Hygge – The Mindful Librarian

Looking at Mindfulness: Twenty-five Paintings to Change the Way You Live, by Christophe Andre

March 21, 2018 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in Book Reviews, General, Hygge, Mindful Living, Nonfiction

Looking at Mindfulness: Twenty-five Paintings to Change the Way You Live

I love art. We can all appreciate some type of art as it is a reflection of the things that make us human. For myself, as a person with a passion for sketching since I’ve been able to hold a pencil, I have always appreciated the incredible amount of skill required to create realism from splotches of pigment using brushes on a two-dimensional surface. Now the artist who selects subject matter that evokes deep and profound feelings, is nothing short of a magician. I remember being in the Smithsonian Museum of Art and witnessing a woman moved to tears while looking at a painting on a wall. Whatever she saw, tapped into her soul the way certain literature and poetry does for me.

And now for the book. I confess I bought Looking at Mindfulness: Twenty-five Paintings to Change the Way You Live because the title implied content that would target art teachers in my school building; I didn’t imagine that this would be the impactful, mindfulness lesson it proved to be for me. Like all truly wonderful books, this one has shifted my perception; of art slightly, and of life tremendously. Such a simple but profound analogy! Gaze upon the seemingly small, insignificant moments of life as you would stop and gaze at works of art with mindful appreciation.

How it this done? Using paintings of a variety of styles and spanning historical and geographical time periods, the author teaches valuable mindfulness lessons. With each painting, the author invites the reader to perceive the big picture first, then literally zooms in on details which bring a deeper meaning. Quotes and actual instructions (lessons) also accompany each insightful analysis. My favorite of which is when the author invites the reader to literally halt before physically turning the page of the book in order to physically check in.

Instructions and lessons include the importance of immersive awareness, during which you attempt to “feel without thinking,” the importance of listening as a means of gaining presence, and allowing and acknowledging painful feelings like sorrow or anger. A topic of particular interest to me is the author’s addressing of the quality of attention and how today’s society bombards us with fast-moving, flashy, irrelevant content. This, which the author refers to as a “psychotoxic environment,” has the ability to not only rob us from fully experiencing the present, but can in fact significantly damage our well-being.

The challenge, as I’ve been learning daily during my personal quest to live mindfully, is to remember to consciously employ these mindful living lessons. In a gallery, art on the walls is motionless and the placement in the gallery invites undistracted contemplation. Real life moves by quickly and catching all of the beauty and nuance requires attention, attention which can only be achieved by mindful moment-to-moment awareness characterized by freedom of distracting, biased thoughts.

I was delightfully surprised to find this book to be, for me, the most enjoyable series of lessons on mindful living yet. Andre succeeds in conveying deep ideas both clearly and beautifully. Stay tuned for a review of his follow-up, Happiness: 25 Ways to Live Joyfully Through Art.

Purchase on Amazon:

Looking at Mindfulness: Twenty-five Paintings to Change the Way You Live

Loving-kindness…

February 14, 2018May 1, 2018 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in General, Hygge, Mindful Living

carnation

It is February, the month that many associate with hearts, chocolates, sappy cards, bouquets, and other symbols of “love.” When I was a child, February was the month that my dear ol’ dad used to buy my sister and I Whitman’s Samplers for St. Valentine’s Day which we savored. As I got older, February was alternately a giddy or depressing month based on my current romantic status (During my teens, this was usually bleak!). Through latter years, with the hustle and bustle of career and family life, I gradually lost all interest in February, save for the beloved “mid-winter recess” from school that New York teachers and students enjoy!

This year, however, the month of February, with Valentine’s Day smack in the middle, I will be thinking about loving-kindness. Loving-kindness, or Meta Prayer, as it is known in Buddhism, is a mindfulness practice that has benefits extending far beyond stress reduction or relaxation. “Extending far beyond” is in fact a key component of this type of meditative practice and the attention focuses first on self, and then farther and farther outward to all of mankind.

