When facing a challenge, we often add to our stress load by resisting reality. Allowing does not mean to just give up and let life steamroll you. But we can allow the reality of the moment at hand, even a disturbing moment. This gives the more evolved parts of the brain and nervous system time to kick into gear, giving us more clarity and power to either choose a course of action or to choose to let this one go. Allowing can be empowering.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Taking action is an important tool for addressing discomfort. If there is something we can do about a situation, we can make a plan and work the plan. And if there is no more action to be taken, we can then process our tensions and emotions through physical movement, sharing with a friend, and turning to our inner resources. It’s like that saying, “Do what you can. Let go of the rest.”

In mindful presence,
Lori Furbush

It’s important to review the past, collecting experiences and information. And it’s important to think of the future, setting goals and making plans. There is also so much life to be lived in the present, and so much that we miss when we’re somewhere else. The word now can be a touchstone, pooling all your resources back to where you are.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Remembering that everything is temporary can get us through some tough moments. Clouds, waves, winds, storms, whims, thoughts, emotions, situations—everything eventually passes, though sometimes not as swiftly as we would like. In the meantime, we breathe, flow with it, and continually return to center.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Wired with a brain and nervous system that like to be on watch for trouble, we often focus on what’s not going well. Yes, there is a lot of suffering in the world. Yes, we have our own suffering. These are important, serious, unavoidable aspects of life. Sometimes we just need to be with the discomfort.
 
And there is a lot of good in the world. And, if we’re looking, we can experience joy, even in small delights. We can balance the tough moments by focusing on what is working. As simple as the smell of rain in the air, the sound of water flowing, or the touch of a soft blanket can help us dial up the happy.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

The skill of listening takes practice. We think we hear what others are saying, but the truth is their message is often drowned out by our rather loud and persistent inner voice. We may be nodding to acknowledge that we’re listening, but internally, we’re forming opinions, we’re rehearsing what we want to say, or we’re thinking of something else entirely.

The next time you’re in conversation with someone, it might be interesting to truly listen with beginner’s ears and beginner’s mind. Try turning down the volume of your own mind and tuning in to what they’re saying, without your own agenda.

In mindful presence,
Lori Furbush

Fear is a hardwired instinct. Fear can be useful, like an alarm awakening you to act wisely. And fear can be limiting, like a harness holding you back from growth. Fear can also be a powerful motivator, an energetic adrenaline surge inspiring you to take a leap of faith. In this never-ending journey of becoming who you are, both fear and courage have a purpose.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

You have collected a lifetime of experiences. Every event of your life adds to the database of information you carry within. So you arrive in each present moment with a storehouse of opinions, likes, dislikes, concerns, and assessments based on the past. This filter then colors how you receive the moment at hand.
 
It can be interesting to meet the present moment from a fresh perspective, as if you are a baby discovering something for the very first time. As you turn down the volume of what you think you know about something, you can often hear and receive new information on an old experience, like an explorer finding new pathways and insights.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

There is a lot of unkindness in the world. People who are unkind are usually hurting and afraid themselves. What an act of courage it is to move through the world, despite your own hurts and fears, and open space for others to feel safe through your embodied kindness.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

We often make choices without thinking, bypassing our wisdom and better judgment. With some level of detachment, we may also be bypassing emotions that are asking to be felt. When trying to create a healthy behavior change, we can learn to make the wiser choice, but it is also important to acknowledge our discomfort. Unprocessed emotions can build like a pressure cooker, leaving us no choice but to implode or explode.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Forgiving has nothing to do with the other person. Letting go of the story, so many chapters read and re-read so many times they’re written on your bones, is a bold and courageous act of kindness for yourself

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Human beings are often human doings. Lost for hours in thought, emotion, and all the doing, the challenge is remembering to spend time just being. It can be helpful to set a reminder on your phone or smart watch or anchor the practice of being to the moment before you eat every meal. Then pause, sense the body, orient to the space around you, and let that be enough, even if just for one inhale and one exhale. Experience your completeness.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Multitasking is inherent in our modern lives. When juggling many roles, tasks, and people in our lives, it becomes habit to skim the surface trying to keep it all together. The mind becomes scattered, and we feel as though there is not enough time for it all.
 
You can sharpen the skill of focusing by staying present while doing one thing at a time. You might try eating a meal, petting your dog or cat, or taking a shower with full focused attention. With practice, you may find it easier to handle the overwhelm by taking things one step at a time.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Learning that “no” is a complete sentence is a challenge for many of us. We often say “yes” when we’d really rather not, because we want to be liked, we don’t want to disappoint, or we think it’s the right thing to do. Quite often, the opposite is true. You may find that others respect you more when you are modeling self-care by maintaining healthy boundaries.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

Is life getting too serious lately? Summertime is play time. What might you do that’s just pure fun? What’s holding you back?

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Pause. Sit back. Soften into this moment, just as it is. If you’re feeling particularly revved up, give yourself a bit longer to unwind. If you're feeling down, take a few slow inhales. Relaxation offers your body, mind, and heart the space that’s needed for balance and deep healing.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

What makes you thrive? What foods make you feel clear and strong? What activities put that spring in your step? What people bring you to life? If you’re in mere survival mode, it may be helpful to gravitate toward something that makes you sparkle.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

There are times when life around us settles into calm. Yet we often discover storms still raging within us. And the opposite can be true. It may be stormy all around us, yet somehow we find calm within. Life is not an either or situation. Quiet and noise, stillness and movement, calm and chaos all coexist.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​Have you been searching in vain for an answer or direction? Are you looking for someone or something to bring you peace? We often look outside of ourselves for our happiness and miss the treasures within.

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush

​When your world is feeling crowded and your options limited, you may be “lost in the weeds.” Overwhelm and overload are signs that it might be helpful to zoom out and offer space for the bigger picture. What might look different if you could observe the situation from 30,000 feet? If you were pure awareness, observing without emotion or preference?

In mindful presence,
​Lori Furbush