Loving the Holidays!

Spent most of the day in my Christmas PJ's, sipping on tea, nibbling on decadent goodies, and reading my new book. Oh how I love holidays! Also spent some time tapping into my creativity and began the Mindfully Creative Bride. Since 2011 will be dedicated to planning my wedding, I thought it would be fun to have space to share my tips and tricks. Wishing you the most relaxing of holidays!

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Enjoying a holiday beverage with the tree lights twinkling and the delicious aroma of turkey permeating the air. Shopping complete. Presents wrapped. House garnished with holiday decorations. It is the most wonderful time of the year!

As I helped my future father-in-law wrap presents this afternoon, a thought occurred to me. I pondered the amount of time and love that goes into holiday wrapping each year, just to have the paper ripped off. However, the idea of gifts being shoved under the tree without paper, ribbons, and bows, takes some of the magic and surprise out of Christmas morning. If I can offer a short holiday musing...I suggest taking a moment tomorrow morning (or whenever you observe the holiday) to take in the colorful paper and shiny bows. Gaze at the bright lights twinkling on the tree. Have a moment to appreciate all of the hard work that went into making the holiday special. Instead of quickly and mindlessly tearing of the paper, perhaps, pull it off slowly, savoring the moment. Of course, don't forget to express gratitude.

May you have a joyous holiday filled with peace and good cheer. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

With love and holiday cheer,

Suzanne

Facebook Year In Review

With all of my reflection throughout December, I thought it would be fun to post my facebook status year in review. Can you guess what month each status was posted in?

More Reverb 10

Here's a little More Reflection...Stay tuned for more to come!

December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

As I have mentioned in prior posts, this year I really tried to have a more active yoga practice. During  May and June, we had to take  Group Art Therapy Class. The central premise of therapy groups is that they are based in the 'here and now'. After an abundance of reading on this topic, I decided to explore a little more deeply what it meant to be present. Yoga was a perfect opportunity for this. One early afternoon in June, I had the most amazing yoga practice - mind, body, and breath were connected.I remember commenting to the teacher about what a great class it had been. She seemed confused. I took her class regularly, how was that day different? The difference was that, I was alive, cohesive, and present.

December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

I suppose it's easier to start with the end goal and then consider the action steps necessary to get there. My dream is to own a yoga studio that I am able to run my private art therapy practice out of. Eventually, I would love to have my own yoga clothing line. Next steps would be to 1) finish school 2) get an art therapy job, in order to become a registered art therapist and LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) 3) Continue with CEU's to keep yoga licensure current 4) Grow Etsy store to gain business experience. Look for another post of goal setting forthcoming!

December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

My relationships. When things get busy, it would be easy to neglect the important people in my life. Yet, these are the people that help me get through the chaotic times. I need them. This year, I have made an extra effort to spend time with these people, not only when things are calm, but also when they're busy.

December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

Getting engaged, moving into our new home, pool party and garden visit after Grandpa's funeral, beach vacation with Kim, getting to know my classmates better, snowball fight in Dupont circle, laughing till it hurt in California with Tamara, trip to San Francisco with Janna, artist date to crafty bastards, making art with Amy, Bungee chair in Orlando, birthday brunch at Farmers and Fishers, making ice cream sundaes with excessive toppings for my birthday, John's 30th birthday party

December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I have a friend who reminds me that sometimes, 'done is better than good.' The perfectionist inside of me always wants things to be perfect, so much that at times, I might drive myself crazy before I even get started on a project. I've learned that it's better to write down something to get started (if it's a paper) or to just begin a project and let it unfold. This usually makes for my best work anyways :)

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver) 

That I tend to neglect the things I really want to do (yoga, creative time, date nights) in favor of what I believe I need to get done (schoolwork, internship stuff etc.). While both are important, I need to work on finding balance between the two. All work and no play makes for a tiring day!

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

I really wanted to try to build my Etsy shop, start a blog, and keep a visual journal. I started all of these things, however when things got busy, they were the first things that got ignored. For next year I would like to try to be more consistent blogging, journaling, and the Etsy shop. To really nurture them, as I would a paper or any other creative project.

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)

Definitely a drip-by-drip evolution, but I have been working carving out much needed time for myself. Still not great with it, but I am considering for 2011 scheduling time for myself and fun projects into my planned to ensure they happen.

