Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 111
November 20, 2015
Doses of Tranquility
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The post Doses of Tranquility appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Bonjour
This week I received the sweetest notes about the Daybook:
“Your Daybook is sensational–I can barely wait for 2016 so I can use it. The cover is amazing and it is such a quality creative masterpiece! I know my friend will love it too!” — Gail
“I walked my two dogs to the mailbox today (.25 miles from our house) and I could not get home fast enough once I saw that your Daybook had arrived. It definitely curbed their sniff and stretch time and got this 47-year-old to speed walk. I made a cup of tea and then came right to my art room and have been moving into the Daybook ever since. Dinner may not get made… Sorry dear fam, but my soul, stamps and markers are surely being fed right now.”–Kristin
“What is this magic of a planner?! I’m in love with it. Another triumph, Kimberly. I’m officially a convert.”– Missy
“I surprised the postman when I swung the front door open and broke out in a HUGE smile when I saw the package!! Kimberly Wilson, it is really beautiful!” –Sam
Your purchase helps support a petite female-owned business, a veteran-owned firm who prints in America, a graphic designer, an entire barnyard of rescue animals at Farm Sanctuary, and the planting of 500 trees in Indonesia. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
In addition to shipping Daybooks and working on the upcoming e-course {releases 11/30}, I interviewed three lovely ladies for upcoming podcasts, saw multiple clients at The Women’s Center, hosted a two-hour corporate mini-retreat, mourned Paris, volunteered at Hospice, heard Cheryl Strayed speak {takeaways in Monday’s Love Note}, watched two great movies {listed below in Savvy Sources}, spent time on the yoga mat, met with my writing teacher and had “aha”s, and procured tickets to two Garth Brooks’ Baltimore shows {Oklahoma boy!}.
In between coloring Saturday night, I also found a sweet 25-acre farm in Virginia for sale for a song and dreamed of Tranquil Space Pig and Pug Animal Sanctuary. Tim reminded me that they require 24/7 care and we’re away a bit at this time in our lives. Um, good point.
The dream remains as a planted seed. Water and sunlight will help bring it to fruition at the right time.
A Peek into This Week
Coloring before
Coloring after
Mookie fireside
Sixth and I awaiting Cheryl Strayed
Savvy Sources
How to Live in a Tiny House Without Killing Your Husband
Mindfulness Builds Grey Matter in the Brain
Uncertainty and Our Search for Meaning
Famous Advice on Writing
Movies: The End of the Tour and Spotlight
Ted Talk: All It Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes and Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.
Weekend Wish List
Serve at Hospice
Feed pigs at Poplar Spring’s Thanksgiving for the Turkeys
Practice yoga
Renwick Gallery date with girlfriend
Co-teach Biz of Yoga workshop
Time with writing group
Sit fireside
Read
Write
What’s on your weekend wish list? Bisous. x
The post Week in Review {Pics + Links} appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 19, 2015
Tranquilosophy: Bed Day
Week 46: Bed Day
Every few months I’ll toss aside my to-dos and crawl under the covers to declare Bed Day. It’s my form of waving a white flag. I’m cooked, possibly to a delicate crisp, and need to hit the reset button surrounded by my favorite things.
Soft linens, big bottle of water, a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, journal, pen, thermos of hot tea, and a pile of books is all that’s needed to make this happen.
Truth be told, I’ve also been known to pull my mattress in front of the fireplace to have a full-fledged sensory experience. It’s all about the details.
The term Bed Day came up over a decade ago when I would try to take Sundays off. Out of exhaustion, I would often stay in bed wearing whatever I’d slept in surrounded by my planner and laptop trying to sort out big picture problems.
Over the years I’ve realized that this is not the way to rest (yep, slow learner) and save strategy and brainstorming for when I’m feeling fresh and energized.
A Bed Day is your opportunity to put laundry, groceries, work, others’ demands, and family obligations on hold while you rest and gain perspective—ultimately allowing you to be much more present for others and life’s challenges.
