Morning Intentions

This melts me.  He snuggled his brother as I grabbed the camera.

In addition to a gratitude journal practice I recently began a morning intention practice.   I am grateful to be inspired by the lovely Hannah Marcotti, and especially this post.

Every start is different.  Sometimes they come right away, and sometimes a while after we've been up.  Some come from things that happened the day before, some from my journal, some from the morning mood, both the boys and mine, but all of them from my heart.

I also love capturing our Starting Moments over at Instagram (#startingmoments).  Another fun thing inspired by Hannah.

I really enjoy this little ritual and the boys love taking pictures and hearing how much I love them, so it's win-win.

Peace.

Seeing himself

Starting (after my huge cup of warm honey-lemon water).

I recommend sitting with this idea and seeing if it resonates with you as well.  It's definitely a game changer.

Here are some of my first morning intentions.:

☆Love everyone as they are, not as I sometimes want them to be. 

Be kinder than necessary. Stop more often.☆

☆Pick your battles. Let go.☆

☆Just be present and give your attention to that which is in front of you. 

Lay down your needless worries.☆

☆I know that breakups can be painful. 

But me, perfection and insecurity just aren't meant to be. 

Continue to loosen up.☆

☆Let the day unravel at its own pace, and go with the flow. 

Release any expectations and worries as they arise.☆

☆Stop when my name is called. 

Stop even when it isn't.☆

☆Have fun.☆

☆Don't ever forget that being the change is more important than talking about the change.☆

Intentions + Thanksgiving, Day Seventeen

Today is my own personal new year, my 32nd birthday.

I am grateful for my life, my children, family, friends, and all the beautiful, amazing people and creatures that I share this life with in this gorgeous universe.  Every moment, whether up or down, truly is a blessing.

The Universe provides me with quite a beautiful show each year with the Leonid Meteor shower.

Also, for my birthday I signed up for this Apothecary Circle (thanks Mom!), and surprisingly, even though it doesn't start until the New Year, a group was created on my birthday eve, and the invitation sent to dig in already.

I'll also be enjoying a home-cooked veggie lasagna and orange chiffon cake made by Mom tonight, on my beautiful new dishes.

What a lucky girl I am; I couldn't be more elated.

I'm also celebrating by setting my intentions for the year, and reflecting upon the intentions that I set last year.  They were a silent guide, that I checked back in with from time to time.  They were with me every step of the way, and will be the remainder of my life, because they are a part of me, and always have been -I just have to remember them sometimes.

Intentions seep out of my heart, and deep into the marrow of my bones, to chart the course for what lays ahead.  They're remembering what's important, and where I've been and where I am going, as well as where I am right now.

These intentions are purposely open-ended, with space around them, accepting and ready for what comes my way.

Every day is a new day, and we can never have too much love in our heart.

**Honoring every being, space and moment as sacred.**

**Unconditional love.**

**Attention.**

**Breathing.**

**Sensing. **

**Gratitude. **

**Patience.**

**Kindness.**

**Connection.**

**Not rushing, or being too busy.**

**Offering help, and not being afraid to accept it myself.**

**Taking care of what's in front of me.**

**Non-judgemental awareness.**

**There's always time, space and room.**

**Know that no matter where I am or what I am doing, 

that I am right where I'm meant to be, and need to be.**

**Know that this is enough, right here, right now.**

**My life is my practice.**

**I am whole.**

In a Few Words

One more time we've welcomed a new year.

Happy 2012 to you.

I'm not big on making new year's resolutions.  I'd rather my intentions slowly evolve and grow with me every day.

However, there are a few words I'd like to bring further into focus this year.

Unconditional Love

Towards every being.

Gratitude 
For everyone and everything that crosses my path.
Good or bad.
Welcomed or unwelcomed.

Content
With my life, my place in this world, my home, my family and my friends.

Connection 
To family, friends, community, the earth, the seasons, myself, my art & expression and breath.
A deeper connection to my children by seeing the world through their eyes, not just mine.

Breath
A reminder to be aware and present.

Slow
Slow my thoughts, my reactions, my sense of urgency and worries.

Non-judgemental Awareness
Thoughts and emotions come and go.
Don't hold my thoughts or judgments against anything.
Let them burn away in their own time.

Open
Heart, mind & sense of freedom.

Space
For my thoughts, words, breath, actions and reactions.

Finding space for me to sit.
Creating a space for my creativity and art.

Fearless
Going beyond my fear.
Learning to dive in deeper.
Not worrying about perfect.

Have you made any resolutions, set any intentions or thought about your new year?

Attention

"Attention is the most concrete expression of love.

What you pay attention to thrives.

What you do not pay attention to withers and dies."

Karen Maezen Miller

I read this every day.  

Sometimes I need the reminder.  

Even if this truth right in front of my face.

Intentions

It's the time of year when family birthdays and holidays are abound.  It's a new year and time when I reflect on how I have changed and lived.  I often read my journals and think about what is important to us all.

This year I was inspired by a friend, Robin and this book to write my intentions.  Many lovely and true words of Maezen are also reflected and included in my list.

This is a gift to my family and self.  It is something to remind me of what works for me and what I need to work on.  It will sit in my kitchen windowsill altar where I will read it every day.

Intentions:

Gratitude for our children, family and friends.  They are perfect as is and are wonderful teachers.

Tend to the garden that is our family and my life.

Pay attention to what is in front of me.  Don't worry as much about what's not.

Take care of what is being asked of me in the moment.

Don't make things work or see things as work.

I have all the time in the world.  

Stop, pause, breathe and savor the moment.  

Be kind, gentle, tolerant and patient.

Recognize beauty, joy and love as well as frustration, anger and destructive emotions.  Maybe just be with them instead of act.

Be consistent but flexible.

Forgive myself and others.

Appreciate my life.  Every moment is my teacher.

Sit when I can but know each moment is practice.
Let's just see how it goes.