Mindfulness and Gratitude: Thankful for Summer!

Mindful Monday

Words for a Mindful Moment with the Breath

“Gratitude is a gracious acknowledgement of all that sustains us, a bow to our blessings, great and small. Gratitude is the confidence in life itself… As gratitude grows it gives rise to joy. We experience the courage to rejoice in our own good fortune and the good fortune of others…. Joy gladdens the heart. We can be joyful for people who we love, for moments of goodness, for sunlight and trees, and for the very breath within our lungs. Like an innocent child, we can rejoice in life itself, in being alive.”

Jack Kornfield, The Wise Heart

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 Moments of Gratitude

I officially have one week left of summer. And even that week is filled with technology trainings and meetings at school. I am full of gratitude and joy for a summer well spent ~ a summer that was at once relaxing, rejuvenating, invigorating, and intellectually stimulating. As I enter this last week, fully committed to living in the moment for the remaining days of summer, I am grateful for everything that made this summer amazing:

  • Being home with my husband and my kids.
  • Adventure Days with my family ~ the zoo, picnics, nature walks, amusement parks. We had a blast!

Dad and kids

  • Getting to know our wonderful neighbors in the brief few months Minnesotans venture out of their homes.
  • Watching my daughter plow through her chapter books, and seeing her excitement grow for 1st grade.photo-28
  • Having time to work on my blog ~ finding my niche, my authentic voice, new projects, and plans for the future of Left Brain Buddha.
  • Travel and learning ~ Vegas for a teacher conference, Chicago for BlogHer. Travel + conferences + amazing people = awesome!
  • Time in the backyard reading, napping, or playing water toys with my kids.
  • Spending time with grandparents, sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews ~ so glad we got this picture of four generations of mothers and daughters and sons.

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  • Reading great books, including Daring Greatly, Quiet, The Light in the Ruins, How Children Succeed, and Traveling Mercies.
  • New writing and publishing opportunities, including developing teacher resource materials, and contributing to several upcoming e-books to be released in the fall {details to come!}
  • Playing Superheroes with my son, who dressed in Superhero gear most days this summer.photo[6]
  • Quiet mornings with my coffee.

What are you thankful for this week? What has made your summer amazing?

Monday sig

Sarah Rudell Beach
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