A safe harbor where beliefs are respected and kindness prevails.

Looking Up –

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A new perspective from a tree, a few squirrels and some lively birds…

looking up soulcial livingLast week we had a new stamped concrete patio poured in our backyard.   When an unexpected guest stopped in it brought the perfect opportunity to get a few pieces of furniture out and sit. After he left I took advantage of the time alone to simply “be” by myself for a few minutes.

As I reclined back in one of the chairs I began to observe the trees from a whole new view. What a wonderful surprise it offered to see the life in that tree from a new perspective. The sun was gently shining through the branches, beams of light everywhere. The birds and squirrels were active and interacting more than I’ve ever seen, partially because the temperature was a perfect 72 degrees, but mainly because I had never paid attention at that angle. It was almost dizzying.

I’ve always been a nature lover. Watching birds and animals is a regular part of my daily life. This time was different.

I took few deep breaths and began a tree meditation (you’ll see details below). Tree meditation offered me the chance to ground myself and really connect in to witness what was happening above. It was like watching a natural super highway for the wildlife that is present in my yard; birds were flying, squawking, and playing, mainly by their nests, while the squirrels chased each other up and down the branches, stopping every now and then to grab a bite of something off a branch. I counted over 10 different types of birds in that tree and three different colors of squirrels. For just a minute I felt as if I were actually a part of that scene. It was mesmerizing.

The connection that I feel to all of life and to the Earth was deeply heightened in that moment. I was reminded of why I LOVE being outside and am so grateful for the sun, the warmth, the birds and the squirrels, and the saying, “as above, so below”. We are so similar in that we are all looking for the best way to co-exist.

Here’s your tree meditation to help you do just that.

  • Take a few deep breaths in, until you feel a sense of relaxation wash over you
  • imagine that your feet have roots connecting you to Mother Earth.
  • Imagine your body is the trunk as Earth energy flows through it, grounding, supporting and balancing you.
  • Imagine that your arms and head are the leaves and branches of the tree, connecting you to the sky and light above.

Feel the energy of the Earth, the Sun and the Sky flow through you, calming you, centering you and connecting you to nature.

I invite you to look up; to see the abundance of life above!

For meditations and more visit the resource page at TeriGriffiWilliams.com.

“Be-ing” Not “Do-ing”

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being not doing

Recently one of my colleagues suggested that I didn’t seem to have many “hang ups” or issues around self-esteem, jealously, or power struggles with my peers. I said, “Well, I’d like to think that’s true; it’s not!”

I’m human; I have my moments like everyone else. (You may have heard me say that before.) I’m the youngest of six kids. Feelings of jealousy and lack were definitely present when I was young. The key word in the first sentence is “moments”. Through mindfulness practices I have learned to keep those feelings contained to moments.

What I love about Mindfulness and Buddhist teachings is that they offer the practice of being “present”, something I work at daily, sometimes hourly. For me, mindfulness means participating in life as it is, seeing situations and “things” as they are NOW, without judgment. Mindfulness means “be-ing” not “do-ing”

The practice of being present reminds me to live in this moment. It doesn’t mean that I ignore the times that feelings of lack, unworthiness or jealousy appear in my mind it simply means I recognize that those feelings are here. Sometimes I might take it further and ask myself what they are here for or what I might need to look at for healing within myself in order let those feelings move on. Sometimes it means I say to me, “That’s an old pattern or issue, that’s not my life now.”

We have become so used to “do-ing” and fixing that we forgot about “be-ing”. You can start “be-ing” mindful more often by incorporating some of the following practices into your life:

  1. Pay attention to your breathing. Sense the flow by being aware of the sound of your breath and the rise and fall of your chest and belly.
  2. Notice what you are doing while you are doing it and tune into whatever it is that you are doing. If distractions arise, notice them and come right back to what it is you are doing. When you are doing something, just do it. When doing dishes, do the dishes, when eating, eat.
  3. When walking, pay attention to where you are and what sensations might be going on in your body. Let thoughts of where you are going or what’s next on your to do list simply fade away.
  4. Practice listening to yourself and others without judgment. Focus on what someone is saying, without anticipating what your response will be.
  5. Spend time in nature. This could be at a park, a zoo, or simply in your own backyard; watch the leaves, the birds, the flowers, and the bees.
  6. Begin a mindfulness meditation practice by listening to guided mindfulness meditations or creating your own. Find a quiet place to sit or lay down comfortably; focus your mind on the present moment; be aware of your thoughts, without judgment, be willing to stop focusing on them and release them. As they appear you might say to yourself, “hmm – ok, I have this thought; now I let it go”.
  7. Take time to simply be. Release the need to constantly do something. Allow yourself to simply sit, lie down or stand without an agenda.

