Meditation Series Update – Cultivating Calm

As you may recall, I registered to participate in Oprah & Deepak Chopra’s free Meditation Series, “Expanding Your Happiness”. The series was 21 days. I completed 15 days and then lost track. Overall, though, I enjoyed the experience, and I would happily do it again. Meditation, calm, relaxation, and the journey inward are all part of a practice, and for me it really does take practice. It wasn’t a perfect journey, but I enjoyed the days that I did put the effort in.

I thought I would share the 15 days’ worth of centering thoughts that were so helpful to me:

1. “happiness is my true nature”
2. “I am filled with spirit”
3. “I am peace”
4. “I am love”
5. “I am playful”
6. “hope lights my path”
7. “I am wholeness”
8. “we are here to enjoy”
9. “my actions have purpose”
10. “I am content just as I am”
11. “kindness expresses the gentleness of the soul”
12. “life makes me smile and laugh”
13. “I am thankful for all I have”
14. “my happiness energizes and inspires me”
15. “my happiness shines everywhere”

I’m slowly trying to cultivate more calm in my life, and that can mean a lot of things from sitting quietly without electronics to spending time in the garden to focusing on simple words to help me sleep. I also love Calm.com for a quick chill-out in the middle of a work day, and this great one-minute meditation video:

What do you do to ‘keep calm’ ?

Meditation Series Starts Tomorrow!

What a great way to start a Monday and have a great morning– Oprah & Deepak Chopra have a new, free 21-day meditation experience beginning tomorrow, August 11th, 2014. It’s called Expanding Your Happiness. Don’t you just love that? I’m so excited.

It runs through to the end of the month, and I love that this is a great tool to get connected and ready to be at my best- just in time for September 01, 2014 when I start working on my 16-month goals.

As previously mentioned, I’m looking forward to participating, and I’m just posting this little reminder in case you’d like to join in:

Guided Meditations

{this little beauty arrived in my inbox when I registered}

If you’re nervous (or just curious), here’s a good beginner’s resource:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/whitneyjefferson/deepak-chopra-answers-questions-about-meditation

For the record, I am totally one of those people who is terrible at relaxing… I need this more than most people probably. It doesn’t come easy to me, but I’m doing it anyway. Life happens outside your comfort zone!

Here’s to being calm and connected and to Expanding Happiness!

Living Room Inspiration Board

This project is honestly not on my immediate priority list, but I’m enjoying defining my visions for our home nonetheless. Also, sometimes getting clear on a vision helps things to come into my life before I planned, so it certainly doesn’t hurt to dream! Last year my mother-in-law gifted us a gorgeous cream leather sectional, and I haven’t really done much to decorate that room of our home since. Coastal style is the beat of my heart, and I think this is the direction I’d like to take that space. Coastal style feels so relaxing and calm. At the same time, so many preppy brights I love could also fit nicely. Also, who doesn’t love a million throw pillows to dive onto for a weekend Netflix marathon?

{made with Polyvore.com, as always}

Meditation Series

I can always use more calm, centered time in my life, so on Monday I’m beginning a free guided meditation experience with Oprah and Deepak Chopra called Expanding Your Happiness. I attempted a meditation series with them earlier this year and I only made it partway through the three weeks, but I’m going to try again.

Until Monday I’m going to be working on getting prepared… doing yoga and getting connected and also preparing the yoga space in my home office for meditation.

I also received an email with this printable door hanger with meditation tips on the reverse that I think I’ll put to good use on my home office door:

http://www.chopra.com/ccl-meditation/images/21DME_DD_DoorHanger.pdf?utm_source=eyh-nurture&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eyh-nurture-1

I think this series aligns itself with my Good Morning intentions.

If you’d like to participate in the free 21-day series, here’s the link:
https://chopracentermeditation.com/invite