Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 134

mindful monday

Bonjour Mindful Monday.

While basking in Sunday's 2.5-hour Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, there were a few gems I penned into my pink notebook with intentions of sharing with you today.

Here is the list of the takeaways:

* Note your intention for speaking.
* Recognize that you're not stuck in traffic, you ARE the traffic.
* Most of challenges in communication are what we bring to it.
* Anything you resist is exhausting. In resisting is where suffering happens.
* Denying the experience you're having is a form of self-violence.
* We get in trouble when we drag stuff from the past into the present moment.
* Button pushers are your best teachers.
* Stop allowing others to be responsible for your life experience.
* Pema Chodron encourages us to speak in the present moment and first tense.
* People misbehave or act out because they don't feel that they are being seen.

All of these nuggets could be a blog post or even a book. Do any of them resonate with you? I'm fond of the reminder about traffic and button pushers. Ah, beautiful reminders. Again and again.

Wishing you a tranquil and mindful week ahead. Bisous. x

To learn more, tune into the Mindfulness: Tranquility Within DIY E-course.

week in review

new pink pug umbrella {merci, marjorie!}
his/hers brunch libations
my helpful assistant, le pug
october dreams
buddhaful
neo-impressionism selfie at the phillips collection
week in reviewtaught 5 classes {1 for charity, raised $90 for tranquil space foundation}took 2 classes and one 2-hour workshopcall with studio directors re: 15-year fetecall with teacher directorhosted writing group at chez moimani/pedi2.5 hour mindfulness-based stress reduction classtea date with girlfriend in town meeting with social work supervisorlunch date + neo-impressionism with girlfriendbrunch with le beaudinner with girlfriend in townwork at the women's centerdaybook and anthology edits call with graphic designerpenned tranquilosophypenned wednesday well-beingshared things i lovewent wild pinning on pinterestreleased podcast on wish alchemysavored kale chips and green juicesslept tons 
weekend wish listsafe travels to florida for garth brooks concertsavor time in the sun while singing alongcelebrate le pug's 10-year birthday {with a pink doggie cake}heaps of photo finalization for anthologyhost inspiring 3.5-hour teacher training segmentlearn oodles at 2.5-hour mindfulness-based stress reductionyoga
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?bisous. x

tranquilosophy: TDJ 10 years part 2

Last week was the launch of this 4-part series on 10 years of blogging. Here's a link to the piece about blogging inspiration over the past decade.

Today I'm sharing a sample from the upcoming Tranquility du Jour Anthology featuring a favorite post. This was written in July 2012, shortly after going on semi-sabbatical and stepping away from Tranquil Space's day-to-day operations after 13 years of 24/7 immersion. I felt uneasy about my next steps and was struggling. Below is the piece and I hope you enjoy:

- - -

During my time at the World Domination Summit, I took heaps of notes, enjoyed sessions with inspiration powerhouses such Brene Brown, Scott Harrison (charity:water founder), Danielle LaPorte, Scott Belsky, and Susannah Conway, and emerged feeling a bit, well, untapped. 

What do I mean by untapped? That sinking feeling that your ship has sailed, other {younger} people are doing amazing things, and you're in a state of stand still. Nothing feels more uncomfortable to me than stand still. Clearly something I want and continue to work on. Mindfulness, here I continue to come.

This feeling began after hearing Scott's amazing story and thinking of my own big dreams for activist efforts. Sadly, the feeling continued through the entire summit. The summit ended with the summit founder, Chris Guillebeau, giving us each a $100 bill as we exited and challenging us to "start a project, surprise someone, or do something entirely different." Perfectly aligned with his awesome book, $100 Startup. 



Even yesterday while chatting with fellow participant at Susannah Conway's book event, it was clear that many of us were processing so much from the weekend. Ideas, inspiration, next steps, and ways to be. However, I haven't been able to quite shake that nagging feeling of being untapped. And I was frustrated with myself for not having an action plan yet. I mean, it had been nearly 24 hours since I left the summit! Hmmm, patience *is* a virtue.

It's the first time in awhile that I haven't been in the midst of launching something new or filled with a plan. Instead, I only have life planned through May 2013 when I finish social work school and am contemplating {insert drum roll} spending next summer in France writing and being. Ok, so that takes me through August 2013, then what? 