More Reverb 10 = More Reflect and Manifest

I got so caught up with the end of the semester that I sadly haven't been able to keep up with my reflecting and manifesting. The never-ending semester finally finished yesterday. yay! So I decided instead of rushing through the posts I am behind on, which has been my life the past two weeks, I would do a little bit over the next few days to catch up.


December 11 – 11 Things What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)


This is another challenging one because I had so much change in 2010


1. Clutter - planning on cleaning, pitching, and organizing over the Christmas break
2. Lack of an income - will be finishing up graduate school this year and will hopefully find a job in the art therapy field.
3. Feeling like I don't have enough time for the things that keep me sane (personal art making, yoga, blogging etc.) - Be more disciplined about making time for these things. Perhaps scheduling them into my planner
4. Feeling scattered/rushing - I constantly feel like I am being pulled in 20 directions, with regards to my career. I want to work to pull together the pieces this coming year. 
5. Lack of sleep - I have worked to make changes to my sleeping schedule over the past few months, but  still feel like I could improve upon the amount of sleep
6. Refined sugar - need to stop buying/eating it (period).
7. Stagnation - avoid over focusing one area of my life and neglecting others
8. Being sensitive - Need to stop taking thing so personally
9. Lack of a morning routine - need to make a little extra time in the mornings, so that I am not forcing breakfast down my throat as I am walking out the door
10. Less anxiety around schoolwork - not really sure how to tackle this one. School makes me anxious in general, however in theory I should be graduating in may
11. Lack of much needed down time - similar to #3, make conscious effort to be more disciplined about this.


December 10 - Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)


To allow myself to have a little bit of a life this past semester. The previous two semesters, I did nothing but work. I had little time to spend with friends or the beau. At the beginning of this semester, I decided to make more space for my relationships. While my grades are a little lower, I am grateful for this choice. It's so so important to foster your relationships.


December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)


While this might sound slightly morbid, it was the pool party held after my grandfather's funeral this summer. My grandfather had been planning to swim for the first time that season, the weekend he died. He had had a pacemaker put in the a month before, which had prevented him being able to earlier. In his honor, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and even Grandma played in the pool all afternoon. It was a dramatic change from the somber mood that morning, however I think it would have been exactly what he wanted. Afterwards, several of us went to lay a beautiful wreath of colored flowers in his garden.  


December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)


My abilities to be genuine, emphatic, and enthusiastic make a difference. A lot of what I do with clients, requires sitting sitting with them while they express their woes, which often pull at my heart strings. I feel able I am able to do this not only with my clients, but also my friends. It's not only about the difficult times though, it's also the good - I constantly find myself genuinely happy for the successes of others. I like to celebrate accomplishments, which I don't think society encourages us to do enough of.

Reverb10 = Reflect and Manifest

I came across this really great site that offers daily prompts throughout the month of December that encourages you reflect on this past year, in order to manifest your desires for next year. I am a little behind, but alas it gives me the opportunity to be more consistent with my blogging and allow for a little daily reflection. You don't need a blog to participate, you can do it in a journal, as a facebook note, or as a tweet. Care to join me on the journey?


December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)


One Word: Extremes 


This has been a year of extreme, intense ups and downs. Being in a demanding graduate program often makes me weary, frustrated, and so stressed out that I want to pull out my hair, yet I love what I do. This year, I also got engaged, lost my grandfather, started an art therapy program for patients with cancer and moved into a new house with just my beau. 2010 has definitely been a big year of change. A year from now, I hope to be a little more settled. With planning a wedding and finishing grad school in 2011, the year will likely be busy, however by this time next year these milestones will be behind me.


December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)


This is an easy one - school! While I do A LOT of writing for my program, I don't always enjoy what I have to write about. This is part of why I began my blog, to write about topics that interest me, as well as for creative expression. While I can't eliminate school, at least not for a few more months, I am hoping this challenge will encourage daily...or at least weekly blogging.


December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)


Oh so many moments! The first that came to mind though was getting engaged. I had an inkling it might happen that day. On a warm fall day, the beau and I hiked through Great Falls under a canopy of colored leaves. The sun was out and streamed through the tree tops. We hiked for so long, and nothing happened that I began to doubt my intuition. After climbing up a rock that overlooked the water, John handed me his lens cap and camera body cap, and asked me to help him put away his camera gear. I twisted apart the caps and inside was the ring. Except for the sounds of hikers passing, there was silence until I smiled and said YES!


