Category: Mindful Mondays

Thought:

Tip:

Change is inevitable but it can also be uncomfortable. I get it. However, what can be even more uncomfortable is trying to sustain the energy necessary to keep the status quo. Instead of languishing in the past or becoming preoccupied in the future, let’s embrace the here and now and consider what may need to change in order for us to ultimately live our best life. May we become mindful, live in the present and find the courage to change the things that we can.

Credit: @fullspiritquotes

Part of change includes releasing the dead weight of unfortunate things that keeps us from living into our purpose. Some of these mechanisms worked for us in the past and provided us with ways to avoid the present. Today may be the time to let some of them go.

Which one(s) have been keeping you stuck in unhealthy cycles? What are you willing to let go of today?

Credit: @what.is.mental.illness

Thanks:

As a token of thanks to those who faithfully check-in to nataliebunner.com every week for a dose of mindfulness, thank you! Take what you need and know that I am truly grateful for you!

Credit: @worrywellbeing

Thought:

Consider this: There is only one You and only one Me. We were put on this Earth for a reason. What reason was that? And how can our existence impact the world around us? At times, it feels like the world is on fire – pandemic, civil unrest, unfettered racism, twin hurricanes – this year has no chill!

Instead of allowing the anxiety overwhelm us, let’s take a moment to recenter ourselves. Instead of ducking and hiding, hoping that the storm passes by, let’s imagine that we are standing strong, facing our challenges with fierce, unwavering courage. We are world changers. By living into our purpose, it is we who will set our world on fire.

Tip:

Thank you @stacieswift for such a timely message.

Thanks:

Sometimes, I need the reminder that it is ALL of the experience that brings me to the beautiful place that I am in life. So, I am grateful for it all. Knowing that my experiences have made me more compassionate, more self-aware and more connected to the world around makes every challenge I’ve experienced worth it.

Thoughts:

Tip:

Preserve and reconsider the distribution of your energy.

@wetheurban

REFLECT: What is your peace of mind worth? What are you willing to do to obtain it? These are two seemingly simple questions that holds a wealth of complexity. Explore @weareurban on IG as they explore a practical ways they we can protect our peace of mind.

Thanks:

This is a gentle reminder that part of experiencing empathy and preserving a healthy mental perspective is practicing self-gratitude. By learning to appreciate the work our bodies, hearts and minds do everyday to care for ourselves and others, we enrich the foundation of our overall well-being. So, be thankful for who you are!

Thought:

We all have our preconceived notions of what it would take to ‘make us happy’. People, places and things are usually at the top of the list. But, what if happiness came from what and who is in the here and now? Could we be overlooking the beauty in our everyday life while hoping some grand gesture from the universe will trigger a sense of contentment? Let us take a minute, envision the gift that is the Present and experience true happiness.

Tip:

You may think, “Letting things go is A LOT harder than you think, Nat!” And, I will agree with you; stepping away from things that brings out our insecurity, lowers our self-esteem and causes us to question our life purpose can be incredibly hard. And, we sometimes struggle with what to start letting go of. @simplysophiedesigns gives us a wonderful visual that can provide us with a starting point. Using this guide, what is something that you should let go of? What are you stepping away from to ensure your happiness?

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“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”

Amy Collette

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So many kiddos will be returning to school completely disoriented from the school process. Remember, they have been out of school for over five months and not all of them had access to instructional time. We can expect many of them to return emotional dysregulated and understand that they will require front loading of care and support. Don’t be stingy with it; providing them with it early in the year will help them to settle into the class schedule much easier.

Thanks:

Teachers, you have your work cut out for you, there’s no doubt. But, we know that you have all the ability, drive and persistence necessary to make your classroom a place of safety and growth. We champion you, support you and will be sending lots of thoughts, prayers and school supplies to you this year!

Thought:

Take a moment to explore this poignant exploration of Maya Angelou: “The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God — if they call God at all,” she chuckled. “I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That’s what I think.”

What do you think? In the current global climate where the world seems so dark for some, what can we do to bring love and light into the lives in our corner of the world?

Tip:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Steven Bartlett (@steven)

If you want to know, ask @steven on IG. Some are qualities we strive to have but other traits he list may not have made your list yet! Explore this: what do YOU find attractive about you? What do you find attractive about those around you? Are the qualities the same or are they different? Are there characteristics that you wish you had? Which qualities are you striving to nurture within yourself?

