once? The prospect was overwhelming. Today, I stand in the truth. I am a beautiful multi-dimensional being. I am enough. I am always worthy. I can be all of me at one time; now. Leading with love makes it a challenge for fear to deepen its roots. When the opportunity presents itself, which will you choose — love or fear?

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Reflecting on rain

tree pose in the rain

This morning, I went to the track to run for the first time in months. As I pushed myself to complete a mile, I was transported back to my track and soccer days . The sky darkened and became more overcast, but I wasn’t pressed. I was transiting from jogging to sprinting and other people were still running and working out on the field, even as it began to rain lightly.

A few minutes later, as I finished my last sprinting lap, the sky opened up. Now, it was me and one other person who was kicking a soccer ball around on the opposite end of the field. As I laid on the track to catch my breath, I felt every rain drop making contact with my face. I felt calm, comfortable and cleansed. My plan was to do to yoga on the field after running, so that’s what I did. Practicing handstands, headstands, tree pose, dancing in the rain, and doing cartwheels, I simply took in and became one with the rain. I felt so light, free and full of joy. The gratitude I felt for the earth and water elements surrounding me, was deep and breathtaking.

As I wrapped up my short practice and prepared to head back home; I began to think about what rain means for me. When people think of a rebirth, many will imagine a Phoenix rising from the ashes. While that imagery is part of my thinking, I generally consider rain and its cathartic, cleansing power. For me, rain brings up space for new life, it fosters an environment for ideas to grow and flourish physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, metaphorically, and beyond.

Self Inquiry

What do you do when the rain comes?

What does the rain mean for you?

What do you learn from the rain?