Summer is here. It is a time when many of us go on vacation, relish the warmer weather, and unwind. What type of traveler are you? Do you prefer to travel light, or is your suitcase bursting at the seams?
I have a sincere desire to pack lighter. I admit there is room for improvement, and I'm excited to take on this challenge with upcoming trips on my horizon.
Of course, this also makes for the perfect metaphor –
How are we traveling in our day-to-day lives?
Are we traveling light? Do we allow space for peace, love, compassion, and kindness, or are we weighed down carrying stress, burdens, and the heaviness of our past?
For most of my life, I carried heavy luggage with me. From a young age, I numbed myself, stayed distracted, and didn't stop. I constantly pushed my feelings down, thinking this would make them disappear and that I would be happy. But they didn't go away. My luggage was bursting at the seams, creating a build-up of stress and anxiety.
And as Jon Kabitt-Zinn says, "Wherever you go, there you are." He couldn't be more right.
With my luggage so full, there was no room for peace, happiness, or connection. I wasn't there for myself and couldn't be there for others as I am now.
Today, I am so grateful to travel lighter.
How did I get here? Intentionally.
Each moment is a choice to be present – an opportunity to prioritize our peace and happiness. Traveling light is a mindfulness practice.
Our practice allows us to explore our feelings without judgment, helping us to understand and release what weighs us down. We are taking time to understand ourselves deeper, cultivating self-compassion, and creating space for positivity, peace, love, and kindness.
Life has its ups and downs and everything else in between. We can move through life rather than away from it when we are present. This is where our freedom lies.
We are not denying our feelings; on the contrary, we are present for whatever arises. What we are feeling, we are healing. We are there for ourselves. We learn how to express ourselves. There is more room for love and authenticity. This creates space for our essential qualities, such as peace, love, compassion, and strength, to shine forth.
Can I share a not-so-secret secret? When we are more present for ourselves, we can be more present for others. Our lives are full in a healthier, more fulfilling way.
And what better way to explain this than from a young child's mouth?
A young girl recently told me, "I filled up my bucket today." I knew she was referring to Carol McCloud's book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The book's central premise revolves around the metaphor of an invisible bucket that everyone possesses. This bucket can be filled or emptied based on positive or negative daily interactions.
I asked her how she had filled her bucket, and she said she had been kind to someone sad.
Hearing her recount this story made my heart so happy.
Children are learning at a young age about kindness, the impact of their words, and the impact of their actions. They are developing their emotional intelligence. They have choices, and their choices are powerful.
It all comes back to the power of being here in the now. Having and holding the intention to cultivate a deeper connection to our true essence, to love. To fill our own buckets, and in turn the buckets of others, with kindness, peace and compassion.
May the rest of your summer be enjoyable and fun!
As usual, I will take time some time off this summer to recharge my creativity and resume Mindful Mondays in September. I look forward to connecting with you then!
With love,
Diane