Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 132

wednesday well-being

Saturday evening, after a day of the Mindful Leadership Summit and a two-hour nap, I decided to conquer my dining table turned desk. No easy feat. When I begin makeovers like these, the pets and Le Beau tend to take cover, knowing that chaos is about to ensue.

This time, it was organized chaos. I began by adjusting my established creative space set-up near the window to accommodate my daily desk needs versus my occasional stamping, art journaling, and painting. The above pic shows the process with my laptop basking in its very own surface space and piles of pens, markers, and scented pencils, smencils (seriously), being carefully sorted.

Often times we think of well-being as a plant-based diet, yoga, and a beautifully decorated home sans pet hair or underwatered foliage.

I believe well-being includes a bit of chaos to bring about that coveted sense of order.

Sometimes the chaos comes in the form of late-night writing tools strewn about in anticipation of organization. Other times in the form of one too many sugary treats leading to a more nutritious greens-fueled meal to follow.

Allow the mess to be a glorious part of your process.

What small shift would bring about a state of well-being for you today? Is it the tackling of a catch-all drawer? The transition from a hot sugary beverage to green tea? The letting go of a relationship, project, or position that no longer resonates to make space for something new?

Let the messy process be part of the shiny red apple product.

Wishing you well-being today. And every day. Bisous.

mindful monday

You have to manage your inner game (self-inquiry) to manage your outer game (leading others). Circumstances are neutral. Choice is learned through practice. Expectations are planned resentments. Don't act when triggered. Conditioning controls our perception. Our brain is set up to act like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive experiences. Welcome experiencing difficulty, it allows us to practice more. The stressor doesn't cause stress, it's how we relate to it that causes stress. Switch from fight, flight, freeze to attend and befriend. A gesture of kindness changes our biochemistry. Ask, "what's between me and being really present?" Redirection and beginning again is the practice. When you bring awareness to sensation in your body, you are coming to the present moment.
This past weekend I had the privilege of basking in three days of the Mindful Leadership Summit. Although I found myself reaching a saturation point by mid-day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the wisdom shared by each teacher has left me incredibly full. Above showcases a snippet of the many gems I penned based on the various teachings. 

One highlight of the weekend was connecting with Tranquil Space friends and colleagues who were also attending. Note closed eyes due to bliss overload. 
Another highlight was approving the Anthology for printing before dashing out Saturday morning to hear Tara Brach's opening keynote. This time next week, we'll be shipping them off to you!
As I settle in for this week's adventures, I'm determined to keep these nuggets in mind. While listening to the rain pour outside my window and Le Pug snore on my lap, I'm brought back to the present moment. Again. And again.
Wishing you a week infused with the ability to begin again. Over and over. That's where the practice gets juicy and that's what life's about. This very moment. Bisous. x

week in review

kennedy center selfie
it's all about balance
le pug got me flowers
mindfulness talk with eileen fisher and sharon salzberg

week in reviewhosted weekend art + yoga retreatreturned to dc from west virgina taught 4 classestook 2 classesworked with clients at the women's center1-day mindful leadership summitshared things i love sent love notepenned mindful monday shared more sneak peeks at daybookuploaded anthology to printer . . . twicesaw la boheme at the kennedy centerlate night dining with friendsacupuncture
mentoring session therapydaybook ephemera packet coordination released podcast featuring online book club pick authorbiked 7 miles
vegan dinner date at native foods TranquiliT reorganization at tranquil space arlingtonset date for online anthology launch {invites to pre-orderers forthcoming}purchased ticket to costa rica and oklahoma for 2015 travels ordered cutest handmade lavender-infused team holiday giftsfinalized team holiday party details {at elizabeth's on l}
weekend wish listdate night: moth storytelling event 
gym jauntyoga2 more days of mindful leadership summit
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?bisous. x

introducing daybook 3.0

Today my designer uploaded the Anthology for printing while I proclaimed, "Hurry and upload, before I edit again!" Despite editing and pouring love into this 214-page baby for nearly seven months, it's time to let it go to the printer. Fly, fly little one.

We'll be shipping copies out in the next few weeks and I can't wait for you to hold it in your hands. I loved clutching this proof copy to my chest upon arrival.


And, for those who pre-ordered by November 10 (thank you!), you'll be receiving a special invite to our online book launch on Friday, November 28 at 4pm ET. An alternative and oh-so-tranquil way to spend Black Friday!

Now my creative attention turns to tying a bow around our softcover spiral Daybook 3.0 releasing within the next few weeks and shipping in December. Below is a smattering of new layout pages for your perusal.

And the cherry on top? Pre-order your copy today to receive a confetti-filled celebratory packet PLUS an invite to a private online Daybook playshop over the "hollydaze" {if you pre-ordered the bundle, you'll get this perk, too}!


Also, the popular ephemera packet is back and filled with new goodies:
12 1-inch round Kraft stickers for accessorizing your month’s dreams4 retro library cards for decorating your year’s dreams 2 retro library card pockets for storing stickers, receipts, notecards, and more5 colored markers (ballpoint pens are passé)3 oh-so-cute patterned masking sticker sheets15 colorful note tabs for months, projects, and dreams1 roll of washi tape for adding flair1 handmade elastic band to keep your Daybook snug10 mini hang tags for attaching inspirationcolorful foil star stickers because we never outgrow kudos    = all wrapped by hand in a glassine envelope and sealed with love

Thank you for your support of these babies. May they bring you moments of tranquility over the harried hollydaze and beyond. Bisous. x

things i love

image + how-to courtesy of bee in my bonnet1. DIY hot/cold rice bags
image + how-to courtesy of i heart nap time2. button bookmarks
image + how-to courtesy of voyages of the creative variety3. DIY dry erase board
image + how-to courtesy of jader bomb4. sparkly mug
image + how-to courtesy of puppy club
5. DIY stamps

tranquility du jour #325: paris letters

Welcome to the 325th edition of Tranquility du Jour. Today's show features Janice MacLeod-Lik on Paris Letters. You'll learn about her small acts to save up/not spend $100 a day to travel, how her journey led her to living in Paris, and what she's up to now.

