ABOUND IN #HOPE 101: #Discover Hope

#despair #hopelessness #loneliness #emptiness #stress #meaninglessness #guilt #condemnation #exhaustion The #anxieties of #life are very real – and no one is immune from having #anxiety that can create a #mindfog. At times, we all can feel like our head is somewhere else making it hard to focus on #life - let alone our #spiritual #self-care that can fill the #heart #mind #body #soul and relationships in new ways.
 
Life often runs us, rather than us having the #freedom to run our life. Each day multiple rituals are performed – from that #morning cup of #coffee to laying one’s head on the #pillow at night. These rituals are often done outside of #consciousness – yet they have a direct impact on the creation of anxiety. The gift is that we are in control of the rituals, not vice versa. Spiritual self-care invites the #exploration and #discovery of the rituals of life so that the rituals can be #transformed into #positive life-building possibilities rather than anxiety filled realities.
 
#Discover the beginnings of a new reality by practicing #contemplative expressions of spiritual self-care through prayer-filled #mindfulness. Prayer-filled mindfulness invites being creative, finding purpose, and discovering life as prayer. Yes, life as #prayer filled with rituals that #nourish the heart, mind, body, soul, and relationships in new ways. #Transform the daily rituals so that each is filled spiritually while providing a clear and #playful pathway that makes visible the #vitality of our individual and relational #sacred direction of life. How might we do this?
 
One way is to begin by practicing what we call a #Free Walk. The Free Walk is inspired by the spiritual practices of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (1182-1226), also known as Francis of Assisi from Italy. Like Francis’ life walk, the Free Walk mindful #journey invites an engagement of all five #senses with the #world around us. Free Walking can reconnect us with what is most #important in life. Walk with the Spirit and #imagine all the opportunities - then move toward those possibilities. Free Walking a labyrinth, mentally or with a finger, invites an immersion into the artistic path while imagining how your senses react (vision, smell, taste, touch, and sound). Bring to consciousness that which is not yet imagined - the insights and possibilities for minimizing anxiety in the daily rituals of life. Let’s try it out…
 
We #breathe all day long, so let’s begin our journey toward prayer-filled mindfulness by discovering the ritual of deep breathing. Breathe in slowly – hold a bit – breathe out slowly. Calm the mind and look around your space until you see something you were not previously #aware of – maybe a picture is askew, maybe a bird is in the tree outside - become aware of the space. Breathe in slowly – hold a bit – breathe out slowly. Close the eyes and calm the mind. #Imagine a most peaceful image – one from the past, one in the present, and one in the future. Breathe in slowly – hold a bit – breathe out slowly. Open the eyes and think about flowers. Yes, flowers. #Flowers have the ability to lift our spirits. This is especially true of the primrose flower that is featured on our Abound in Hope labyrinth. Let’s explore walking among primrose flowers…
 
Free walking along a path filled with primrose flowers invites hope filled happiness. We know that first-hand. It is exactly what happened as we walked among the tufted evening primroses (oenothera caespitosa) in the #Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA. That experience inspired our Abound in Hope labyrinth design. We created it so that others could also be inspired by walking among tufted evening primrose flowers. Primrose flowers mark the arrival of spring helping folks to #connect to their true spiritual center that is #love – and with love is hope. The #labyrinth path offers a safe space to #unwind and become connected with the deep spirit within.
 
Freely walk the Abound in Hope labyrinth path, mentally or with a finger. Experience the #meditative Free Walk process of labyrinth walking as you create a #safe space for the #brain to unwind from the daily stressors and toward experiencing the #hope-filled #joy of life. Leave your #anxieties and #stresses outside of the path. Follow the path into the center of the basket freely and carefree. Stop a few times along the path to breathe deeply. In the center of the design, the middle of the basket, take a moment or two to imagine your senses being filled in a cheery, playful, and #creative way. #Reflect on the #inspirational scripture verse specifically chosen for the Abound in Hope design: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and #peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the #power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). How does it feel to abound with hope? As you walk back out of the design think how to incorporate hope and love into the rituals of life – from that morning cup of coffee to that moment you lay your head onto the pillow at night. What one small #change can I make today? What does that look like? #Dream it - imagine it – live into it.
 
#Enjoy all the Abound in Hope labyrinth options including the Mindful Moment Labyrinth Walk videos on #YouTube #Vimeo and #TikTok Use an Abound in Hope Build-A-Journal, now on Amazon, to journal your discoveries as you freely walk the design. Spread some #positive #vibes by incorporating the labyrinth design into #daily life. Add some #vitality to your life and purchase a primrose #gift item today – maybe for #ValentinesDay or another #special occasion. Purchase and #enjoy an Abound in Hope art print, tote bag, rug, yoga mat, leggings, t-shirts, pillows, face masks and many other prayer-filled mindful self-care products now on #FineArtAmerica #RedBubble #Society6 and #TeePublic
 
Check out all the offerings at CenterToAwakenKindness.com and visit us on all the major social media networks @DaRevsUSA

Below are a few pictures from our travels at the #BadlandsNationalPark in #SouthDakota USA.