Tag: #mindfulness

Feel the Music

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This Feel the Music showed up on my Facebook memories, and my first thought was, “Has it really been 5 years since she brought the stereo home?” I haven’t used it much since receiving this little JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker for Christmas last year. This little guys gives off astounding sound, comes in various colors, will handle 12 hours of play, and it’s waterproof.

JBL Flip 5 beside a houseplant.

In the post Warrior, I mentioned trying my hand at house plants over the Winter and am pleased with the results. This week has been cloudy, so I’ve barely seen the sun, but just like plants, I’m happier with light. Scrolling through Spotify I came across Music for Plants, with a description of, “Mellow vibes for green leaves, green thumbs and green ears.”

This was Wednesday, and I wanted to calm my mind before joining an online workshop. To prepare for midday workshops, especially meditative ones, it’s helpful to keep coffee at a minimum that day, and take time beforehand to get centered. You’ll be more present during the workshop, and able to pay closer attention to what’s being taught, which makes the time spent worthwhile.

On the dating scene, one of my qualifying questions for men is, “Do you have any plants?” If they have happy plants, and enjoy taking care of them, they should know how to care for a human. It’s okay if they choose not to have plants, but it’s a red flag if they kill them. 😂

Northern Lights Nature Calling

15 Minutes

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It’s become customary around 2:00 PM to be outside watering plants. My Dad used to say, “It’s the hottest part of the day”, but I’m beginning to embrace the heat. It’s not humid at that time, but it is hot.

As I was out there today, hose in hand with the spray nozzle attached, I noticed the sky getting dark, and clouds rolling in. I had worked my way around the yard and was spraying the last flower bed when I heard the thunder. Dropping the hose, because the nozzle is stainless steel, I rallied the dogs and we went inside.

It was funny but I couldn’t help thinking, if I’d waited 15 minutes before doing the watering myself, I would’ve seen there was a better plan.

Standing at the window, watching a steady rain drench everything I had just watered, the 50 foot watering hose lying in the rain seemed small. I whispered, “I’m sorry I ran out in front of you again.” That has happened on numerous occasions, and it’s a continual education discerning the difference between God’s timing and mine.

Then I felt Him smile and say, “Hey Barb. It was only 15 minutes. You’re doing better.”

The Sunny Spot

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When I first started this Blog, I could sit and write for hours and post daily. That has mellowed over time. I enjoy my pieces of life that don’t require Internet.

The dogs know my favorite time to write is around 9:00 am, and they become very still and quiet. It’s like they are giving me space to do what I love, or maybe they just see it as quiet time, because typing is not very rambunctious. I’m sitting at the kitchen table gazing out the window at the front yard. There’s a gentle breeze moving the trees and bushes, and birds are hopping around in the sunny spots of the yard. I can completely relate to the birds, because I love the sunny spots of life.

February and March are good months to be outside. In February, the temps will be in the high 60’s, and in March they’ll reach the 70’s, but by April we’ll be in the 80’s and then it’s on. I’ve lived here long enough where the high temperatures don’t really bother me anymore. You just praise God everyday for air conditioning.

We can look at our lives, and see what’s important. Our lives reflect an accumulation of small choices made daily. It’s a continual effort to weed out the bad and bring in the good, but we get to choose the life we’re sitting in today. With every action throughout the day, pay attention to the details. And if you find yourself gazing out the window like me, step outside and embrace the sunny spot.

The Basil Plant

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As mentioned in my previous post, the seasons are changing and some of my favorite things will go away till Spring. I’ve killed two Basil plants this year, but that didn’t deter me from buying one more. I’m not quite ready to let go and not make pesto.

Almost every market I’ve walked into has them in stock. One store had so many basil plants, they were on display like Poinsettias at Christmas. Why not buy one more Barb?

I told myself I’d bring one home, and if it was still alive after a week, I’d repot it into a larger container. The plastic container it was sold in has three holes in the bottom for drainage. I wanted to sit it in the kitchen window to receive some light, but I learned early on that wood and water don’t mix. The window sill is wood, so I found this little dish to sit under it.

Home from the market.

I sat it in that little dish up in the kitchen window for a week and it’s still alive. I thought it couldn’t hurt to sit it in love, love, love.

Here is what I’ve learned from the basil plant.

🤍 Don’t water it at night. Even though it’s more convenient to water it before bed, it doesn’t like sitting in damp darkness.

🤍 Just let it be. I see it first thing in the morning as I walk into the kitchen and it’s still alive! I realize it’s almost out of season and it’s slow growing, but at least it hasn’t died and that’s rewarding.

🤍 It reminds me to be kind always. It looks rather fragile and my persona shifts when I see it. It has new growth, but should be nervous for the day I plop the food processor on the counter.

10 days later. It hasn’t grown much, but it’s alive.

Maybe it just knows to move at a slower pace and enjoy where it is. Plants are a lot like humans, and we can learn from them, as this little plant reminds me to be kind and relax my mind.

The photo reveals I repotted it, slid the love, love, love dish underneath and sat it on the window sill. We would all be content sitting in a dish of repeated love, just like the basil plant.

He’s Always Watching

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It’s the weekend, but I’m in full work mode.

I used to think waking up at the crack of dawn on a weekend was horrid, but by 9:30 am, I had showered, dressed, and completed most of my work. For a little while anyways. I decided to go to the hardware store for a change of scenery, and some air.

I grabbed a blouse to throw on over my tank top, and hopped in my truck. I hadn’t worn this blouse in a very long time. It’s the most delightful fabric, like gauze really. I love the way it feels, and the rhinestones complimenting the embroidery.

blouse

It’s very delicate, so I made a mental note…Don’t get it dirty!

It’s a little fancy for the hardware store, because I always browse through the plant area, and of course I found a plant to bring home. Someone struck up a conversation, so I hoisted the plant onto my side, and enjoyed the social interaction.

All of a sudden, I felt dampness seeping through my tank top, and realized the potted plant was leaking water. The bottom of the container was dirty, so I had a nice muddy, wet spot on my tank. I panicked and looked at my blouse.

The blouse had safely moved out of the way before the container landed on my side. I paused a moment and thanked God for protecting my blouse.

He knows when I’m focused on work, and not mindful of my surroundings. I think a lot of times we look for God to move in a big way, or reveal an earth shattering revelation, which He will, but we’re tested in the small things first.

He protected my blouse from a stain that probably wouldn’t come out. That’s my kind of God. He’s always watching.

The Care List

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The tag was attached to a new pair of jeans. It wasn’t noticeable the day of purchase, but it spoke up weeks later as I slipped them on.

Is it really referring to denim?

To finish this year victoriously, we gotta keep it slow and steady. As the busiest time of year approaches, be aware of time spent.

Make sure you’re on the care list.

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Worth Every Minute

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This sign hangs in between my bedroom windows. It’s one of the first things I see each morning and sometimes I’ll walk in and look at it throughout the day as a gentle reminder.

sign1

Trust the magic of beginnings.

My daughter has this sign sitting in between her windows. Yes, I love signs and it would seem I have a thing about windows! Probably because they are a giver of light.

sign2

Love and a dog. That’s all she needs.

I have this battery operated candle that comes on automatically at night. When I see it’s warm glow, that’s my que to start shutting everything down. Including myself.

candle

I’m still meditating at night using Simple Habits, but have also ventured into morning mediation. I’m listening to, ‘Start Your Day With Gratitude’ by Cory Muscara. The app says I’ve mediated 5,284 total minutes.

It’s been worth every minute.

However you choose to spend your time, make certain it’s worth every minute.