Your Path to Solitude

Sometimes for us to see the trees through the forest, we need a little time away … time for our mind to quiet itself long enough to hear the sound of peacefulness … or maybe leaves rustling in the breeze. We moms have lots of things on our minds and since our brains are so active with our many roles and responsibilities, it is probably a very good idea to purposely wind down on a regular basis.

The pictures in this post are of my friend Cindy on a relaxed hike through Sedona’s Oak Creek and the West Fork Trail. This beautiful place is an ideal location for reclaiming a sense of peacefulness. After going over the bridge and past the trail head, you get to meander through the scenic red rock, lush vegetation and gentle creek path. You may find yourself purposely stepping into the creek just to touch the stream or sitting next to it while it lulls you into a sense of calm.

When you have an opportunity to hike this trail, Cindy and I both highly recommend it. If Sedona is not on your map for today, create your own path to solitude wherever you may be.

A Path to Solitude at Home with any amount of time:

30 seconds:
Close your eyes and take three deep breaths, slowly breath out before inhaling again ... then stretch your arms high above your head ... as far as you can ... then relax ... exhaling again

5 minutes:
Walk 2.5 minutes in any direction outside of your home and then return home ... see how refreshed you feel

15 minutes:
Take a bubble bath or warm shower just for the purpose of relaxing

30 minutes:
Walk 15 minutes in any direction outside of your home and then return home ... see how refreshed you feel (same or different from a 5 minute walk? You decide!)

7 hours:
head north from the Valley of the Sun toward Sedona listening to your favorite music … exit I-17 to 179 ... then take 89a to the West Fork Trail parking area not too far beyond Slide Rock … hike … drink lots of water … relax … have a picnic … relax some more … drive safely home listening to your favorite music … arrive home … relaxed ~



West Fork Trail – Sedona, Arizona
This trail attracts people from all over the world!


There is a fee to park here; you pay at the entrance and you do not need a Red Rock Pass. You may also choose to purchase a mini-trail guide. The parking area includes picnic tables and nice restrooms. This is a great place to go with your friend(s) and can also be a great family destination.

For more information and to see if this trail is right for you, see www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/westfork-tr.shtml


Other Fun Places to Consider Visiting in Sedona:

Tlaquepaque
This is a fun place to hang out & enjoy art, shops & restaurants.

www.tlaq.com


Chapel of the Holy Cross
If you want a moment to experience or express your faith, this place is ideal.

www.chapeloftheholycross.com


La Auberge de Sedona
This resort is just down the hill from most of the shops in the tourist area of Sedona; there is even a tram you can ride up & down the hill for free.

My husband and I got married at La Auberge on the banks of Oak Creek almost 10 years ago. The restaurant is also right on the creek with indoor or outdoor seating that is relaxed and elegant --- yes, you’ll feel comfy and immersed in luxury at the same time!

www.lauberge.com


Wildflower Café or Starbucks
Yes, these are chains but these two chains picked beautiful locations right next to each other for their Sedona sites (101 N Highway 89A). Start here, end your day here or take a break with breathtaking views. There are a few other shops for browsing at this complex, too.

www.wildflowerbread.com

www.starbucks.com

Anatomy of an Incredible Day - What is Yours Like?

Reflecting is something that I really enjoy doing ... as I'm hiking, driving, running, daydreaming, praying or pondering over coffee with a friend, I get things into perspective for myself and that helps me feel purposeful & fulfilled within my day, week & life in general.

In 2005, I created a document on my computer called "Anatomy of an Incredible Day"; the purpose of this document was to remind me of how I get to this "on purpose" state of being. I do things that are physically, spiritually and emotionally healthy; I focus on my priorities and I proactively engage in activities that I enjoy.

In my Anatomy of an Incredible Day document I list exercise at the top. Exercise is not my top life priority, but it is the healthy activity that I most easily let fall off of my list if I get busy. I printed my Anatomy of an Incredible Day and have it displayed in my laundry room because I find myself in there often. On a day when I might be feeling a little out of whack or blue, my Anatomy of an Incredible Day gives me reminders of what I might be able to do to get back on track and feel revitalized.

What can you do today to feel on-purpose, on track, revitalized or fulfilled? What is the Anatomy of an Incredible Day for YOU?

On the right is my version of "Anatomy of an Incredible Day" ... feel free to type over my words with your own ... or create your own title, format and version of this that is more meaningful to YOU! I hope the process of reflection is enjoyable and helpful to you ... thinking of you!




Related Reading:

The On-Purpose Person by Kevin McCarthy
This is a short book - I found it to be "quick read" and an insightful book! A customer I used to call on (Dr. Bailes) suggested it to me many years ago and I really appreciated it.


The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Regardless of your faith background, I think that this book has applications for everyday life and enjoying a sense of purpose/meaning on a daily basis.


