Still the Chatter - Leave no trace

Lisa from Life Unity is hosting a mindfulness practice using  "How to Train a Wild Elephant"  by Jan Chozen Bays.   Lisa has invited anyone who is interested to join her in this journey of mindfulness. 

This week is about Leaving No Trace -  You pick a room or an area in your life and you simply leave no trace that you were there.   Sounds simple enough, right?   I mean,  I'm a mother.  I pick up things and leave no trace all the time!  What could I possibly learn from this?  Well,  let me just start with this. . . .

My mind is full, full of chatter.   Reminds me of the children's story,  "If You Give a Mouse a     Cookie"  that I often read to my children.  I see a dirty dish on the table,  take it to the kitchen,  see the trash needs to be taken out,  take it out,  see the gate open,  go to close it,  notice the holes the dog has dug, go to fill them up, on and on and on.  All those little details we take care of.   But what I have noticed even more in the last two days is the chatter in my mind.   It is constant and quite shrilll at times.

And yet . . . if I choose to focus on the one simple task at hand and only that task,  the chatter stills.  I have that brief moment of being present.   What a gift.  I will continue this practice of leave no trace and try the other simple daily mindfulness practices in the book.   If you are interested, check out Lisa's blog. 

 

WIP - a background I started this weekend

Finding myself completely intrigued by layers and layers and layers

somewhat like the layers of our lives - not all seen but traces remain

a close-up

not enough sun in Florida today so there was a glare from the flash

I thoroughly enjoyed painting this last weekend.

Would love to have more days to just simply paint.

Comments

[Lisa]

Absolutely GORGEOUS. (The background and your realizations!) :) Seriously, that chatter is exactly what we are all looking to become aware of. When I leave something somewhere or notice the kids (or hubby) did, it is always there for me to notice next time. The thoughts that arise when I run across it are where my practice starts again. I love that you are on this journey - this is SO wonderful!!

And yep -- LAYERS. Those are stunning colors and shapes...so much fun to keep working, to hide, to reveal...to experiment and create. :)

[Stephanie]

Good advice...but oh so hard to focus on just one thing.

happy that were able to have some painting time!
x..x

[Kim Mailhot]

love the journal piece. those juicy layers make it rich with arty goodness, don't they ?

My best task to achieve stillness is often art making. Thank you for the reminder to notice others throughout my day.

Happy Wednesday, Tami !

[somepinkflowers]

love the colors
and the happy, seemingly*randomness
of your layers...

{{ if i had made this,
my internal sun would B shining;
hope yours was }}

welll,
the florida weather has left me
somewhat moody
this week
but
wait
wait
i think i see something
in the sky brightly approaching...

{{ maybe the chatter
feeds your Muse }}

[Jenn]

I absolutely love your beautiful sunny layers!!! xoxoxo

[AlterEgoMexicana]

Yes...I have much mind clutter going on all the time, as well...there's always so much to do! But...I want to try being present in each task for a time, and experience what it feels like for a change. Lastly, I find the colors in your artwork stunning!