Mind/Spirit: The concept of living in the present

You can look at yourself as being aware of the world around you in 2 ways: Through the filter of your mind or through the interpretation of your feelings/spirit. Your mind wants to focus on problems, stressors, and future or past events. Think about it (it is as if your mind is protecting your from harm(fears)), and it is as if your spirit is living for the moment. If you are experiencing your true life you are experiencing the moment fully. For example something as simple as taking a nice hot bath in a jet tub. If your mind is in control (and busy) then you are somewhere else and not fully engaged in the feelings/enjoyment of the actual relaxing bath. Fully observing the soothing sound and feel of the water and possible lovely smells of bath products. Using soft music if you like adds to the moment. Going into nature is also an easy way to identify this separation of mind and spirit. If for example you are hiking in a lovely setting but are worrying about what you are going to do afterwards (ex. dinner, kids, hubby etc.) then you are not fully engaged in the beautiful surrounding. Sights and smells of the natural world speak to the spirit if you get your mind out of the way. All this to say I am an advocate for realizing that the step that you are currently taking on this journey of life is to be embraced and fully lived. Spend time observing your mind obsessing over future and past events. This is futile because all you can ever really do anything about is the present moment. God will supply you with what you need to handle any future situations and we all know that we can do nothing to change the past.

spirit/body/mind: kitchen buffet re-do

Love how this project turned out! Successful project = good for the sirit! + putting your mind to work and your body to work= good for the mind and body!!!! <

spirit: down in the dumps

Sometimes life gets in the way of good intentions. I am mentally aware that I am fine. However, there is an unrest in my spirit. I am questioning whether my husband and I can keep going the way we are. He is always going to be distant and not see the problem. I am always going to need a lot of attention, conversation and companionship. I know that I am at a low today because I am getting ready to make some personal changes. I am going to hang in there but I need to get back into the bible study I was doing before. I am gonna focus on my health, my house, and my children. Summer is so nice for so many reasons and I need to enjoy the simple pleasures that go a long with it. July 4th was a lot of fun because the day started with watching my youngest son play baseball, and then I went to my Cousin's house for a BBQ (great food especially the homemade ice cream), then went home and took a nap before grilling out again at my mother-n-law's house. My sons Jake and Logan had a lot of fun and that made me have a good time.

Mind/Spirit: Stress Less & Enjoy Life-

I am thinking a lot about the expression "own it". I am approaching July 4th and the rest of the month for that matter, with an attitude of honesty about how I feel about things and my own weaknesses. I believe that when you "own it" then you are freeing yourself up to stress less. Ahhhhhh, just writing stress less feels good. Just say it to yourself or out loud for that matter "stress less". Hey and guess what when you stress less you enjoy life more!! My 3 new mantras for the month of July are going to be "own it", "stress less", and last but not least "enjoy life". Let's look at what each of these mantras mean really- starting with "own it"- knowing who you are and not apologizing for it. Be self-confident and self-aware. Holding yourself accountable through honesty about yourself but having the confidence to never give up on improving. Total acceptance of who you are now - the good, the bad & the ugly.
"stress less"- only letting things that you can do something about bother you. Not putting as much pressure on yourself and looking at each moment as manageable. Not putting focus on the future or past but only on the present moment and what needs to be done now!
"enjoy life" - taking effort to look at your life through rose colored glasses. Look for positives and really observing/ feeling those experiences. Do things that you truly like to do which means making time for those activities. Asking yourself often what would I like to do today -- then don't procrastinate then just do it!