Pause.

Pause. That's the word that keeps coming to me as I think about this festive season. 

There's so much busy. More than I wish to remember, more than I wish to have to do. And even as I pause, it feels as though our world is still buzzing around me.  

But still I pause. And in that moment I notice where I am. I take a big nourishing breath in, and take stock of where I am. I notice the little things that pull me back to the present, and steer my thoughts from tasks to moments, from rushing to gratitude, from routine to rhythm.

I notice where I am standing. My connection with the ground, with whatever is under foot. I visualise myself putting down roots and connecting as deep down as I need to go until I reach Mother Earth.

I notice my body and how it's feeling as a whole. I allow myself to notice the parts of my body that may be struggling right now. And I give thanks for them. For the job they're doing, despite strain and perhaps despite my full attention.  

I notice my breath, it's rhythm, it's depth, it's sound. I dwell here with the breath, choosing not to manipulate but to be witness to it's presence today. I notice how with my non-judgement and loving attention it naturally slows, becomes deeper, fuller. For my breath, I give thanks.

I notice what's around me. I see mess, I see food that needs to be cooked, I see a lengthy to-do list and floors that need sweeping. I close my eyes, reminding myself to look deeper. When I open them I see with my heart. I see an abundance of wants met, I see healthy nourishing food ready and waiting, I see a beautiful life being lived fully and a home that while messy is one of peace. 

I place one hand on my heart, the other on my belly. I breathe, visualising my life breath travelling back and forth between the two. I give thanks for love and all that nourishes me in each day.

I pause. And in that moment I notice where I am. I return to my day, with an adjusted rhythm. Remembering who I am, where I am, and all I have to be thankful for. Especially when the world may feels like it's buzzing around me.

xx

Pause and interrupt busy with slow, mindfulness and gratitude, and in doing so, nurture. It's my plan for the next month, and going by how it feels I think it's a good one for me. Will you join me? Elisa x

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---------------->> My free five-day mindfulness bundle incorporating breath work, journaling + meditation {the tools + rituals I use to cultivate nurture + space for what matters most in my day} will launch in the New Year. More info here, if this sounds like you xx <<----------------

What's filling your bucket?

This week I helped out at miss four's kinder, and the topic of conversation on the mat was "What's filling your bucket?" And by that the teacher was referring to what's filling your heart - what makes you feel good about yourself and feel full of love - and what you can do to fill others' buckets - acts of kindness, comfort, friendship. It reminded me of this post. And it also sparked a conversation about what empties our buckets. 

Here were 20 four and five-year-olds openly sharing the words that fill them up, and words that can tear them down. And knowing the difference, and having an understanding of the impact our words and actions can have on others. 

And while this is pretty much my parenting aim - to fill my girls up with love, and help them identify all their emotions, and accept them too - I couldn't be more grateful that my little girl has a teacher who values wellbeing and nurture just as high as other areas of learning. 

It also reminded me that this is a question to reflect on often, and at all ages and stages of life. To identify what's filling me up {nourishing me}, perhaps what I need more of and what I can give more of, and definitely what I could do with less of. 

xx

What are you most grateful for this week? What's filling your bucket?

Looking up

Hand me a camera and I'll want to point it up straight away. Endeavouring to capture the wonder I see in the sky when I stop to just be each day. It's more than wonder I see though. Maybe because I'm an optimist.... 

The vastness, that expanse - it reminds me that I'm part of something bigger. It reminds me that there are endless possibilities and opportunities out there. That tomorrow is a chance to start again. And that beauty presents in every single day.

It reminds me to stop and not just look up but look around and step outside and really see. And it's then that I always find myself giving thanks.

xx

{Life has been beautifully busy these past couple weeks. And in taking time to look up and look around, I've got a little overwhelmed in a good way by what can be and by what is. I think this week will see a little more sky gazing with my two little girls in tow and a little more giving thanks as I wait on clarity. Elisa x} 

Is there something in your day that reminds you to give thanks? What are you most grateful for today?

{Joining the 52 Weeks of Grateful at Kylie's x} 

Ten things

In bed with my fourteen-month-old finally finding sleep sprawled across me last night, I read a Huffington Post article on my iPhone. It was about thankfulness, and Thanksgiving. I was challenged to write 10 things to be thankful for. Ten.

I thought, surely to be thankful for just one thing is enough? But as I read on I understood it to be about creating more to be thankful for, and about seeing each day the abundance we {already} do have.

So thankfulness is here, but gratitude too. Because {I think} being grateful is thankful, with heart.

1: Sunshine. It’s shone brightly this week and we’ve lapped it up and headed outdoors. I’ve watched the sky, felt the sun, counted clouds and encouraged my little girls to do the same.
2: Conversations with strangers. Supportive, encouraging, uplifting ones. I’ve had two this week.

3: Help. Thankful it was offered, grateful I accepted.

4: Yoga. One point five hours once a week. It brings me back to me.

5: Sisters. They’re awesome. No explanation needed.

6: Meditation. I may only be practising in one-minute bursts right now. But even those solo minutes bring me joy.

7: Dinner. Plus my family. The four of us at the table together - eating, speaking in fragments and encouraging a strong-willed toddler to try vegetables {not just meat}.

8: Technology. I am loving how connected we can all be via technology, but I hate the way my babies already understand this technology so well.

9: My camera. It’s not a fancy one, but it’s the fanciest one I’ve ever had. And I’m having fun with it.

10: Spontaneity. In a month of exhausting, I’m glad we’ve tried to go with the flow and do new things too.

xx

Are you grateful for 10 things? I wasn’t sure I was, but once you get started...

Linking with Maxabella & Kidspot’s 52 Weeks of Grateful.