What we Appreciate, Appreciates!

Appreciation is a powerful force. When it comes to deeper relationships, making lasting changes, and generating momentum, using appreciation yields compounded results. Just like money, whatever we appreciate, increases!

This concept comes from the Lightyear Leadership coaching principle, Appreciate Frequently and Specifically. Not only does it allow others in our life to feel deeply seen and recognized, it’s a profound way to talk to our own Selves and bridge inner connection and harmony.

The way this plays out for me is treating it like a mindfulness practice: when I’m giving thanks I remember to be as specific as I can finding something, or several things, that really stood out to me. With myself, throughout my pregnancy, I appreciated my brilliant body for creating, nourishing, and protecting our baby.

Other examples of how we can practice this:

• Thanking a friend for carving out time in her day to go for a walk together because the fresh air and uplifting conversation really reenergized me

• Appreciating myself for taking 15 minutes to tidy up the house because it helps me focus on my other work

• Thanking a co-worker for the way he or she listened intently to a project idea without interjecting

While it may feel slightly uncomfortable or unfamiliar to use this technique this at first, notice the subtle or profound shift that may occur when you do. See if there’s a tangible shift in how you or the other person feels by taking time to recognize, share, and appreciate.

“Every time you praise something, every time you appreciate something, every time you feel good about something, you are telling the Universe, "More of this, Please." - Abraham Hicks

Musings on Meditation

Meditation is the practice of training our attention to be in the present moment. It begins with setting our bodies up in a balanced and grounded way. Typically this looks like sitting on a yoga block or chair so that your hips can be neutral and grounded. The spine is long and I like to imagine a little string gently drawing the crown of my head straight up toward the heavens. Ideally, the chest is relaxed, open and your breathing is smooth and steady with even inhales and exhales.

In meditation, we are working on strengthening our focus and concentration. With deeper concentration comes more insight. Often, we use the breath as our object of attention. We are practicing being willing to unhook from thoughts and return to feeling our breath when the mind wanders off. Each time we notice this and return our attention to our breath, that is a celebration!

I have personally found meditation, overtime, to be a slow surrender to the exact moment I am in. My willingness to let go, settle in, and experience the vastness of life right here, right now becomes stronger.

As a recovering achiever, meditation did not come naturally to me. It felt awkward, unfamiliar and pointless when I first started practicing in 2015. My mind didn’t like the idea of not doing anything, and mentally, it felt a lot like paddling upstream in a raging river.

I would not have been able to begin and sustain a meditation practice if I did not see the benefits of it. I wanted to become someone who felt more grounded in and connected to her body. I wanted to slow down my monkey mind and feel more peaceful and clear in my daily living. Essentially, I no longer wanted to feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off! I knew there must be a better way to operating and practicing meditation seemed like a decent bridge to get there.

What I have discovered is that the more often I take the time to sit, breathe, recenter, and soften into the present moment, the more I feel content with myself and my life. I can find and access gratitude and appreciation more easily, and I feel less anxiety and overwhelm.

If you’re looking to begin a meditation practice or need support on your path, please don’t hesitate to reach out for additional guidance and encouragement. You can set up a 30-minute session here!

Recenter Yourself Post Travel

Have you ever felt discombobulated after getting home from a long-weekend holiday, work-trip, or cross country vacation? Me too.

While I love travel, I’ve found myself at times resentful or ungrateful of travel because of the way I feel trying to reacclimate to daily living afterward. I’ve learned over the years and with the help of coaches in my life that it’s really important to have a post-travel ritual or routine that supports me in getting back to feeling grounded and in flow or else I feel a little like a fish out of water - sometimes for days.

The first thing you might consider is looking at your schedule the day you get back and holding time for your favorite workout or the type of movement that always grounds you. For me this is typically an easy run or a slow, grounding yoga flow class. Give yourself more time than usual and consider viewing this particular movement session as a ritual. I love this definition of ritual: “routine imbued with reverence. Ritual is anything that attunes you to your higher self."

Next, I like to have a really fresh, nutrient-rich first meal home. It sets a tone of vitality and getting back into my rhythm. Sometimes this can be tricky if you’ve been away for a week or longer and your fridge is empty. Perhaps you can give yourself the permission slip to go out and get what your body is asking for until you get to the store to restock.

Lastly, take time on your return travel or when you get home to reflect on your experience. What was it like? What did you do, see, notice, love? What did you learn about yourself on this trip or adventure? If you’re more concerned about getting the bags unpacked and house in order (been there) allow yourself some grace with that and see what if feels like to first digest the whole experience you just had. Like I said, you could also do this by journaling on the airplane home.

I hope this supports you in some small way in your next post travel grounding and re-centering.

Onward and upward,

Maria

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” -Ernest Hemingway.