So many of us live lives that are good, fine, maybe even appear to be fabulous to the outside world, especially in terms of social norms. Every day I learn more and more that this life is so much more than I ever knew it was... so much more than the picture perfect lives so many of us seem to be striving to put forth for others to witness, for others to give their stamps of approval, to nod and validate our hard work. I'm learning that life is a true journey, and I don't mean that in a la la la, whimsical metaphorical kind of way. I really see it now- that life is a journey of self discovery, of worldly discovery, of Spiritual discovery. Like that's the whole point! All the stuff that we do during that journey- the family parties, the relationships, the education experiences, the traveling, the drug and alcohol binges, the time in prison, the participation in a civil rights movement, the wealth, the poverty, the highs and the lows... all of it- is how we learn. All of the experiences we have are our teachers.

As an early childhood educator, I always view the environment as a teacher in itself, and the same goes for everyone's environment, regardless of age or school status. Just as young children learn best by hands-on exploration of toys, sensory experiences, real relationships, opportunities to solve problems important to them, opportunities to resolve naturally occurring conflicts with peers... so too do we learn our biggest lessons, our deepest Truths, through hands-on exploration here on Earth.

When did we as a people decide to take this playful learning process and make it so serious? When did we as people decide that there was some end goal that was better than some other end goal? There is SO. MUCH. MORE. to this Life Journey, than I ever gleaned possible in my earlier years. I so bought into the rhetoric that one of the most important things to do is decide what I want to be when I grow up- choose what to study in college, choose a location to live, find a high paying job and climb that ladder so that every year I would move up, make more money, hit another "milestone" of marriage, car, house, promotion, babies, pets, vacations, etc. About mid-way through college I began to discover that this wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, and as an opinionated young adult, and I guess just as ME, I told people about it, beginning with my family. I became the rebel. I became the odd one. I didn't intend to not hit those "milestones," but look! I didn't hit any of them! And I look at that now and I laugh and I smile and my heart is so full! I am on my Life Journey. And I KNOW it.

It's the season of beautiful sunrises and sunsets!  I love taking time to stop and look up and just relish the few moments of a painted sky when the opportunity arises.  It's a great reminder that nothing stays the same, and we can find total satisfaction in simply living in the moment, enjoying what is, here and now.  

I just looked at this blog, dormant since the last post in November 2018. A year ago I was poised to launch a family mindfulness playgroup and then.... well needless to say, it didn't happen as planned.  I'm not beating up on myself and I'm not even going to take that post down.  The blog is a part of my journey and I love the documentation of it all, getting to see how I am growing and changing every day.  I think its important to be transparent with others- to show the world that its okay to fail and then move forward with the lessons learned.  

I have learned so much over the last year and am more excited than ever to see what I will come up with to offer families next. I know that I am here to guide others on the Journey of Life, even as I continue to grow myself. What exactly that will look like continues to unfold... in this moment, and in this moment, and in this moment.  

If you're reading this, know that there really IS NO DESTINATION.  Of course we can and should have standards set for ourselves, goals and dreams that we know we want to experience in our lifetimes.  The best way to make them happen, is to write the goals down, focus on them consistently, and know without a doubt that we are already there. It is done. And when those dreams are accomplished, there will always be something else.  The treasure truly is in the getting there, so don't miss it! 

One of the most impactful things I've learned these last few years, is that it is possible to know what we want and then allow ourselves to get there simply by staying focused on presence. By being fully present, all the things that need to get "done" in order to achieve the goal will flow into life naturally and with an ease that seems unbelievable.  I have experienced this ease and the results are so much better than when I "try" really hard and insist on forcing what I think needs to be done- when I insist on being in control. Letting go of control can be hard, believe me, I know!  But with practice.... it just gets easier and easier and things start to fall into place in ways you cannot imagine. 

Thanks for reading today- I'm excited to be on this journey with you, Friend. 💖  

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If you'd like some ideas about how to start practicing Presence:

1. Sit in silence for 5 minutes first thing every morning for a week.  Sit comfortably with your back straight and your hands on your knees or in your lap.  If you feel fidgety, try putting a hand on your belly or your chest (or one hand on each) to help center yourself and focus your attention inward. Just notice your breath coming in and notice your breath flowing out. Do not alter your breath- just notice it happening.  When thoughts come into your head, and they most definitely will!, simply notice that you are thinking and then put your attention back on your breath.  Even if you get a great idea, trust that it will be there when your 5 minutes is over.  Watch any thoughts come and see them go.  Return again and again to your breath coming in and your breath going out.  

