Exercise 4: BE Still

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Barbara Banks

Exercise 4: BE

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) says:

Be still, and know that I am God…

I love the directive from something greater than I to BE STILL.

Get out your journal and contemplate these questions:

What does it mean to you to BE STILL? Does it mean to STILL your body or your mind or both?
What would it look like for your body to BE STILL?
What would it look like if your mind was STILL?
What activities do you do to STILL your MIND; to STILL your BODY?
Is it hard for you to BE STILL? Why?
Read these quotes and write out what they are saying to you:
- All creativity requires some stillness. –Wayne Dyer
- Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance. –Morgan Freeman
- Being still and doing nothing are two completely different things. –Jackie Chan
What do you think would happen if your body was STILL? If your mind was STILL?
What can you do in the next couple weeks to BE STILL in body and mind?

Feel free to share what BE STILL means to you in the comments.

Cheering You onto a Whole Stilled Heart,
Barbara

Exercise 3: BE Here Now

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Barbara Banks

Welcome to Exercise 3: BE Here Now.

BE HERE NOW is a book by Ram Dass that discusses learning to be in the present moment.

Being present means that instead of being focused on what happened yesterday or what could happen tomorrow, you are simply here, now. It’s about getting off autopilot and becoming aware of the automatic actions and reactions you are used to, and finding a place of clarity and calm. The present moment offers peace.

Many times through out a day, we can find ourselves snagged in an unpleasant emotion. Many of which are caused by our mind going into “the land of stories” whether they be from a past event or a future wondering. Sometimes these stories seem like the present, yet still cause us to dwell in a negative emotion or mood.

Getting up in the morning and having dread about going to work can be an example. Yes, it is true that you may feel dread, yet what and where is your mind wandering to? What stories are being spun in your mind that are bringing about the dread?

While those are great questions, the exercise for the next couple weeks is to notice when you are caught in an unpleasant emotion and become present by practicing these two techniques:

Stop and take three slow, deep breaths. You can do this with your eyes open or closed. Concentrate on feeling the air of your breath as it goes in and out your body. Bring your attention solely to your breath. OR
Stop and look around, wherever you are, and start naming the objects you see. I see a chair, a dish, a spoon, a tree, etc. Bring your attention to naming all the things you see in your line of vision.

Take note of what happens to the emotional snag as you do this. Notice if the feeling diminishes and, even if for a moment, you feel calm and peace.

Cheering You On to a Whole Be Present Heart,
Barbara

CHECK IN Week 44: I Like Your _____

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Barbara Banks

Checking in on Week 44‘s task of “I Like Your _____.”

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment…someone who says, “I like your _______.”

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

(Of course, be reasonable. I’m not sure you want to give someone your dress or pants unless you have another handy to put on.)

How is it going?

How do you feel about this task in general?

What feelings pop up just thinking about doing this task?

Does it have to do with actually giving something away, the interaction, the whole idea?

Are you wearing things that you know you could give up if someone complimented you on it?

How likely are you to do this task?

If this task seems hard to you, what would make it easier?

I sure wish we were in a room with a group of us to have a discussion about this. I think it would be interesting.

My guess is that many of us have more than enough things, so giving something away wouldn’t be hard.

I’m also thinking that many of us have big hearts, so giving wouldn’t be an issue.

Maybe it would be how the other would respond to you giving them something right on the spot. Or maybe there is concern over what you’d have to give away, especially if it was a gift, had sentimental value, cost a good deal, or took you a long time to find.

This task is really more about self-awareness in regards to your possessions.

Do you feel attached to your items and find it difficult to let go?

That isn’t unusual. We can get attached to things. We can also get attached to people, the past, poor habits, unhelpful thought patterns, and the like.

An unusual phenomenon is, as you start to let go of possessions, you will be able to let go in other areas of your life as well.

A giving, less attached, more letting go heart is important in being a Lighter More Loving You.

Here is an interesting article by Leo Babauta, if you’d like to grow your awareness around you and your possessions: How to Let Go of Any Possession

Cheering You on to a Whole Letting Go Heart,
Barbara

2018 Week 44: I Like Your _____

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Barbara Banks

Week 44’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is “I Like Your ________.”

This is the season of giving.

give–a verb:

–to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to

Many times people will compliment something on your person as a way to connect or just express their liking of something you have on.

“I like your _( scarf, shoes, sweater, coat, tie, necklace, watch, purse, etc.).”

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment.

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

(Of course, be reasonable. I’m not sure you want to give someone your dress or pants unless you have another handy to put on.)

Sometimes someone will express a liking of your hair, smile,or sense of humor. These would be hard to GIVE away, so have something ready to give instead.

Maybe…

a compliment…which means you need to be ready at any moment to give a true compliment back to people you are interacting with,
a hug,
a pack of gum,
a gift card?

Take note how hard this might be for you to give up something you possess.

Maybe giving compliments to another is harder than giving up your watch.

Maybe giving a hug is even harder than giving a gift card.

Have fun with this.

Practice awareness.

Practice giving.

Practice letting go.

Feel free to share in the comments what you gave away and how it felt.

Whole Heart Life

Bringing Your Spiritual Being into Your Human Living

Category Archives: Mindfulness

Exercise 4: BE Still

Get out your journal and contemplate these questions:

Exercise 3: BE Here Now

Welcome to Exercise 3: BE Here Now.

Cheering You On to a Whole Be Present Heart,
Barbara

CHECK IN Week 44: I Like Your _____

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment…someone who says, “I like your _______.”

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

A giving, less attached, more letting go heart is important in being a Lighter More Loving You.

Cheering You on to a Whole Letting Go Heart,
Barbara

2018 Week 44: I Like Your _____

Week 44’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is “I Like Your ________.”

give–a verb:

–to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment.

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

Cheering You on to a Whole Giving Heart,

Barbara

Get out your journal and contemplate these questions:

Welcome to Exercise 3: BE Here Now.

Cheering You On to a Whole Be Present Heart, Barbara

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment…someone who says, “I like your _______.”

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

A giving, less attached, more letting go heart is important in being a Lighter More Loving You.

Cheering You on to a Whole Letting Go Heart, Barbara

Week 44’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is “I Like Your ________.”

give–a verb:

–to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to

This week’s task is to GIVE something to the next person who gives you a compliment.

Here is the real challenge, give that person the actual thing they compliment you about.

Do this for just ONE, the NEXT, person who gives you a compliment about something you have on.

If someone compliments you on your scarf, give them your scarf.

Cheering You on to a Whole Giving Heart,

Barbara

Cheering You On to a Whole Be Present Heart,
Barbara

Cheering You on to a Whole Letting Go Heart,
Barbara