December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)


Hmmm...this one is a little tougher. By the end of 2009, my yoga practice was really lagging. This apparently is quite common for teachers, once you become a yoga teacher you tend to forget to practice yourself. One of the things I wanted to cultivate this year was a more consistent yoga practice. At the very beginning of the year, I began going to classes on Fridays mornings and expanded from there. It feels amazing to end my week by connecting with myself. There's always some to be learned and some way to go a little deeper on the mat.


December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?


My grandfather. While his passing was sudden and unexpected letting go wasn't too difficult because I knew at the time (and now) that whatever quality of life he could have had after his accident, he wouldn't have wanted. I saw this posting on a few people's facebook statuses yesterday and it made me think of him. 


"I don't need an Angel on my Christmas tree - I already have one in Heaven looking down on me"


December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin) 

The last thing I made were the Christmas cards for sale in my Etsy Shop. I used rubber stamps, embossing powder, and white and metallic card stock. Similar to writing, I make A LOT of artwork for school, however I don't always enjoy the finished piece because I feel like I am trying too hard to give it meaning. Throughout 2011, I would like to expand my Etsy Shop and also be more consistent with my visual journaling. Perhaps I will need to block out weekly artist dates. 


December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)


I have discovered community with the wonderful ladies in my art therapy program. Two days every week, we all schlep into school for incredibly long days of class. Our class is a very united group who commiserates about the amount of work we have, but also shares in each other's successes and accomplishments. It has been a pleasure and an honor getting know each and everyone of you ladies better through 2010. Thank you for all that you have given me.


In 2011, I have a secret desire to become more comfortable with online communities i.e. blogging and Etsy. I have been really resistant to partaking in them because for me they don't feel incredibly intimate or personal. As more and more online communities emerge, I think being part of them is important for the future.

I apologize for the change in text...I am not sure what happened or how to make it all the same.

Prioritizing Priorities

Last week was out of control! After returning from vacation, I just barely got myself grounded for the week when my beau had a medical emergency that resulted in 2 surgeries and a couple days in ICU. As the events began to unfold, I realized that all of my careful planning and study schedule would go out the window. Initially, I was concerned about making it to classes and getting my work for the week completed. In trying to move through the overwhelming stress, I realized how unimportant these tasks were. When I look back on this experience down the road, I am not going to say, "gee I wish I had given my trauma presentation." What matters most is not our daily priorities and checklists, these are the little things. The things that really matter are being with and making time for the ones we love. This doesn't just apply to when they need us, or when we need them, but everyday. 

Going in to this holiday season, keep this thought in mind. The holidays are a busy and stressful time. Due to this, we may neglect or become short with those closest to us. With this season being one of good will toward men, why not make space and time for friends and family? Curl up with a Christmas movie, get a cup of warm cocoa, or even tackle the mall together. Prioritize spending time with your loved ones. 

Laughter (and friendship) as Medicine

As the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference begins to wind down, the fun keeps on going. The antics of my dear friend and conference room mate Tamara (featured in the picture above with the bird on her head) had me giggling myself to sleep. I have never met anyone who enjoys calling the hotel front desk more than she does. Her intention for the day during morning yoga, 'to go back to bed', endless stories, and scurrying about the hotel also kept me in stitches. I can't remember the last time I have laughed this hard or this long. My cheeks, face, and entire body ache from laughter.

There is certainly something to be said for letting all of your cares go and allowing yourself to enjoy each moment. Laughter is a healing activity. It releases the 'feel good' chemical serotonin throughout the body and provides relief from chronic and lifestyle stress, enhances the lifespan, oxygenates the organs, and boosts immune functioning. After this trip, I expect my immune system will have gotten quite the boost. Take a moment to tickle your funny bone.

With Love and LOTS of LAUGHTER,

Suzanne

Mini Vacation a la San Francisco!

Heading from San Francisco to Sacramento by bus and train tomorrow morning for the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Looking forward to being surrounded by so many art therapists!