It Begins With Self

Mindfulness expert, Shauna Shapiro, delivered an excellent TEDx Talk (The Power of Mindfulness: What You Practice Grows Stronger) during which she illustrates that mindfulness is not just paying attention, but paying attention with kind curiosity. To love yourself, you can’t be judgmental. This is the part of the loving-kindness meditation that develops our sense of SELF-COMPASSION. When I dug a bit deeper into the meaning of self compassion, I learned that it differs from self-absorption, and selfishness. Self-compassion isn’t about putting myself first, or placing myself on a pedestal looking down at others. Instead, it is about fully accepting myself as I am and recognizing that I am worthy of all the wonderful things this life has to offer.

It Moves Out Toward Loved Ones

This, for me, is the easiest part of practicing loving-kindness. Most all of us, at least those with the capacity for compassion, inherently wish the best for the people we genuinely love and care about, and consequently, suffer when they do. What makes this part of the practice special is that we are consciously sending well wishes out to the universe in their favor. In other faiths, including the Christianity in which I was loosely raised, we are encouraged to pray for loved ones and come to believe that God can grant our wishes. As a Reiki practitioner, I definitely feel that channeling energy and sending forth a healing intention toward another can yield real healing during a planned session. When I send favorable thoughts to loved ones during regular loving-kindness meditations, for me, the greatest benefit is GRATITUDE. I remember to be thankful for these people in my life.

Toward Those Who Inhabit Our Daily Landscape

The Starbucks barista who prepares my morning coffee. The main office secretary who manages the sign in sheets at work. The lady who mans the security gate of my development. The neighbor who sings out loud while she jogs each morning. These are the people in my life to whom I feel relatively neutral. And they are precisely the people I tend to take for granted. Since our contact is limited, I tend to discredit the impact a kind word from any one of them could impact the course of my day. Conversely, a warm smile or a simple compliment from me can start a chain reaction of good in their world. Remembering to send energy to these individuals in my loving-kindness practice heightens my AWARENESS of the far-reaching effects of every single person we encounter every day.

Toward Those Who Raise Conflict

Here comes the challenge, and honestly, the reason the loving-kindness meditation is important for all people to practice. When we think about those who raise conflict in our lives we need to remember that there are two types of conflict; internal and external. The latter has never been a tremendous issue for me. For the most part, I tend to play nice with others. Internal conflict, however is something I grapple with on a daily basis. They are people who make me jealous, impatient, intolerant, sad, and angry, and even though these emotions may not lead to an altercation, they cause suffering in my soul. I love the quote about hate being like holding on to a hot coal with the intention of throwing it. I am the only one who gets burned. By consciously projecting love and light toward those who cause conflict in my life, I cultivate FORGIVENESS, and more importantly, TOLERANCE.

Finally, Toward All

This, final part of my loving-kindness meditation feels me with a profound sense of CONNECTEDNESS. I extend well wishes to all of the people in all of the world: people who live different lives but share the basic characteristics that make me human. No matter how alone or isolated I feel, I am reminded that I am in fact part of something much larger and more powerful than Jen.

The loving-kindness meditation, as I have come to practice it, enables me to acknowledge my own feelings with kindness and to cultivate more of the good stuff… forgiveness, identification/empathy, connection, self-compassion, selflessness, gratitude, and love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Mindful Thanksgiving Day CHALLENGE

November 22, 2017November 22, 2017 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in General, Hygge, Mindful Living

Maleficent in laws, impossible menus, bumper-to-bumper car trips, stress, anxiety, fear… oh my! Sadly, these are the situations and emotions that plague many of us during a holiday that should IDEALLY be marked by gratitude, bonding, serenity, and joy. Mindful living techniques to the rescue! To me, mindful living, being completely, non judgmentally engaged in the present moment, provides me with a type of “lens” through which I can shift my perception of situations that have the potential to unsettle me.

The traditional Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it, is one of those holidays that may provide the perfect opportunity to consciously practice mindful perception, or to perceive through a “mindful lens”. All senses are engaged as stimuli are heightened: there is the preparation, the family engagement, the travel, and of course, the food.

So are you ready for the Thanksgiving Day Mindfulness Challenge??!!

mindful thanksgiving2 — Lil’ Thomas made this for our library.

In the Morning

Before you jump out of bed to start the day, take a deep breath, and feel gratitude. This is a simple ritual that I try to practice every day. Be thankful for your body, your breath, and your life. With all of its aches and pains, your body is a gift, and our ability to sense and feel is a blessing we take for granted when we are caught up in thoughts. Then extend the positive emotion with a lovingkindness meditation. This is a Buddhist practice through which you focus intently on love for yourself, then for your loved ones, then to those in your life to whom you feel neutral, out toward those with whom you have conflict (a tough one, I know!) and finally, out to the world at large.

