Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 94

Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind . . . The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefiting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.—The Dalai Lama

I came across this quote tonight and it felt like the perfect complement to this week’s Week in Review. As many try to make sense of what’s going on around us, His Holiness offers great wisdom. Start within on the micro level by attuning to the mind. Serve on the macro level by engaging in the world.

In Thursday’s post I shared an example of tuning within and paying attention to the mind. It’s a full-time job!

And, it’s also our duty to be of service—to be engaged and involved. Love your family. Tend to a community garden. Volunteer. Tutor. Pick up trash. Listen. Bake treats for your office. Say “thank you.” Visit a senior center. Hold a clothing drive.

Columnist Nicole Black listed a few ways she’s engaging post-election. Writer Matthew Vanatta shares ideas for protecting the environment. Humane Society of the United States offers 55 ways to help the animals.

This week I spent an evening at Politics & Prose bookstore, went down to the White House for a candlelight vigil, released a podcast, penned snail mail love notes, saw Garth Brooks in Richmond, turned in my social work licensing paperwork, got approved to sit for the exam, signed up for the exam {eek!}, saw rapper Riz Ahmed in concert {the cutie from HBO’s The Night Of}, worked on my new chapter HTC10, collaborated with clients, coordinated Tranquil Space’s team holiday party at The Darlington House {so cute!}, edited a piece I wrote for Unstuck.com, met with a friend over tea, ordered mini champagne bottles for the December 4 HTC 10 event, got a mani/pedi, celebrated Thanksgiving for the Turkeys at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, and met Wee Wee!

Wishing you a weekend filled with time to nurture your inner self AND be of service to others. Bisous. x

Pics in Review

En route to Garth Brooks concert with Belle Starr
Garth Brooks concert #13
Mookie + Belle
Calabash Tea House
Journal and tea time
Pig at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary
Pumpkins for the pigs
Met Wee Wee the celebrity pig {+ ran into friend Heather—she said she knew to find me with the pigs}
Feeding the turkeys

Savvy Sources

A Guide to Internet-Like Holidays

How Expressive Writing Can Improve Your Health

Dreamy the Piglet Thinks She’s a Dog

When To Go Out and When To Stay In

Healing Through Writing

How To Be Mindful With a Cup of Tea

15 Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

How To Free Yourself From Your Personal Stories

The Disease of Being Busy

Resilience Is About How You Recharge, Not How You Endure

Natural Remedies For When You Aren’t Feeling Your Best

How To Style the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas

Can Reading Make You Happier?

Weekend Wish List

Yoga {done!}

Attend Thanksgiving for the Turkeys at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary {done!}

Dinner with friends

Write

Send HTC10 to reviewers

Record video

Tea with friend

Study

Family time

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Book Snippet: If the Buddha Got Stuck

For years I hosted a monthly, then quarterly online book club here on the blog. Nothing fancy, simply shared a new read and encouraged others to read along. Since moving to the new website last year, I couldn’t figure out the right way to implement it within the framework.

As I was reading before bed last night, I thought why not write book reviews or share snippets of what I’m reading? I’m typically reading 20+ books at a time—albeit slowly—but there is one that I’m savoring right now like a fine wine, If the Buddha Got Stuck: A Handbook for Change on a Spiritual Path by Charlotte Kasl, Ph.D.

Although I’m only 1/3 through this book, I thought it would be a good one to start with as it’s so darn juicy. And dense. I read each two- to three-page chapter, pause, and then reread it. Always with a pen in hand.

I love Kasl’s work. She’s a psychotherapist and describes herself as a “peace and social justice activist.” This is the third book of hers that I’ve read and each one is filled with nuggets of insight.

Earlier this week I read something powerful in a chapter titled “Be a Scientist About Your Life.”

Kasl writes: “When you . . . pay close attention, you attune to your body, mind, sensations, and emotions, which together give you a starting place for being wise in the world. . . That sudden tension in your neck, sense of uneasiness, or feeling of calm are the convergence of thousands of signals moving from outside you to inside and back again. To be mindful is to notice them, pay attention, and use them as information.”

