As the days are growing longer and brighter, we celebrate spring moving into summer. Lighter times feel good, yet we must experience darkness and suffering to even have a concept of what is bright and wonderful in contrast. The good news and the bad news is that both the pleasant and the unpleasant are temporary.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Hope might be described as wanting something to happen. Wanting, however, can be experienced as grasping and reaching…and then disappointment when it does not come to pass in the way we expected. We might be better served if we think of hope as openly holding space for what is possible and trusting that we can navigate whatever unfolds.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Time is a funny thing. It drags on when we’re unhappy and flies by when we’re having fun. But when we immerse ourselves in the present moment, the concept of time disappears. Only you can choose how you are living this moment.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Strength has many facets. Strength of character is an ability to withstand pressure, to be tough and steadfast. Strength of heart is the courage to be soft, kind, and vulnerable. Strength of mind is to be skillful at choosing your focus. When the mind gets lost in a story of negativity, you have the power to rewrite the script.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Opportunities often arise out of nothingness, when the timing is right or a synergy of factors come together. From the chaos, something new emerges. Sometimes we need to let go of our preference or plan of action, opening space for unimagined possibilities.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

When we’re having a stress response, breathing either becomes faster and shallower to quickly bring in oxygen preparing the body for fight or flight, or it stops completely as part of the freeze response. When we are able to slow down and deepen our breathing—even in the middle of a stressful experience—we are sending signals to the brain and nervous system that the stress is over and we are safe. This can help override our tunnel vision survival brain and open up greater clarity and empowerment. It’s easy to use the breath as your superpower. We just need to remember this skill when the going gets tough.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Self-care is not an indulgence, a luxury, or something to leave for later that never gets done. It’s necessary maintenance. We are continually taking in energies of people, events, and experiences that need processing. Self-care can include everything from taking a class to having fun to simply resting and breathing. It is as vital as brushing your teeth or taking a shower, and a little bit goes a long way. Sprinkling a few self-care moments into your day can help you release and recharge.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Cultivating a lush garden takes work. This holds true for self-cultivation as well. To promote physical vitality, we cultivate healthy eating and exercise. To promote mental vitality, we cultivate problem-solving skills and focus. To promote emotional vitality, we cultivate emotional regulation and processing. To promote spiritual vitality, we cultivate interconnection with the greater existence. What aspect of your garden needs tending today?
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Our inner world often reflects the world around us—busy, noisy, and chaotic. Yet it is important to balance the activities of life around us with some inner quietude. As we rest within ourselves, the mind and body may still be quite noisy. And we might also rediscover the quiet underneath.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Sometimes we feel particularly brave, ready to face the challenge at hand. Sometimes we need comfort, seeking respite from the storm. Both are wise choices. Which choice are you aligning with today?
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In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​When the answer or the path is unclear, we often leap right into our most basic instinct—fear. It is difficult to be patient, accept where we are, and trust the unfolding. Life is uncertainty. Perhaps if we surrender to this truth, next steps will appear.

In mindful presence,
Lori Furbush

​When setting goals we sometimes feel overly fixated on the end result, only to become disillusioned when it seems unreachable. To create lasting change, it helps to outline all the tiny steps along the way, and focus all your resources on the step you’re taking now.

In mindful presence,
Lori Furbush

We often start the new year clarifying our intentions and setting a course of direction. It is important to act when inspiration is peaking. And it is also important to begin by becoming friendlier with who you are and where you are now.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​At this threshold of the solstice and year’s end, it is natural to reflect on the past and plan for the future. And to better know where you’ve been and where you’re going, you might also rest fully, deeply, viscerally in the present moment—where time ceases to be.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Through these shorter, darker winter days, we often spend less time in nature. The winter solstice is near, and the days will get just a little longer and brighter now. If you’re feeling small, disconnected, and heavy, it’s okay. This is the feeling of winter. And for a bit of balance, maybe it’s time to bundle up, get outside, and breathe with nature.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Think of the last time someone’s harsh words brought you suffering. Now think of the last time someone’s encouraging words brought you joy. What would it be like if we intentionally focused on encouraging others—even just for today? What we put out in the world comes back in countless waves and ripples.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Fear is our most basic human emotion, deeply embodied within us to help us survive danger. So deeply embodied that it shows up even when we are not truly in danger, but simply experiencing something unpleasant like running late to an appointment or having a difficult conversation. Fear can ignite like wildfire, fueled by our thoughts. We can be on the lookout for fear and when it shows up, if the situation is not truly volatile, be open to trusting yourself by pausing, breathing, and then choosing your next step.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

We can feel so small and fractured when we’re just trying to get through the day. It is such a powerful practice to pause and remember the bigger picture. You are a unique collection of energies that has come together to create a healing body, a discerning mind, a kind heart, and a wondrous spirit. The same energies that live in the trees, the ocean, the mountains, and the stars. Take a moment to breathe, allowing the internal and the external to blend through the breath. Breathing and being all that you are.
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​We view every experience we encounter through the lens of our personal lifetime history—accumulated information stored in the brain that carries preconceived notions, judgments, and preferences. What might it be like to remember that perceptions may not be truths? What perceptions have been limiting you? What other options open up as you let these perceptions go?
 
In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Imagine that the immense energy of the universe is at your fingertips. You are as bright and powerful as the sun. You are as steady and grounded as the mountain. You flow as easily as the ocean waves. When we see in our mind AND sense it in our body, we go from imagining into becoming.
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In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush