Enthusiast here

Last weekend, I participated in my monthly all-day mindfulness workshop at the Mindfulness Practice Center of Fairfax. Since then (and since I'm currently not working outside of the home), I've been toying with the idea of how to briefly describe myself. You know how on facebook, the "About" section pops up with a round of questions: What makes you happy? What's your life motto? Where would you like to visit? What are your hobbies? And I came up with this -- An enthusiast of simply delicious moments. 

I'm making that my personal tag.

In the struggle to establish a new balance between tending to family needs, keeping home, volunteering in the community and at N.'s school, figuring out next steps, and taking care of myself, I also strive to practice awareness and compassion in all aspects of life, to take stock of as many simply delicious moments as possible such as ... 

* our trek to the bus stop with my morning coffee in hand as N. asks for a couple of firm hugs & kisses before she boards.

* my daily morning walk/run/woods bath after N. boards the schoolbus, during which I'm constantly on the lookout for our resident neighbors -- mama deer and fawn, listening to the creeks' trickle, trying not to be startled by the enormous squirrels rustling through the early fallen leaves. 

* my at home Yoga with Adriene, who gently and playfully encourages me to find what feels good with every practice. Adriene welcomes all levels of students (including my not so flexhible self), is down-to-earth, passionate and compassionate when it comes to mindfulness. 

* working in the midst of quiet, whether it's the dishes, laundry, scheduling doctors' appointments, calling/writing my local legislators, participating in local school board/PTA meetings or journaling. 

* preparing dinner, including my daily search on allrecipes.com dependent on ingredients available. 

* welcoming my loves home from school and work as I'm sensitive not to bombard them with questions about how their day went given their need to decompress.

Simply delicious moments, these are. A mindful enthusiast, I try to be. 

August whirlwind

Five. Forty-five. Nine. An august whirlwind of significant years and events, including lunch lines, laugh lines, and star lines. It's amazing how quickly the summer continues to pass like the two-minute solar eclipse. Magical and wondrous, but only for a moment. 

We've spent these early years prepping N. to be brave, kind and curious. And in a second, off goes my heart on the bus -- all on her own -- to kindergarten. August truth. She is more than ready to explore the world of *five* and all that is possible this year. This past summer, after family visited from Saudi Arabia, N. was most interested in culture and why some girls and women wear hijabs, even dressing her babies in their own head scarves. Just yesterday, she befriended a neighbor on the bus who wears sparkly and colorful headwraps, kindersized. 

August truth. I will always be forty years older than my daughter. Since last year, I have been applying wrinkle/laugh line moisturizer to my face. Made especially for those 45+. Yes, I am a laugh line expert, and I embrace the honor. Thankful my partner embraces my 45-years-young expertise too. 

August truth. Nine years since my Dad died. On N.'s glorious first day of kindergarten, a couple of days before Dad's death anniversary, a beautiful black-blue-orange-white spotted butterfly (limenitis arthemis) hovered for some minutes on our front lawn, wings fluttering ever so peacefully. Tearfully, I read it as a hello from Dad, a butterfly angel watching over N., over us. What a delightful welcome to the new school year. 

August truth. Our blessings are abundant. We couldn't be more excited and grateful for Life's inspired goodness. 

May your august whirlwind be filled with flashes of magic and thanksgiving.

Mindful coffee

I decided to unwind at our local Gathering Grounds cafe while N. was in Space/Music Quest camp for the half day. Early and quiet enough with the bustle of Braddock Road in the background, the outdoor University Mall sits across from George Mason University. Not exactly rustic, but also not New York City. Unexpectedly I plopped myself down in meditation. With my coffee. 

Three deep breaths. Listen to the sounds around me. Take a sip, taste the boldness. Sit and breathe. Move my tongue. What's the after taste like? Still robust? 

Three deep breaths. Feel where I'm sitting. Comfortable chair, firm ground? What else is happening around me? Feel a breeze? Feel the sunshine? Hear the birds chirping? Notice the tiny flowers on the sapling tree?

Take another sip. As I swallow, really taste the coffee. Smile ever so slightly. Be thankful for who grew, who picked the coffee beans, who brewed the coffee. 

Three deep breaths. In gratitude for my cup of coffee. 

I set an intention for the day . . . May I be more aware of my gift of taste and for those who prepare delectable treats from farm to table.