An easy and wonderful way to start the weekend is with a quick meditation.  Remember, the way in which you start your day is how the rest of the day will naturally flow.  Wouldn’t it make sense to start the day clean and relaxed, instead of stressed and in a hurry?  We shower each day to get the sweat off our bodies, why wouldn’t we meditate and get quiet each day to wash the stress off?

Here is a simple and effective tool to get your weekend started right!

1.  Close your eyes

2.  Pay attention to how you are naturally breathing.

3.  Ask yourself, “Is my breathing short and shallow or long and deep?” and just notice what you notice. Do this for 30 seconds.

4.  Begin deep breathing – in through the nose, expanding at the navel; out through the mouth making the “HAAAAA” sound and contracting at the navel.  Your belly button should move away from your spine on the inhale and fall back toward the spine on the exhale.

5.  Make sure the exhale is longer than the inhale.  The exhale is where relaxation happens.

6.  Count in for “3″ and out for “6″

7.  Take 4 deep “counted” breaths, then relax and be quite for as long as you need.

8.  Then, identify at least 3 things you are Grateful for. Repeat 3 times, “I am Grateful For….” and let the ending come naturally.

9.  When you are finished intend to open your eyes feeling calm and refreshed – then begin an Awesome Day!

For a guided introduction to this relaxation breathing technique, visit my website, scroll down and click on “Learn to Breathe and Relax”. http://www.jenniferjade.com/products/

So, I pick up My Biggest Little Teacher (BLT) after not seeing her for a few days, and we begin chatting and catching up in the car. (It seems the car is magical because this is where we have some of our most amazing conversations!)  Right off the bat she asks me, “Do you ever have those moments when you are so so so so grateful for someone or something you just feel all this love?” Immediately I think of her, smile, and say, “Yep, I sure do!”   I ask her, “Who is it you are so grateful for?” (while hoping she will say “you mama!”)  BLT answers, “Kitty!  You know what Mom?  I didn’t think after all this time I’d still feel so grateful for Kitty. Gosh, I’ve had Kitty for over a year and I still feel so happy to have her! You know Mom,  it reminds me that I can be grateful for things even after I get them.  I don’t just need to say thank you when I get something, but I can feel that way after I have it.”

Then after such a profound statement, the conversation turned to farts and boogers, and we laughed our butts off!  But, in my soul, I was reminded and have not forgotten the importance of holding an ongoing attitude of gratitude.  BLT is right, “thank you” is not just for when I first receive a gift,  I can hold that feeling of gratitude even a year or a decade later.

What are you grateful for today?  Start with identifying 3 things, big or small, and notice how it just begins to grow.  May you hold an ongoing attitude of gratitude.

Last month while in Las Vegas with my Biggest Little Teacher (BLT) enjoying some much needed R&R, I had another funny and inspiring conversation with my nine-year old daughter.  She had just gotten the lead role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz musical, and was feeling like a star!  We were walking through the Mandalay Bay casino where we were staying and she was dazzled by all the lights and sounds.  She turns to me with a big smile and asked, “I wonder if they have a Wizard of Oz show here?”  I told her they probably did and that Vegas has lots of really great shows.  She got quiet for a second and then looked up to me and asked, “So do you think I could perform here one day?”  I told her, “Of course you could.  You can do anything you want to do!”  In the same breath she asks, “So, will you help me pound the sidewalk?”  I was confused for a second, and asked her what she meant.  She said, “You know, help me to get gigs.”  Then it hit me… “Do you mean pound the pavement?”  She gave a boisterous giggle and said, “Yeah!”

So there you have it!!  A 9 year old who is visualizing herself pounding the pavement in Vegas to get gigs… where there is passion, there are no limits!!!

I watched the movie not too long ago and found it to be incredibly inspiring.  Nelson Mandela’s actions of forgiveness are breath taking.  I am inspired to the core by his example.  His ability to truly forgive and see the Big Picture, changed a nation and the world.  I could not help but wonder if I was capable of such unconditional love and forgiveness?

In the movie Nelson Mandela states he was kept strong during his 30 years in prison by this very poem.  May it strengthen your soul as it has mine, repeatedly.

Out of the night that covers me
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me Unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE
I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL
~William Henley

A couple months ago my Biggest Little Teacher (BLT) was telling me about how her school was doing the Wizard of Oz as the summer Musical Theatre program.  She beamed, looked me straight in the eye and said, “I want to be Dorothy.”  I patted her on the head and smiled at her with encouragement.  However, on the inside my fears were triggered and I thought to myself, “What if she doesn’t get it? Oh My Gosh, what would I tell her?  How can we mend her broken dream?”  But since I always encourage BLT to go with her heart and go for her passions, we talked about the part often over the next few weeks.

As auditions came closer, BLT began to open her horizons and get excited about a few other parts as well.  Not sure if it was out of fear or simply the desire to act, sing, and dance no matter what.  I figured it was good to stay focused on the main desire and not be too attached.  When I picked her up from musical theatre last week, I was greeted by BLT with a HUGE smile and a coy, “Guess what Mommy?  Guess which part I got?”  I said, “Ummm, the Good Witch Glinda?”  She shook her head and nearly burst out, “I got Dorothy!!!”  It was a celebration of high-five’s, kisses and hugs. As we walked to pick up her things, she told me to come check out her bag.  Inside were a pair of sparkly ruby red slippers!!!  I asked her if she had worn them for the audition. She said, “No, I didn’t wear them, I just brought them for good luck!”  Oh man, did it WORK!!!  That’s living the dream.

When we got in the car I asked BLT, “So, how was the audition?  What did you have to do?”  She told me they did a very small acting part and that was it.  I was a little shocked to think they made the decision so easily.  But, later that evening while talking about how exciting it was going to be playing the part of Dorothy she says, “You know Mom, I was ready to be any part they gave me.  Before the audition they asked me 3 questions; 1 – name, 2 – Grade, 3 – Why I wanted to be in the Wizard of Oz.  I told them, ‘Jade, 4th grade, and I want to be a part of the musical because I love to act, dance and sing.  I am excited to be part of this.  I will do my best with any part you give me.”  I stopped walking and asked BLT if I heard her correctly about “any part you give me”.  She said, “Yeah, I said that.  Mom, I just wanted to be in it.”

Once again BLT teaches me a lesson… Put my heart into my dreams and keep the dream alive in anyway that feels right, while at the same time remaining unattached.  Be ready to accept whatever gifts may come.  Its in the “letting go” dreams come true!!!

Thanks BLT!!   I love you!!!

If you like this blog, you can subscribe by entering your email to the right.  All Subscriptions receive a $5 coupon for any purchase!