Breathe: Words for a Mindful Moment
“Fundamental Richness” by Pema Chodron
“Fundamental richness is available in each moment. The key is to relax: relax to a cloud in the sky, relax to a tiny bird with gray wings, relax to the sound of the telephone ringing. We can see the simplicity in things as they are. We can smell things, taste things, feel emotions, and have memories. When we are able to be there without saying, ‘I certainly agree with this,’ or ‘I definitely don’t agree with that,’ but just be here very directly, then we find fundamental richness everywhere. It is not ours or theirs but is available always to everyone. In raindrops, in blood drops, in heartache and delight, this wealth is the nature of everything. It is like the sun in that it shines on everyone without discrimination.”
Smile: Moments of Gratitude
After two weeks with back-to-back travel, I enjoyed relaxing into the richness of a slow summer week, and easing back into comfortable routine. I am grateful for the small captured moments, like my daughter sitting in the sun with our dog:
Or this tender image of my husband holding our son, as we dined outside, well past his bedtime with my family last weekend:
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I am grateful for my gorgeous backyard. I spent several hours this past week playing, reading, napping, and simply being and taking in the fundamental richness of the sky, the scent of freshly-cut grass, and the sounds of my children playing.
My view as I read outside
And I loved looking out at the pond, and discovering that the cottonwood had formed this beautiful, complex galaxy on the surface of the water. Fundamental richness indeed.
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One project upon my return home was “Organize the Toys and Books” Day with my family. My children were not as excited about the prospect of sorting, cleaning, organizing, and donating as their Type-A mom, but we accomplished a lot! As I’ve shared with you before, a clean and organized home is fundamental to my sense of calm and serenity. Clearing out physical clutter helps my mind feel less cluttered. I am grateful for my children deciding that many of their books and toys could have new life with other families ~ we brought several bags of books to the Half Price Book Store, and have many boxes to donate to Goodwill.
Before {and During}…
… and After. Much better!
I promised the kids that if they helped out on Organize the Toys and Books Day, we would go out to dinner that night as a treat. Don’t we all look radiant in this picture? 🙂
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Finally, I am grateful for my yoga teachers. A few weekends of missed yoga classes due to travel reminded me how important the classes are to me. I am grateful to have found these teachers who not only provide great instruction, but create a class that truly becomes self-care, a time for connection to my body and breath, and a calming and inspiring practice.
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What are you grateful for this week? Where have you found fundamental richness?
- A Mindful Approach to New Year’s Resolutions - January 13, 2020
- Just This Next Step - December 16, 2019
- WAIT: A Mindfulness Practice for Waiting in Line - December 9, 2019
