Being still does not mean don’t move. It means move in peace.
~ E’yen A. Gardner
At this very moment, I have the baby sleeping in my Ergo carrier and the 3-year-old playing with his cars at my feet. I have potato soup in the crock pot, fresh gluten-free bread hot out of the oven, and my little baker helped make gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies, too. Big brother is at school today and Nana is picking him up. Heck, I even have Christmas music playing in the background. And I’m taking a few minutes to sit quietly and enjoy my vanilla hazelnut coffee to check-in with YOU!
But, it’s not always this peaceful.
(Not to mention the 3 baskets of clothes waiting to be folded, the toys scattered throughout the house and the crumbs on the kitchen floor. We’ve gotta let some things go, right?)
So…tell me. How do YOU feel about the holidays coming up? I really LOVE this time of year. I share the same joy my kids have about the decorations, the gifts, the foods and the special times together. We keep gift buying to a minimum and instead, I like to use our time and energy on parties, cooking yummy meals and sending hand-written cards.
Sometimes I feel moments of melancholy around this time of year…like when those holiday songs come on that make me think of my grandma. Man…I sure do miss her. And this time of year reminds me just how fast life really goes. In many ways, it seems like only yesterday I was a child dreaming of what Santa might bring. And now I’m reliving those memories with my own children.
Then…I remember how much more peace I find…IN THE MOMENT.
Living moment-by-moment, and adapting to what happens throughout the day, rather than being attached to expectations of how things used to be or how I think the day should go, takes practice for sure! In this very moment, with a sleeping babe and another boy having fun playing on his own, I already feel more at peace, because I’m sitting here, quietly, doing what I love – writing and drinking coffee.
But…as we know…it can all change in an instant.
So how do we keep connected to that feeling of peace when…
the kids cry, the computer fails, the car breaks down, the money gets tight, the stress of life feels overwhelming…?
When life throws us those detours, how do we stay connected to what matters most?
Breathing…helps. Crying…helps. Asking for help, sleeping, eating well, art, journaling, movement, community, and giving thanks…all help.
Finding stillness helps, too.
It’s in the stillness where you return to…YOU.
It’s in the quiet moments where you reconnect to the peace in your heart.
I find that making time for a little quiet each day helps remind me what matters most during those stressful times. It helps me stay centered during the chaos that can easily come during the holiday season, too.
It might be writing in my journal before bed. Or lying on my yoga mat before the day begins. It might be taking a walk alone. Whatever it is, on the days I set aside even just 5-minutes to myself, the more at peace I feel in the midst of chaos.
During my own moments of stillness recently, I’ve reconnected to the messages in my heart that remind me how much I LOVE art journaling, writing and leading women on self-discovery adventures!
And that’s why I’m getting ready to offer a new session of
Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery!
Inside Out has changed the lives of countless women from around the world (including my own) and you can read more about their experiences HERE. During the course of 5-weeks, we will make a visual journal that will reveal how we can live the life we are meant to live – with more creativity, peace and joy!
Through art, journaling, simple yoga, guided meditation and connection to community, you will discover and reconnect to your inner dreams, learn how to make space for them AND create an action plan to make them real for 2014.
For all the Inside Out details, visit HERE.
Registration begins December 1st and the course dates are
January 27th – February 28th, 2014.
For your chance to win a spot in Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery, simply leave a comment on this blog post!
I’ll announce a winner on Friday, November 22nd.
Baby is still sleeping but the 3-year-old is ready for Play Doh.
I’ll sign off here and simply say…
Be well.
Give yourself a break.
You are doing enough.
And you CAN feel more peaceful now, even in the chaos of the holiday season.
Find your moment of stillness and return to the peace that lives within YOU.
Wow, this course sounds fantastic! I would love to start the new year off by joining the e-course. Thank you for the chance to win 🙂
Hi Tammy! Thanks so much for your comment. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and GREAT start to your new year.
I’ve been waiting for you to re-offer this course and am so excited that it’s happening soon!
also….Congratulations on Grayson’s birth! He’s beautiful ~
Hi Sha!
Thanks so much for your sweet comments. I am in LOVE with this new little guy.
Hope you will join us for Inside Out!
So glad Inside Out is back.
Hi Sara!
Can’t wait to share Inside Out with you again. xo
This was a much needed reminder this morning. I am always going 100mph and have such a hard time stopping. And thank you for the giveaway!
Hi Aubrey,
We need those reminders don’t we? I know I sure do! Hope you are slowing down as we enter the holiday season. Enjoy!
As always, love your post, Shannon! It is a challenge to stay peaceful, especially as the holidays approach. Time seems to speed up. But if anyone is a great example to us, you are…I love that you’re still finding time for you and what you enjoy even with a brand new little one. You are inspiring! I loved taking Inside Out and Mothering with Heart this year, and I know I’ll be back for more in 2014. Your classes are amazing! Thanks for reminding us to take 5 minutes for ourselves; it does make a world of difference. And thank you for such an awesome giveaway!
Thanks SO much Amy. That is so nice to hear. I’m really excited to see you will be joining us again. Let’s have some FUN!!
Shannon you know me I would love the chance to have another go INSIDE OUT it is my favorite way to spend time with you. I was talking about you today during a job interview. Life is crazy here but in my head I have select phrases from you and I thank you for them. I hope to be a part of the next INSIDE OUT class….peace Barbara
Barbara,
Happy to see you are one of the winners of the random drawing for the next Inside Out! Love to you, friend.
January would not be January without inside out 🙂 I’ll be back.
I am in the beginning of renewal again after an upheaval in my life. This class helped me rediscover my art, myself, and my focus. It would be lovely to take again.