Pre-sale bonuses for the Tranquility du Jour Anthology ends tonight and includes:





Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #325: Paris Letters (mp3)

Some early downloads contained episode 324 - if things sound a little familiar, delete and redownload! - Le Beau

Featured Guest: Janice MacLeod-Lik is the author of international bestselling travel memoir Paris Letters. With it, she has inspired thousands of people around the globe to fund their dreams by aiming to save $100 a day. She is also the artist behind a mail subscription service also called Paris Letters where she snail mails painted letters about life in Paris. Her blog has been named Blog of the Month in Canadian Living magazine and she has had airtime on TV shows such as Tyra Banks Show and Movie & A Makeover. She has also been featured in magazines such as Huffington Post, National Geographic, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Chatelaine, Glamour, Flare, Psychologies, Renegade Collective, and Business Insider.

Savvy Sources:Book: Seasonal online book club pick: Paris Letters Blog: janicemacleod.comShop: etsy.com/shop/janiceartshipTranquility du Jour iPhone and Android app
Stay Au Courant:New? Peruse my FAQs.Join moi for a retreat, workshop, e-course, or seasonal podcast.Find moi on Goodreads. Connect on Facebook.Follow on Twitter.  View pics on Instagram @tranquilitydujour.Browse my books.Join the Tranquility du Jour weekly museletter. Read about my passion for pigs.Write 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.

mindful monday

 mindful communication practice  creative play beautiful feno, sharon, lexi, laura, mia, julia, wendy + heather
  resting fireside last night
Bonjour from the woods in West Virginia where we spent the past few days hosting an amazing group of retreaters. 
Stepping out of daily life and into a retreat takes a lot of intention, courage, and planning. There's always something else you should be doing. After all, that to-do list isn't getting any shorter on it's own, right? 
Yet stepping off the hamster wheel to take time for yourself to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect can have profound results on your mental and physical health. 
For example, while setting up for the retreat on Friday, I received an email from a former Tranquil Space employee/yogi stating that without the studio, she didn't think she'd be alive today. 
And retreaters will often share that what they take away from a retreat is so much more than expected. Experiences catered to connecting within changes lives.
Remember, the to-do list will still be there, but this moment will pass. And it passes with every inhale and exhale. Set aside time for non-doing. Start with five minutes a day and build on it. That's how habits, practices . . .  even lives are created. One breath at a time. Bisous. x

week in review

 proof copy, oh my!
an inside peek {note my pic of monet's giverny on the right}
special celebratory packets ready to ship with pre-sale orders
my book *almost* completion {if i ever stop editing} gift to moi
a fave pic from our 15-year fete snapped by dibora
yummy tuscan kale white bean soup

le beau trying out vegan chicken wings at native foods
week in reviewtaught 5 classestook 1 classpart-time work at the women's centermeeting with social work supervisordaily soaks in the tubtwo podcast interviewsreleased sale of 5 e-course bundle sent weekly love notesavored a 6-hour silent meditation daylongreviewed proof copy of anthologysaw awake with tranquil space colleaguesopened tranquility du jour daybook + ephemera {free u.s. shipping} pre-saleate too much candy + wrote about itmade vegan thanksgiving day reservations at native foodsbiked 5 milescall with web designer yummy dinner out at native foodsshared things i love trip to west virginia to host weekend cabin retreatset up cabin for retreatmeeting with TranquiliT seamstress 
weekend wish listhost inspiring retreat
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?bisous. x

wednesday well-being

As I sat my bags down this morning upon arrival to the office, I found this basket of goodies tucked near the chair. Feeling strong, I moved it into the office kitchenette and returned to my seat feeling self-righteous. And, frankly, much more proud of myself than one should over such a small act.

After a few clients, a tasty bowl of veggie chili, and a green juice, I remembered the colorful candies carefully tucked away in the room across the hall. I tiptoed in, stuffed a few Kit Kats into my hands, and savored them in my office. Then back for a few Whoppers. And topped it off with a Peppermint Pattie.

My belly began to ache. In retaliation, I snapped this pic and blamed the office for creating the temptation noting "candy in the office should be illegal. Or self-control should be doled out at birth."

Temptations are tricky little beasts. They may come in the form of candy, wine, books, boys, or technology. While I knew the twinge would pass if I gave it space, today I fell into the chocolatey trap.

Sunday I was strong and took a digital day off while resisting the twinges to check in. I share this to show that sometimes I have a semblance of self-control.

As Viktor Frankl said, "Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Well-being comes when tuning in and resisting the unhealthy twinges, knowing they will pass.

Today my twinge-resistance breakdown led to a belly ache . . . beautifully balanced by green juice. And, after all, it's all about balance. Bisous. x

things i love

1. new tranquility du jour manifesto
 image courtesy of blog lovin2. a sweet formal place setting
image courtesy of who what wear3. tips on tying a head scarf
images courtesy of dibora amanuel4. pics from tranquil space's 15-year fete
5. ways to wear TranquiliT