We receive so much stimuli on a daily basis and when we pause, it’s helpful to notice what is going on mentally, physically, and emotionally. You may think ah my head is hurting, I’m hungry, or I’m really upset about that earlier interaction. We can go entire days—lives—without noticing what’s going on inside.

She goes on to say: “Paying attention means becoming a scientist about your mental habits. When your inner voices are competing in a jumble of confusion, you can slow them down, take them apart, and listen to each one. Okay, let’s see. 1) I’m really upset in this relationship. 2) But I’m afraid of making a mistake if I leave. 3) I’d feel like a failure, I’ve messed up so many relationships. 4) Geez, I’m wanting some candy. 5) If I can just shift my attitude maybe it will all work. 6) I’m sleepy. I have clients go into each part and explore everything it has to say, and then start having a conversation with each other. So much of getting unstuck involves slowing down whatever is going on inside so you can bring it all on screen and explore it. You quiet down the mental jumble and confusion by taking it apart.”

I found this “slow down and tune in” reminder helpful for exploring some of those 50-70k daily thoughts. Especially when we keep in mind that our thoughts are not reality. Repeat: thoughts are not reality.

What happens when we peel back the thought layers as she showed in 1-6 above? What is it that your body, emotions, or thoughts may be trying to say? Practice being a scientist and observe the inner cacophony. There’s so much to learn if only we’d listen. Bisous. x

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Bibliotherapy

Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood.—John Green

When I crave energy, a sense of connection, or the feeling of being grounded, I turn to books. If I long to escape, I browse the shelves of a bookstore.

Last week I hit three bookstores within 48 hours.

For years books have been my respite. Some love wine, live music, or favorite TV shows. Give me a book and cuppa tea and I’ve entered into a new dimension.

Despite putting myself on book-buying moratoriums multiple times over the years, I struggle with curbing my habit. My tiny home overflows with books. They are stuffed into corners and shelves, and stacked high on most surfaces. Each one holds a promise—new insights, a 10-step plan, getting lost in her adventure.

According to an article on Goodtherapy.org, “Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses literature to support good mental health, is a versatile and cost-effective treatment option often adapted or used to supplement other types of therapy.”

Who knew it’s actually a thing?! For the past few years I’ve recommended numerous books to my clients and was somehow practicing “bibliotherapy.” I called it “offering resources,” but, hey, I like the fancy word better.

One of my favorite authors, Anais Nin, wrote, “You live like this, sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book… or you take a trip… and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are easily detectable: first, restlessness. The second symptom (when hibernating becomes dangerous and might degenerate into death): absence of pleasure. That is all. It appears like an innocuous illness. Monotony, boredom, death. Millions live like this (or die like this) without knowing it. They work in offices. They drive a car. They picnic with their families. They raise children. And then some shock treatment takes place, a person, a book, a song, and it awakens them and saves them from death. Some never awaken.”

That’s the power of a book.

As we navigate through this challenging time and enter into the bustling holiday season, I picture myself spending lots of time curled up with a book (as evidenced on Instagram), cuppa tea, and two pugs.

What provides respite for you? Maybe it’s baking, getting away, taking a nap, binging on Netflix, calling a good friend, being part of a spiritual community.

Whatever it is, bask in it right now because the world needs you to return fully engaged and awake to do what you’re called to do—raising your family with attention, volunteering, sharing your voice, making a difference through your daily actions.

And sometimes this all begins with a good book. Bisous. x

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Tranquility du Jour #383: Living with Uncertainty

In this week’s episode, Living with Uncertainty, I share a few practices and resources to help with suffering.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #383: Living with Uncertainty

 

Upcoming Events

Hip Tranquil Chick 10-Year Online Celebration: December 4

New Year’s Eve Mini Retreat: December 31

Tranquility du Jour Live: January 12

Yoga, Creativity + Mindfulness in Costa Rica: February 18-25 {Save $150 if signed up by 12/1}

Yoga + Art in West Virginia: May 19-21

Tranquility du Jour

 

