Beautiful Beings are Found in Mindfulness and Presence

A silent run in afternoon sun beams.

I have always found love in silence and comfort in its presence. I often crave silence to just be with me and my thoughts, I experience it with open arms and open an heart. I enjoyed meditation, yoga, and other activities that involved basking in silence. But was I truly getting the full benefits and incorporating silence into my life and being?

Lately I got to thinking about silence and how we experience it in our everyday lives. How we experience our thoughts, our feelings, and just our being as a whole. Do we allow ourselves to full heartedly experience everything that we are, that we feel, that we think? Or do we numb ourselves, choke down our anxiety, and desensitize ourselves?

An organic meal I prepared & ate in silence.

With technology and other modern day developments these days it is very possible to not be alone even if we are physically alone. We are able to numb, to an extent, whatever feelings we are experiencing in a given moment by picking up our cell phone to go on pintrest/facebook, go for a drink in a near by bar, listen to crazy uppy music, grab some easy to go food that we do not have to sit down to eat, read a book while we are eating alone at a restaurant or surf the net for some funny videos. All these things are great to a point, but often we turn to these things to numb a feelings of; anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, resentment, and others. All these modern day developments have hindered our ability to cope and just experience our emotions for what they are.

As of late I have been watching myself and take note of my feelings and what I was doing when I experienced them. As I did this I started to notice three major themes; one I ate my feelings away a lot of the time (even if i was just feeling bored), two I used music to tune out my thoughts and emotions during times of intense emotion, and three I often picked up my phone to surf the net when I was alone and feeling anxious about being alone. I was doing a whole lot of numbing myself and not experiencing my full power of mindfulness and emotion. I was not being present with myself, I was practicing drifting into other worlds during every part of my day except when I was meditating or practicing yoga.

This is when I decided to challenge myself to be more present; to experience every emotion I was feeling at every moment, to be mindful of my being and others, to not numb but live in every thought and feeling no matter if it was good or bad, to not ignore but embrace everything for what it is. It started slowly, walking to and from places without listening to music or looking at my phone to surf or text so that I could be mindful about what was going on around me. I eased into eating, when alone, while having no distractions of music/email/cell phone/ tv/ etc. Then I started taking transit while not looking at my phone, reading a book, listening to music, or having a phone conversation; which for me sometimes can stir up a lot of anxiety because I sometimes do not have a personal bubble during my trip.

An amazing view I noticed waiting
for transit.

Even though I have a journey ahead of me until I am more present in every situation and am living more truly mindful in my waking moments I can already see the benefit. I am more aware of my feelings and thoughts, more aware than I have ever been. Until recently when I was asked how I was doing I would often say; fine, good, or meh, all because most days I actually did not know how I was doing or what I was feeling. Now most days I can say not only how I am actually doing but also how I am truly feeling. I am using words like feeling "off", "down", or "out of sorts" less and less. I am learning where my feelings are coming from most of the time, and I am also learning how to cope with them without numbing myself or relaying on technology. My senses have become more awaken, colours are brighter, smells are stronger, and things feel different to touch. I am finally starting to truly experiencing most of my life for what it is not what I want it to be, think it should be, or make it to be, I am experiencing it for what it truly is.

When we unplug and open ourselves to the world around us we start to see things as they truly are. Good or bad we see life as it is, we see ourselves as we are not who we should be, and we feel true emotion without fear. We open doors for ourselves for true healing, growth, self knowledge, and true love. Try taking simple steps to just being with yourself and experiencing your true thoughts, feelings, and being. Start with a walk with no distractions, or eating meals with no distractions then move on to more from there. Watch your senses, your heart open and bloom into that beautiful being that has always been there but you have unknowingly been hiding from yourself and the world.

Sunset silence enjoyed by me and my love <3

Seeing Clearly in VanCity

Being more present is something we can all work on. Being present helps us to embrace and encourages us to enjoy moments and situations. I have always had a harder time being present and not over thinking situations, I blame this on my current occupation as a life coach and always having to plan for every possible situation and outcome, but over the last year I have learned how to be more present by meditating and participating in yoga. In the first two days during my trip to Vancouver last week I really learned exactly what being present was, when I was hit with the hard truth of what it can look like and feel like when one becomes not present in the moment.

