Mommy’s Minute: Reconnecting with the heart

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

It is almost springtime. The greenery is being reborn, the sun is reawakening the Earth, and spirit of life is anew. As I begin a new chapter in my life, at present, I can’t help but feel aligned with the essence of spring and all that this season of renewal ushers in. I realize though, that since the onset of winter, my mind has been chattering away and I am feeling mentally exhausted.

Winter always seems to be my time for deep reflection, preparation, and stillness. But, since I have faced a lot of difficulties over the past few years, much of my time has been spent in that way. This is the first time where I feel like I am moving out of winter and excited to embrace the energy that spring time brings. Spring for me, is not only about new beginnings, it is also about passion, creativity, love, sweetness;  it is about connecting to the heart of life.

So, this spring, I am committed to getting out of my head and tapping back into my heart. I spend a lot of time thinking about the kind of mother I need to be and preparing for when my children get older. I am also building a life for us, which takes a lot of energy and mental exercise. I am more inclined now, to relax in the moment, enjoy the present, and let go of my “need” to control so much.

I will sink back into the vivid colors of life, enjoy the hearty laughter of my babies, and dance freely if I feel like swaying my hips. I want to take life on as adventure. It is about finding a balance with transforming life and simply allowing life to unfold, naturally. This will make life richer for both me and my children. And the beautiful thing is that children are the best teachers in this regard. Being open in heart, can be as simple as really plugging into the joyful and pure way children experience life.

For Mommy’s Minute, I wanted to share a meditation inspired by Don Miguel Ruiz’s book entitled “Prayers: A Communion with our Creator.” This is a quick exercise and is great for getting reconnected with the heart.

Get into a comfortable sitting position, gently close your eyes, and just take a moment to get centered.

Take a few slow deep breaths in, and as you slowly exhale, allow tension, stress, and thoughts to just fade away.

When you feel relaxed and still, on your next inhalation, imagine that the air you are taking in is love. Let it fill up your lungs. As you exhale, allow the feeling of love to spread through your entire body and let go of any negative feelings, stress, worry, etc. Repeat this as many times that feels good to you.

On your next inhalation, exhale slowly and think of something that brings you joy. Allow this picture to clearly come into your mind. Stay with it and focus in on the feelings (not the thoughts) that arise.

Let those joyful feelings spread through your body; feel an internal smile that connects you to your heart and brings you peace.

Continue breathing, be still, and experience this heart connection.

And when you are ready, you can open your eyes.

You can do this meditation as many times as you like. It is a great way to “get out of your mind and into your heart.”

Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous Spring!