Are you smiling? It’s the first day of spring. The gift of hope and anticipation is in the air. Even though in New York we still have quite a lot of snow covering the ground, knowing that the new season (and one of my favorite ones) has arrived, makes me happy. There’s a joyful flutter within and a lightness that is present.

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”

 – Doug Larson

Yes, I know that life isn’t just sunshine and happy days. We have times of stress and sadness. We have days of challenges and despair. Yet we also have times of joy, of growth, of delight and hope. Let’s celebrate now. Let’s be on the lookout for and be mindful of all that we’re grateful for. Let’s acknowledge that we have the strength to face the challenges ahead and the insight to make the changes that we desire.

“I am going to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.”

 – Anne Lamott

What will be next for you? Do you need some time centering yourself in the here and now? Will you shift your focus to what you’re doing, feeling or thinking at this moment? Do you need to take care of the basics by eating something healthy, taking a walk outside, or getting some rest? Is it time to face a problem head-on like getting help with your organizing challenges or addressing your calendar and time clutter?

Here’s the beauty of this season. It’s a chance to reset. It’s a chance for a do-over or even a makeover. Access this moment, which will in turn improve your next step.

In the process of being, remember to pause and breathe in the wonders of spring. Where are you now? What are you feeling hopeful about? What is one challenge you’re facing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

Our lives are full. We are human beings busy doing. There’s nothing wrong with doing. After all, there are always things that are next on our to-do list. There are always those next goals that we want to accomplish, places we need to get to, or people we want to connect with. However, sometimes we can get so caught up in the doing, that we don’t take time for just being.

Embracing the gift that awareness of the moment can bring is so valuable. It can give you that much needed pause between activities. It can give your mind a break from the barrage of thoughts and distractions. Awareness can connect you to and help you appreciate the present moment. Mindful living can be done anywhere at anytime. All that’s needed is your willingness to be aware of and embrace your present experience.

To further expand on how it's possible to introduce mindfulness as your next step, I’ll share a recent moment that I wrote about in my personal journal . . .

I have so missed the sun. I am here now sitting, basking in the warmth of the sun. On this unusually warm, winter day, I find myself seated by a window of a café as the sun streams in. It warms my left arm, face and body in the most joyful, enveloping way. The surrounding furniture is bathed in the strong light and shadows cast by the sun. Calm, peaceful, and grateful feelings within accompany this unexpected, seasonal gift.

Sipping my cool iced tea, I notice the contrast of the chilled liquid entering my mouth and throat as the sun warms my outer being.

There’s more to do today. Yet, I am feeling so content just sitting and being with this moment.

How does mindfulness show up for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

Some of the things I enjoy about Valentine’s Day are the beautiful colors, the bouquets of flowers, the abundance of chocolate, and the focus on love. The power of love is undeniable. The ability to give and receive love makes life better. Expressions and acts of love don’t have to be bold. They can felt in quiet moments. They can be felt from a gentle touch, a kind word, or a small gesture.

Creating more loving moments towards yourself and others will change your life. Love is the glue that holds our relationships together. Extending that love to include compassion for self enables us to grow, change and give more to others.

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

— Charles M. Schultz

5 Ways to Add More Love and Compassion to Your Life

Hug Break

My husband and I were home during the big snowstorm last week. After several hours of working at our desks, Steve called out to me. He said, “Hey Honey, it’s time for a hug break!” I smiled as I got up from my desk and met him in the hallway for wonderful hug. What a simple act that left me feeling happy and loved. Did you know that the hormone oxytocin is released when we’re physically close to another person’s body? It helps us connect to others. In The Little Book Of Hygge, Meik Wiking said that oxytocin is sometimes referred to as the “love hormone,” the “cuddle hormone,” or “social glue.” Hug someone today to increase your love and happiness quotient.

Dance Break

My mom has vascular dementia, so while we can still have conversations, words aren’t always her best mode of communication. Music is though, so we often sing and clap together, or I listen to her play the piano. She has an incredible sense of rhythm. Moving our bodies to music or dancing with others is one of the most joyful things we can do. During a recent visit with my mom, she was so energized by the music we played for her, that we ended up dancing together. It was a joy-filled moment of love and connection.