Savvy Sources

Post-Election Resources



Mentioned in podcast

Pema Chodron’s Practice of Tonglen Teaching
Rick Hanson’s Practice “Take Heart” Teaching
The Powerful Reason Americans Are Wearing Safety Pins
Join the Women’s March on Washington January 21
Join Donate $20 on January 20 to Planned Parenthood
Daybook 5.0 {12 copies left}
Hip Tranquil Chick: Share Your Story


Social Media

Eye candy on Instagram
Pin along with me on Pinterest
Let’s connect on Facebook
Follow moi on Twitter


Tranquility Tips + Tools

My 5 Books
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse the FAQs
Go back to school with these tranquility-filled E-courses
Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
Download the latest Tranquility du Jour Live
Shop slow fashion: TranquiliT’s fall look book
Sign up for bi-monthly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
Watch doga {yoga + dogs} videos featuring Mookie and Belle Starr
Read about my passion for animals

Request

Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media, s‘il vous plaît
Ask questions, share what you do while listening, or how this podcast has helped you. I love hearing from you!



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.

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Week in Review

Week in Review

This week has left me speechless. I’m still processing, writing, and musing privately, so I’ll stick with the other pieces below and a brief recap.

Over the past seven days I savored an Artist’s Date at the National Gallery of Art with a girlfriend, spent hours writing and studying, headed to NYC for a panel about farm sanctuaries, lost myself in bookstores (the best therapy), had tea and lunch with friends in NYC, taught mindfulness, experienced deep grief, collaborated with clients, finalized social work licensing paperwork, took yoga classes, met with our studio’s programming team, visited the dentist, hosted a friend at home over wine and olive tapenade, worked with my writing teacher, recorded and sent the bonus to HTC10 registrants (thank you!), and cried.

I’m off to Politics & Prose Bookstore before tonight’s writing class for more bibliotherapy, avocado toast, and green tea. Slow self-care is top priority right now. Wishing you a reflective, peaceful weekend surrounded by solace. Bisous. x

Pics in Review

First fire of the season
Green smoothie time
Artist’s Date at the National Gallery of Art
Reading on train to NYC
First stop in NYC: Barnes & Noble
Next stop: Strand Bookstore
Spotted chairs and Buddha
Rosebud tea at Jivamukti pre-yoga
Inspiration

Savvy Sources

Farmed Animals Swept the Polls This Election

Gloria Steinem On the Election

Dani Shapiro on Going High

20 Things You Can Do Right Now To Improve Your Health

Finish Your Ugly-Crying. Here’s What Comes Next.

8 Ways To Style a Turtleneck

What You Can Do For the Animals

Record-Breaking Supermoon on November 14

Buddhist Monk Matthieu Ricard: A Plea for the Animals

5 Beauty Rituals To Do Before Be

‘Worlds Happiest Man’ Has a Plea for Treating Animals with Compassion

Weekend Wish List

Attend final Habit of Writing {link to podcast} class at Politics & Prose

Practice yoga

Read

Write

Study

Attend the Candlelight Vigil at the White House

Safe travels to and from Richmond

See Garth in Richmond

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Post-Election Savvy Sources

 

Tuesday night broke many hearts in this area— DC, Maryland, Virginia. Yesterday I sat with clients in various stages of grief, rage, despair, and shock.

If you, or someone you know, are struggling, here are a few resources:

If You’re Overwhelmed By The Election, Here’s What You Can Do Now

Elizabeth Gilbert asks “Who do I want to be in this situation?” 

After the Election How Do We Move Forward?

How to Talk to Your Kids About Trump’s Win

5 Ways to Reduce Post-Election Day Anxiety

5 Tips for Coping with Post-Election Shock and Panic

Living With Change, Post-Election Now is Not the Time To Gloat or Despise Others

Three Ways to Lower Post Election Anxiety

Pain, Anger, Sadness, Fear and Hope

18 Compassionate Poems To Help You Weather Uncertain Times

Coping with The Pain and Uncertainty Around Us

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s Letter to His Daughter

My 2004 Post-Election Blog Post

Practice self-care. Feel your feelings. Write an op ed, a letter, or in your journal—get these feelings onto paper. Support causes you believe in. Connect with others. Donate. Volunteer. Spread kindness. Eat dark chocolate. Celebrate successes.