We tend to see things through our ego, through a biased mind, based upon our habits and emotions. When we can begin to practice “be-ing” instead of “do-ing”, our life easily and effortlessly becomes more joyful, the essence of Soulcial Living!

For meditations and more visit the resource page at TeriGriffiWilliams.com.

Detox From Negative Thinking

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detox from negative thinkingWhat is the first thing you think of when you awaken? What is the last thought you have before you go to bed? Those are two of the first questions I ask my clients when they are in a funk.

Choosing to be soul-cially conscious, to live a more blissful life, takes work. How we begin and end each day sets the tone for our daily lives.

Abraham-Hicks said, “You have the ability to pivot under any and all conditions. But most of you are habitual in nature, and your patterns are so well entrenched that at times the fastest path to the joy you seek is for you to take your pivot as you sleep. By reaching for good-feeling thoughts before you go to sleep and then experiencing the benefit of the quiet mind that occurs while you sleep—and then upon awakening, immediately turning to good-feeling thoughts—you can accomplish the ultimate Pivoting experience.”

Whether you are spiritual/religious or not, every minute gives you an opportunity to count your “blissings”, those little (sometimes big) things in life that bring a sense of peace, joy and contentment.

Studies have shown that by practicing being grateful we experience lower levels of depression and stress, we are more optimistic about the future, we exercise more, we are more likely to reach personal goals, and we increase our capacity for compassion and forgiveness, including forgiving ourselves.

Additional research shows that in as little as 21 days we can form long-lasting habits. A habit is merely pattern of behavior that we have either consciously or subconsciously adopted.

We are creatures of habit. You can create a new habit and detox from negative thinking by beginning and ending each day with a joyful, positive thought, one that includes gratitude for the abundance in your life.

The first and last words I say to myself everyday are very simple:   “Thank you, God, I am breathing, I am alive, and I am connected to something”.

For the next 21 days, I challenge you to begin a new habit of detoxing from negative thinking by waking up and falling asleep with a grateful heart! One simple thought could be all it takes.

Time To Listen

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Singing Tufted Titmouse JawDroppingPhotography“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill

As spring finally arrives I am reminded of the importance of listening, deep listening, the kind of listening that awakens your soul.

Even though it’s still a little chilly in my neck of the woods, most mornings I put on my winter coat, grab my coffee and head outside before the sun comes up.  The dogs and I silently listen to the beautiful sounds of the birds as they wake up, singing their morning song.  I know they are speaking to me, telling me to embrace the day with love and gratitude.

As humans, we tend to get so caught up in our “own minds” that we don’t always take the time to deeply listen to another soul.  Being present, with an open ear, is one of the greatest gifts you can give to another being.

For years my husband and I have been following the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, who offers a simple yet profound way of being present in the world, with mindfulness, meditation and deep listening. When we began the process we realized that we really didn’t listen deeply.  We realized that many times we were, in essence, pretending to listen, with simple responses like, “oh, wow, and uh-huh”.

Listening is a skill that can be learned, and “good-listening” will enhance the quality of every relationship, whether personal or professional; your loved ones will realize that you really care and your clients/customers will appreciate that you actually pay attention to their wants and needs. Think about how you like to be treated and you’ll know that this feels true.

How do you practice deep listening? Here are 10 tips to begin:

  1. Set the intention to listen deeply, include listening to yourself
  2.  Be sure to allow enough time for the conversations you share – remember it’s a conversation and allow ample time for BOTH parties to converse
  3.  Be present – keep yourself tuned in to the moment
  4.  Minimize outside distractions – turn your phones off
  5.  Focus on what they are saying
  6. Don’t think about what YOU want to say
  7. Ask questions, the basics: who, what, where, why, when and how
  8.  When you ask a question, be patient for the response. Don’t anticipate what you think the response will be
  9.  Don’t give advice unless you are asked
  10. Notice how you feel when others offer deep listening to you.

Every day I catch myself not practicing these suggestions (a few years ago, I wouldn’t have) especially number 9, particularly when I’m talking with my adult children. It’s my nature to want to solve their problems and see them shine. Simply being aware of the moment that you really need to “be present” in a conversation is a great way to begin.

“I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

For more information on how you can incorporate meditation into your life and practice Soulcial Living, visit the resources page at TeriGriffinWilliams.com

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