The Success Journey by John C. Maxwell
This book is written from more of a business perspective ... a co-worker gave it to me for a Christmas gift many years ago. I appreciated it mixing the world of business with life; to me, it had an integrated life approach to defining "success".

Internet Messages are Forever: I Might Need a Time Out

Recently, I was having a conversation with one of my friends about the Internet awareness that teens need to have as they post information on their personal sites; the messages they post today may still be available to employers, constituents, potential fiances, in-laws and other VIPs from their futures ... people who they want to impress. Well, maybe rather than sharing my great advice with others, I should have followed it instead?

Yup, I made an error. After Sarah Palin was nominated to Vice President, I first enjoyed all of the back & forth about whether or not she, a mom, should have accepted the job. But, as the conversations seemed to continue to be mostly "us against them" comments as opposed to sharing different perspectives and wisdom with each other, I got irritated.

So, I wrote a note to a news person who I thought was contributing to the deterioration of the national conversation. That's OK, but the tone of my note had a swagger of arrogance and condescension (yuck!). I need to take a "time out" and do some reflecting on what I could have done better. If I followed my own advice in this area, I would have maintained a more graceful sense of humility as I participated in an engaging & lively debate.

This all came back to me today because I found out that the blog I used for this correspondence is available in on-line searches. Eek! I thought that I was just writing a private note to the news person - I did not know that the note would be so accessible, so public. How could I not know? Things we post on the Internet last ... just as our words we share with each other in our homes last. Next time, I'll choose my words and my tone more carefully.

How many minutes is a "time out" supposed to be if you're in your 40s?

Need Something Chocolatey? Maybe your calcium ...

While I have never been good at remembering to consume enough calcium, chocolate has consistently been in the forefront of my mind. These two seemingly unrelated topics have now become one as I am a compliant patient who takes my calcium supplement faithfully.

So, how have chocolate and calcium become one? I am getting the majority of my calcium intake in the form of my chocolate Viactiv chews; to me, they taste similar to Tootsie Rolls and they simultaneously help protect my bones while also giving me an opportunity for a chocolatey taste twice every day. Each chew offers 500mg of calcium and I take two each day for a total of 1000mg per day.

According to CVS Health Sources (www.cvshealthsources.com), if we are between the ages of 19 and 50, then we need 1,000 mg of calcium a day and for those over age 50, the recommended dose is 1,200 mg per day. As with most health related issues, exercise and nutrient rich foods can also contribute to healthy bones. Some foods that can help you reach your calcium goals include frozen spinach, canned clams, soy products and low fat yogurts or cheeses (United States Department of Agriculture, www.mypyramid.gov). You may also want to consider calcium fortified juices and cereals.

Before taking any supplement or starting any exercise program, its important to talk first with your doctor so that you can be sure that you make the right choices for you. Are you getting your calcium?




Important:
I am not providing medical advice; this is informing you of an option that is working for me with regard to calcium intake. Additionally, I do not have any formal relationship with the manufacturer of Viactic; I just like their product!

Plant a Pot or Fill a Garden & Watch Our Children Grow

Plant a Pot or Fill a Garden & Watch Our Children Blossom:

Nationwide, restaurants have pulled tomatoes from their menus, but at our home we harvested our largest crop of (safe) tomatoes! We picked them along with one lone pepper and a few basil leaves; it was exciting to produce more than a garnish from our mini-garden.

If you are in the mood for a brief return to the past where most Americans worked with their hands and either worked on a farm or had relatives who did, how about visiting your local garden store for a bargain purchase of herbs or vegetables? You will probably pay less for a whole herb plant than you would if you were to buy fresh herbs in your grocery store’s produce section. And, whether you grow herbs, vegetables or even edible flowers, your children of all ages can enjoy planting and harvesting; you will have an opportunity to work side by side and watch your children blossom through a hands-on learning, bonding & fun activity. This can be as simple or extravagant as you choose.


Why might you want to plant something?

1) Have Fun
Isn’t is great that “having fun” together is enough of a reason in itself? Maybe today is a day to laugh & play with each other over a little bit of dirt and plant.

2) Save Money
Some of the herbs like basil and mint grow very quickly; if you use these items in your kitchen, you really could save a few dollars by planting them and growing them yourself … you wouldn’t even have to pay extra for “organic”! And, if gas prices are keeping you home this summer – family activities together can be memorable whether you are in an amusement park or the fun environment of your own home; gardening is a bargain and if it is unique for your family, it is likely to create lasting memories.

3) Values Lesson Opportunity
If your children are hooked on toys & trinkets during most trips to the store, say “no” at your usual stores and say “yes” to the garden store letting them choose a plant to care for; reduce buying “things” and increase buying “experiences”. Talk about how you spend your money demonstrates your family values.