Read the rest of this piece by signing up for Love Notes. Already signed up? Unlock Tranquil Treasures and click on the 52 Weeks tab.
52 Weeks of Tranquility
A complimentary program is designed to help us stay motivated and engaged in 2015. Only 6 weeks left!
To find support and community, join our private Facebook group and use hashtag #52weekstranquility to create additional online connections.
Connect live by calling in to Seasonal Tranquilosophy podcasts. Our next one is the New Year, New You jumpstart on January 4, 2016.
Can’t join us live? Recordings are available.
The post Tranquilosophy: Bed Day appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 16, 2015
Tranquility du Jour #354: The Good Karma Diet with Victoria Moran
The Good Karma Diet with Victoria Moran. Learn what the good karma diet is, how it impacts our bodies and minds and affects the aging process, and how to eat plant-based even if you live far from Whole Foods.
Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #354: The Good Karma Diet with Victoria Moran
Featured Guest: 
Victoria Moran has been a Main Street Vegan® for 31 years and is an obesity survivor, maintaining a 60+-pound weight loss for all this time. She’s the bestselling author of twelve books, including Creating a Charmed Life (in 30 languages around the world) and the plant-based weight loss classic, The Love-Powered Diet, and the iconic Main Street Vegan. Her latest book is The Good Karma Diet: Eat Gently, Feel Amazing, Age in Slow Motion. Her college thesis became Compassion the Ultimate Ethic: An Exploration of Veganism, originally published in 1985 and the first work on vegan philosophy and practice to come from a major publisher. Victoria is also an inspirational speaker, corporate spokesperson, certified holistic health counselor (HHC, AADP), graduate of the T. Colin Campbell Foundation/eCornell program in plant-based nutrition, host of the Main Street Vegan radio show/podcast, awarded Outstanding Vegan Media Outlet 2015, and founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy, training and certifying vegan lifestyle coaches.
Victoria appeared twice on The Oprah Winfrey Show and she’s one of the celebrity coaches for PCRM’s 21-Day Vegan Kickstart. Her articles have appeared in Yoga Journal, Mothering, Natural Health, Woman’s Day, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living, VegNews, and Vegetarian Times. Her work has been noted in USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, Self, Elle, Glamour, Allure, and O, the Oprah Magazine. She was named Vegan of the Year 2012, sharing that honor with male counterpart Michael Greger, MD, and she speaks extensively for vegetarian/vegan festivals, health events, women’s conferences, associations, corporations, and religious groups
Moran lives with her husband, writer and musician, William Melton, in a LEED-certified green condominium in New York City’s thriving Harlem neighborhood. They’re co-writers of the feature film in pre-production, Miss Liberty, and co-humans to a rescue-dog, Forbes.
Savvy Sources:
Website: mainstreetvegan.net
Facebook: facebook.com/mainstreetvegan
Twitter: @victoria_moran
Instagram: instagram.com/mainstreetvegan
Podcast: Main Street Vegan
Books: The Good Karma Diet and more
First interview with Victoria on Tranquility du Jour {#240}
Main Street Vegan Academy {I participated in August 2013}
Join my complimentary 52 Weeks of Tranquility Program
Tranquilosophy Fall Seasonal Podcast mp3
Fall’s online book club pick: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sign up for weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
Podcast app: Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android
Upcoming Events:
Mini Retreat in DC: December 31
2016
Art + Asana in Costa Rica: February 13-20
8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in DC: Starts February 26
Art + Yoga in West Virginia: May 13-15
Penning in Paris: June 6-10
Art + Asana in Tuscany: Fall TBA
Writing in the Woods: October TBA
Stay Connected:
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs.
Tranquility University E-courses.
Read along on Goodreads.
Connect on Facebook.
Follow on Twitter.
Pin along on Pinterest.
Eye candy on Instagram.
Browse my books.
Read about my passion for animals.
Pen a review on iTunes.
Techy:
To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast automagically on iOS or Android.
The post Tranquility du Jour #354: The Good Karma Diet with Victoria Moran appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 13, 2015
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Bonjour
This week was Week 45 of 52 Weeks of Tranquility. Amazing how quickly 2015 has gone. I guess we say this every year {especially as we get older}, but this one seems to have been particularly fast. I mean, how is it already holiday time?
Counting the weeks through the 52 Weeks of Tranquility offering has helped put the speed into perspective and serves as a gentle reminder to slow.
I think it may be my theme for the year ahead. Slow. Down. Take the time to savor experiences, meals, connections, and moments.
Tranquility du Jour Daybook 4.0‘s are en route. They were delivered to Tranquil Space on a big pallet, so Tim and I hauled them inside and placed them into envelopes decorated with a sticker and washi tape. It’s the little things.
Next we transported them home, inserted thoughtful reusable treats, sealed, addressed, and dropped them at the Post Office. It was a group effort. Although they shipped Tuesday, Wednesday was a holiday in the US so the first recipients had them in their mailboxes yesterday. I’ve already heard from a few of you!
Please share your receipt and unveiling by snapping a photo and posting online (#tdjdaybook) or emailing it to me. I love seeing them in their new happy homes. It’s truly my favorite edition yet.
Thank you so much for your support. We have 50 copies left and a reminder that the Daybook e-course launches November 30.
A Peek into Last Week’s Journey
Tranquility du Jour Daybook 4.0 arrived
Tranquility du Jour Daybook 4.0 shipped
A yummy new green tea blend with rose, chamomile, and lavender
Tranquil Space
Mookie pensive
Jackson confused
Savvy Sources
How to Take the Perfect Instagram Photo
Vegan Thanksgiving in an Hour
Couple Lives on 6% of Their Income So They Can Donate 100K to Charity
The Art of Observation
How to Write with Style: 8 Tips by Kurt Vonnegut
What People Think and What Really Counts by Dani Shapiro
Henry Millers 11 Commandments of Writing and Daily Creative Routine
Weekend Wish List
Serve at Hospice
Savor movie date night with Tim
Experience 3 doses of yoga
Teach inspiring mindfulness workshop
Tea time with girlfriend
Productive Directors’ meeting
Write
The post Week in Review {Pics + Links} appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
Week in Pics + Savvy Sources
Bonjour
This week was Week 45 of 52 Weeks of Tranquility. Amazing how quickly 2015 has gone. I guess we say this every year {especially as we get older}, but this one seems to have been particularly fast. I mean, how is it already holiday time?
Counting the weeks through the 52 Weeks of Tranquility offering has helped put the speed into perspective and serves as a gentle reminder to slow.
I think it may be my theme for the year ahead. Slow. Down. Take the time to savor experiences, meals, connections, and moments.
Tranquility du Jour Daybook 4.0‘s are en route. They were delivered to Tranquil Space on a big pallet, so Tim and I hauled them inside and placed them into envelopes decorated with a sticker and washi tape. It’s the little things.
Next we transported them home, inserted thoughtful reusable treats, sealed, addressed, and dropped them at the Post Office. It was a group effort. Although they shipped Tuesday, Wednesday was a holiday in the US so the first recipients had them in their mailboxes yesterday. I’ve already heard from a few of you!
Please share your receipt and unveiling by snapping a photo and posting online (#tdjdaybook) or emailing it to me. I love seeing them in their new happy homes. It’s truly my favorite edition yet.
Thank you so much for your support. We have 50 copies left and a reminder that the Daybook e-course launches November 30.
