Laura Gaffke: I Find Beauty in this Moment

 

Savoring life to me means living with deep appreciation, love and respect for the many gifts I have been given. Making the time to journal is one of the ways I reflect, savor and appreciate the simple treasures which add so much meaning to my life. A few things I am currently savoring...

I savor leisurely mornings, gently nudged awake by only the sunshine peeking through my window or a morning when I don’t particularly want to get up and my husband surprises me with a hot cup of coffee in my favorite turquoise flowered mug. I savor the grinning, magenta tipped rose sitting on my bedside table, feverishly yelling “hello, come draw me” and taking the time to do it. I savor time to myself and seeing someone smile, especially if I helped put it there. I savor my silly little kittens who are always in the moment and quick to forget the past. They remind me to pause, play and be present to someone other than myself.

I savor my deep, generous friendship with my confidant & business partner Tina Hirsig. She has enriched and forever changed my life through her perspective and her “being” in the world. I savor all that I have learned from her about acceptance, following your dreams, staying the course and riding the waves. I savor relationships, my family, understanding and people who help me be a better person and live with an open heart. All of these magnificent gifts make my life rich with meaning and full of love.

With gratitude,

Laura

Bio

Laura Gaffke had the pleasure of growing up in New Hampshire where she was fortunate to have the mountains, city and seacoast all within close reach. Her diverse surroundings imprinted a deep connection with nature and compassion for the environment. It also invoked a desire to explore such places as England, Norway, Paris and the whispered magic of the Amalfi Coast. She believes happiness is a state of mind that can travel with you anywhere. Her vibrant use of color reflects this positive attitude and the joy she seeks both within and the world around her. Laura finds inspiration and meaning in tranquil mornings alone with her journal, in the hushed beauty of a freshly picked iris, engaged in rich conversation with friends and on peaceful beach walks which quiet her busy mind, giving form to new ideas.

 WEBSITE: http://www.lauragaffke.com

BLOG: http://lauratwotina.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/LauraGaffkeArt

SHOP: http:www.lauragaffke.etsy.com

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/lauragaffke/

TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/#!/missosally

Julene Ewert: How Do you Savor Life?

photo credit

"How do you savor life?" A big question. I believe everyone has a different way of savoring their life. What resonates with me is the word "slow." 

To savor, is to go slow and be mindful. I don't mean moving at a snails pace, which sounds so wonderful. I tell myself to go slow, and that this is a moment I should savor. You feel it. You know deep in your soul that this moment right now is so very special and it might not happen again, ever. I need to let the moment wrap around and fill me. 

My savor moments are small, fleeting and random. Like letting my cat sit on my lap (we both need each other). Tucking in my child at night with one last smile and kiss, catching the last glimpse of the setting sun, or leafing through the latest art or spring seed catalog and dreaming of the possibilities. I love to wrap myself in a quilt that my grandma made. So many simple little things to savor.  

 Your soul needs "savor moments" just the same as your body needs air. 

Savor=breath  

The note below, I look at daily.
"The aim of life is to live,
and to live means to be aware,
joyously, drunkenly, serenely,
divinely aware."
-Henry Miller

Bio: Hi, I'm Julene. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to look at my art. I love to use common materials in surprising ways. I love finding and using bits and pieces of objects from the past. I dream of a day when old houses and trees will speak. You can see strong influences from my grandmother - she loved to sew, quilt and do embroidery. My inspiration comes from nature, travel and everyday life. My art is whimsical in spirit, and expresses an honest and playful view of my world. I often say I have a problem with colors, I LOVE them all! When I begin a painting, the idea is somewhat formed. But what finally emerges is something truly remarkable - it is always something that is personal and close to my heart. It often surprises me how true my art reflects my soul.


My artwork can be found in galleries, gift stores and homes globally. I find my passion where I live in Moscow, Idaho, an undiscovered part of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My husband and son give me inspiration and brutally honest critiques. In keeping with my values, a portion of profits goes to support women in their small business endeavors via kiva.org. You can read more on my Blog.

Website: CLICK HERE

Fuzzy White Technology: How to Savor Your Life

One ritual/activity I do that helps me to savor life more:
My morning routine is a priority for me.

It is non-negotiable.

I ease into greeting each day in a way that honors my natural rhythm.

I am a morning person, so this is the best time for me to prepare spiritually, emotionally and physically for whatever the day ahead will bring.

I grab my favorite mug and fill it with my favorite coffee. The very ritual of coffee preparation is soothing and done with intent.

I journal for a few minutes about all the things I am grateful for at that moment in my life. I read for awhile, from my Bible, from books and blogs, and let the words and beautiful photographs nourish my soul.

I write down all the serendipitous and miraculous things that have happened the past 24 hours. There are always more than you realize when you take the time to remember them.

How grateful this practice makes me. I sit and dream. I let my mind wander to all that is possible for me, for my life and for my future.

I can envision some pretty wonderful things coming my way. I let the feelings that come at that moment grow within my heart and take root in my soul.

Then I move. I walk, run, do yoga, whatever feels good to me that day. I connect my body and mind through exercise and this is a very meditative time for me.

This is how I greet the day.

I savor my quiet, morning ritual and ultimately I savor my life more, because I am grounded, connected, calm, and at peace.

 Bio:
Kim White is co-owner and social media director at Fuzzywhite Technology LLC, a mobile application development company in Centennial, Colorado. A married mother of two, Kim runs her business alongside her husband, while she also runs to keep fit. She makes time to begin each day in a quiet, purposeful way before the fast moving world of social media comes to life on her laptop. Writing, reading, blogging, drinking coffee, chatting with people all over the globe and dreaming up the next greatest mobile app fill her days. Kim can be found at www.fuzzywhite.com and of course @fuzzywhitetech on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

Jodi LeBrun: One Ritual/Activity you do that helps you to savor your life MORE

photo credit

Tucking in my last babe.

Giving kisses and hugs and wishing sweet dreams.

This is the earlier part of my evening. The Mommy part.

Heading back downstairs. To my kettle. To my magical jars of healing herbs.

This is my time. My time to unwind. My time to dream.

My time to savor.

My time to sit with a warm cup of tea and go over my day with my husband.

The happy parts. The frustrating parts. All of it.

Or maybe I lose myself in a book. Or sneak in a treat that the kids missed.

These late night moments are what allow me to sleep with ease. To dream with clarity.

To process my life. 

To appreciate my life. 

To be present in my life.

Always.

Here are a few of my favorite tea blends - they both encourage mindfulness and relaxation.

Enjoy!

Luscious Rose Blend

2 parts of Holy Basil (Tulsi)

1 part rosehips

1 part hibiscus flowers

A few pinches of dried orange peel

OR

Lovely Lemon Blend

2 parts lemon balm

1 part lemongrass

1 part peppermint

Bring your water just to boiling and then let this steep for 5-7 minutes (in a tea ball) and enjoy. 

I like to sweeten mine with a bit of raw honey or organic brown sugar chunks!

Jodi LeBrun

Bio:

As a certified holistic life and raw food coach, yoga instructor and herbalist-in-training,  Jodi specializes in helping women to achieve balance, rhythm and joy in their lives by providing them with the tools, support and community to strengthen their digestive fires and ignite their passions and creativity! She offers seasonal detoxes and cleanses, 1:1 coaching and local UnCooking 101 classes.

She is also the proud creator of KaRAWte Kids - a signature lineup of hands-on workshops designed specifically for kids who are active in karate. 

You can learn more about her programs and cleanses at Balance, Rhythm and Joy at www.jodilebrun.com or her KaRAWte Kids workshops at www.personalbestwadokai.com. Register now for her Winter 2014 Nourishing Cleanse that's taking place Jan. 19th-29th!

