Sunday Space

It's a lovely, sunny, Sunday afternoon and what am I doing? Catching-up on my reading, watching TED Talk videos and doing the dreaded (but necessary) task of paperwork and bill payments.

A classmate from Royal Roads created a blog called Glow and Grow, and I want to share it with you. Ailie posted this TED Talk on mindfulness that I think is perfect for today's Sunday Space.

While we're at it, can I tempt your interpersonal tastebuds to consider how you engage others socially and professionally? Check out How 4 Words Control Your Career Decisions. 

Image via Pinterest

Thought Challenge: What do you like to do?

Weekend Amusements

Let's start with something random

Artful dinnerware. The colours, the design, the caress of the smooth porcelain in my palm. What is it about beautifully crafted objects that radiate such appeal? I'm smitten. Time to host a gathering of the ones I love and officially welcome Spring.

Photographs: The Art of Purposeful Living

Thought Challenge: What objects of desire do you cherish? How are your senses engaged by these objects? What is it about the shape, pattern, material, and texture that attracts you? How are you influenced by your five senses?

Daniel Pink

Author of A Whole New Mind and Drive. Check out his website, read his books, and open yourself up to some ideas about fully engaging the right side of the brain. One of his many great tips is to browse design mags to "inspire your mind" and generate new thinking.

Photograph: The Art of Purposeful Living

And with that in mind

I love the blogosphere for the depth and breadth of online reading available for any and all to access. Here are just a few of the sites that I'm following:

Desire to Inspire
Automatism
Emma's Design Blogg
If The Lampshade Fits

The Organic Sister
art on your sleeve
Artistic Journeys

Sandra Ingerman's Blog
NeuroLeadership Summit

WE: Vancouver

Photograph: The Art of Purposeful Living

On Tuesday evening a couple of friends and I spent some time at the Vancouver Art Gallery. You could call it a walking meditation through an exhibition of 45 projects commemorating Vancouver's 125th birthday. An intriguing blend of arts and culture, architectural and environmental design through which to view the "life" of our city.

Take a walk through your local gallery and immerse yourself in a world as seen through the eyes of another and create your own meaning.

Radio to wrap it up

I love all things CBC Radio (Canadian Broadcast Corporation). Here are two of my favorite radio programs complete with podcasts:

Q with Jian Ghomeshi

The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean

Have a wonderful weekend. 

I'm going to Vancouver Island for a few days. When I return I'll get working on putting together the first posting in the vision series for your contemplative pleasure.

Lost in Paradise

Creating meaning from everyday experiences...what the heck does that mean anyway? Hm, well, today it's about really, really, working at staying in the moment. I don't know about you, but I can take myself and others way too seriously.

Today I'm setting an intention to be curious. I am going to hold a space for observing my thoughts and feelings. I'm going to take a look at the beliefs and values attached to my thinking and emotions, my egoic mind (Eckhart Tolle).

Thought Challenge: What meaning are you creating in this moment?

Today is Sunday

Pisac Ruins, Sacred Valley, Peru

August 2010

It's Sunday. How many of you are already thinking about Monday? What's on your mind? Is it possibly preoccupied with heading back into the rat race, hornet's nest, snake pit, or lion's den? Are you spending Sunday, already in Monday? In fact, I'm wondering if you started the weekend counting down to Monday? I did. Still do. Actually...I have a different countdown going on, I'm leaving for Hawaii tomorrow...but I digress.

I have been there (er, yes, to Hawaii too). What I mean is, I have spent many years living anxiously towards a future illusion. Now I'm working on staying present.

Today is Sunday.

Stop. Breathe deeply.

Take a moment to reflect on all that is good in your life.

Bring this feeling, this gratitude, this s-p-a-c-e into right now.

Thought Challenge: How can you bring more breath into your life? What does that look like? How do you feel when you are breathing deeply? What is one thing you can do differently that will create more s-p-a-c-e to breathe?