A Peek into Last Week’s Journey
Tranquility du Jour Daybook 4.0 arrived
Tranquility du Jour Daybook 4.0 shipped
A yummy new green tea blend with rose, chamomile, and lavender
Tranquil Space
Mookie pensive
Jackson confused
Savvy Sources
How to Take the Perfect Instagram Photo
Vegan Thanksgiving in an Hour
Couple Lives on 6% of Their Income So They Can Donate 100K to Charity
The Art of Observation
How to Write with Style: 8 Tips by Kurt Vonnegut
What People Think and What Really Counts by Dani Shapiro
Henry Millers 11 Commandments of Writing and Daily Creative Routine
Weekend Wish List
Serve at Hospice
Savor movie date night with Tim
Experience 3 doses of yoga
Teach inspiring mindfulness workshop
Tea time with girlfriend
Productive Directors’ meeting
Write
The post Week in Pics + Savvy Sources appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 12, 2015
Tranquilosophy: Disconnect
Week 45: Disconnect
Look around at the faces hiding behind screens, bodies walking into traffic with eyes glued to tiny screens, and couples dining across from each other at restaurants with phones in hand.
I, too, am guilty of this constant connection at times and I don’t like it. Yet, I find myself reaching for my beloved iPhone more often than necessary—between clients, after classes, in the elevator, and random moments in between.
I’ll bet you can relate. How do we befriend our tech toys so that they enhance our lives rather than distract?
Some Sundays I try digital days off (an entire day offline) and notice the urge to reach for my phone out of habit. If I can resist the urge, it subsides and I’m able to go on without having to deal with what’s waiting in my inbox. That’s for Monday.
Another helpful shift is not reaching for my phone first thing in the morning. I charge it in another room, so it isn’t by the side of the bed waiting for me when I wake up. This allows me to focus on my priorities before others’ and start my day refueling by walking Mookie, making tea, and reviewing my Daybook for the day’s MITs {Most Important Tasks}.
One University of Derby study found that one in eight were addicted to their smartphones and that the average user spends 3.6 hours per day on their device. A University of Missouri study found that iPhone separation anxiety caused physical responses and diminished cognitive skills.
Read the rest of this piece by signing up for Love Notes. Already signed up? Unlock Tranquil Treasures and click on the 52 Weeks tab.
52 Weeks of Tranquility
A complimentary program is designed to help us stay motivated and engaged in 2015. Only 7 weeks left!
To find support and community, join our private Facebook group and use hashtag #52weekstranquility to create additional online connections.
Connect live by calling in to Seasonal Tranquilosophy podcasts. Our next one is the New Year, New You jumpstart on January 4, 2016.
Can’t join us live? Recordings are available.
The post Tranquilosophy: Disconnect appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 11, 2015
Saturday’s Celebration for the Turkeys
Saturday afternoon Tim and I headed to Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary’s Celebration for the Turkeys event. I was delighted to see the event written up in The Washington Post the next day.
We sipped organic, vegan wine in a dank wine cellar lit by twinkle lights with Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur. After a yummy glass of sparkling rosé and Pinot Grigio, we headed straight to the pigs. I simply couldn’t wait another minute.
As you’ll see from the photos above, the pigs don’t share the same level of excitement for me that I have for them. I mean, they usually stay sleeping, snort, snore, and grunt when I stalk them. If they’re younger, they typically run from me. I think I’m a bit too, well, assertive in my enthusiasm.
We roasted vegan s’mores by a campfire, sat on wood stumps to listen to live music, met other rescued animals, enjoyed the turkey feeding, and consumed a large vegan meal inside a towering white tent.
The turkey feeding included cranberries and lettuce to honor the three rescues. The turkeys were timid to start and then seemed to soak up the limelight by taking food out of kids’ hands and strutting. Who knew their feathers were so majestic?! I’d never seen a turkey so dolled up. Clearly I’m used to seeing the more toned down females.
These rescue animals are blessed with a happy home at Burleigh Manor—only a 45-minute drive from DC.
And, yes, the wheels are already turning to host an event there in the spring. Animals, yoga, and mindfulness? Don’t mind if I do! Bisous. x
The post Saturday’s Celebration for the Turkeys appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 9, 2015
Tranquility du Jour #353: Wild Women, Wild Voices
Wild Women, Wild Voices with Judy Reeves. Learn how to deal with your critic, write about your shadow side, and tap into your senses with writing.
Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #353: Wild Women, Wild Voices
Enjoy this Washington Post article I mention about the Celebration for the Turkeys event.