A lot of people go into any situation having certain expectations whether they be good or bad, these expectations usually come from past experiences, the ego, or future thinking.  Having these expectations can really hinder ones ability to enjoy what is truly in front of them and make them miss more than they could have ever thought. For me going to Vancouver I had a lot I was focusing on; finding a place to live, figuring the city out more, relaxing/time away from work, meeting old/new friends, and of course spending time with my much missed boyfriend. I had so many expectations (good and bad), should's, should not's, and a huge to-do list before I even got on to the plane to go to the coast and I did not even realize it. I had no idea that everything that I was thinking and focusing on was hindering my ability to just enjoy every moment and experience thing's fully.

The first time I was hit with needing to let go of all my to-do list, thoughts and expectations was as I was flying over the rocky mountains on my way to Vancouver, and it literally was rammed into my head. I had received guidance from within several times that this trip was going to be a big thing for me and was really going to open some things up, but I never got clear guidance on what it was going to open up for me, naturally my mind started to wonder and my ego set in. As I was looking out the plane window and down at the Rockies all I could think about was all the things I was going to do; run everyday, tons of yoga, all the special things with my love, and of course my huge to-do list! As I was looking out the plane window thinking of all these things I began starring blankly and was not realizing what was all around me, then BAM(!), I was literally hit in the head with the truth. I had hit my head off the side of the window. As I rubbed my head I began to think about closing the window to prevent this from happening again, until I heard loud and clearly "open your eyes and take in the landscape that is before you, be in the moment, not the past or future", just as I heard this the clouds parted from under the plane and all I could see was the most majestic mountains, with an amazing view of a valley and a huge body of water, I was flying over beautiful Kelowna BC. Had I not listened and looked down I would have not been able to just embrace the moment and be in the beauty that was before me of the majestic mountains, ice blue water and vibrant valleys. Had I not listened I would have just closed my window and starred blankly ahead while thinking more about all the stuff I had to do and should do when I landed.

The second and third realizations happened after my flight had landed in Vancouver and were a little less painful. When I first got off my flight I expected to just feel like my life had suddenly changed and that there would be no stress (as I was away from work, insert happy dance here) and it was all just a big huge relief and I was instantly going to have the time of my life. When I did actually land and got through my gate all I realized was that I was in an airport and it all felt the same, no sudden sense of relief, no happy dance, no glorious sudden overwhelming joy, I was just in an airport standing. As I stood trying to figure out where I was going to collect my baggage and meet my boyfriend, whom was coming to pick me up, I started to feel anxious, then I began panicking because I SHOULD not feel this way, then it all got super weird from there for me. As I was walking to go and collect my baggage I stopped at a bathroom took a look in the mirror and realized I did not look like myself, I did not know what was going on, I expected that I should feel like I was on top of the world right now, what was going on...seriously. I continued walking and arrived at my baggage claim. As I stood there figuring out which one I had to go to I started panicking more as I realized I did not see my boyfriend anywhere! I looked around franticly thinking he had forgot me or maybe I was not really in Vancouver, I expected him to be here waiting, I expected so many things...like a happy dance at my terminal. All of a sudden a loud blooming voice told me "look straight ahead and to your left", I did just this and noticed a man in a suit looking around, he looked my way and I realized it was my boyfriend, he was looking for me and being that I was short he just could not see me right away, the voice then went on to say "let go of how you think things should be, they are the way they are and if you look at them clearly they are wonderous, you just have to let them be". I pushed the last part that I heard aside while I embraced with my love, collected my baggage and then drove off in his car. As we drove I began looking around and thinking about my to-do list and want list, everything I was seeing was like I was seeing it through someone else's eyes, like I was detached but I continued on.

