Cultivating Curiosity

One of my photographs taken on a walk.  Had I been driving I would have missed these sweet colorful flowers reaching up towards the sun.

Philosophers, psychologists, mystics, and guru's all have sage advice on how to live a happier life.  But what really works?  I have found that one of the most effective ways to achieve greater personal fulfillment and happiness is to seek novelty in my day-to-day life.  Trying new things breaks us out of our habit thoughts and behaviors and wakes us up.  It pushes us into the moment. 

The human brain is actually energized by surprise and discovery.  So, to be happier, be curious, be in "learning mode", ask questions, develop “beginners mind” and begin to enjoy surprise; experience what its like to talk with someone you know well as if its the first time; experiment drawing with your left hand instead of your right; travel down a distant road you’ve never been on before; travel to a new city, a new state or to a foreign country; get out of your car and ride a bus, a bike or a train  - or better yet, walk.  Take a walk in the rain or walk at night with only the light of the moon and stars to guide you.

Each day, take one small step to follow a long held dream.  Instead of saying you’re going to work, say you’re going to “play”; wear a different color than you normally wear; read a Mary Oliver poem or The Wall Street Journal – it doesn’t really matter what it is as long as it’s something you've never read before and just stay curious.  Commit to curiosity. Commit to discovery. 

Repeating the same behaviors may feel comfortable but comfort is not the same as being happy. If more happiness and joy are what you want, then challenge the status quo.   If you do, you will probably begin to breath deeper and smile more, your self-consciousness might fly out the window and there might be a dance in your step!

This sign made me laugh.  It was on a wall in Shrewsbury and I almost didn't take the picture.  I walked by...then went back and captured it.  I loved discovering this part of the world.  Everything was new and different.  I vowed to stay curious.  I wondered how long this sign had been there.  It looked very old.

Mindful Communication Produces Big Rewards




Mindful communication has to do with being mentally and emotionally present when communicating with others.   It is about practicing deep listening rather than being preoccupied or distracted by the thoughts and stories in our own minds.   It is about paying attention to more than just the words that are being said, but to the feelings as well. 

To practice mindful communication and deep listening, notice if you are really present or if your mind is wandering. Are you making eye contact and listening without expectations, prejudice or judgment?  Are you aware of feeling impatient or thinking about what is "really" important or where you need to be next?  Are you distracted by other people or activities that are taking you away from being truly present? 



A late afternoon snapshot after school in England - they are listening to each other intently.

Mindful communication has great rewards. You may feel a connection that you have never felt before and you may feel understood for the very first time.  This then sets the stage for future understanding and connection.  In today’s hectic and fast paced world, I believe that most people are starving for this type of  communication.  I wonder what it would be like, if today, we could each be the change we would like to see?

Meditation Nourishes Your Brain

This looked like a wonderful spot to meditate. 

Meditation nourishes the body, the soul as well as the brain.  The more one meditates, the more the brain changes.  When we meditate, the "old brain" begins to quiet down and our sense of  separateness begins to diminish.  The walls of the ego (or the constructed self) begin to collapse and we begin to sense our oneness.  Scientifically speaking, it is found that those who practice mindfulness meditation have more gray matter in the left hippocampus, the part of the brain involved with emotional control, memory and learning.

Meditation aids in relaxation, concentration and attuning to deeper, more spiritual aspects of the self.  It helps us find our center - our temple of inner wisdom.  Through a meditation practice we can learn to live primarily from this place.  Did you know that the word "meditation" actually comes from the Sanskrit meaning "doing the wisdom".?

Mindfulness Not Exclusive to Buddhism

Many people are uncertain about mindfulness and think that it is exclusive to the practice of Buddhism.  Even though mindfulness has roots in Buddhism, it is, in essence, about living life in the moment as well as being a type of formal meditation practice.  Mindfulness meditation helps quiet mind chatter and cultivates present moment awareness.

 

A view of  my garden.  It is hard not to be fully present in a garden.

Practicing mindfulness not only helps to intentionally be in the present moment, it helps you to accept each moment without judgment no matter what the moment brings.

 

Mindfulness meditation has become part of mainstream medicine thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the UMass Medical Center.  If you want to learn more about mindfulness, you can join a center, take a class, listen to a mindfulness meditation CD, become involved with yoga or Tai Chi as they are also beneficial practices.  You do not need to be a Buddhist to practice mindfulness or to live mindfully - its just about wanting to be in the moment "on purpose".

More on the Power of "Scents"

My summer garden.  Who doesn't love the scent of flowers on a warm lazy summer day?

My children loved to be read to when they were young.  One of their favorite books was Detective Arthur on The Scent.  It was the story of a bloodhound who had received a special gift from his grandmother on his birthday - a detective kit.  Inside was a detective hat, a magnifying glass and a detecting book.  When his birthday cake suddenly disappeared, his mother encouraged him to use his kit to find the robbers.

Rule #1 in his book said to search for any strange objects.  Rule #2 said to smell all objects.  Arthur went on to smell a banana, a bunch of cherries, a lemon, grape jelly, mint ice cream and finally his chocolate birthday cake which he found on a picnic table surrounded by all his friends.  This delightful story not only had a happy ending but was possibly our first introduction to aromatherapy!

I love learning new things.  Alan Hirsch, MD, author of Life's a Smelling Success tells us that the smell of peppermint or banana will reduce food cravings. By placing just a few drops of essential oil of peppermint on a cotton ball and placing it inside a plastic bag, we can smell it and reduce our hunger pangs.  By just smelling a banana we get the same effects and don't even have to peel it!  I'm really curious about this and want to learn more.

Use Common "Scents" to Improve Family Communication

Did you know that scents have powerful effects on our emotions - even to the point of helping to manage our minds and moods?  According to research done by Alan Hirsch, MD, author of Life's a Smelling Success, eating garlic bread at dinnertime helps to promote positive family interactions.  He  found that by eating or just smelling garlic bread, negative dinnertime remarks were reduced by 22% and pleasant remarks increased by over 7%.  I find that to be amazing!

Are you someone who needs to focus?  Then smell fresh flowers!  By smelling fresh flowers, your mental sharpness will increase along with the ability to focus.  This works for adults as well as for kids - especially when doing homework, when studying for a test or when practicing to give a speech.  For alertness and focus, place a vase of fresh flowers on your desk or table and stop often to "smell the roses".

The Privilege of Being Who You Are

American mythologist, Joseph Campbell said, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Yet, how many of us really know ourselves?  How many of us take the time it takes to discover our true selves?  

First, find out what you really want and then follow that even if it means breaking old ways of thinking and behaving.  When I decided to become a full time artist, I was breaking new ground. If I had continued with the status quo of making art part time or when I had time, I might never have experienced who I believe I was meant to be.  Mr. Campbell reminds us that we must be willing to let go of the life we have planned in order to have the life that is waiting for us.

Are there things or people in your life that are no longer serving you or your best interest?  Do you believe that you are too old, too young, that there isn't enough time or money to have, be or do what you really want?  There is a wonderful lession that the Queen in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass teaches us.  She states, “Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”.  Everyday I ask my self what I think is impossible and then I believe that it isn't.

 



This is the cover photo for an art suppy catalog - a place I sometimes buy art supplies.  It reminds me that I too can be an empowered artist.  All I have to do is believe.  When I woke up this morning I believed it.  I used to think it was impossible.

 

Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup books, says that we are all born with a purpose and that by living true to that purpose and staying on course, everything will soon begin to fall into place. Invisible hands will reach out and help us every step of the way.

Resolve right now to be truly yourself…to be more of who you really are…to begin experiencing the privilege of just being you and see what happens!