As Blaze said, this is a very timely and appreciated post. I, too, plan to copy and display the Zen list, as well as to pull out my copy of Tess Ward’s book (and am wondering why I ever reshelved it). I always look forward to your posts.
The Luddites didn't "shun technological innovations that could improve their quality of life" — they protested against the creation and adoption of technology that removed from them the means of production. You probably have more in common with them than you think.
This was a deep slow breath for me this morning, thanks so much! Hit on a number of levels. I have been emotion eating lately, and the idea of reading a prayer prior to a meal kicked in, a way to bring the presence into a pattern that needs to be elevated. A more mindful invitation. Grateful for your words and thoughts today.
Thank you Jan, this post is so full of gems that give me possibilities for contemplating issues and inner questions that are getting louder. I know this article is going to be a big help to me. Grateful for you and your supportive insights!
Hi Cathie, I’m always so grateful when readers let me know something I’ve shared has made an impact in their lives. I hope you’re guided to a simpler, more peaceful life and find the answers to the questions you’ve working with.
Thanks Jan for showing up for us with your calm presence. I appreciate you, and your wealth of resources that you share. I've been feeling a need to create more rituals to add some
structure to my life. It has been a missing element in my left since I stepped away organized religion. Love the Zen list; it's like a buffet of self care options!
Hi Mary, one of the most difficult things to live through is the crumbling of societal institutions. It leaves a vacuum we must fill as individuals or small self-created communities of likeminded people. Personal, daily rituals do help especially when they are modeled after practices that are long established. The round of daily prayers, the “divine hours” have a long history and we can enter into them just as our ancestors did.
What a wonderful way to help bring calm and order into our days. I took a screen shot of the list to put where I will see it every time I enter the bathroom.
You have inspired me to use a new perspective as I move through each day. I have needed a new approach as the rut I am digging out of isn’t working. Thank you.
Ohhhh, I loved reading this so so much! Thank you. I think I will take your Zen Things list and create an artful version of it to hang over my own desk. What a gift all of this is.
As Blaze has said, this is so timely. I vacillate between profound worry and trying to breathe calm and peace into the world and my own heart. Thank you for the list of resources and practice ideas. I will be referencing this post again.
Hi Roseanne, I’m glad today’s post was beneficial for you. I find that one way to slay the “worry dragon” is to begin the practice of distinguishing between “concern” and “worry”. They are qualitatively different and I’ve discovered that more things warrant concern and fewer require true worry. Also, there is a saying “those who worry suffer twice” which really rings true for me and helps me release worry when it shows up. Keep breathing and pursuing inner calm even if it feels elusive.
Thanks so much for this post—I feel the same about a need for simplicity and calm and I love my moments of solitude. Thank you for the book suggestions. I also appreciated your recent post about art journaling—it inspired me to start my own! I was missing a creative practice, particularly one that is low stress and just meant to be fun. Thank you for all that you share here.
Hello Julie, I’m delighted that you’re inspired to weave creative time into your life. I find it can be an antidote to many stressful, negative and difficult situations and feelings we encounter. Time to creatively play without expectations or demands opens up a field of joyful experiences that is truly healing.
I absolutely loved this! I'm not a Christian by any stretch of the imagination, but I would certainly be drawn to being one of those who "pray". This feels very much in line with older communities: shamanic, druidic and the like. Even the local medicine person living at the edges would've had that as part of their role perhaps. Thanks for a great piece.
A very timely post when so many people, including myself, feel a need for more simplicity in their lives. I like your Zen list and intend to steal it shamelessly 🙂 There is always room for improvement, and for me it is unquestionably #1! Thank you for sharing it.
You are very welcome to “steal” the Zen Things list. A friend shared it with me years ago, but it wasn’t her original creation, she had come across it somewhere. I don’t know it’s origin but I do know it’s really helpful and wise advice.
As Blaze said, this is a very timely and appreciated post. I, too, plan to copy and display the Zen list, as well as to pull out my copy of Tess Ward’s book (and am wondering why I ever reshelved it). I always look forward to your posts.
