Sedona Hutton's Blog - Posts Tagged "inner-peace"
Peace on Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd with activities and events held around the globe. Earth Day began in 1970 when peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and to honor the concept of peace. Today’s blog pays tribute to the first Earth Day by focusing on peaceful ways to honor our planet.
We can pay tribute to Mother Earth through peaceful thoughts and actions. If you buy into the notion that the Earth is vibrational, that like attracts like, it doesn’t take a huge leap of faith to believe that kind thoughts benefit our planet. Today, I will be mindful of my thoughts. I will ensure that they are kind, compassionate, and loving.
Today, I will also honor the Earth through my actions. Instead of putting chemicals on my lawn, I’m going to love it the way it is. I will fondly remember the dandelion bouquet my daughter picked for me when she was a child. Instead of worrying about dandelion seeds creating more weeds, I’m going to pick one, make a wish, and blow the seeds into the wind.
Inner peace cultivates love. Today I will consciously direct love and light to our beautiful Earth. I will also offer love and light to all life forms who reside on our planet because we are all connected.
I invite you to join me in contributing peaceful thoughts and actions…today, tomorrow, and throughout the year. What better way to honor and respect the beautiful, intelligent, life-sustaining planet we call Earth?
“You are the source of all change on the planet. If you tend to your internal peace, you’re tending to peace on earth.” – Panache Desai
We can pay tribute to Mother Earth through peaceful thoughts and actions. If you buy into the notion that the Earth is vibrational, that like attracts like, it doesn’t take a huge leap of faith to believe that kind thoughts benefit our planet. Today, I will be mindful of my thoughts. I will ensure that they are kind, compassionate, and loving.
Today, I will also honor the Earth through my actions. Instead of putting chemicals on my lawn, I’m going to love it the way it is. I will fondly remember the dandelion bouquet my daughter picked for me when she was a child. Instead of worrying about dandelion seeds creating more weeds, I’m going to pick one, make a wish, and blow the seeds into the wind.
Inner peace cultivates love. Today I will consciously direct love and light to our beautiful Earth. I will also offer love and light to all life forms who reside on our planet because we are all connected.
I invite you to join me in contributing peaceful thoughts and actions…today, tomorrow, and throughout the year. What better way to honor and respect the beautiful, intelligent, life-sustaining planet we call Earth?
“You are the source of all change on the planet. If you tend to your internal peace, you’re tending to peace on earth.” – Panache Desai
47% of waking hours are spent thinking about what isn’t going on!
This blog was written as a guest post for LauriesPlace.net as a part of a blog tour for NORA’S PROMISE. Please stop by to check out the full tour at: https://lauriesplace.net/.
Focusing on the present moment is a key theme in my contemporary romance, NORA’S PROMISE.
It sounds simple, but for most of us, living in the now requires practice and ongoing awareness. A Harvard study found that people spend 47% of their waking hours thinking about what isn’t going on. It’s human nature to spend time dwelling in the past or worrying about the future. Unfortunately, this isn’t good for us. The Harvard study shows that this mind-wandering makes people unhappy.
“A human mind is a wandering mind, and a wandering mind is an unhappy mind,” says Killingsworth and Gilbert, professors of psychology at Harvard. “The ability to think about what is not happening is a cognitive achievement that comes at an emotional cost.”
“Mind-wandering is an excellent predictor of people’s happiness,” Killingsworth says. “In fact, how often our minds leave the present and where they tend to go is a better predictor of our happiness than the activities in which we are engaged.”
Increased happiness is an excellent reason to focus on the now. According to spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle, the only time we’re truly alive is in the present moment. Not in the past…not in the future…we live our lives in the now.
“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.”—Eckhart Tolle
“When we live in the flow of that stream of energy, we remain centered and fulfilled even through the ups and downs of our day.” — Deepak Chopra
“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Living in the now allows us to savor the simple moments in life. It increases joy, reduces stress, and enhances our connection with others.
The greatest obstacle of presence is the mind. Mind-wandering is our brain’s default approach. Given this, we must be conscious of our thoughts and recognize when we’re not fully present. Once this acknowledgment takes place, there are many ways in which one can reconnect with the present moment. Several suggestions are provided below:
§ An age-old tip is to focus on your breathing. Bringing your attention to your breath reduces the number of thoughts running through your mind and opens space for awareness of what’s going on inside and around you.
§ Consciously move your body. Wiggle your toes, fist and release your hands. Roll your neck. It’s amazing how these simple movements return your attention to the now.
§ Ask yourself, “Am I present?” If not, redirect your focus. Ask this question many times throughout the day…and overtime you’ll likely find an upward trend of, “Yes!” responses.
§ Focus on your immediate surroundings using your senses. Listen to the birds chirping. Gaze at the mountains. Feel the sun warming your skin. Breathe in the scent of pine. Cup your hands around a mug of tea; feel its warmth and draw in the delicious spices.
Now it’s your turn—what techniques do you use to refocus or to remain focused on the present moment?
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of women’s fiction and romance novels with spiritual & new age twists.
NORA’S PROMISE, a contemporary romance: She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Can one orphaned boy force them to change gears? Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2OktquX
CLOUD WHISPERS, a contemporary novel: The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate. Purchase link: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona’s blog newsletter, tap this link: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading :
The Power of Now-A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle: https://amzn.to/2Rq9YgN
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://amzn.to/2BRpecU
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
Pass on Perfection & Live a Happier Life
Aiming for perfection makes perfect sense for doctors performing surgery, engineers designing an airplane, and anyone working in life and death situations. For most of us, our day-to-day work doesn’t include those implications.