After further reflection (and there is still lots of it to do), I believe the untapped feeling comes with being in this odd state of "in between." In alignment with the summit's theme, I'm eager to live a remarkable life in a conventional world and questioning the how. How do I take all my weekend notes and infuse them into my daily life? How do I live a remarkable life in a conventional world? How do I live more mindfully? How do I know I'm doing enough? How to I make a difference for the animals? How do I on and on and on. 

Ever have these feelings and moments of questioning? Having devoted the past 13 years to the birth and growth of my baby, Tranquil Space, plus various offspring (TranquiliT, Tranquility du Jour, Tranquil Space Foundation), I'm slowly transitioning. To what? I don't know. Definitely don't plan to send my babies off to college as I'm too attached. Yet I have this longing to connect, sink deeper within, and slow down. Time will tell. In the interim, I need to battle my own untapped feelings and remember that I am enough. We are enough. You are enough. 



While standing in the journal section of Powell's last night, I smiled in honor of the dreams, hopes, and fears that will soon be penned into these beautiful beings. Now, take a moment and answer this question: how will you live a remarkable life in a conventional world?

Here are my off the cuff thoughts:  •    Simplify  •    Seek beauty •    Give freely •    Sprinkle sunshine •    Bask in being different •    Embrace change •    Leave a small eco footprint •    Leave a big "heartprint" (Oui, I made that word up—a bad habit)

Et toi? It's a big question worthy of big journaling. Oh, and another gentle reminder. You. Are. Enough.

- - -

Over these 10 years, I've shared struggles, continuing education takeaways, dreams, milestones, and more.

Reading and writing this evolution in a blog format has been a source of accountability, along with a way to connect with like-hearted souls sharing a similar path. It's shaped me, expanded my community, and offered me the opportunity to explore dreams in a public format.

For that, I'm beyond grateful. May our next decade together be even more beautiful. Bisous. x

wednesday well-being: tub time

One of my favorite and most touted acts of well-being is tub time. Confession: yesterday I had deux delightful bubble-filled baths. The evening one was by candlelight with classical music filling the tiny room. When Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2 came on, I melted.  

The term "well-being" evokes a sense of timelessness and spaciousness with a splash of sensory delight. Dictionary.com defines it as "a good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity; welfare." How do you experience well-being?

As your hump day progresses, review your Daybook to see where a moment (preferably two) of well-being can be inserted. I find that scheduling in a yoga class, a soak in the tub, tea with a girlfriend, or time reading by the fire offers a respite from the many demands of daily life.

And, frankly, you deserve an interjection of sensory-filled down time into your day. Preferably peppered with inspiring tunes and scented candles. Bisous. x

things i love

image + how-to courtesy of messyla1. crochet flowers

image + how-to courtesy of love of family and home
2. painted mason jars

image + how-to courtesy of a girl and a glue gun
3. washi tape words

image courtesy of the coveteur
4. j'adore linda rodin's style

tranquility du jour #323: wish alchemy

Welcome to the 323rd edition of Tranquility du Jour. Today's show features Mindy Tsonas on Wish Alchemy. You'll learn about wish alchemy, modern feminism, open marriage, and more. Giveaway: leave a comment by Friday, October 17 below to be entered to win a spot in her online course, Alchemy Circle.



Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #323: Wish Alchemy (mp3)


Featured Guest: Mindy Tsonas is a Wish Alchemist, Life Artist, and Feminist Girl Guide on the path of wild discovery and deep integration. Follow her story, work, and unabashedly sexy adventures at mindytsonas.org.
 

