Breathe + Smile: A Mindful Moment for your Monday

by

Left Brain Buddha is reclaiming Mondays!  Not manic, but mindful.  Each Monday I share a short passage or mantra for a moment with the breath, accompanied by a photo from my photographer {my husband 🙂 }.  I share highlights from my Smile File for the week ~ and I hope you’ll take time to reflect on your smiles from the past week.  Breathe, smile, and move into your Monday with mindfulness.

Words for a Mindful Moment with the Breath

I believe every mother should own a copy of Mommy Mantras by Bethany E. Casarjian and Diane H. Dillon.  I have memorized many of the mantras in this book and repeat them to myself during challenging mothering moments.  Here is an excerpt from my favorite mantra:

“Within me there is a peacefulness that cannot be disturbed”

One of the side effects of meditating is that it cultivates an imperturbable space within you….

Tapping into this reserve of calm and peacefulness does not require your life to actually be calm and peaceful….

At any given moment, you have the ability to feel tranquil…. 

I think of within me is a peacefulness that cannot be disturbed as a mega-mantra.  By that I mean if you can really internalize its logic and power, you have the ability to radically alter the way you manage stress in your life.

 

Highlights from the Smile File

Smile File

What is making YOU smile right now?

*****

For years, I lived about 30 minutes away from the district in which I teach.  I loved the anonymity of life in a large city, I loved not being recognized at Target, and told myself I could never live so close to work that I would see my students everywhere. But last year, we moved to a new home about 3 minutes from where I teach.  And I find I am enjoying it (and not just for the shorter commute)!  I see my students at my dance studio, and learn about new part of their life.  My family went out to dinner Saturday night, and the “Hi Ms. Rudell!!” that we heard the minute we entered didn’t make me cringe ~ it made me smile!  Not only do I see a different side of my students, but they see a different side of me: as a mom and frankly, a real person!  I love feeling connected to my community as a teacher,  a resident, and a mother of children in the school district.  I’m realizing the anonymity was overrated. {Though running into students at the gym and at yoga class is still a bit weird!}

*****

I’ve shared with you my love of dance, and I am loving that my daughter and I dance at the same studio and will perform in the same recitals.  She loves sharing something with mom, and it is a special time just the two of us can spend together.  This picture is from studio portraits this weekend.

*****

Finally, I am filled with gratitude and huge smiles over the excitement I am hearing from people over this blog.  On Friday, I referenced Karen Maezen Miller’s blog, and nearly fell out of my chair a few hours after posting when I saw that Ms. Maezen Miller {whose books sit on my shelf at home} shared a link to my post in her Twitter and Facebook feeds!  My post went… well, not quite viral, but definitely a low-grade fever around here on Friday. It made my day! 🙂

*****

Have you started a Smile File yet?  What made you smile last week?  I’d love to hear from you!

Have a great week!

Namaste ~

Sarah

{This post contains affiliate links.  You can read my disclosures here.}

Sarah Rudell Beach
Follow Sarah
Latest posts by Sarah Rudell Beach (see all)