2. Grab a meditation or mindfulness app and commit to listening to a 5-10 min guided meditation/visualization each day for a week. If you need help choosing one, search "learn to mediate" or "beginners meditation." You can also reach out to me if you want some specific guidance. Some examples are Headspace, Calm, or my personal favorite Insight Timer. 

I've been using Insight Timer for five or six years and have watched it go from a simple timer tool to a huge database of guided meditations, courses, music and even an optional social network support system.  The creators are committed to keeping all of the main content free to everyone- the point is to get more people meditating! They only charge for extra premium content to keep the app going and to pay the teachers. I even became a teacher myself by uploading the Relaxation Story guided meditation for kids I created, and have met a ton of awesome like-minded people.

3. Choose one activity or type of activity to intentionally do mindfully each day for a week. Each time you brush your teeth, eat a meal, or wash the dishes, practice ONLY doing those things.  The way I really grasped this in the beginning was to narrate (sometimes because I was with children and sometimes it just helped me stay focused) exactly what I was doing- "I'm walking.  I'm stepping into the bathroom.  Feet on the ground.  Air cool.  Reaching for toothbrush.  Feels cool in hand. Reaching for toothpaste.  Put toothbrush down. Hear sound of toothbrush on counter.... you get the idea. 


When you get to the end of your week, reflect on your experience and commit to another week. Remember that it takes about 21 days for a new habit to get going in your life- the more you practice, the easier it will get the more you will feel a sense of knowing.  I'm not even going to say knowing what- just knowing.  Try it and you will see.

Family Mindfulness playgroup: Coming soon!

It’s been a long time coming. I believe that one’s path unfolds at just the right time, and I am in no hurry.

Today’s news:
I am excited to share that I am putting together an initial Mindful Me playgroup in Philadelphia this fall/winter. I will be meeting with a couple of community centers to determine a good location, and the plan is to let the whole thing evolve as organically as possible. As a long time nanny in Philadelphia, I know parents and caregivers are often looking for activities and socialization opportunities during the week and on weekends. The basis for the playgroup will be to create a community of like-minded individuals who seek support in their role within the family and larger community. This special playgroup will welcome everyone to respect the children with whom they spend their time as wholly capable beings in the world and will strive to maintain an environment of positivity for all. Mindful Me playgroups will hold space for those striving to be more conscious parents, grandparents and childcare providers, and we will all grow together, week to week, playgroup to playgroup.

Sessions will include a group gathering time, music, open-ended play and create activities for children and adults and space for adults to connect, get advice, and feel heard. Each session will include a new family mindfulness technique and will build on previous sessions.

Look out for more details in the coming weeks and comment below with things you’d like to see in a family mindfulness playgroup for children 0-5 (programs for older children are also in the works, so school-age ideas also welcome).

See what else I've been up to and connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kgrentz  (Kimberly Grentz)

Learning about myself using Essential Oils

I am so excited with how much I’ve learned every day since I began my journey into essential oils.  I am finally doing things I’ve always wanted to do and am having a blast learning as I go, how to make this a real business. Because I’m learning things specific and non-specific to Essential Oils, I’m also embracing the opportunity to build the foundation for my business in family mindfulness, early childhood consulting, and family empowerment. Here is the long description that seemed to just flow right out of me the other night as I uploaded my ‘overview of essential oils’ to YouTube. I thought it was worth posting somewhere else since no one really reads those extended YouTube descriptions :-).