We strive for success in our respective pursuits but seeking perfection isn’t the best approach. Psychology Today calls perfectionism “a trait that makes life an endless report card on accomplishments or looks” and “a fast and enduring track to unhappiness.”
Perfectionists fear making a mistake might cause others to think poorly of them, get them fired, or any other plethora of negative outcomes. This obsession with perfection creates an unachievable standard and a toxic focus on failures.
Experts have found that perfectionists are made not born. It starts at an early age, and unfortunately, demand is on the rise. Parents are increasingly insisting on perfectionism from their children and seeking status from their kid’s performance.
In The Perfect Lap. Ella’s parents expect Ella to be perfect. Ella puts undue pressure on herself in an ongoing attempt to meet their expectations. That is, until she learns another way. Below is an excerpt from The Perfect Lap where AJ shares his views on perfectionism with Ella and the kids they are fostering:
“My granddad taught me there’s no such thing as a perfect lap. He always said that I should give every race my best attempt, and the rest of it would find a way.” AJ shifted his gaze between the kids and Ella, who looked every bit as enthralled as the kids. That pleased him because his granddad’s wisdom was for her as much as it was for the kids. In some ways, it was even more important for Ella.
“So, you won even though you didn’t have a perfect season?” Madison asked.
“Darlin’,” he drawled, making Madison blush, “last season was so far from perfect you can’t even imagine. I lost my ride in April—”
“Huh?” Zach scratched his head.
AJ chuckled. “I got fired from my race team.”
The kids were obviously shocked by his admission. Zach’s eyes popped, Madison sucked in a sharp breath, and Kayla’s mouth dropped open. Ella also looked surprised. Knowing Ella, she had thoroughly researched him and knew his history. Her surprise was likely associated with his admission of imperfection. But he wanted the kids and Ella to learn what he had learned—you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to be persistent.
“Yep, I got fired. I sat out for two races before Davey asked me to join Team Johnson.” He smiled at the attentiveness he had from Madison, Kayla, Zach, and Ella. “Throughout the season, I led a lot of laps and I sucked in a lot of laps, too.”
The girls giggled.
“I did what my granddad taught me—I tried my best each and every lap. Sometimes I won. Sometimes I didn’t, but I still accumulated a lot of points. Other times, despite my best efforts, I didn’t do well at all.” He slid his gaze between the kids and Ella. “When that happened, I told myself it was okay, that I’d do better the next time.” He leaned in toward Zach.
“You know what? I always did.”
Let’s take a pointer from AJ and not buy into the pressure from society, our family, friends, and even ourselves. As Leo Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Bronze Contemporary Romance winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX
The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—2019 IPPY Bronze winner for Visionary Fiction. The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc
To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)
Recommended Reading:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
We strive for success in our respective pursuits but seeking perfection isn’t the best approach. Psychology Today calls perfectionism “a trait that makes life an endless report card on accomplishments or looks” and “a fast and enduring track to unhappiness.”
Perfectionists fear making a mistake might cause others to think poorly of them, get them fired, or any other plethora of negative outcomes. This obsession with perfection creates an unachievable standard and a toxic focus on failures.
Experts have found that perfectionists are made not born. It starts at an early age, and unfortunately, demand is on the rise. Parents are increasingly insisting on perfectionism from their children and seeking status from their kid’s performance.
In The Perfect Lap. Ella’s parents expect Ella to be perfect. Ella puts undue pressure on herself in an ongoing attempt to meet their expectations. That is, until she learns another way. Below is an excerpt from The Perfect Lap where AJ shares his views on perfectionism with Ella and the kids they are fostering:
“My granddad taught me there’s no such thing as a perfect lap. He always said that I should give every race my best attempt, and the rest of it would find a way.” AJ shifted his gaze between the kids and Ella, who looked every bit as enthralled as the kids. That pleased him because his granddad’s wisdom was for her as much as it was for the kids. In some ways, it was even more important for Ella.
“So, you won even though you didn’t have a perfect season?” Madison asked.
“Darlin’,” he drawled, making Madison blush, “last season was so far from perfect you can’t even imagine. I lost my ride in April—”
“Huh?” Zach scratched his head.
AJ chuckled. “I got fired from my race team.”
The kids were obviously shocked by his admission. Zach’s eyes popped, Madison sucked in a sharp breath, and Kayla’s mouth dropped open. Ella also looked surprised. Knowing Ella, she had thoroughly researched him and knew his history. Her surprise was likely associated with his admission of imperfection. But he wanted the kids and Ella to learn what he had learned—you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to be persistent.
“Yep, I got fired. I sat out for two races before Davey asked me to join Team Johnson.” He smiled at the attentiveness he had from Madison, Kayla, Zach, and Ella. “Throughout the season, I led a lot of laps and I sucked in a lot of laps, too.”
The girls giggled.
“I did what my granddad taught me—I tried my best each and every lap. Sometimes I won. Sometimes I didn’t, but I still accumulated a lot of points. Other times, despite my best efforts, I didn’t do well at all.” He slid his gaze between the kids and Ella. “When that happened, I told myself it was okay, that I’d do better the next time.” He leaned in toward Zach.
“You know what? I always did.”
Let’s take a pointer from AJ and not buy into the pressure from society, our family, friends, and even ourselves. As Leo Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Bronze Contemporary Romance winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX
The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—2019 IPPY Bronze winner for Visionary Fiction. The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc
To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)
Recommended Reading:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
