Reflect and Simplify, 9.22.21

Mindful September, Day 21 and 22. Intentions: REFLECT and SIMPLIFY. Even though mindfulness is all about being “in the moment”, reflecting on moments of the past can bring clarity to any situation. The challenge: Always be willing to take stock of what is working in your life and what isn’t and be willing to make a change. This could apply to so many areas of your life- family, job, hobbies, etc. 

Last fall, I was looking for natural products to offer as a part of my yoga classes and to act as a supplement to my yoga business. I chose to go with Simply Earth essential oils. Everything about it seemed like the right fit. But, I thought having a large variety of oils would be the way to go, so I would have something on hand for everyone. Well, I’ve never done well with lots of choices, and I know that about myself, so I’m not sure why I assumed it would be a good thing for anyone else.  I, personally, thrive on simplicity. No negativity towards Simply Earth products, but their focus is really on creating your own products with essential oils. Having a large variety on hand was necessary to do this. But… I’m not really interested in making my own products, I just want to offer high quality, natural products- products that I’ve used and loved myself- that are already made. So… as I reflected on this, I also had an ah-ha moment about those products that I use. And, I’m not kidding, the same morning I had that ah-ha moment, I got a text from Sara Maune of Jordan Essentials inquiring about becoming a consultant. Sara knows how I’m impressed I am with the products, because, after about three years, I keep ordering! So, you know me- I immediately felt the timing was a sign and quickly agreed. Making Jordan Essentials available via my yoga studio will be a perfect fit. I will be carrying the products I love and use myself in the studio and, of course, any other products not on hand can be ordered via my Jordan Essential’s website.

I will begin showcasing some of my favorite products on a regular basis, so I’m hoping these recommendations will be useful and helpful to you! Stay tuned! 

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. 🤗 Juli

Slow Down, 9.7.21

Mindful September, Day 7. Intention: SLOW DOWN. The challenge: wash your dishes by hand a few days this week, when you aren’t in a hurry. Take the time to really focus on cleaning each individual item and carefully rinsing it. Notice the warm water, the aroma of the dish soap, the bubbles as they rise up and over each dish. If you are lucky enough to have a window above your kitchen sink, try to notice something new outside. 

I haven’t had a dishwasher since June of 2019 and I don’t miss it. Since we were in the RV for four months, with very little warm water, the first time I used the sink in our house was like heaven. I’ll never forget how good it felt to wash my hands with warm, running water. I wasn’t sure how the no-dishwasher situation would go in the long run, but it didn’t take long for me to actually look forward to doing the dishes. Since I didn’t have a dishwasher, we splurged on a nice, porcelain sink. I bought the best rubber gloves I could find (the kind lined with cotton are the best!). I make my own cotton dishcloths that are just the right size, in colors that I like. (Hint: tomorrow’s challenge involves the dishcloths!) Finally, I shopped for just the right dish drainer and scrub brushes.  

It sounds a little silly, right?! I never thought I would ever like doing the dishes. But, I realized what I hated about doing the dishes before was loading and unloading the dishwasher!  Now, I’m not saying that giving up the dishwasher is for everyone. But, I think if you give it a try when you can slow down and take in all of the steps, you at least won’t hate it 😉 Let me know how it goes! #mindfulseptemberwitholiveandash

Feel, 9.5.21

Day 5, Mindful September Challenge. Intention: FEEL The challenge: Turn the music WAY up. The next time you're driving alone, put on your favorite music and turn it up so you can feel the vibration. This is why the intention is 'feel', not listen. Most of the time, for me, music isn't really about the lyrics, it's the way the song makes me feel- emotionally and physically. I can only relate it to the power of chanting or what I've heard about sound bath healing sessions (which is definitely on my bucket list). There is a LOT of research out there about the positive effects of sound and vibration on the brain, but here is one article that I thought explained it really well.

What music would you choose to turn way up, while you’re driving? I think those choices are very telling about a personality, don't you think? My choices are very specific to the car, as I enjoy other types of music for other activities.

Here is a little snippet from my car playlist:

Get Together by The Youngbloods

Home by Philip Phillips 

From Eden by Hozier 

I Was Born to Love You by Ray LaMontagne 

I Guess I Just Feel Like by John Mayer 

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd 

As I'm Leaving by David Gray 

Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan 

Dancing on My Own by Calum Scott 

American Woman by Lenny Kravitz or The Guess Who 

Roll Me Away by Bob Seger

Again, just a snippet, but now I'm ready to go for a drive! I'd love to hear your driving playlist!

Have a great Sunday! Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. - Juli

Order, 9.4.21

Mindful September, Day 4. Intention: ORDER. The challenge: Try making your bed every day, for a week. If you already make your bed every day, try to do it with more awareness and gratitude. Here is an example from my own history of bed-making:

When I was a kid, I shared a room with my sister. We couldn't be more opposites, as far as our personalities, so my side of the room was always a mess, complete with an unmade bed, and my sister's side was very tidy, with her bed perfectly made, and stuffed animals perfectly lined up against the wall. I never made my bed unless my mom and dad insisted on it.

When I had my own house and family, the beds were still never made- unless we were having company! My thought: why make the beds in the morning if you are just going to unmake them at the end of the day? Right?! 

When I married M in 2004, one of the first things that surprised me about him was the fact that he makes the bed every morning. To him, it's almost a sacred time of his day, when he thinks of his grandma, who taught him how important it is to start his day with this one small act of orderliness.

Now, almost 17 years later, I really can't describe how much I appreciate having the bed made every day. It is one area of our home that I know, for sure, every day, will be in order. Even the most chaotic day seems a little more manageable when I turn the corner into our bedroom and see a perfectly made bed.

It doesn't happen very often, but on the few days when M doesn't have time to make the bed, I have the privilege of doing it myself. (Notice, now, at age 55, making the bed is a privilege 🙂) The entire time I'm making it, I think of his grandma (whom I never met) and feel so much gratitude for her. Someone I never met taught me the value of order and helped raise this person who has made my life so much better- steady and orderly.

This is the room we call our study, but this convertible sofa serves as a bed for my son and his girl when they come to visit and for M when he can't sleep. So it is part of our bed-making ritual,too 😉

ee what happens, just from making the bed?! Try it yourself and let me know how it goes ☺️

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. - Juli

Notice and Listen, 9.2.21

The intention for day one of the Mindful September Challenge was NOTICE.. I began with this intention because being mindful is really just about remembering to stop and "notice"; tapping into your senses and noticing what you see, what you feel, what you hear, what you smell, what you taste. Choose a certain time of day (I like to get up a little earlier than usual) to stop and notice your surroundings and remind yourself what you are grateful for. 

The intention for day two is LISTEN. Here is your challenge: If you normally listen to the radio, playlist or podcast in the car, try turning them off and driving in silence. If you normally have music or the TV on in your home, try being there in silence. You are probably thinking that this is actually the opposite of listening, but it isn't at all. When you turn off the usual "sounds", you begin to notice other, usually less distracting sounds- birds chirping, cows mooing, the hum of cars driving by, the sounds of your home (the washer or dryer, the air conditioner, water running, etc.). Notice them and check in with yourself. Does the difference in the amount of sound make you uncomfortable? Or does it bring about a sense of calm? 

Share your experiences in the comments or on the Instagram post! #mindfulseptemberwitholiveandash

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. ~ Juli