Savvy Sources:
mindytsonas.org
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Alchemy Circle {leave a comment by 10/17 below to be entered to win a spot in her online course!}Seasonal online book club pick: Paris Letters
Tranquility 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.

a peek at our upcoming anthology: happy 10 years

Here are a few more sneak peek pages for the workbook-style, tranquility-filled, 200-page, full color Anthology coming your way in celebration of our DECADE online together. May we bask in deep moments of tranquility sprinkled with belly laughs, pink glitter, and love. Bisous. x

week in review

his/hers gelato hanging new pink twinkle lights at the pink palace my little darth vader
week in reviewtaught 5 classestook 2 classestook mindful relationships classsaw evita at the kennedy centerbrunch with girlfriendhosted a 2-hour writing labtook mindfulness-based stress reduction class penned tranquilosophy: TDJ 10 years part 1shared things i lovepenned wednesday well-being: love notesinterviewed mindy tsonas for monday's podcastsaw beautiful clients at the women's centerediting and design of anthology and daybook  daybook ephemera bag prep {announcing soon}apple store for new iphone screen 2-hour meeting with social work supervisorlots and lots of sleep {soooo tired these days}project meetings with le beaubiked 7 miles wax appointmentpenned october dreamsshipped softcover tranquility du jour daybooks {found ONE hardcover, if interested email}
 set up podcast interviewsdressed le pug up as darth vader and laughed for daysprepped homework for writing groupordered show your work and going to pieces without falling apart call with web designer regarding two redesignswarmed firesidesipped numerous green libations
weekend wish listsee neo-impressionism + the dream of realities exhibit mani/pedieye examinterview nicole of the wardrobe code hips workshop + dinner with mary catherine starrbrunch date mindfulness-based stress reduction classyogateach charity classsleep in
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?bisous. x

tranquilosophy: TDJ 10 years part 1

In honor of our 10-year anniversary, I'll be Tranquility du Jour storytelling here on Thursdays over the next few weeks. Today I'll share a piece from the upcoming Anthology (hitting mail boxes next month) about my blogging process and its evolution over the past decade.

Despite the sophistication of blogging now, I’ve never been one to write, lay out, and schedule posts in advance. Nope, no blog editorial calendar for me. I prefer to see what the muse brings. If I have something to say, I want to share it right at that moment. Kind of like a child who can’t wait to show mom what was created in school that day. Or, honestly, every time I try to surprise. I’m way too excited not to say, “I may or may not have gotten you a gift card to your favorite restaurant!” 

Sure, there are times that I sit down and have a story or essay in mind. Often it’s a picture I’ve posted on Instagram that fuels my piece. Over the past few years I have transitioned to columns, offering specific topics on certain days from Mindful Monday to Friday’s Week in Review. This has helped keep the musing fresh and focused on one of the subjects that resonate during that particular snapshot of daily life. 

When I hear that the blog has helped infuse a reader’s day with inspiration, I find the consistent dedication to wordsmithing is making a difference. And when a reader shares that she has found a home with a fellow lover of things that may not seem to align—mindfulness, fashion, yoga, animals, art—I know the blog is serving a need. It’s allowing those who feel multipassionate to find a common space. 

Not ever being one to fit a mold (I mean, I wore a pink belt around my gold grade-school soccer jersey), it’s helpful to connect with others who also feel outside the mold and seek a sacred space to be seen, heard, and appreciated. Fully, sans pretense. The writing practice calls for that sort of vulnerability. My hope is that is experienced when one reads Tranquility du Jour.  

Happy 10 years Tranquility du Jour and thank YOU, dear readers, for being an integral part of this journey. Bisous. x

wednesday well-being: love notes

 
This love note collage fills my soul with joy. 
The time taken from a busy life to pen congrats, gratitude, thinking of you, or anything else in between, reflects a welcomed dose of old-timey effort.
Although some may claim that the handwritten note is passé, a recent article in The New York Times mused on the fine art of thank-you notes. Inside, a New York fashion publicist claims, “It not only strengthens the bonds between people, in your personal life and in business,” he said of the custom, “it also rings an emotional chord.”
Instilled in me at a young age, I've held on to the thank-you note tradition. I tote blank note cards when traveling or leaving home for more than a few hours, so that I can pen one on-the-go. And, of course, I've got stamps and address labels in my wallet for a quick send off. 
Stuck with what to say? Worried you don't have the right stationery or pen? There are books, articles, and ideas to help. Here's how NOT to write a love letter. Enjoy how to write a charming thank-you note. Savor the art of letter writing, including necessary supplies.
Sure a text, tweet, email, call, or message is lovely, however, nothing takes the place of a tangible hold-in-your-hand love note. Gather pen, paper, a stamp, and an envelope, and make someone's day. You may just make your own in the process. Bisous. x