Some think essential oils are just a trend, but if you look a little deeper it turns out they have been utilized in civilizations since ancient times! Today's shift by so many to find natural ways to live, has shone a fresh light on the power in essential oils. Essential oils are best known for beautifying the outer body, supporting the body systems internally, and providing safe cleaning options for body and home. If you ever wondered what all the hype is about, this video will give you an overview, but the power truly lies within the stories of the people. I'm Kim, an early childhood educator, life-long learner, meditator, maker of new friends and a huge fan of essential oils. As an educator, I know that the best way to learn something is to ask self-motivated questions and to figure out the answers on your own. If essential oils intrigue you, contact me and I will help you learn how to answer your questions. I will connect you to the stories of the people who's lives have been impacted. I will connect you to a community of people who are taking control of their families' health and wellness instead of simply defaulting to what they have always done before... accepting without question what society tells us is "normal" and "fine," but is it? If you want to talk about education or meditation or self-empowerment or spirituality... hey, I'm game for that too! I'm a big believer in that it takes a village to raise a human, and the raising never really ends. We are ever-growing, ever-changing, ever-evolving beings. I believe I'm here on Earth to have fun and to make a difference in whatever way I can- to build bridges with my fellow humans that we can cross together to find the very best versions of ourselves: mind, body, & spirit! www.facebook.com/kgrentz Instagram @kbg109

Mindfulness and the Law of Attraction

Isn't it sweet when everything just comes together.  Have you ever had a day when everything just goes your way, like all day?! 

I felt this way on a larger scale when I finally "got" mindfulness and how it makes my life better.  I realized that everything was tied together.  

A favorite personal development/business book I read in college was Dale Carnegie's How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. He spoke of living in "daytight compartments"- not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow, but focusing only on today.  He talked about being in the now.  He talked about presence.  He talked about mindfulness.  

I have also realized that when I walk around my neighborhood, camera in hand, I am intentionally being in the world, taking joy in my surroundings.  I pay attention, on purpose, without judgement (the gist of Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition of mindfulness) to all of nature and architecture- a brand new building or a graffiti-covered wall, a flower in full bloom or the dried remains of one way past its prime, I appreciate what is there. I capture its image. I take a snapshot of Now. Whoa!  Even as I type this it seems profound. Every shot is a different "now" and only the one being taken in the moment is really "now" at all.  The joy comes in the now, in the moment my finger pushes the button and the shutter clicks. Looking back at photos later is fun, but the joy, the adventure, the real fun is in the taking of the photos, the being in the Now. 

In December I found the Law of Attraction.  Like attracts like.  Birds of a feather flock together. You get what you think about.  I discovered that I am a deliberate creator of my Life.  This is some deep stuff, people. I learned that the way to attract desirable things is to pay attention, on purpose, without judgement to my feelings.  My emotions tell me how I feel.  When I feel good I think about the good things I want in my life.  When I feel bad, I think about bad things happening in my life.  Whichever I pay attention to, similar things continue to flow.  The bad feeling emotion is fine to have (hence the non-judgement) because it lets us know and sometimes reminds us of what we don't want so that we can redirect our energy, our focus on what we DO want.  Energy flows where attention goes.  

Think about your life.  Think about what it looks like when you start the day off in a great mood- good hair day, delicious breakfast, you got more work done before 8am than you usually do by noon, the friend you were thinking about texted to say hi just a few moments later... momentum feels so good- you feel unstoppable, nothing can get you down.  Its almost as if time moves slower.... you are enjoying yourself... things are getting done with ease and the "work" energizes you.  Now think of a time when something set you off on the wrong foot.  You spilled your coffee on your shirt on the way to work, traffic backed up, your cell phone gets no reception when you need to touch base with your spouse... how does momentum feel now?  Is there a way to turn it around?  There is!  Find a way to feel better.  

It is pretty hard to jump from utter despair to pure joy, but by intentionally and consistently focusing on things that feel a little bit better, and a little better and a little bit better, you will feel your emotions begin to shift.  Here's where the mindfulness comes in.  Sometimes you are in such a bad mood it feels impossible to think of anything at all that feels better.  So, you don't have to right away- instead you can not think. Imagine a car going 50 miles per hour headed west.  The driver cannot instantly be headed east with the simple decision to turn around.  First the momentum must be stopped and then restarted in the right direction.  Some people stop momentum by sitting down to meditate. Some people focus on their breath or the flicker of a candle, noticing thoughts as they come but letting them simply drift by as they return attention to the inhale/exhale or the flicker. Everyday mindfulness is another form of meditation. During the experience of day to day activities such as driving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes, one can pay attention, on purpose, without judgement to what is happening in the present moment.  For me personally, I finally grasped this one day after reading some of Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now. In order to really take charge of my mind and keep it focused on the task at hand, I decided to try being mindful out loud.  I narrated my life. "My feet are touching the ground. I am standing up and putting on my bathrobe.  I am walking to the bathroom.  I turn on the light.  I grab my toothbrush.  I pick up the toothpaste and unscrew the cap.... you get the idea. The narration helped keep me in the moment for a prolonged period of time. My mind could not wander as easily because I was paying attention and speaking it out loud. There was no room in my mind for worrying about an afternoon meeting or the disagreement with a coworker yesterday.