4) Learning/Developmental Opportunity
Older kids can plan for what to buy based on season, climate and where you will be doing your growing (e.g. inside in a pot, outside with an Eastern exposure etc.), younger children can practice reading or letter recognition based on plant labels and infants can play in the dirt and practice their fine motor skills with pebbles they find (but don’t eat!).

If you want to design a lesson, you could share a family story about your farming relatives or teach children about how technology has changed our lifestyles. Based on your children’s ages, you can adapt planting & growing to any developmental stage. Be creative – what would you like for your children to learn today?

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Speaking of dirt … remember that Mighty Mud Mania in Scottsdale is coming up on Friday, July 18th. This event is great for all ages and will be pure, clean, muddy fun! See your Fun Place to Go with Kids in Metro Phoenix book or www.funmoms.biz for more information.

Go Love! Look for the Yellow Bug in your Neighborhood!

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Fun in the Grass

According to AmericanLawns.com there are a lot of different grasses that you might like to plant based on your geography and the season. Some of them include Buffalograss, Bahia, St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysiagrass and Fine-Leaf Fescue. I don’t know what kind my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are growing in Texas but, whatever it is, it has great color and the lawn provided a relaxing place to laugh and play with my daughter as we waited for a taxi to take us to the airport. Even waiting can be fun!

Three Grass Ideas for Today or This Weekend:

1) Find a lawn at your house or in the neighborhood park – lay down, smell it, feel it, close your eyes and take a few deeeeeeep breaths … you will feel more relaxed ... ahhhhhh.

2) Get a blanket and have a picnic on the grass nearest you. Gourmet, PB & J or your favorite fast food will do.

3) Visit a big stretch of lawn and take some fun family pictures. Dance, make a pyramid, make faces or lay down and create a circle with your heads before having the person with the longest arms take the picture from above! Be creative … what else could you do for a spontaneous family photo collage?

For more information about the best grass for your yard:
http://www.americanlawns.com/

For photography ideas:
www.exposeuresonline.com/ExposuresOnline/ExposureStyle/How_to_Photograph_Life_Events.aspx

If you need help making a PB & J J:
Visit PB Loco at Scottsdale’s Fashion Square or http://www.pbloco.com/

Go Love! Look for the Yellow Bug in Your Neighborhood!

Changing/Improving the World

Changing/Improving the World

After setting up this blog and writing a quick introductory post, you may have noticed my blog as being the “silent type”. While I write daily, I have not been able to come up with anything "perfect" to say that might "change the world". But, this week I have decided that instead of waiting for an elusive version of perfection, I will just do my best as I blog for Fun Moms.

When I was at the American Mothers, Inc. conference in Nebraska, Mary Pipher was a dinner speaker. Her most well-known book is the #1 New York Times Bestseller Reviving Ophelia and, after I heard her speech, I bought her book Writing to Change the World; the title caught my attention. Pipher shares lots of wisdom in her book and I continue to believe that if all of us keep speaking and writing words of encouragement & thoughtful pondering, the world is likely to improve peacefully - just as calm streams beautifully create rock scuptures as they meander through nature.

One common obstacle to positive social change, or improving the world, is “us-them” thinking. If we can increase “we” thinking and begin with what we have in common, we are more likely to enjoy the contributions of diversity to society and we are also more likely to influence the thinking of others. It is my opinion that reducing “us-them” thinking is often the right thing to do as well as the smart thing to do. For example, if a group of moms begins with “are you a working mom or a stay-at-home mom?”, they are likely to get into a better-worse, easy-hard or right-wrong debate (e.g. “us-them” thinking). If moms share their hopes, ideas and specific challenges they face, moms have the opportunity to realize we have a lot in common. As moms step away from the “mommy war” topics and “us-them” thinking, moms may realize that the woman standing next to us is a potential ally in motherhood ... maybe even a new friend and ally in improving the world.

Reflective Questions for Today:

1) How do you feel about and/or what do you think of the word/concept "perfection"?

2) Using the stream and rock metaphor made me think of hiking Oak Creek (picture above). The cooler temperatures and creek water of Sedona are an easy daytrip from the Valley of the Sun! Where would you like to take your family for an affordable & near-by summer escape? http://www.funmoms.biz/

3) Regardless of differences, moms have a lot in common with each other; moms around us may need our help or be able to help us (reduce “us-them” thinking because “we’re all in this together”). How can we improve our "we" thinking? Who can you reach out to as you broaden your definition of "we"?

4) Writing to Change the World was a great book. If you are a writer or aspiring writer of social change topics, I recommend it! Which social issues would you like to influence?

5) My mother highly recommends Reviving Ophelia to any moms of girls. Which books would you like to read for wisdom on parenting?

6) If we express encouragement & thoughtful pondering (e.g. critical thinking, better questions, reflection), I believe that we are making the world a better place. What words of encouragement or topics of reflection would help your family? How might you improve the world just through positive daily interactions with the people you see/meet in your daily life?

Changing/Improving the World - we do it everyday ... we're Moms !