This morning I listened to a podcast with Dr. Sue Varma, based upon her book, Practical Optimism. She spoke of the “4 M’s of Mental Health:” Mindfulness, Movement, Mastery and Meaningful Engagement…all elements to support our exploration of purpose, meaning, and balance in life. I’ve been thinking a lot about this concept of purpose throughout the many miles I have logged, including during a roadtrip last weekend that is depicted in the image above. Lots to think about.
I look forward to checking out the book and encourage you to do the same. This week I share some resources from some workshops I am leading to help inform your approach to our shared exploration…like the image above, our awareness evolves. Blessings on your week ahead!
Awe and Mindfulness in Leadership
Everyday awe is a basic human need. Awe signals an awareness of vast thigs that unite us with others. Awe…heightens our awareness of being part of a community, of feeling embraced and supported by others.
It is hard to imagine a single thing you can do that is better for your body and mind [and spirit] than finding awe in your environment that surrounds you.
-adapted from Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder (2023)
Reflection on Gratitude
I’ve been thinking about the way, when you walk down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs to let you by. Or how strangers still say “bless you” when someone sneezes, a leftover from the Bubonic plague. “Don’t die,” we are saying.
And sometimes, when you spill lemons from your grocery bag, someone else will help you pick them up. Mostly, we don’t want to harm each other. We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot, and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile at them and for them to smile back. For the waitress to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder, and for the driver in the red pick-up truck to let us pass.
We have so little of each other, now. So far from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange. What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here, have my seat,” “Go ahead—you first,” “I like your hat.” – From “Small Kindnessses,” by Danusha Laméris
Keeping the Faith 