Featured Guest:
Judy Reeves is a writer, te
acher, and writing practice provocateur who has written four books on writing. Her work has appeared in magazines, journals, and anthologies and on the spoken word compilation First Friday: Year 3. She has edited several books and chapbooks, including Brown Bag Anthology, a collection of writings from the first five years of her writing practice groups at The Writing Center, a nonprofit literary arts organization, which she cofounded.
In addition to leading writing practice groups, which she has done for over seventeen years, Judy holds private workshops, teaches at University of California San Diego Extension; San Diego Writers, Ink; and writing conferences internationally. She is a regular speaker at the Southern California Writers Conferences, where she is especially known for her lively, late-night Rogues read-and-critique workshops. In 2004, she cofounded San Diego Writers, Ink, with a committed group of volunteers, and served as its executive director.
Born in the Midwest, Judy has traveled throughout the world. She is forever grateful to her father for bringing their family to San Diego, where she currently lives.
Savvy Sources:
Website: judyreeveswriter.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/judyreeveswriter
Twitter: twitter.com/judyreeveswrite
Join my complimentary 52 Weeks of Tranquility Program
Tranquilosophy Fall Seasonal Podcast mp3
Fall’s online book club pick: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sign up for weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
Podcast app: Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android
Upcoming Events:
Mini Retreat in DC: December 31
2016
Art + Asana in Costa Rica: February 13-20
8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in DC: Starts February 26
Art + Yoga in West Virginia: May 13-15
Penning in Paris: June 6-10
Art + Asana in Tuscany: Fall TBA
Writing in the Woods: October TBA
Stay Connected:
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs.
Tranquility University E-courses.
Read along on Goodreads.
Connect on Facebook.
Follow on Twitter.
Pin along on Pinterest.
Eye candy on Instagram.
Browse my books.
Read about my passion for animals.
Pen a review on iTunes.
Techy:
To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast automagically on iOS or Android.
The post Tranquility du Jour #353: Wild Women, Wild Voices appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
November 7, 2015
Week in Review {Pics + Links}
Bonjour
This week was a smattering of volunteering, penning dreams, baking {oh my!}, doing yoga, teaching, writing, seeing clients, and enjoying TWO date nights with Tim.
In between I released a podcast on being overwhelmed {anyone relate?}, saw the latest Steve Jobs movie, listened to Drew Barrymore talk about her new book at Sixth and I, met with a Studio Director over masala tea at Pansaari, and sent a resource-filled eblast to my TranquiliT subscribers.
My overarching focus for the week was regaining control of my schedule to ensure more whole foods {less pizza}, daily meditation, and rising at 7am to write.
While I didn’t get it right each day, I remind myself that it’s often two steps forward, one step back. Coupled with a BIG dose of effort and self-care, of course.
Wishing you a delicious transition into your weekend. Bisous. x
A Peek into Last Week’s Journey
Taking a me moment between appointments
Heels, Parfait Pants and Riesling
Mookie in his hoodie
Stopped to snap fall foliage outside Hospice before volunteering
Vegan cheese {thanks Tim} + rose tea for breakfast {don’t judge}
Vegan pumpkin scone baking
Savvy Sources
The Irony of Attachment
NY Times: Tracey Stewart’s Animal Planet
Cheryl Strayed on Writing
NY Times: Lady Gaga and the Life of Passion
Borneo is Burning: Support Red Apes
Cheryl Strayed Writing Prompts
Everything Doesn’t Happen for a Reason
Tracey Stewart on NPR: Life After The Daily Show is All About the Animals
What I’m Reading
From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
The Gift of Therapy by Irvin Yalom
{More on Goodreads}
Weekend Wish list
Yummy yoga
Teach inspiring mindfulness workshop
Brunch dates with girlfriends
Miss You Already matinee with girlfriend
Decorate envelopes for shipping Daybooks
Savor time with the animals at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary
The post Week in Review {Pics + Links} appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.