Since I was traveling across the country to come to the conference, I decided to also schedule a mini vacation. yay! With the lovely Janna, I embarked on a trip to San Francisco for a much deserved break. We have enjoyed a couple days wandering along Pier 39, watching sea lions play, exploring Alcatraz, and eating delicious seafood by the water. Sometimes a shorter break from routine can be more restful then an extended vacation. Not to mention, waking up at 10 am east coast time, means waking up at 7 am here. It's a guilt free sleep-in!

Heading out to enjoy my day! More pictures forthcoming!

Why Not Take a Moment to Disconnect..?

Good Evening Mindful Maidens!

Spending a quiet Saturday evening relaxing at home, making beaded jewelry and playing in my visual journal. This week has been full on with my internship at Medical Faculty Associates, paper writing, starting with a new client in the clinic, extra training for my internship, subbing extra yoga classes, and continuing to organize my new home. By Friday evening, I was all filled up and needed a time out.

There are times when I need to completely disconnect from the world. Because I have a smart phone, I am constantly connected to EVERYONE...ALL THE TIME!! While technology can be a blessing, at times - like earlier this evening - I feel it is important that I'm not always available on a moment's notice.  For me this entails, turning my phone completely off and disconnecting my computer from the internet. Sometimes, I only need to do this for an hour to feel calmer. Other times, I need to do it for an evening. I prefer for my phone to be off completely, rather than on silent because if I attempt to check for missed calls, texts, or emails, I am greeted with a black screen. This reminds that it is 'designated phone off time'. For all those emails I haven't had a chance to reply this week, I promise to get to you tomorrow.

How about you..? Do you need a moment to disconnect..?

Artist Date

Recently, I have been playing with the book The Artist's Way , by Julia Cameron. In her book, Cameron describes an 'Artist Date' as a block of time set aside each week to nurture your creative spirit. Generally, it is best to spend this time solo, giving yourself the opportunity to get to know 'you' better. This afternoon and evening, I gave myself the gift of an artist date. There was a time in my life that I would have never been caught dead somewhere alone, but now with my busy schedule, I relish time flying solo. While I would LOVE to incorporate this into my weekly routine, sadly I think it may need to be every other week.

This afternoon, I wandered over to Adam's Morgan to check out Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair. This is an event I have been dying to check out for the past two years, but have never made it too. The fair was fantastic and provided oodles of inspiration for crafting beautiful beaded jewelry earlier this evening. As I settle into the rest of my evening, I can only hope that I am able continue to carry forward the creative inspiration I have cultivated today, to the paper that is awaiting me.

More Room for Fun!

I had a bit of an 'AHA' moment while away in New Jersey last weekend. While reading a book for class, I found myself feeling guilty. Of all the readings that I might choose to do first, this was the one I knew I would enjoy the most. I made this choice, due to being on a mini-vacation.

Pleasurable reading = Relaxation 

I realized one of my patterns is, to try and get the things I enjoy least out of the way, before attempting to tackle more enjoyable tasks. The problem with this method is that I am finding that when I am ready to complete more enjoyable tasks, I am either a) too tired to enjoy them or b) I never get to them at all. 

This week I embarked on a little experiment (although I don't know how accurate the results are because I was at with stomach flu for three days). I chose to complete one fun task before a less than pleasant task. My two fun tasks were making my mom's (overdue) birthday present and decorating the cover of my planner.

Tonight, as I write this post, I have my readings complete, laundry complete, groceries purchased and dinner on the stove. And...I was able to squeeze in a little fun!

Creature Comforts

Began my new internship today at Medical Faculty Associates, where I am starting an art therapy program for patients undergoing cancer treatment. I am very excited about the opportunities and possibilities! Last night, I even had trouble sleeping due to my excitement (and nerves) about the first day. Regrettably, the one thing I didn't bring with me was my visual journal. As an art therapist in training, this journal serves as an outlet for my thoughts and feelings about sessions with patients, as well as being a place for my own personal expression. This morning, my bag weighed an absolute ton. Deciding it would be alright to record my day once I got home,  I dropped the weight of the extra book. As I was stimulated with information and planning throughout the day, I wished I had brought my journal with me.

Lesson Learned: Sometimes it's worth it to go the extra mile for the little things that bring you comfort (especially on your first day).

I will definitely be bringing my journal with me tomorrow!