Traveling

How many times have you driven from A to B without recalling the journey at all? How many times have you blown past your exit because you were so wrapped up in thought? Before discovering mindfulness, this was my daily work commute to a T! Ugh… You know the burning in your face and sickness in your stomach that occurs when people honk their horns or cut you off in traffic? That, my friends, is the fight or flight response. The primal part of our brains translate that type of experience as a mortal threat, and like a deer in headlights, our bodies act accordingly. If this happens to you, recognize the sensation for what it is and find that it passes more quickly. Fully engage yourself in the process of driving. Feel the power and the miracle of the vehicle you are controlling to move at such speeds. Take in the scenery lining the road in front of you. Notice the angle of the sun. Focusing in this way will pull your focus away from worry and anxiety about the visit to come. (Are you flying? Read Mindful Flight.)

Communication

This first suggestion may be an easy one for me as I am more of a European football fan (soccer) than one of American football. (Sorry!! Lol) Although I won’t suggest you turn off the TV altogether, do attempt mindful communication with your family members. When people speak to you, look them in they eye. Give them time to complete their thoughts. Note body language. Are they anxious depressed? Consider this when processing what they share. Secondly, don’t forget to focus mindful attention on the kids. See them for the blessing they are, even of they are wreaking havoc and making a mess! Don’t interrupt their play, just watch. And finally, don’t forget our furry friends. Poor pets… They are often the lowest on the totem pole. Pay attention to them! Be mindful that holiday celebrations can be incredibly stressful for animals (noise, break in routine, perceived threats, etc.).

mindful thanksgiving3 — Jess brought this to work. It was a whole cake before first period!

Sitting Down to the Meal

NO PHONES. I repeat, NO PHONES. Rude during ANY meal, this practice takes inconsideracy and mindLESSness to a whole new level during holiday meals. Pay attention to your family and engage in a practice called mindful eating. (NOTE: Mindful eating is a common therapy for people suffering from eating disorders.) As tempting as it may be to gorge yourself (My personal weakness is sweet potato pie. I am actually drooling at the thought!), slow down. Take a moment to smell the food before stuffing it into your mouth. Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing, noticing texture and consistency. How about temperature? Note the difference between hot and cold dishes. LOOK at the food. See the rich, diverse colors; cranberry, greens, and shades of brown. Slowing down will enhance your enjoyment of the meal, and potentially avoid the need for antacids later on!

Reflection

At the conclusion of your mindful Thanksgiving Day, congratulate yourself for allowing yourself the opportunity to fully embrace life, mindfully. How did the lovingkindness exercise in the morning impact your attitude throughout the day? What miracle of nature did you notice during your mindful travels? What did you learn about someone in your family that you would have missed had you not payed attention? How did the mindful eating turn a gorge-fest into nourishment for the soul?

Holding That Gratitude Throughout the Holiday Season

READ one of the following children’s books. Trust of your Mindful Librarian! One is more beautiful than the next:

Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks (Julie Andrews Collection)

Buy on Amazon

There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me

The Giving Tree

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? (Classic Seuss)

Gratitude Soup

Tiny Teachers and Mindfulness Masters

September 28, 2017September 28, 2017 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in General, Hygge, Mindful Living

This past summer, on one of the most picturesque mornings (sunny, dry, and cool), a friend and I went for a hike in Cold Spring Harbor. It was a wonderful, mindful experience. The colors of nature just popped and every hiker and runner we passed was glowing with positive energy. At the highest point of the trail, we could look down and see the water of the inner harbor gleaming like uncut sapphire. The brightest shine, however, didn’t come from the sights or the people on the trail…

After the hike, we stopped in town to recharge over brunch. We chose a cozy, kid-friendly gourmet market/cafe with a huge candy and fudge counter. As we chatted, my eyes kept pulling my attention back to a mother and child who also came in for a bite. The little boy was absolutely adorable. Dressed to the nines, he looked like he could have just stepped out of a children’s clothing catalogue.