The Luddites didn't "shun technological innovations that could improve their quality of life" — they protested against the creation and adoption of technology that removed from them the means of production. You probably have more in common with them than you think.
This was a deep slow breath for me this morning, thanks so much! Hit on a number of levels. I have been emotion eating lately, and the idea of reading a prayer prior to a meal kicked in, a way to bring the presence into a pattern that needs to be elevated. A more mindful invitation. Grateful for your words and thoughts today.
This was such a well timed read for me. Thanks you. I hope it's ok to share with my teenagers too.
Share far and wide! I’m glad this was a timely piece for you.
Thank you Jan, this post is so full of gems that give me possibilities for contemplating issues and inner questions that are getting louder. I know this article is going to be a big help to me. Grateful for you and your supportive insights!
Hi Cathie, I’m always so grateful when readers let me know something I’ve shared has made an impact in their lives. I hope you’re guided to a simpler, more peaceful life and find the answers to the questions you’ve working with.
Thanks Jan for showing up for us with your calm presence. I appreciate you, and your wealth of resources that you share. I've been feeling a need to create more rituals to add some
structure to my life. It has been a missing element in my left since I stepped away organized religion. Love the Zen list; it's like a buffet of self care options!
Hi Mary, one of the most difficult things to live through is the crumbling of societal institutions. It leaves a vacuum we must fill as individuals or small self-created communities of likeminded people. Personal, daily rituals do help especially when they are modeled after practices that are long established. The round of daily prayers, the “divine hours” have a long history and we can enter into them just as our ancestors did.
What a wonderful way to help bring calm and order into our days. I took a screen shot of the list to put where I will see it every time I enter the bathroom.
You have inspired me to use a new perspective as I move through each day. I have needed a new approach as the rut I am digging out of isn’t working. Thank you.
I’m delighted that you think the Zen Things list will help you! Give it a try.
Ohhhh, I loved reading this so so much! Thank you. I think I will take your Zen Things list and create an artful version of it to hang over my own desk. What a gift all of this is.
As Blaze has said, this is so timely. I vacillate between profound worry and trying to breathe calm and peace into the world and my own heart. Thank you for the list of resources and practice ideas. I will be referencing this post again.
Thank you, Jan.
Hi Roseanne, I’m glad today’s post was beneficial for you. I find that one way to slay the “worry dragon” is to begin the practice of distinguishing between “concern” and “worry”. They are qualitatively different and I’ve discovered that more things warrant concern and fewer require true worry. Also, there is a saying “those who worry suffer twice” which really rings true for me and helps me release worry when it shows up. Keep breathing and pursuing inner calm even if it feels elusive.
Thanks so much for this post—I feel the same about a need for simplicity and calm and I love my moments of solitude. Thank you for the book suggestions. I also appreciated your recent post about art journaling—it inspired me to start my own! I was missing a creative practice, particularly one that is low stress and just meant to be fun. Thank you for all that you share here.
Hello Julie, I’m delighted that you’re inspired to weave creative time into your life. I find it can be an antidote to many stressful, negative and difficult situations and feelings we encounter. Time to creatively play without expectations or demands opens up a field of joyful experiences that is truly healing.
I absolutely loved this! I'm not a Christian by any stretch of the imagination, but I would certainly be drawn to being one of those who "pray". This feels very much in line with older communities: shamanic, druidic and the like. Even the local medicine person living at the edges would've had that as part of their role perhaps. Thanks for a great piece.
Yes, indeed! Lives and communities need their “praying” members whatever that may be. It’s human, and it’s needed.
A very timely post when so many people, including myself, feel a need for more simplicity in their lives. I like your Zen list and intend to steal it shamelessly 🙂 There is always room for improvement, and for me it is unquestionably #1! Thank you for sharing it.
You are very welcome to “steal” the Zen Things list. A friend shared it with me years ago, but it wasn’t her original creation, she had come across it somewhere. I don’t know it’s origin but I do know it’s really helpful and wise advice.