Attitude of Gratitude

Due to moving, it has been quite awhile since my last post. Many apologies! The stress of moving, unpacking, and STILL organizing! has begun to take its toll on me. I am feeling weary and it is only the beginning of the week. Despite both the excitement and frustrations the move has brought, one thing remains. This is that, I am grateful to all of our wonderful friends who helped us pack, carry boxes in the 100 degree heat, and pick-up and put together tedious, uncooperative furniture. MANY, MANY THANKS!

In times of high stress, it can be difficult to recognize what we have to be grateful for because we are so focused on what is missing, or not going right. We tend to give way to our feelings of frustration without ever acknowledging the good we have right now. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can help us to soften even our deepest aggravations, allowing us to appreciate what we have in the present.

What do you have to be grateful for today..?

Just Breathe!

This week has been (and I can only assume will continue to be) full of excitement and anticipation, as I prepare to move AND go back to school. With everything that needs to get done in the next week, at times I find my mind racing and my body weary. At times like this, a bad habit of mine tends to emerge. I keep going and going, yet forget to take time out to take care of myself. Being aware of my deficiency in this area during times of high stress, I have been extra mindful during this period to take a moment to 'just breathe.' I have also been very diligent to allow myself timeout for a little fun! This however, has proven to be quite challenging. A pesky little voice inside my head says, 'no, there's just not enough time', yet I know when I hear that voice, I should be doing the opposite of what it tells me. Making time in our schedules for fun is easy to neglect. We tell ourselves, 'I will relax later',  but later never comes. Scheduling this time requires conscious effort. It is also an important part of rewarding ourselves for our accomplishments.

My challenge to you this week is to schedule time for some fun. Perhaps it is only an hour, maybe it's a day. Whatever you can manage, find time for fun in your life.

Here's to No Expectations!

As I ride the train home from Atlantic City, watching the countryside pass beside me, I am quietly reflecting on my time spent by the ocean. There is something about being by the sea, that allows me to let go of all expectations. By nature, I am a planner. I like knowing the who, what, when where, how, and why of things. Over the last four days however, I was able to let go of my need to have a plan. Each day began with breakfast, from there, I allowed the day to bring me what it would. By allowing myself to go, great memories emerged. I think, too often we cling too tightly to our expectations, that we lose sight of what could be. When we over plan, we miss on the spontaneity experience brings. Sadly, it is this need to fulfill our expectations that results in our own unhappiness. Letting go doesn't necessarily require a vacation - it is simply putting your to-do list aside for a few hours, a day, or even a week.

Here's to the highlights of my trip: necklace making, spending time on the boardwalk, water slides, delicious seafood, floppy straw hats, connecting through conversation, swimming in the ocean, basking in the sunshine, mini golf, paddle ball, and much more.

P.S. I barely got through the first few pages of my 'planned' beach reading...

Summer Reading...Had Me a Blast

This weekend, I head to Ocean City, NJ to spend quality time in sun with the lovely Miss. Kim. But alas, what would a trip to the beach be without reading material..? Full Disclosure: While the majority of what I read is non-fiction, one of my favorite guilty pleasures is to indulge in reading fiction, particularly of the chic-lit genre. This week I will be reading The Friday Night Knitting Club (Friday Night Knitting Club Novels).

My Top Five 2010 Summer Beach Reads By A Few of My Favorite Chic-Lit Authors:

1. Heart of the Matter


2. Fly Away Home


3. Thin Rich Pretty


4. Twenties Girl


5. The Penny Pinchers Club



You can click on the book to take you directly to the amazon link. Remember, everything is good in moderation, including moderation. Go ahead and indulge in a guilty pleasure!

Taking a Time-out

After three days of celebrations - brunch, ice cream sundaes with oodles of toppings, snail mail cards, dinner with my beau and his brother, swimming, a tea date, and gifts - my body and mind needed a day to recharge. Today was spent in the solitude of my home, where I caught up on a few to-do's and emails. In addition, to sleeping in and being awoken with breakfast in bed! It's easy to get so busy, that we forget to take a moment to just breathe. When I am feeling like I need time out, I'll often schedule time in my planner for a little self-care (even if it's only an hour or so). This guarantees that I actually make take time for me. It's amazing the effect a little quiet time has on the soul.

Celebrating You!