 Laying on the couch the next day cuddling with my boyfriend, thinking about how I should be running even though it was raining outside, I began to feel anxious again, why oh why was this happening again?! After a few minutes I got up and went to his room where I just sat there, where was this anxiety coming from, why was this happening, it was not supposed to be like this! I just sat there, then after a short while I got up and grabbed my note pad in my suitcase, I turned to my Vancouver to-do and want to do list, that was it I burst into tears. This was when my ego stepped in "why did you even come, you should not have come, you are never going to get all of that done, the things you need to do aren't even possible" so on and so forth. I just cried and cried, hoping my boyfriend didn't come in and start asking why. Then the words came again, but this time even louder and with more force, "let go of how you think things should be, they are the way they are and if you look at them clearly they are wondrous, you just have to let them be"...my guidance continued "once you let go of your expectations and start living in the moment you can truly start seeing it for what it is, every moment of everyday is wondrous and full of love but when we focus on should's, would's and other expectations past and present we take away the wonders that are in front of us and we do not recognize the miracles and miraculous things happening at that time, feel the moment, be present, and let go of any expectations you have." I was stunned. I was not living in the moment, I was letting my expectations get in the way of embracing what was right in front of me. I was in an amazing city and my opportunities where endless if I just became present in every moment. It was then and there I made a commitment to myself to do just this. In that moment I grew in the sense that I understood more what living in the moment was and being present in the moment was. In that moment I was able to release my expectations for the trip, myself, my to-do list, and my must/want list. It was then I started to actually experience the trip itself for all that it truly was.

Often we let expectations, to-do lists, and should's get in our way of experiencing what is right in front of us. When we start being present in the moment we start truly living life, because we start fully experiencing it, we are no longer detached and worrying about getting thing's done or what we should be doing next. I know that sometimes we need to get certain things done and such, but do not think about them until it comes time to do them.  Thinking about the past and future only holds you back from seeing the beauty in the world that is in front of you. Becoming present, just doing what feels right at a given moment, and living life without expectations helps us to open up our heart to so many wondrous experiences that we would otherwise miss, this is truly the greatest gift ever. I still have to remind myself to let go of anything that is not in the present moment every once and a while but when I do I always see things much more clearly and lovingly. I challenge you to be more present in your life; let go of worry/fear of the future, expectations about any given situation, and any biases that you have about situations that come from your past. Give yourself the gift of seeing more clearly and experiencing more joy in your life, just be present!

The Greatest Tool to Changing Your Life

While my world gets busier and crazier I am often reminded of how thankful I am for the quite moments and the moments of silence I get. Meditation has been a huge life saver in my life for many reasons and in many ways. To be completely honest with all of you, until I found meditation I do not think I was truly accepting and okay with myself. My meditation practice is what has got me through some of the biggest ups and down's in my life and it has continued to be the one thing that I know I can count on every day. Meditation for me is a must, it is something I would not, and could not live without. It has so many health benefits to it and it has helped so many people take control and change their lives around. Exploring the world of meditation for many can be intimidating and very scary; some do not know where to start, some do not know how they could do it, and some just do not even understand or really know about the concept. Because meditation has become such a big part of my life and has helped me in so many ways it has become my personal goal to help others understand and realize the potential of this amazing tool, and this is exactly what I am going to do by giving you; simple meditations, helpful hints, and reasons why it is so grand!

Meditation is an amazing tool that can help in so many areas, actually thousand's of area's, in your life. Meditation has the power to take your life and change it in to something that you never even believed it could become but only if you let it! Here are some areas and things that meditation can help you with in your life:

~Improved concentration: when you exercise your mind by meditation it activates your minds ability to concentrate on one thing at a time, this is a really good thing for everyone but is especially good for those with ADHD, ADD, those who feel like their mind is constantly on the go, and people who have constant mind chatter.
~lowers stress and anxiety levels! The slow breathing and concentration that meditation takes helps the brain to focus on something else and not magnify or focus on the things that cause stress or anxiety. Also meditation has been known to release serotonin and dopamine into the blood system, which we all know are feel good, blissed out hormones!
~Helps us to focus on the here and now instead of past and future. Do not get me wrong there are times where we need to think ahead or remember things from our past but most of the time this does not serve us any good. While you are meditating you are bringing your focus into the here and now and forgetting about all the small details that do not matter to you other than what is happening at that moment. When we practice meditation and experince the here and now through meditation we are more able to bring this thinking into our everyday lives, this is oh so good in too many ways!
~Lowers blood pressure, helps the muscles and body to relax deeper (which can aid in helping with insomnia), helps aid in weight loss, increases stamina and vigor (this is why athletes are told to meditate)!
~Helps to increase confidence and better sex!!!! Both of these are due to the fact that your hormones regulate with a mediation practice and also you are more prone to in the moment thinking and positive thinking :) And really who would turn down the possibility of better sex!
~Increased spirituality!!! Meditation helps us to connect more deeply and purely with our true and higher selves which helps us to connect more into our version (which ever that might be) of spirituality.

