Wow, Denyse... such a huge milestone! What stands out isn’t the streak though, it’s the continuity through uncertainty. The way it sat alongside your surgery, COVID, loss, moving homes, celebrations, all of it. I think that kind of daily return to yourself can become less about mindfulness as a tool and more about witnessing your own life as it unfolds.
Well, for me, I actually trained in mindfulness and MBSR but I don’t always frame it as mindfulness in a neat way (if that makes sense), rather I always return to moments of pause, breath, and noticing. Although that's maybe because of my somatic and NSR training too? I like to utilise integrated practice, always enough to stay connected 🤍
You ARE putting into real time use all of your learning (and teaching) and that's awesome. Daily Calm is that 'stopping/starting' point before my day really kicks off. If for any reason, such as an early appointment, I will do it later in the day.
The reflections (based on a question from the day's Calm) are so valuable too. Not always relevant but many times they help guide me and I add (copy/paste) into my on-line Day One journal. I am someone who does look back to see/feel how far I've come and record keeping, along with photos, help me very much.
ANOTHER book recommendation (looking at your experiences and training) that helped me in the past year is by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer (both big, as I am sure you know, in the self compassion and mindfulness world) is Mindful Self-Compassion For Burnout. The words with it... "tools to help you heal and recharge when you are wrung out by stress".
Glad to have connected with this matter of healing and the 'how' where I've taken on board a lot from your ideas and practices.
I know what you mean about reflections not always feeling directly relevant in the moment, but keeping them as something that you can come back to later and see differently with time. I also really like your idea of using them as journal prompts. I do something similar... e.g. if I come across a prompt online or in a book, I’ll add it to my list and slowly build a little library that I can return to over time.
I actually attended some of Kristin Neff’s self-compassion workshops online during the pandemic, and love her work. I’ve come across Christopher Germer’s work too (although less familiar with it in depth), and I haven’t read that book yet... so that’s definitely going on the to-read list as well! 🤍
That's great to know! I listen to most books these days - it works well for me. I will sometimes buy a kindle version (I did with both I mentioned above) because there's always something I want to remember ! Love this connection! We are doing well! As an aside, my bro & wife are in Scotland right now. He just played a few rounds of golf with a mate at St Andrew's & another one. Our father's heritage is Scottish & bro texted me tonight to ask did I have any more info on our late grandfather's town of birth: Cowdenbeath ... he's driving there now. My Dad was Andrew Simpson as was his dad ( who ended up emigrating to Wollongong in Australia in early 1910s with his family. So when he's back we will catch up a bit!
I really enjoyed reading about your family history there, Denyse! Although based in Shetland, I have a mix of Scottish roots in my family (highlands, lowlands, and borders ancestry), so I understand that pull towards tracing it back and making sense of the history. Cowdenbeath really feels like one of those names that carries a lot of story with it. How lovely that your brother is actually there right now, walking that connection back in real time. Hope you both enjoy catching up when he’s back! 🤍
Another connection to where you are is our GP back in 2013-14 was a young woman from Shetland. And back then her parents were still there and she told us of the many ways to get back to see them!
Yes, I do Mindfulness CBT daily and have for many many years, along with loving kindness. It works. But equally I never lose sight of the fact that it should be done daily if not twice daily for best effect. My son also practices, something he took up when diagnosed with a very rare and untreatable lung condition. He also believes totally in its efficacy.
That's great to know Prue. It's been a terrific tool for me and the regular part works. Writing about gratitude each morning and some evenings is a great help for my sometimes inner critic. I'm so pleased to know of its effectiveness for your son too.
I'm using an app for my IBS & it's one which champions CBT & aspects of Acceptance Commitment Therapy too. It's changed so much for me slowly.
Thanks for popping in to comment! We have far too much rain here and would happily send some to you!
Hi Denyse - it's a sign something's working if you are still using it consistently - and mindfully (what a great WOTY!) So glad to see your life settling and smoothing out over these last few years. Here's to many more calm and mindful days ahead. x
Love it! Thank you so much Leanne you are onto a winner with that word! I admit some days are harder to settle to do this but always grateful when I do/did...for all those days!!
Wow, Denyse... such a huge milestone! What stands out isn’t the streak though, it’s the continuity through uncertainty. The way it sat alongside your surgery, COVID, loss, moving homes, celebrations, all of it. I think that kind of daily return to yourself can become less about mindfulness as a tool and more about witnessing your own life as it unfolds.