I recommend it to anyone who needs a little help piecing it together.
This is my favorite time of year too! However, can also be stressful with obligations. This e-course sounds amazing 🙂
I find the holidays joyful and stressful. This year I’m looking forward to them because last year I was at the beginning of a pregnancy and just felt horrible the entire month. I got the bare bones done for my two boys (now three boys!) but it was a real challenge every day. This year, I am hoping to enjoy everything much more and have the energy to make some special memories together. This course sounds like an amazing way to start a new year!
Hi Kathleen! Did you see that you are the winner of my random drawing for a spot in Inside Out? Can you email me at LiveFreely@mac.com so I can give you the details? Thanks so much!
Shannon, I am so excited hat you are feeling like this is a good time for you to offer another class. For the first time ever I am excited about the holidays and am feeling like I am in the spirit. Living in the moment has helped that. Thank you for all that you ofer each of us.
Thanks, Angie. I have loved our journey together up to this point and look forward to sharing more in the future. Thanks for your friendship.
As always, I love your writing and your sharing of your world. It sounds like life is going well for you right now and all your boys are bringing you so much joy! I agree with what was said that January wouldn’t be January without Inside Out! Glad you feel energized enough to offer it so soon after setting into life with 3 boys! Happy Holidays!
Karen –
It wouldn’t be January without Inside Out and it wouldn’t be Inside Out with out Karen!!!! Hugs to you, friend.
Oh, how I would love to win a spot in your next Inside Out. I participated a couple years ago and it was so refreshing and awakening and art-full. I still have the journal and I leaf through it and smile.
Thank you for the blog reminder to soak up peace when we have those quiet times and take them with us in our hearts for when life gets loud. Will be trying very hard for that balance during this holiday season. Blessings to your family!
Hi Amy,
Great to see you here again. I’m happy your journal makes you smile. More than ever before I’m SO ready to start a new one. I have really good feelings about 2014! Stay in touch.
Reading Your post is like reconnecting with the Real, truth, deep part of me…I’d love to take part to the inside out Course. Wow!! (I’m italian, so My English is not Perfect!!!)
Hi Paola,
Thanks so much for your comment. I would LOVE for you to join us. We have other Italians in class, too. 🙂 Your English is GREAT!
I took this course a few years ago and it totally got me hooked on art journaling. It’s so NICE to do some art that’s just for ME! As far as the “taking time to breathe”, it’s always good to be reminded – especially this time of year!
Hi Monica-
I so love art journaling this time of year, too. I LOVED when you took class – you added so much inspiration to class. Be well (and I always love your FB posts. 🙂
Shannon, Inside out helped me to be authentic in many ways. I could share my challenges with ladies like me. I felt so genuine sharing my story. Each of us has one; the difference is that in Inside Out nobody blame or punish you, by the contrary encourage, cheer, celebrate, or cry with. I felt so save! I would love to have the opportunity to be in again. Love you Shannon!
Hi Mavi…
You are the best. It is a safe place that is for sure. I have always LOVED your sharing. You are an inspiration.
So glad Inside Out is coming back again! It’s always such an amazing journey.
Hi Kristin!!
Big hugs to you. I am excited to hear how things are going for you. xo
Every day is a holi-day for me. It’s a blessing to be life here on Earth and to have the priviledge of raising my precious little son. Nonetheless, me too gets out of balance and things are growing too tall over my hand. In worst cases if my husband is available I go to my room, close the door, and SCREAM into the pillow. I cry a lot, too. For calming down oftentimes I simply surrender to the moment. Like now for example. My son slept only 30 min this morning, then only fall asleep at 4 pm totally exhausted. 4.30 p.m. he woke, crying. He settled back to sleep around 5 p.m. Since then he constantly nurses or chews nipples. When I see a chance to get up he notices and goes back to breast. I need to pee big time. Getting breakfast was challenging. Lunch I am still dreaming of at now 6 p.m. I go with it, I surrender and use the time – besides sneaking into FB or emails – to reflect, to learn and see clearly what I can improve being a mom, to marvel at my son and KNOW it is him having a hard time, that he needs me now more than ever. That last point especially keeps me going and enduring such situations. Actually, if not for such difficult days/situations I would hardly take time for stillness. I know I so need it to recenter, yet it is so far only my son creating this space for stillness for me in his most needy moments. Thank you, Shannon, for giving me space to share here as Inside Out is so valuable to me. And thank you for offering such precious gift meant to elevate a person’s life to it’s true heights. Love and Stillness to all your family 🙂
Hey you…
Sending you a big mama hug. You are a great mother. There is so much to learn from our little ones, isn’t there? xo
I’m so happy that you’re doing another InsideOut course Shannon, I loved the one earlier this year, it came at exactly the right time in my life and helped me (and my husband) make some decisions that have changed our lives from a place of chaos, of constantly doing things we though we SHOULD be doing to a more peaceful, happy home where we do what is right for our family. I’m very keen to start the new year by taking your course again, it will be interesting to see what my art journal shows this time as I’m in a very different place in my life now.
I would LOVE for you to join us again, Kelda! Your participation is a gift for us all. xo
Yay!!! Inside Out inspired, motivated, and changed my life this year and I am so excited that you will offer it again in January!!! This holiday season I am so thankful to be spending time with both my Mom and son in Florida. She has ovarian cancer and is taking chemo treatments each week. Our time together is precious. Inside Out opened my eyes and guided me to my true path in life. It helped me to leave my past behind,taught me the importance of forgiveness, and I have found myself again and begin each day with gratitude and love. Thank you Shannon, you’re truly a treasure to us all!
Debbie,
You inspire me all the time. I thrilled to see you are signed up again. WOO HOO!!! xo