Sisters Break

This past weekend our daughter, Allison, drove from Brooklyn to visit her “baby sister,” Cassie, in Boston. Our daughters have been very close from the day Cassie was born. As a matter of fact, when Cassie was born, Allison was convinced she was her baby. And right from day one, our girls had a special bond. Fast forward 24 years later and they are still close. Each time I thought about them visiting and spending time together this weekend, my heart was filled with love and warmth. Love can be felt through the relationships we have and by thinking about and being around the loving relationships others have. Soak in the love.

Creative Break

I like to make cards and write notes. Sometimes I use my photographs. Most recently, when making Valentine’s Day cards, I decided to take out my watercolors. I used to paint frequently, but haven’t in years. It was like having a conversation with an old, comfortable friend. I just loved dipping my brush in the paints, swirling it around in the water jars, and painting on the textured paper. I had forgotten how much I loved painting. Love can be felt from the relationships we have or the creativity we engage in that touch our souls.

Mindfulness Break

I continue to engage in living more mindfully and practicing daily mindfulness meditation. Especially through meditation, the practice encourages self-compassion. I set aside time each day to focus on simple awareness of connecting my mind, body and heart. The practice encourages being curious, non-judgmental, and kind to the self. By gifting myself this time, it’s helping me to experience more gratitude, more calm, and expand the energy, focus and love I have for others.

On this day of love, this day of sharing and this day of eating more chocolate than usual, I wish each of you a very happy and love-filled Valentine’s Day. What resonates with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts about change, love and compassion. Come join the conversation!

The current installment (v13) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature is here with my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance.

I’ve included unique and inspiring change-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You are a beautifully engaged group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Happy Living Change

The word, hygge (pronounced hooga), has been showing up in popular culture lately. While it’s not a new word or concept, it is new to me. Meik Wiking, author and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen educates us in The Little Book of Hygge – Danish Secrets to Living Happy. He describes hygge as “an atmosphere and experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.” Other descriptions include “coziness of the soul” and “taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things.” Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world. It seems that hygge has a positive influence for the Danes’ happiness. Hygge can be experienced through a combination of ways, which includes giving attention to the quality of light (low light, fire and candles preferred), having close, small social circles, eating comforting food and drink, wearing comfortable clothing, expressing gratitude, and spending relaxed, non-competitive time with loved ones. “Hygge is about the now, how to enjoy the moment and make the best of it.” If you’re looking to change your happiness quotient, perhaps exploring hygge will inspire you.

2. Interesting Resource - Mindfulness Change

One of the changes I’ve made this year has been learning more about mindfulness through reading, meditating, and taking a mindfulness training course. In a special edition of Time magazine, Mindfulness – The New Science of Health and Happiness, there is a terrific collection of articles about the benefits of mindfulness practice along with the science to back up those benefits. If you’re looking to reduce stress, increase focus, and be more present, the mindfulness path could be the answer. Change can begin with curiosity. That curiosity can develop into action.

3. Interesting Tech - Habit Change

Stopping bad habits and forming new ones is all about change. If you’re in the habit-change-mode, but are feeling challenged because you don’t have the help or support you need, try HabitBull. This app allows you to organize and track to either break bad habits or build positive ones. With an easy set-up, reminders, inspiring quotes and a support community, you’re just one step closer to making the changes that you desire.

4. Interesting Product – Mood Change

Have you noticed how color affects your mood? You can easily change your mood by adjusting your environment with the Luci® Color light. It’s solar powered, inflatable, and has a feature that lets you set it to a single color or cycle through all the colors in sequence. What color are you feeling today? Are you ready for a change? Light on!

5. Interesting Thought - Positive Change

One small way to change our day is to change our perspective.  Our attitude influences our experiences in positive or negative ways.

Use positive thoughts or affirmations to encourage successful outcomes. See what changes occur when you begin your day with a positive thought. 

What are your interesting finds? Which ones resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!