August

Summer and Spaciousness

SPACIOUSNESS

You know what my worst feeling is? Rushing. It is my biggest challenge opportunity for growth to remain calm and easy when I am meeting a specific start time. Being a nor-easter, punctuality is in my bones, and living in northern California I’ve learned to embrace the culture of going with the flow…and sometimes being late.

REFLECTION

Spaciousness is the antidote for rushing and the disease of busyness and so much more. Spaciousness is presence for what is, spaciousness is an open mind, spaciousness is at the root of acceptance, tolerance and social justice. Spaciousness is an invitation for everyone to feel their feelings without judgement.

Have you created time to ask what qualities the world is asking you to embody?

15 SIMPLE TIPS TO EMBODY THE QUALITY OF SPACIOUSNESS

1. Get clear on how “enough” feels. We can easily fall into thinking that we need more and more. Filling our children’s (and our) schedules with classes, sports, play dates and leaving little to no time for just being. When we are clear on how “enough” feels, it becomes easier to find spaciousness.
2. Start the day by saying, “I have enough time“. Repeat as needed.
3. Spend time taking in a big view like a mountaintop, a meadow or cloud watching.
4. Stretch you arms wide and back, opening your heart, creating space in your chest and back…ahhh.
5. Check in with yourself when responding to invitations. Are you saying yes out of obligation or because this sparks joy and curiosity? Give yourself permission to not respond in that moment.
6. Get clear on the things that bring you joy and happiness, make time to do those things.
7. Create time for spontaneity. Leave that afternoon open to see how everyone feels in that moment.
8. Turn off sound notifications on your phone. Unplug.
9. When your child is having big emotions, make space for those emotions to fully be expressed rather than suppressed. Create a recovery practice that includes connection and something for you as the parent to shake off the trauma like sitting under a tree for 5 minutes.
10. Spend time in nature every day.
11. Make time to focus on gratitude; share around the dinner table or write 3 things each day in your journal.
12. Listen to listen, rather than listening to respond.
13. Cultivate curiosity, this creates space for observation, exploration and most of all, presence.
14. Map out your month. Simply writing down special days, appointments, home-care and meal planning is like creating a map of your own life. Click here to download our free calendar for August.
15. Rest.