Thanks:

Today, I am truly grateful for every prayer, word of encouragement and bit of support I have received over the past few years that resulted in the passing of my clinical license exam today! When I consider all of the amazing people I connected with during this journey, I am incredibly grateful for the unplanned detours that placed me at the right place at the right time and prepared me to achieve the goal of becoming a #LCSW. To my Support Squad, I thank YOU!

Thought:

It is easy to get overwhelmed just thinking about the global needs around us. Seriously, how are we expected to heal every societal ill that our world is facing right now? Here’s the truth: we are not. Fixing every single issue we encounter in our daily lives is not a reasonable expectation, either. Instead of fighting the unwinnable battle of singlehandedly saving the whole world, let’s recenter ourselves and focus on what we can do right now, in this moment. Look around, here in the present, and see what you can do to positively impact your environment. Square up and start there.

Tip:

@goheadteach is a self-proclaimed millennial educator who identified eight ways to actively resist systemic oppression. (Click the pic to check out her IG!) Remember, my amazing allies, this is where your privilege is most beneficial! Keep standing up! Continue to help that one person, who will then help another person until… We ARE changing the world!

Thanks:

Take the time to say a prayer of thanks for every breath, every glimpse of beauty and every opportunity to do good in the world. Express gratitude in every action and shine the light of hope on those who may not feel any today. And, if you are the tender soul who is not feeling tons of thankfulness and hope today, know that I am grateful for you. Despite the challenges you are facing, you showed up today. And for that, I thank you.

Thought:

A huge part of parenting includes encouraging and influencing the uniqueness in our children. As much as we may aspire for them to become members of amazing professions or social circles, the greatest gift we can give our children is the space to become their most authentic selves. We didn’t birth robots or clones; we are raising children of unique abilities, perspectives and insights. Let us embrace it and support their efforts to do the same.

Tip:

We have reached the middle of the summer and our thoughts have turned to, “What’s next?” Just the thought of returning to school is sending some of us into intense anxiety. With the global climate as it is, which includes social unrest, financial instability, and a pandemic, bouts of anxiety are normal. Here are some ways to explore such thoughts and feelings with your child (and with yourself). Remember, it isn’t about curating the perfect response; it is about taking a breath, getting control over the excessive thinking and focusing on RIGHT NOW.

Thanks:

You are worthy of gratitude! Take a moment today to list the things about you that you are thankful for. Understand that there are so many wonderful ways in which you contribute to the world. There is only ONE you and the universe is so glad you are here!

Thought:

@rockinruski is an amazing illustrator who explores the beautiful, bittersweet symphony of life. She writes: “#covid19 is bringing up lots of strange conflicting feelings…at the same time. ⁣
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It seems like a paradox to feel two very opposite emotions simultaneously, but in fact, it’s so real. We often aren’t even aware of the spectrum of emotions within us.⁣
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What helps is reminding myself that it’s ok if my gratitude is tinged with sorrow. If my fear is lightened by curiosity and relief. Both are allowed to be together, even if it feels strange and foreign holding both within our bodies. “⁣

This season is certainly stretching us, mentally, emotionally, physically. Our innate reaction is to pull away from the pain; we do not like ‘uncomfortable’. But, it is in this space, that we flourish. So, instead of clinging to one emotion as we wrestle away from the other, let us embrace ALL the feelings. Be mindful of how they take up space together, how one emotion may even balance the other one into a more manageable feeling. Remember, they may cause a bit of dissonance, but the whole moment has considerable value. Embrace all of it.

Tip:

@FemenistSexEd writes: Rest is not the enemy of change.
Your body and mind need rest in order to maintain its energy. But rest isn’t just “doing nothing” — there are many ways that you can recharge your batteries and stay energized for the long haul.
Here are small things you can do to recover your energy as you continue to fight racism and make sure that everyone knows that #BlackLivesMatter.

Busyness does not guarantee productivity; in fact, it is actually the antithesis of the term as it typically creates a cyclic pattern that leads to nowhere. Rest, however, allows space to reset, recharge and renew our desire for healthy and productive change. Let us not allow guilt or shame to keep us from the necessary act of rest. Create space to thoroughly rest our hearts, minds and bodies so that we can continue to fight the good fight.

Thanks:

Many thanks to Trisha Hersey, founder of the Nap Ministry for this guide about the beauty and benefits of true rest! Take the time to check it out and let it speak to your heart! Link to the guide is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jNwfwlgKlwAyT0NTaMQYjaUPkGrNg8Ab?fbclid=IwAR0-7yQ2IKGvQwlQBWQ7R1OLHFge4QexuwJLH0SwqM5wSm0BoqbT6G-PXrc