Rachel Awes: What Do You Savor About Your Life?

 

 1. One ritual you do that helps you savor your life more: 

space of quiet. whether a nap, walk outside, or driving without the radio on, this expansion allows my mind to travel to just where i need to go + dwell + savor. 

2. What do you Savor?

i savor encounters, whether spiritually (i was in a sauna this week + experienced it as a burning bush), whether girlfriendly (a recent singing + clapping with a friend of a childhood song "say say oh playmate"), whether with love (embrace), or feeling my heart burst with the delightful things my teenage sons come up with. 

3. What does "Savor your life" mean to you?

it means to me to have my heart open + vulnerable enough to feel all there is to feel + know all this is fleeting + precious + be grateful. 

 4. Name someone who you admire for how much she savors her life.

 lori portka, who is all about gratitude + created 100 paintings to express it. she savors animals + people + beauty + lets us all know about it. http://loriportka.com

Rachel Awes
Website: All I Did Was Listen


bio: 
i work as a psychologist, author, + art playgroundist, who loves listening to the beauty in people. current project: 2nd book...will either self-publish to be released spring 2014, or released later if a publisher picks it up (still in progress). will be available in stores + in my etsy shop. for now, please find my book in my shop called "all i did was listen"!

Lisa Wilson: What Does "Savor your Life" Mean to You?

 Photo Credit: Lisa Renee Wilson, BeingBreath.com

Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.
―  

Mother Teresa

This moment.  This one right here.  The one neither of us are fully in because we are already drifting off to thoughts of the next tab open on the browser or how much time we have left until the next appointment or how long it is going to take to read this.

In this moment, there is so much.  There are thoughts whizzing past, scents riding on our inhale, textures caressing our skin, sounds bouncing from source to our waiting interpretation.

To me, savoring my life is simply returning to, and delighting in, what is.  There is no aromatic pie that needs to be made, no fuzzy slippers to don (unless they happen to be right nearby), no vacation I need to take.  I can only savor what is in front of me; therefore, there is nowhere else I need to be.  I can drop into this body that affords me both pain and pleasure and into the sensual delights that abound when I am here to enjoy them. 

To savor life is not to think about it, it is to feel it.

Here's something to help you Savor Your Life More:

REMEMBER TO BREATHE class:

As the busy holiday season is upon us, we need more self-care than ever.  REMEMBER TO BREATHE is a daily reminder designed to help you find just that bit of space you need each day to fully drop back into your self!  From December 1-30th, you'll receive daily emails with images+quotes specially crafted to help you find inspiration, contemplation, and even a bit of laughter!  You'll also receive access to a private Facebook group AND a PDF of many of the images+quotes so you can savor them throughout 2014!  Regular price is ONLY $15 - but just for readers of Robin's blog, I've extended a special : Sign up before December 1st at regular price, and you can gift one to a friend for FREE!*  (*Please note in your sign-up form that you signed up through Robin Norgren Studios)  Savor each of your moments by remembering the breath that carries you through each one ... sign up now at http://www.BeingBreath.com/RememberToBreathe2013 !

Check out other classes in creativity and mindfulness (open NOW for registration) at http://www.BeingBreath.com/offerings.

Bio:

Lisa Renee Wilson

As an Awareness Artist, I hold space, offer inspiration, and provide guidance for anyone feeling called to awaken to that "something more" in life.  Through classes, writing, and art, we weave the practices of contemplation and creativity into everyday life…learning to be at ease with What Is. BeingBreath, my world work, is how I connect with others - with you - in rediscovering the magic in this moment, one breath at a time. I do all of this from Southern Indiana, alongside my two lovely children who certainly help me practice what I preach.

Web: http://www.BeingBreath.com

Offerings: http://www.BeingBreath.com/offerings

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BeingBreath

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BeingBreath

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Lisa_Renee