All of this of course brings me back to my work with little people. If you happen to be around young children, notice how naturally this comes to them.  They are almost always in the moment.  Everything is about getting what they want to feel good. They have no concept of time; they enjoy the Now. I think I mentioned this in one of my first blog posts here, but this seems to be the source of my inspiration to work with very young children. When I was in college at Penn State I had my first job in early childhood ed and I loved it so much.  For a certain period of time each week I would go to the Child Development Lab, hang up my backpack, and turn off the world of exams and meal cards and laundry and making new friends. I would play, I would laugh, I would observe these little people who needed my love and silly songs more than anything else.  I watched as they learned for themselves what it means to feel good and what it means to feel bad.  Little kids know how to get what they want.  Often the hold up is that their desires don't meet the desires of the adult.  This is why understanding trumps patience any day when working with kids.  I love figuring out why a child is doing the thing that may be annoying me, and then suddenly it all makes sense.  Then I can easily redirect if necessary in a compassionate way that shows respect for my fellow human's feelings and desires.  

I love how it all comes together: business/self-help books, mindfulness practice, photography/art/creativity, young children, education, and law of attraction- this is me. I used to think I was just all over the place, unable to focus, a mess. But now I see that they are all the same- parts of a whole- parts of me- one.

Some of the influencers of this post:
Dale Carnegie- How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Eckhart Tolle- The Power of Now
Abraham Hicks- Ask And It Is Given (seminars & audio programs on YouTube)
Tony Robbins- Awaken the Giant Within (seminars & audio programs on YouTube)
Jon Kabat-Zinn- Full Catastrophe Living

I Am Not Your Guru-  Tony Robbins movie available on Netflix

The Secret- movie and book by Rhonda Byrne
available on Netflix, is a little over the top, but hang in to get the message!

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)- search for programs at your local university

Insight Timer Meditation App- my favorite online meditation community & timer/journal

👋 Visit ThreeLittleBirdsLOA!!

Announcement: Relaxation Story is published on the Insight Timer app!

The Insight Timer app is an amazing global community of meditators, free of charge. There's a simple timer, a huge library of guided meditations, talks, and music and community groups where people ask for and lend support, write poetry together, share resources, etc. I use it every day and it really rocks!

I'm pretty psyched about Relaxation Story being published, because I've been saying for quite some time that I should do this. Well, one rainy evening in October I pressed record, figured out how to submit my audio to the app, and today when I sat down to meditate I was pleasantly surprised to see my image and title listed in the New Today category.

I first started using this guided body scan (you can read about and hear an earlier version in older blog post here) to help my little ones settle down and relax at nap-time and bed-time. The results felt really good to everyone, parents included, and the routine gave us a chance to learn about and begin practicing other forms of mindfulness. Hence this page was born!

I hope you enjoy this first submission and don't forget to follow the contributor (me!) "Mindful Kids," to be alerted within the app when Inoost something new.

https://insighttimer.com/mindfulkids/guided-meditations/relaxation-story-with

Getting focused!

Happy Autumn!

I don't know about you, but this is my favorite season of the year, with beautiful leaves cascading down from the tall Philadelphia and South Jersey trees.  The rain that has lasted all day today is even enjoyable, especially if you get to stay inside and watch/listen from the comfort of home.  I am missing so much, Yuma and my amazing family and friends that live there.  I'm sending a little autumn spirit to you all!

I'm writing a little note to say that I am doing some life-organizing.  I plan to keep both this blog and Lifetime Learning: Building with Blocks to Building a Business.  The entries on that site are slightly more up-to-date, but I will post more in both places soon!

Stay tuned for new things in life and tell me what is happening with you!  Keep breathing and take some time for yourself every day.  This prescription really does have the potential to make everything better!

Blog about directing your own education:
Lifetime Learning: Building with Blocks to Building a Business
www.kimgrentz.blogspot.com