Wishing you moments of ease as we move forward. You are loved and your voice matters. Bisous. x

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What To Do While Waiting for Election Results

Hitting refresh over and over is an option, but I think we can do better. Below are some ideas to help survive this evening’s anxious energy.

Walk your dog
Dress your dog in a cute sweater first
Write a love letter to Susan B. Anthony
Paint your nails red
Soak in a lavender-infused bubble bath
Organize a desk drawer
Wear a pantsuit
Order in your favorite meal
Go for a run
Head to a swanky hotel bar and sip bellinis. A few of them.
Do yoga
Dance to Katy Perry’s “Roar” or “Fight Song“
Take 10 deep breaths. Repeat.
Dress in white to honor the Suffragettes
Bake vegan cupcakes and top with red, white, and blue sprinkles
Go for a brisk walk
Rake leaves
Write a letter of gratitude to a woman who has influenced you
Document today in your journal
Combat the isms: sexism, racism, classism, ableism, ageism, heterosexism, colorism, lookism, nativism
Listen to classical music
Meditate
Make a list of gratitude
Read an inspiring text
Hug a loved one

Then hit refresh. Wishing you and yours a tranquil evening as the results come in. May the best {wo}man win and may we recognize the greatness already present in our perfectly imperfect nation. Bisous. x

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21 Reasons Why I Love Sundays

Brunch
Slow starts
Newspaper reading
Fewer emails
Time with family
Brunch
Multiple pots of tea
Big blocks for writing
Prep for the week
Naps
Deep conditioning with argan oil
Messy bun
Lounging
No makeup {okay, maybe red lips}
Extended walks with the pups
Farmers’ market
Brunch
Long soaks in the tub
Finishing a book
Less expectations
Own version of spirituality: yoga, meditation, nature, church

Oh, and did I mention brunch!? Wishing you a beautiful Sunday filled with your favorite things. Bisous. x

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Week{s} in Review

Week{s} in Review

“You change lives,” a retreat participant said as she walked out of the cabin en route to her car Sunday afternoon. We’d spent three days together writing, practicing yoga and meditation, and she was heading back to her daily life in the city.

This statement seeped in, my eyes welled, and I thanked her—feeling a twinge of unworthiness.

During last night’s Writing Lab at Tranquil Space I gave a prompt picked up from a Shakespeare and Company Cafe Proust Questionnaire: What’s your idea of perfect happiness? Although I’ve pondered an ideal day many times, I hadn’t considered something so grand as “perfect happiness.”

Here’s what I wrote:

“Ease. I long for ease. I long for connection. I long for less suffering. I see myself in a loving partnership surrounded by animals, writing, and making a difference in the lives of others through my work—therapy, mentoring, teaching, writing, speaking. I have a simple business/organization that is focused on big impact in small ways. I eat only plant-based with a few tasty vegan baked goods thrown in. I rise with the sun, check email twice a day, and shut down as the sun begins to set. I’m seen as a person of value—someone who changes lives (as said to me last weekend). I have systems in place to avoid having to do it all or reinvent the wheel. I have close friends who I’m in contact with weekly, some daily. I feel like I can trust people and not be looked to as something to use. My home is warm, cozy, filled with delights such as twinkle lights, candles, flowers, pets, momentos, books, and creative supplies. I have a garden for planting veggies and flowers. I live part-time in a tiny town on a farmette with rescue pigs and part-time in the city seeing clients and overseeing business. I feel safe, loved, supported, and as if I’m contributing to the greater good. I have a lighter load.”

And the 10-minute timer chimed.

I was surprised with what came out. Uncensored, unedited, raw. Although it’s missing many core pieces like how I start (yoga, tea, meditation, writing) and end (tea, writing, reading) my perfect happiness day, any mention of health, and much more, a deep desire for simplicity and making a difference bubbled up.