Outfit aside, what struck me about him was his face, particularly the eyes. Ice cream in hand, he moved past the candy counter, glowing with complete wonder and contentment. He paused periodically only to tackle the cone in his hand, which he did with complete relish. Not a single care in the world. Completely in the moment. Wide-eyed with wonder and appreciation. A tiny Buddha. The perfect picture of mindfulness… From the corner of his eye he glanced a dessert shaped like a cute monster, dashed over to the candy counter glass, smushed his free hand and face against it, and squealed happily for his mother to come see. My friend and I just smiled.

At this point a profound thought crossed my mind. Imagine if we, as adults, could move throughout our lives with the same wonder and appreciation, free of past regrets or worries about the future. Now of course, adult concerns and responsibilities are realities we need to face in order to function in this world, but when we are not actively engaged in problem solving, why not try to view the world through a lens like the glass of the candy counter?

As a practitioner of mindfulness, I must say that the “kid’s-eye-view” of the world is by far my greatest analogy for mindful perception. Mindfulness courses, books, groups and instructors provide guidance that will improve your practice, provided you do just that; practice. But looking to kids as the embodiment of mindful living is a sweet way for you to reinforce the way mindfulness can improve your overall wellness and happiness. So, how to apply this to life? For one, if you either have, or work with, little children, foster and nurture their sense of wonder whenever possible. Let the weight of the world fall upon them gently if you can. And as for yourself, look to the little ones as models of mindfulness.

Fika: A Most Mindful Coffee Break

June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in General, Hygge, Mindful Living, Mindfulness in School

I’ve read and written about the Danish concept of Hugge, a term for which there is no, direct English equivalent, but which translates loosely to coziness, the joy of time with friends, and gratitude for the simple things. Tapping into my inner Scandinavian, (I’m not really Scandanavian, at least not to my knowledge!) I have discovered a second term; fika, coined by the “happiest people on earth.”

Fika translates literally to “coffee” but the term encompasses more of an idea aligned with hygge. The word can be used as a noun, but also as a verb, “to drink coffee.” To the Nordic countries, which consume more coffee than any other area in the world, fika is as integral to daily culture as sitting down to any other meal. But as hygge is more than just “cozy,” fika is more than just time for a caffeine buzz. To my understanding, it has very much more to do with mindfulness and mindful communication. It is about consciously taking a break from the hustle and bustle and stress of everyday life to be completely present over a steaming cup of warmth, and if possible, in the company of others. VERY hyggelie…

In my own life, I have made a conscious point of experiencing fika every morning (I give the experience an energetic kick by pulling in some Reiki.) The brain processes content in chunks, and the same way a body builder needs to pause between reps in order to maximize the effect of a workout, we need to stop and pause throughout the day. The true experience of fika in the Scandinavian sense takes place during work day and has been a most powerful bonding experience for me and my colleagues.

Luckily, one of our most frequent library regulars is a Family and Consumer Science teacher, who contrary to our protests, brings in homemade confectionery delights that knock each one of our diets out of the water. So be it. A steaming cup of vanilla Joe, a heavenly slice of banana nut bread, and a hearty laugh with fellow teachers is just yet another reason the Danish have got this whole living life thing right.

The Wheel of the Year

May 25, 2017June 8, 2017 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in Hygge, Mindful Living, Mindfulness in School

Tomorrow begins our Memorial Day holiday weekend, so my colleagues and I thought it a good time to sit down and go over our calendar for the rest of the year. I nearly fell out of my seat! Three more weeks of classes?? There is still so much for us to do. (Let’s not even consider the dust-covered reference in need of weeding.)

Now for the past two months I have been patiently (sort of) enduring the freezing rain and grey sky, along with the unusually slow first blooms of spring, in the great anticipation of summer vacation, as most of my teacher-friends will sympathetically understand. But sitting down today with the May and June calendars set in front of me made me wish things could slow down… just a little, and reminded me of the importance of being mindful and present and truly appreciating the wheel of the year.

The wheel of the year, for me, has to do with more than just seasonal changes; it has to do with deeply personal changes as well. Anyone in tune with nature may inherently understand this. (Really FEELING the seasons was one thing I sorely missed when living in the tropical climate of Florida for six years). The wheel of MY year is as follows:

Spring – Spring is the time for rebirth in nature. It is the season for spotting baby wildlife and daffodils pushing their way through cold, stubborn soil. Personally, it is also the season for burgeoning ideas. This is the time I take stock of what worked and didn’t work for my library program over the course of the school year, as well as in my personal life, and I begin to plan.