Well, for me, I actually trained in mindfulness and MBSR but I don’t always frame it as mindfulness in a neat way (if that makes sense), rather I always return to moments of pause, breath, and noticing. Although that's maybe because of my somatic and NSR training too? I like to utilise integrated practice, always enough to stay connected 🤍
You ARE putting into real time use all of your learning (and teaching) and that's awesome. Daily Calm is that 'stopping/starting' point before my day really kicks off. If for any reason, such as an early appointment, I will do it later in the day.
The reflections (based on a question from the day's Calm) are so valuable too. Not always relevant but many times they help guide me and I add (copy/paste) into my on-line Day One journal. I am someone who does look back to see/feel how far I've come and record keeping, along with photos, help me very much.
ANOTHER book recommendation (looking at your experiences and training) that helped me in the past year is by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer (both big, as I am sure you know, in the self compassion and mindfulness world) is Mindful Self-Compassion For Burnout. The words with it... "tools to help you heal and recharge when you are wrung out by stress".
Glad to have connected with this matter of healing and the 'how' where I've taken on board a lot from your ideas and practices.
Thank YOU Dana.
Denyse x
I know what you mean about reflections not always feeling directly relevant in the moment, but keeping them as something that you can come back to later and see differently with time. I also really like your idea of using them as journal prompts. I do something similar... e.g. if I come across a prompt online or in a book, I’ll add it to my list and slowly build a little library that I can return to over time.
I actually attended some of Kristin Neff’s self-compassion workshops online during the pandemic, and love her work. I’ve come across Christopher Germer’s work too (although less familiar with it in depth), and I haven’t read that book yet... so that’s definitely going on the to-read list as well! 🤍
That's great to know! I listen to most books these days - it works well for me. I will sometimes buy a kindle version (I did with both I mentioned above) because there's always something I want to remember ! Love this connection! We are doing well! As an aside, my bro & wife are in Scotland right now. He just played a few rounds of golf with a mate at St Andrew's & another one. Our father's heritage is Scottish & bro texted me tonight to ask did I have any more info on our late grandfather's town of birth: Cowdenbeath ... he's driving there now. My Dad was Andrew Simpson as was his dad ( who ended up emigrating to Wollongong in Australia in early 1910s with his family. So when he's back we will catch up a bit!
I really enjoyed reading about your family history there, Denyse! Although based in Shetland, I have a mix of Scottish roots in my family (highlands, lowlands, and borders ancestry), so I understand that pull towards tracing it back and making sense of the history. Cowdenbeath really feels like one of those names that carries a lot of story with it. How lovely that your brother is actually there right now, walking that connection back in real time. Hope you both enjoy catching up when he’s back! 🤍
Another connection to where you are is our GP back in 2013-14 was a young woman from Shetland. And back then her parents were still there and she told us of the many ways to get back to see them!
Oh my, what a small world! I wonder if I know her?
I don’t… and know that I probably should.
Maybe you will when you want to… your morning walks are mindful!
Yes, I do Mindfulness CBT daily and have for many many years, along with loving kindness. It works. But equally I never lose sight of the fact that it should be done daily if not twice daily for best effect. My son also practices, something he took up when diagnosed with a very rare and untreatable lung condition. He also believes totally in its efficacy.
That's great to know Prue. It's been a terrific tool for me and the regular part works. Writing about gratitude each morning and some evenings is a great help for my sometimes inner critic. I'm so pleased to know of its effectiveness for your son too.
I'm using an app for my IBS & it's one which champions CBT & aspects of Acceptance Commitment Therapy too. It's changed so much for me slowly.
Thanks for popping in to comment! We have far too much rain here and would happily send some to you!
Denyse x
Hi Denyse - it's a sign something's working if you are still using it consistently - and mindfully (what a great WOTY!) So glad to see your life settling and smoothing out over these last few years. Here's to many more calm and mindful days ahead. x
Love it! Thank you so much Leanne you are onto a winner with that word! I admit some days are harder to settle to do this but always grateful when I do/did...for all those days!!
Warm wishes from a very soggy Sydney.
Denyse x
Oh wow! Congrats 👏 Denyse on such a big milestone!!
Thank you fellow 'Calm' person...how we 'met' way back!!
Denyse x