In Simple Abundance, author Sarah Ban Breathnach writes, “You have no idea of the countless lives you touch in the course of your lifetime.” This quote has always resonated and Sunday’s departing comment reinforced the power of how we contribute to another’s experience in ways we don’t realize.

This weekend set a timer and consider the prompt “What’s your idea of perfect happiness?”

Consider quirks (rescue pigs), big dreams (farmette), contributions (touching lives), struggles (need to feel valued), and anything else that percolates from within. There’s no quiz at the end, no right or wrong, just the intention to dig deep over a prompt found on the serving tray of a cafe in Paris. Bisous. x

These past two weeks I collaborated with clients, hosted a weekend writing retreat, traveled to and from Charleston, WV to see Garth Brooks (again!), released a podcast, survived a 10-day virus, savored a massage, released two doga videos, had tea with a friend, penned blog posts, shipped Daybooks (18 left!), walked through the woods, attended a writing habit class, and slept a lot.

Pics in Review

Found new friends at Politics & Prose
Bliss in a bookstore
Pumpkin patch with the pups
Saturday night reading in Charleston, WV
Sunday afternoon of studying in Charleston, WV
Sunday evening celebration with Garth in Charleston, WV
Family shot in Shenandoah Mountains
Morning soak
Writing in the Woods retreat prep
Fall foliage
Writing in the Woods group {loved them!}

Savvy Sources

7 Ways Writers Actually Write in Today’s Wired World

The Dizzying Grandeur of 21st-Century Agriculture

What Happened When I Left Everything To Travel The World at 38

Showing Mercy to Animals Is Not Criminal Mischief

I’m On Trial for Giving Water to Thirsty Pigs

3 Tips for Overcoming Fraud Syndrome

How This CEO Reads 100 Books a Year

How To Free Yourself From Your Personal Stories

Meditation Keeps Emotions in Check

How To Create Quiet Spaces In Your Home

Elizabeth Gilbert on Creativity And Having a Voice

Dalai Lama: Behind Our Anxiety, The Fear of Being Unneeded

Weekend Wish List

Finish The Good, Good Pig by Sy Montgomery {LOVE!}

Study 4 hours each day

Finish HTC10 draft

Finish bonus mp3 on writing Hip Tranquil Chick and HTC10

Practice yoga

Brunch with girlfriend

Explore National Gallery of Art’s recently renovated East Building

Attend the Kennedy Center’s Hip-Hip Orchestra Event

Pen November dreams

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One Month From Today

One month from today we’ll gather online to celebrate Hip Tranquil Chick‘s 10-year birthday and there are only a few hours left to receive the BONUS mp3.

WHEN:

Sunday, December 4 from 5-7pm ET (all registrants will receive a video recording).

HOW:

An Internet connection and computer or smartphone. We’ll send a link shortly before the gathering to click and, voilà, you’re with us. A journal and pen is helpful, too.

WHAT:

For the cost of 5 Pumpkin Spice Lattes, you get 4 treats that last a lifetime.

1. LIVE EVENT: The live event will stream from my tiny Pink Palace with a live in-home audience. Festivities include mini workshops, seated yoga, mindfulness practices, a reading from HTC10 (the new chapter), your stories on how the book inspired you (see the FAQs on how to share yours), and more!

2. NEW CHAPTER: HTC10 is a 10-year retrospective filled with photos, inspiration, lessons learned, stories, and savvy sources, plus a peek into my dreams of what’s next. Read the draft introduction to the new chapter.

3. PLAYBOOK: The Playbook complements our live event with suggestions on how best to prepare for and participate in the online gathering with helpful checklists, recipes, playlists, how-tos for the practices, and more. Both PDFs will be sent your way shortly before our gathering.

4. BONUS: Listen to my story of writing Hip Tranquil Chick plus penning the new chapter, HTC10.

I can’t wait to celebrate during this festive time of year (think twinkle lights and holiday jazz). Thank you for helping me honor my firstborn book’s birthday. Your presence is the cherry on top!

HTC10 + Live event + Playbook + Bonus $25

HTC10 + Live event + Playbook + Bonus + Signed copy of Hip Tranquil Chick $42

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