There are tons of benefits and area's in life that can be helped by meditation, these are just a few, to check out more visit http://www.artofliving.org/benefits-meditation

When starting out meditating there are many ways that you can go about it but I recommend taking it slow and using guided meditations. Lots of people rush in to meditation thinking that it will be easy and they will just be able to do it, but truth be told meditation actually takes lots of energy and focus so sometimes it is not so easy. When you start out you may not meditate for more than 5 minutes and that’s okay, or you might not be able to completely calm your mind and body and that’s okay too. It is called meditation practice for a reason, you practice, it is like any activity, the more you do it and the more your body/mind gets used to it the easier it comes to you. The point is just to do it without expectations and see what magical things happen fro you. I still to this day do not set time lines around my meditations I just meditate until my body and mind no longer want to, some day’s it is 10 minutes and others it is 30 or more. When you meditate and come more in tune with your body, you body will let you know exactly what it needs and how much. I also recommend using guided meditations when you first start out, this is not a must I mean after all I did not do this when I started out, but guided meditations when you first start out can make it easier for you to focus, less scary, and they usually help to relax your mind and body more (sometimes silence makes us anxious and can be scary fro some). Anything from Gabrielle Bernstein or Deepak Chopra are my favorites!!! Doreen Virtue also has some great meditations but they are much more spiritual so if you do not want to go down that road just yet I would not recommend them.

Most morning's I start my day out with a meditation, after I have showered to wake myself up that is, and this has been an amazing way to start my day out I have realized, I also meditate during the evening as well but both meditations are very different from one another, yet similar. My morning meditations are usually my longest ones as my body and mind are still relaxed and usually are not completely "turned on". In the morning I sit cross legged with my hands face up on my legs in my meditation area, light some incense, and turn on some meditative music; I then close my eyes and take a few deep breathes and bring focus internally and begin to thank my guides, angles, etc for the day that I have before me and all the love and good things I will experience, I also ask and pray for those in the world experiencing hurt/pain/sickness to have love and healing light directed towards them, I then ask my guides to let me hear any guidance that I may need for the day clearly in my meditation and throughout my day, after this I bring my focus to my breath and go completely within for however long is needed. I can usually tell from my body when my meditation is over because I will just feel the sudden need to open my eyes, stand up, or move in some huge way. By starting out my day with this meditation I have noticed my mood through out my day is over all better as I am focusing on positive things before it even starts! My evening meditation's are very much the same as the morning minus the insence, music, I also usually do these in silence and thank my guides for the day that I had and list 5 things minimum that I am grateful for that happened. My evening meditations are usually done after a workout, run, or yoga class so that I can thank my body fro doing the activity and I always end them the same, I bring my hands into prayer at heart centre then I bring them to my third eye and say "may you think love", then to my throat chakra "may you speak love", and then back to my heart chakra with "may you be love". I do other forms of meditation but these are the two most common as I do both pretty much every day. There are many forms of meditation and almost anything can be meditative. For me when I am running in nature this is highly meditative, also when I am dancing I find the same stillness in my mind as I do when I am sitting cross legged meditating. If you can find stillness in your mind (without falling asleep) and relax your body then you can make anything meditation, focusing on your breathing also helps a ton! There are many people that meditate while cooking, cleaning, creating art, playing music, drumming, walking and so much more!

Meditation is a tool that has been given to each and every one of us and we all have the potential to change our lives with it, after all it could be the greatest tool given to us to do so. Meditation can change you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I encourage each and every one of you too try out this tool that has been given to you and see exactly how life changing and magical it truly can be. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about meditation, as I have only touched on a small amount here, please feel free to contact me. I hope you all see the love and light within yourselves and within others. Namaste.