MPDR Archives Blog Post #249 - May 10, 2015

Pause

Take a moment to step out of the auto pilot “doing mode” 

to gratefully bring awareness to the sensations of 

your next three breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

What does it mean to be mothered? To mother someone? 

What are the core feelings in these experiences?

It’s universal: all of us have a mother. 

"Mother’s Day” focuses on the person who raised you and in many cases brought you into this world.

But let’s step outside of that cultural “Mother’s Day” paradigm and think about an experience in life: to mother or to be mothered. Not the part about bringing someone into this world — that’s not a necessary ingredient here. We’re focusing on the core feelings involved in the experience of mothering or being mothered, no matter who you are.”

-Jill Sarkozi

if you are interested in reading the rest of this post here is the link: http://safekeepingstories.com/2015/05/words-to-describe-mom-mother/

To everyone who has mothered

and has been mothered:

May you be happy

May you be healthy

May you feel loved

May you be safe

May you live with ease

May you have peace of mind

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #248 - May 9, 2015

PAUSE for three mindful breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

"Eating mindfully can help you reclaim the pleasure of food. So many of us have become out of touch with this, one of life’s most simple and wonderful pleasures.

When you sit for your meal, turn off all distractions and focus on your immediate experience. Before you begin to eat, pause. Look at your food, take notice of the scent.

When you eat take small bites and chew slowly. Only pick up your fork after you’ve fully chewed and swallowed the last mouthful. Be fully present in the moment with your experience savoring the tastes and textures one yummy morsel at a time.

By eating mindfully eating you aid healthy digestion and avoid overeating."

- Melli O’Brien (excerpt from post 7 Ways to Bring More Mindfulness into Your Life Today)

http://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/7-ways-to-bring-more-mindfulness-into-your-life-today/ 

Wishing you a mindful rest of the day

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #247 - May 8, 2015

Pause

Bring awareness to the experience

of the inhale, the exhale

and the spaces between

for the following three breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

“Like mindfulness itself, kindness is a natural human quality that requires intentional action to realize it’s potential. And like mindfulness, research shows that kindness is good for our physical and our emotional well-being.

Studies show that thinking about, observing or practicing a kind act stimulates that vagus nerve, which literally warms up the heart and may be closely connected to the brain’s receptor networks for oxytocin, the soothing hormone involved in maternal bonding. Kindness also triggers the reward system in our brain’s emotion regulation center releasing dopamine, the hormone that’s associated with positive emotions and the sensation of a natural high.

Kindness—which reduces stress, anxiety and depression—can literally put us, and others, at ease. It works wonders in the relationships we have with ourselves and with everyone else, even with people we don’t know. “

-Mary Ann Christie Burnside

(excerpt from blog post  Intentional Acts of Kindness)

 http://mindful.org/mindfulness-practice/compassion-and-loving-kindness/intentional-acts-of-kindness

  

Wishing you a mindful evening

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #246 - May 7, 2015

Notice how the breath feels

as it moves in and out of your body

for the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

"Be mindful when walking: 

These days we often do many things while walking - we listen to ipods, text message, speak on our phones. Try using walking as a mindful practice. Feel your feet making contact with the ground. Notice what it feels like to walk a little slower if you’re not actually in a rush.  Take in your surroundings, the smells, the colours, the sounds. Use mindful walking between meetings to create a moment of mindfulness in your day.”

-Dr Elise Bialylew (excerpt from post 10 Ways to Bring Mindfulness Into Everyday Life

http://www.lifestyle.com.au/health/10-ways-to-bring-mindfulness-into-everyday-life.aspx#

Wishing you many moments of being present today

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP©

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #245 - May 6, 2015

Bring curious attention

to the sensations of the breath

flowing in and out of your body

for the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

“We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.”

–     Maya Angelou

Wishing you peace of mind

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #244 - May 5, 2015

Notice how the breath feels

as it moves in and out of your body

for the next 3 breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

"Be mindful when walking: 

These days we often do many things while walking - we listen to ipods, text message, speak on our phones. Try using walking as a mindful practice. Feel your feet making contact with the ground. Notice what it feels like to walk a little slower if you’re not actually in a rush.  Take in your surroundings, the smells, the colours, the sounds. Use mindful walking between meetings to create a moment of mindfulness in your day.”

-Dr Elise Bialylew (excerpt from post 10 Ways to Bring Mindfulness Into Everyday Life

http://www.lifestyle.com.au/health/10-ways-to-bring-mindfulness-into-everyday-life.aspx#

Wishing you many moments of being present today

  

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP©

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #243 - May 4, 2015

Pause

Come into the present moment

by really feeling the sensations

of 3 or more breaths

 image by M. Lee Freedman

Would you benefit from pausing for 3 additional minutes to practice awareness of sensations in your body with a body scan guided by Elisha Goldstein?

If so, and you are able to find the time, here is the link:  http://elishagoldstein.com/videos/3-minute-body-scan/

Warm wishes for a mindful day

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #242 - May 3, 2015

Pause for 3 Mindful Breaths

images by M. Lee Freedman

Wishing you a peaceful day

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #241 - May 2, 2015

Pause to celebrate this present moment

By bringing full and loving attention

To your next three breaths

 image by M. Lee Freedman

“We begin to learn wisely when we're willing 
to see the world from other people's perspective.”    

-Toba Beta

Wishing you the wisdom and compassion 

that may arise from 

seeing from other’s perspectives

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/

MPDR Archives Blog Post #240 - May 1, 2015

Pause for 3 Mindful Breaths

image by M. Lee Freedman

 Welcome back to receiving mindfulness practice daily reminders after our April pause, and welcome to new subscribers. 

For a reminder of the intention of these reminders, please visit the welcome page to the MPDR Archives Blog athttp://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/2015/01/welcome-to-archives-of-mindfulness.html

The March 30 daily reminder included the following passage:

 “Pausing is foundational to the practice of mindfulness, an opportunity to check in, take a closer look, and consciously choose a response to what is observed.”

 You were invited to reflect on your mindfulness practice with the following 5 questions

image by M. Lee Freedman

You may feel that continuing to receive a mindfulness practice daily reminder via email is helpful.  However, if you do not feel that it is helpful, please let me know by emailing me, and your email address will be removed from the bcc list.

Wishing you peace and many moments of mindful awareness today

Lee

M. Lee Freedman, MD,CM, FRCP(C)

http://mpdrarchives.blogspot.ca/