Summer – During summer, nature is in full swing. All animals, birds, and bugs (eww) are out and about. The weather permits all sorts of outdoor activity and the mood is generally festive. Summer, for many, is a season for action. During the summer, if I am not working, I usually take some type of class or try something new. (Last summer it was stand-up paddle boarding!)

Fall – Fall is the harvesting season. We reap the benefits of the previous year’s hard work. The leaves begin to burst forth with amazing colors, wilt, and then drop to the ground. The animals begin to forage in preparation for the cold. Fall, with the beginning of the new school year is a time for letting go of everything, both good and bad, in preparation for the new. (New backpack, new notebooks, new attitude)

Winter – The trees are bare. The air is chill. The birds are silent. Fauna is in hibernation. This used to be the toughest month for me, as I so love the outdoors and sun on my face. But as we humans are forced inside and out of the elements, winter becomes a time for introspection and HYGGE. Instead of sunshine, there is candlelight and fireplaces, warm blankets and hot tea. For me, winter is the easiest season during which to meditate. With the holidays it is also the time to make a marked effort to reconnect with family and friends who may have been neglected during the bustle of the other seasons.

To conclude, as we yearn for those last days of school leading to summer, be mindful of the natural and personal changes occurring throughout the wheel of the year. (Well… we can be a LITTLE psyched for the beach!)

Library Hygge

May 1, 2017May 18, 2017 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in Hygge, Mindfulness in School

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Ah, hygge… The Danish term for me conjures images of a fireplace, a steaming mug of hot chocolate, the purring of my cats, and a soft blanket. I only just recently took into consideration the hygge of my library. I am truly blessed to work in an absolutely wonderful space. Looking beyond it’s functionality, I notice the way the sun shines through the windows and illuminates the stacks, the charming student artwork carefully displayed, the cozy seating areas with beanbag chairs.

Hygge though, by definition, is more than just a cozy appearance. It is also a mindset and an attitude and the reason that the Danish are “the happiest people on earth.” In order to create a true atmosphere of hygge, I need to be mindful in my communication with students in order to ensure that the space is not merely pleasant or attractive, but welcoming and warm.

Why is this important? The life of a child nowadays is stressful; I daresay a good bit more so than when I was a young lass. My library is the one place in school where students aren’t being graded. There is no pressure here. Kids who enter need to be welcomed with a warm smile and an open heart (before they are accosted for a hall pass!)

Discovering Hygge in Montauk

April 12, 2017May 14, 2017 by themindfullibrarian23, posted in Hygge, Mindful Living

Here it is. This may be the word that changes everything for me. The word “mindfulness” seemed to work and attracted a lot of attention but the thing I have been grappling for has a different name. And that name is hygge. There is no exact, English equivalent to the Danish term. “Cozy” comes close but hygge is more than just a fuzzy pair of socks. Hygge describes an intense level of contentment, comfort, connectedness, and most importantly, gratitude. Hygge is not, however, about excess, or accomplishment. Based on my readings, it is mindfulness at it’s best; the appreciation of a moment.

During a two day vacation in Montauk with the boyfriend, I have been meditating on this term, deciding what it means specifically to me, and searching for the hygge in every experience. In short, being mindful about “hyggeness.”

20170413_081630 — A little too chilly for the boyfriend…

It started this morning. I woke up and drew back the curtains of our cozy suite revealing a picture-perfect sunrise. Warm, fresh coffee in hand, I braced myself against the chilly, April morning by wrapping myself in a blanket. Sanford smiled over at me and for a while we just sat in silence, appreciating the serenity. For breakfast, we opted for a cozy little spot in town. Upon opening the door, the smell of hash browns, eggs, and waffles enveloped us like a hug. We were seated in the center of the place and I couldn’t help but notice the amount of small children there with their families. It was heartwarming. The vibe was sleepy, serene, and, well, “cozy.” On first bite of my veggie omelet, I acknowledged the thoughts swirling in my head and focused on the moment. Mindfulness plus hygge equals bliss…