Began celebrating my 27th birthday yesterday by having brunch with a few friends. Enjoyed wonderful company and delicious food and drink. I love birthdays because they allow us a moment to celebrate being ourselves! It's a pity that they only come once a year. Instead of waiting for an entire year to pass, why not try finding ways to celebrate yourself daily, weekly, or monthly..? Celebrate your accomplishments, relationships, or perhaps simply making it through a hectic day. Your celebration can be as small or as large as you want it to be - taking a bath, indulging in a good book, sharing tea with a friend. Celebration is simply another way to acknowledge fabulous you and your many accomplishments.

With Love and Laughter,

Suzanne (who is enjoying my last few hours of being 26)

Mindful Goal Setting

Ever made a new years resolution, but sadly have it fall by the wayside, by the middle of February..? Unfortunately, this tends to be quite common. Achieving goals generally involves more than simply identifying what you wish to resolve - although this is an important first step. One thing that helps me stay on track with my goals is writing them down. Another, is sharing them with other people. In terms of accountability, there is definitely something that can be said for tangible evidence and having a cheerleader in your corner.

Another important factor to consider when setting goals is having a realistic timeline to achieve them. This timeline may be - short-term (one month), mid-term (one year), or long-term (five or ten years). I personally set goals for the short, mid, and long term - you timeline might differ from mine. Finally, it is important that you review your goals periodically to measure your progress. Give yourself credit for even the smallest accomplishments.

To get the ball rolling, below I have shared some of my August goals. Keep in mind, each small step leads to a bigger long-term goal - life goals are ALL about baby steps, baby!

August Goals:

* Finally get a DC driver's license
* Complete art therapy inservice for internship
* Generate art supply list and ensure art supplies are ordered
* Book flight and hotel for American Art Therapy Association Conference in November
* Have zero inbox for both email accounts
* Write two proposals for 2011 American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference
* Finalize details for thesis project
* Continue with consistent yoga and acupuncture routine
* Spend a day at the beach - if anyone would like to join please let me know. I am looking for company
* File massive pile of papers sitting on my desk
* Plan a possible yard sale due to decluttering..?

It's Just Another Mindful Monday!

Ever feel like Monday is the most difficult day of the week to get through? I often find myself, trying to get all of my tasks for the week completed on Mondays, so I don't have to think about them for the rest of the week. The problem is, I never take a second to come up for air and I find myself less productive the rest of the week. In trying to find a balance between work and play, today I took a lunch time yin yoga class (which I normally do on Mondays) AND allowed myself the luxury of a nap. In addition, I got MORE done than I had originally anticipated this morning! It's amazing how allowing ourselves short breaks and small doses of pleasure can actually increase productivity. How might you make your Monday a little more mindful..?


Photo Credit: KC Photo

Creative Cuisine

Was able to spend some time tackling my 'to-do' list this week. Having things laid out in the form of a list definitely helps to keep me on track. In my process of cleaning out the kitchen pantry and freezer, I discovered lots of food stuffs, I had forgotten I'd bought. These treasures allowed for creative cooking! Since I had chicken in the freezer I googled 'summer chicken recipe's and up popped this recipe for delicious mediterranean chicken and polenta. The only thing I needed to purchase were the sun-dried tomatoes and olives. As a graduate student on a budget, this was a delight!

Beginning to tackle these 'to-do's' that I've put off for so long has become fun and also cost-effective! Excited to move onto cleaning out my kitchen junk drawer to see what I'll find

Love and Laughter,

Suzanne

A Task-Oriented Tuesday

Welcome to Mindful Maiden! A blog designed to help women bring a dose of mindfulness into their everyday lives.

The summer season allows of to have a little down time, a little rest and relaxation, but also often provides us with extra time to get some of those never-ending to do's, knocked off the list. This week, I sat down to start tackling a few. Immediately, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of tasks that have been piling up for probably the last year. Sound familiar? In order to keep my sanity, I took 15 minutes, to begin brainstorming a Master Task List in my visual journal. This amazingly stopped my mind from racing and eased my building anxiety. In the photo posted above, you'll see the first page of what will likely end up to be a four or five page list. After reviewing the list, I chose one task to tackle this afternoon - the kitchen pantry. What 'to-do's' do you have piled up..? What would you include on your Master Task List..?