Comfort, Expansiveness & Ease

After three years of cancer treatment and two years of the pandemic, my priorities have definitely shifted!

FOR THE BETTER.

By far, one of the best changes was abandoning resolutions and inviting in a focus for the year instead!

If you haven't done this, DO IT!!! It is by far the best practice I have ever adopted. It makes every challenging decision you come up against easy…all you need to do is remember your focus for the year and the decision makes itself.

This year I chose Comfort, Expansiveness & Ease.

Ah…

I can take in a deep breath just saying those words out loud.

I will now look for comfortable open spaces, pretty and peaceful, in which I can indulge my creative self…and linger in the ease of the now.

I started 2022 with the mantra, “I find comfort in allowing my desires to flow to me easily.” I let go of the chase for happiness, and am finding it, “on the inside”, just where my Momma told me I would find it. On the inside…

Turning the focus inward, for me, looks like the following… an example of my daily rounds allowing my chosen words for 2022 to drive and thrive in my life! Maybe this guide will inspire you to create a focus plan :)!

***************************************************

Make the bed.

Right away.

Simple I know, but it starts off the day with something you have accomplished and creates a clean, fresh, tidy start for the present that awaits on this new day!

Look out of the window, and say, “I am open to all of the possibilities of the Universe…” and mean it. Then stop, look & listen for those opportunities throughout the day.

Qigong and Yoga now begin my day. Peaceful, introspective & gentle! Instead of the race to the computer at 4:30a.m. to get a leg up on the competition.

Look for some new input of inspiration to keep your mind & body engaged and expanding. Just one simple thought (often for me, on Instagram, from Eckhart Tolle, Oprah Winfrey, or Deepak Chopra). One word or positive phrase for the day. I try to carry this new thought through my daily rounds keeping the overall lifestyle of Comfort, Expansiveness and Ease at the forefront.

A walk, usually on the beach with my new puppy, followed by our healthy meal together, watching the sun, color the clouds in the morning sky. We take a cue from nature, knowing that like the ever changing cloud formations in the sky, so is our life, ever changing, and we must be flexible to thrive.

Next up, I take on whatever task feels daunting to me while my energy is fresh! After I accomplish it, I take a few moments to acknowledge myself for the willingness to go beyond the “I don’t wannas” to get it done. It also leaves me with an empowering feeling that carries into whatever I choose to do next!

After a few “have tos” I indulge in something creative, like writing this story, or taking way too many photos of my ‘cutie pie puppy’ Miss Daisy Mae.

Emails, texts and social media come next.

Then, a run or swim, with Daisy Mae before lunch, outdoors, in nature, followed by a twenty minute power nap…and…Waalaa…!!! The perfect re-set for the rest of the day!

Before approaching the second half of my day, I remind myself of the focus word or phrase I chose for the day, and review how I did so far incorporating it. Sometimes I abandon it and pick a new one if it doesn’t work for me today or inspire me onward…like the clouds, I remain in the flow.

Re-set, renewed and energetic, I take on any physical chores for my work, in between which, I might include a few loads of laundry and vacuuming…I know, I know, but it must be done, and often times, I find some meditative joy in my household upkeep.

Break for a fun, play and tinkle time with my spunky girl, takes me to any pending deadline work and incoming requests I’ve had throughout the day.

A final check and response of emails brings me to a review of the day. I make notes of any wisdom that came to me in the form of new ideas and inspirations. I find that the more I make space and stay centered, the more opportunities come to me, and that brings more creativity and happiness to my days!

To set my mind at ease, and clear work from my thoughts, I set up the schedule for the following day.

Then, I spend five minutes writing down and contemplating five things I am grateful for today. Even in the midst of chemo…of immense pain and fear…I could find five things to hold on to…these gratitudes became a life line. They grew my spirit and the quality of my life, moment by moment.

Finally, I power down my electronics from the work day.

Family time.

Dinner.

Walks.

Conversations.

Puzzles.

Music.

Plans.

Hopes.

I open the window in the bedroom, no matter the season. I hear the call of the ocean’s waves reminding me of the importance of Effort and EASE…ah, yes, ease. I fold down the COMFORTer of my beautifully made bed, whistle for my Daisy girl and snuggle in, together, staring up at the glow in the dark stars I glued to the ceiling to remind me of the EXPANSIVENESS of possibilities.

I smile.

Happy.

Comforted.

Hopeful.

At ease with the now.

Excited for the new.

Grateful and ready for the sweet rest, that will restore my spirit, and guide me to the beautiful mystery of a new day...