Savoring is the ability to notice a pleasant experience and to make it last as long as possible. Noticing and savoring all of the simple pleasures in life is a powerful stress management tool for increasing your overall happiness and well-being. Over the next week, find one thing that you can spend a few minutes savoring each day and write down what you did.
Ideas:
I. Sharing With Others: You can seek out others to share an experience and tell others how much you value the moment. This is probably the single best way to savor pleasure.
II. Memory-Building: Take mental photographs or even a physical souvenir of the event and reminisce about it later with others.
III. Self-Congratulation: Do not be afraid of pride. Tell yourself how impressed others are and remember how long you’ve waited for this to happen.
IV. Sharpening Perceptions: Focus on certain elements and block out others.
V. Absorption: Let yourself get totally immersed and try not to think, just sense.
Focusing on the things we have to be grateful for has been proven by researchers in the field of Positive Psychology to increase happiness and satisfaction in life.
Each night this week before you go to sleep, write down three good things that happened that day. Then write why you think each of those things happened.
On one line, write "What happened."
On the next line, write "Why it happened."
"To be mindful is to be truly alive, present, and at one with those around you and with what you are doing." Thich Nhat Hanh
"Do not learn how to react. Learn how to respond." Buddha
“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” Dalai Lama
Buddha was asked, "What have you gained from meditation?" He replied, "Nothing! However, let me tell you what I have lost: Anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death."
"Ask yourself what is really important, and then have the wisdom and courage to build your life around your answer." Unknown
"Love is the bridge between you and everything." Rumi
"A body freed from nervous tension and over-fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well-balanced mind that is always fully capable of successfully meeting all of the complex problems of modern living." Joseph Pilates
"From the moment I sat down with life coach Stacie Cooper and talked about this new journey of life, I knew in my heart that something was definitely right. I have had experience with different counselors and therapy sessions in the previous years, but nothing really made me step back and consider all areas of my life like the sessions with Stacie. Being part of this has helped me with new plans to really focus and think about the current state of each area of life in order to be holistically healthy. I believe that not only is her life coach plan truly successful, I also believe that having such a beautiful soul guiding you in life is definitely the cherry on top. Life coaching sessions are definitely something I can't imagine my life without now. It has truly helped me not only mentally, but also physically and spiritually." -Daiana L., 19 years old
The tapestry of amethyst and gray stretches before me,
A circular path with turns and twists.
I stand at the entrance with questions:
Which way do I go?
Which path do I follow?
Hesitant to begin the journey.
Uncertain of what may be revealed.
A deep breath for courage
Hands clasped before me in strength.
A single step forward
I enter.
I feel the warm textures of the tapestry,
A comforting, soothing touch beneath my feet.
Cautiously, carefully keeping to the narrow path
Following every changing direction
Placing one foot, then the next
Moving closer towards the center.
This ancient sacred path traveled by many
in places near and far,
in times present and long ago,
I share the experience with those walking,
A timeless connection to past, present and future.
All deep in thought, solitude, and contemplation,
Searching for answers in the midst of confusion
Lost within the maze.
My breathing becomes more rhythmic.
An easy natural rate
My mind begins to focus on the constant pace
of walking, breathing,
of just being.
All cares and problems abandoned.
My heart opens to hear the inner voice.
Passing by others, each on their own private quest
Searching for hopes and dreams,
for answers to questions that remain unspoken.
Quietly yielding to those who must stay true to the path.
At times my steps may falter,
I hesitate which direction to turn,
but I return anew to the course.
Step by step, each turn and twist
I progress to the center,
closer to finding my truth.
Steady on the path
to dreams, to healing, and to answers.
Cleansing the mind.
Mending the spirit.
Healing the soul.
At the heart of this labyrinth-- a quiet solitude
A tranquil place to stay, to escape
A respite from the turmoil of the outside world
A place of rest and peace, of renewal.
Time passes swiftly and soon I must depart.
Reluctantly, I leave this haven
with a promise to return again.
A breath to center
Hands free at my sides
Silently, steadily
Following the intricate ancient path
I begin the journey home.
I am met by others on their quest
A respectful glance
A shared smile
A knowing of the common joyous experience.
As I walk the path home
my answer is revealed
Restoring the faith, the belief and the trust
Knowing that in time
the true path will appear.
This time, a new road
a new path
a new way of healing.
I emerge,
Transformed.
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS
Copyright © 2024 Aware and Thriving - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy