Starting today, and for the next twelve days, Baha’is all around the world will celebrate Ridvan, which means “paradise,” the holiest and most joyous time of the Baha’i year.

Pronounced rez-vahn, the Baha’i teachings refer to this 12-day period every spring as “the King of Festivals,” because it marks the anniversary of the declaration of a new religion in an earthly paradise of a rose-scented, birdsong-filled garden.

RELATED: From Prison to Poverty and Exile: Baha’u’llah’s Journey

That actual garden, named Ridvan or Paradise by Baha’u’llah, witnessed the birth of the Baha’i Faith, the world’s newest independent religion, in April of 1863.

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It happened on a verdant island in the Tigris River near Baghdad. The garden on that island marks the exact spot where Baha’u’llah first declared his mission and inaugurated the Baha’i Faith, as he recounted in his Book of Certitude:

Consider how all created things eloquently testify to the revelation of that inner Light within them. Behold how within all things the portals of the Ridvan of God are opened, that seekers may attain the cities of understanding and wisdom, and enter the gardens of knowledge and power. Within every garden they will behold the mystic bride of inner meaning enshrined within the chambers of utterance in the utmost grace and fullest adornment.

A decade before his momentous declaration, in 1853, the Persian government had exiled Baha’u’llah to Baghdad, fearing the rapid spread of his teachings and their progressive impact on society. In April of 1863, because Baha’u’llah’s message of oneness and harmony continued to spread and threaten the clerics and their hold on power, he faced another exile – described in Star of the West Magazine by Jinab-i-Fadil:

At last the enemies of the Cause secured from the government authorities an order banishing Baha’u’llah from Baghdad. It first read that he should go, alone. But later this was changed, permitting his family and a few followers to accompany him. The band of exiles left Baghdad and paused, first, in a beautiful garden outside the city. Here they sojourned for twelve days. A tent was pitched for Baha’u’llah, and around it the tents for the others. These days in the garden are called “The days of Ridvan” and they are of supreme importance, for it was then that Baha’u’llah declared, to a few followers, his great mission and began to build the palace of peace and unity for the world. He revealed many wonderful verses which sing the melodies of the New Day of God.

When the twelve days were over, the party, mounted on horses and donkeys and guarded by Turkish soldiers, set out again. The believers who could not accompany them were utterly broken-hearted. It was as though Baha’u’llah was a king starting upon a glorious journey. Outwardly, an exile – but in his spirit a great light was shining.

Baha’u’llah, his family, and the band of exiles and believers who accompanied them faced a grueling, arduous overland journey to Constantinople. It took them four months of traveling, on foot and horseback, through the deserts and mountains of Asia Minor in the heat of the summer. During that period Baha’u’llah continued to proclaim the mission of his new Faith – the oneness of humanity and peace between all nations – to a widening circle of new adherents and followers in each village they passed through.

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This profound announcement transformed the occasion of Baha’u’llah’s banishment from crisis to victory.

RELATED: How Baha’u’llah’s Followers Learned Not to Fear Death

The flower pots on the ground mark the location of the bench where Bahá’u’lláh often sat when He visited the replica of the Ridvan garden in Israel, c. 1920

So each year in April, the twelve days of Ridvan – which Baha’is observe this year from sunset on April 20th to sunset on May 2nd – commemorate Baha’u’llah’s sojourn in the garden, and joyously celebrate the birth of his new Faith. To commemorate and observe this holiday, Baha’i communities and their friends around the world remember the eve of Baha’u’llah’s banishment from Baghdad to Istanbul, not as a time of sorrow or regret, but as a happy festival of revelation and renewal.

In that way, the Ridvan Baha’i holy days symbolize the power of the prophet of God to bring forth light from darkness and win triumph from seeming defeat, as Abdu’l-Baha said in this 1912 speech he gave in New York City:

The Persian government believed the banishment of [Baha’u’llah] from Persia would be the extermination of his cause in that country. These rulers now realized that it spread more rapidly. His prestige increased, his teachings became more widely circulated. The chiefs of Persia then used their influence to have Baha’u’llah exiled from Baghdad. He was summoned to Constantinople by the Turkish authorities. While in Constantinople he ignored every restriction, especially the hostility of ministers of state and clergy. The official representatives of Persia again brought their influence to bear upon the Turkish authorities and succeeded in having Baha’u’llah banished from Constantinople to Adrianople, the object being to keep him as far away as possible from Persia and render his communication with that country more difficult. Nevertheless the cause still spread and strengthened.

Baha’is believe that Baha’u’llah’s announcement of his new revelation in the paradise of the Ridvan garden brought a new, inner paradise to humanity.

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During that first day of Ridvan in 1863 Baha’u’llah revealed the Suriy-i-Sabr, known as the “Tablet of Job.” In it, Baha’u’llah wrote a sentence that revealed one of the great themes of the Baha’i teachings, the concept of progressive revelation and the inherent unity of all religions:

God hath sent down His Messengers to succeed to Moses and Jesus, and He will continue to do so till ‘the end that hath no end;’ so that His grace may, from the heaven of Divine bounty, be continually vouchsafed to mankind.

A decade later, in 1873, Baha’u’llah referred to that first day of Ridvan as the moment when all humanity was “immersed in the sea of purification:”

Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of purification when, on that first day of Ridvan, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of Our most excellent Names and Our most exalted Attributes. This, verily, is a token of My loving providence, which hath encompassed all the worlds.

The post The Baha’i Definition of Paradise: The First Day of Ridvan appeared first on Minds Valley.

Happy New Year! No, we’re not three months late—because today, on the vernal equinox, people all over the planet celebrate New Year’s Day, including the Baha’is. Have you ever heard…

The post Naw-Ruz: It’s a New Day, and a New Year! appeared first on BahaiTeachings.org.

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Many of the world’s cultures have a traditional time of the year set aside just for fun and laughter, when tricks, comedy, pranks, and practical jokes prevail. That’s why April Fool’s Day has become a tradition.

Anthropologists call these holidays “renewal festivals,” because they purposely upend the established social order with hilarity, mayhem, and misrule.

RELATED: A Funny Thing Happened on My Spiritual Journey

This kind of intentional fun resonates for Baha’is all around the world, no matter what culture they come from. Abdu’l-Baha constantly encouraged happiness and laughter among the Baha’is, for example, saying that smiles and laughter are “a spiritual state:”

Laughter is caused by the slackening or relaxation of the nerves. It is an ideal condition and not physical. Laughter is the visible effect of an invisible cause. For example, happiness and misery are super-sensuous phenomena. One cannot hear them with the ears or touch them with his hands. Happiness is a spiritual state.

The Universal House of Justice, the democratically-elected global leadership body of the world’s Baha’is, has written that:

Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of a true Baha’i life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God are characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.

So in the pursuit of some of that joy, let’s explore the multicultural origins of April Fool’s Day.

One of the oldest known renewal festival traditions came from ancient Persia. Modern-day Iranians and others still celebrate Sizdah Bedar on the 13^th day of the Persian Naw-Ruz or New Year, which (because of the lunar calendar) usually falls sometime around April 1^st. On that day, since 536 BC, Persians have celebrated the coming of spring by going outside for picnics and playing jokes and pranks on each other. 

Sizdah Bedar may have emerged from the ancient Zoroastrian belief that laughter and joy symbolize the expelling or throwing away of all bad thoughts.

Similarly, the ancient Romans celebrated a festival on March 25^th called Hilaria, which they observed by wearing masks, holding masquerades, and promoting “general good cheer.”

The April Fool’s Day tradition in France and French-speaking Canada is called poisson d’avril, which means April’s fish. On April 1, pranksters try to secretly attach a paper fish to peoples’ backs. Italy and Belgium also celebrate April’s Fish, which historians believe emerged from the idea that a young, innocent fish was the easiest one to catch.

Poland celebrates prima aprilis (Latin for the first day of April) as their national day of jokes, when people concoct elaborate hoaxes and pranks – which can and do originate even from government and public institutions. For the Poles, not much that is serious happens on prima aprilis.

During March in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hindus celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, with fun for children, general merrymaking, parades and public games. Holi celebrants mark the coming of spring with bonfires, throwing colored powder and perfume on each other, and generally ignoring, for a short period, any distinction of class and caste.

In late February the world’s Baha’is celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha, or Intercalary Days, the four or five days (in Leap years) before the last month of the year in the Baha’i calendar. The Baha’is rejoice during Intercalary Days, and their celebrations include parties, feasting, hospitality, the giving of gifts, and charity for the poor.

In the West, April Fool’s Day – sometimes called “All Fools Day” – probably evolved from many cultures at around the same time, all centered on vernal equinox celebrations and the giddy joy and excitement of the coming of spring. 

The April Fool’s tradition probably began sometime around 1582 in the West, when France adopted Pope Gregory XIII’s Gregorian calendar and shifted their New Year’s celebration from the first days of spring to January 1^st. Without mass communication the new calendar didn’t reach everyone quickly, and even when it did many people refused to throw out the Julian calendar. Eventually those people were called fools, and were subject to ridicule, practical jokes, and “fool’s errands.” As time passed, the harassment turned into more gentle pranks, tricks, hoaxes, and practical jokes.  

By the way, your shoe is untied. No, seriously.

One fun April Fool’s Day site – www.museumofhoaxes.com – reports that some of the best-known April Fool’s jokes have been mass media-perpetrated:

• On 1 April 1957, the respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied, “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.”

• The April 1998 issue of the New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter contained an article claiming that the Alabama state legislature had voted to change the value of the mathematical constant pi from 3.14159 to the ’Biblical value’ of 3.0. Soon the article made its way onto the internet, and then it rapidly spread around the world, forwarded by email. It only became apparent how far the article had spread when the Alabama legislature began receiving hundreds of calls from people protesting the legislation. The original article, which was intended as a parody of legislative attempts to circumscribe the teaching of evolution, was written by physicist Mark Boslough.

• During an interview on BBC Radio 2, on the morning of April 1, 1976, the respected British astronomer Patrick Moore announced that an extraordinary astronomical event was about to occur. At exactly 9:47 am, the planet Pluto would pass directly behind Jupiter, in relation to the Earth. This rare alignment would mean that the combined gravitational force of the two planets would exert a stronger tidal pull, temporarily counteracting the Earth’s own gravity and making people weigh less. Moore called this the Jovian-Plutonian Gravitational Effect.

  Moore told listeners that they could experience the phenomenon by jumping in the air at the precise moment the alignment occurred. If they did so, he promised, they would experience a strange floating sensation. At 9:47, Moore declared, “Jump now!” A minute passed, and then the BBC switchboard lit up with dozens of people calling in to report that the experiment had worked! A Dutch woman from Utrecht said that she and her husband had floated around the room together. Another caller claimed she had been seated around a table with eleven friends and that all of them, including the table, had begun to ascend. But not everyone was happy. One angry caller complained he had risen from the ground so rapidly that he hit his head on the ceiling, and he wanted compensation.

So today, on April Fool’s Day, go ahead, play a (gentle) joke on those around you, and create some joy.

The post Just For Fun – Happy Multicultural April Fool’s Day! appeared first on Minds Valley.

Today, November 11, the United States observes Veterans Day, while many other nations celebrate it as Remembrance Day, marking the formal end of the First World War and honoring the war dead.

Initially, though, when this holiday first began, the world named November 11^th Armistice Day, so I’d like to humbly suggest that we return to that name — and to the original intent of the day as a sacred observance of peace. 

As a combat veteran myself, I hope no one ever suffers through another world war or becomes one of its millions of victims.

RELATED: What War Did to Me – and to Us

I’m not the first one to suggest this return to the old Armistice Day name. Kurt Vonnegut, in his celebrated 1973 novel Breakfast of Champions, wrote:

“… November eleventh, accidentally my birthday, was a sacred day called Armistice Day. When I was a boy … all the people of all the nations which had fought in the First World War were silent during the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, which was the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

It was during that minute in nineteen hundred and eighteen, that millions upon millions of human beings stopped butchering one another. I have talked to old men who were on battlefields during that minute. They have told me in one way or another that the sudden silence was the Voice of God. So we still have among us some men who can remember when God spoke clearly to mankind.

Armistice Day has become Veterans’ Day. Armistice Day was sacred. Veterans’ Day is not.”

So why Armistice Day instead of Veterans Day or Remembrance Day? What difference could a name possibly make?

Well, an armistice describes a truce that precedes a peace treaty — that actual holy moment, as Vonnegut wrote, when armies lay down their arms and stop slaughtering one another. The original intent of Armistice Day, then, was a global celebration of peace, of disarmament. The word armistice comes from Latin, where arma means armament and –stitium means stoppage. In World War I, initially known as “the war to end all wars,” the hope of a lasting worldwide peace gave an important meaning to the word armistice.

Sadly, Veterans Day and Remembrance Day have now become almost the opposite kind of observances, when we fly the colors of our country, put little plastic flags on the graves of dead soldiers, and celebrate and venerate all military veterans as “heroes.” Veterans Day can now mean jingoistic displays of nationalism, military power, and wartime victory, complete with parades and marching bands, encouraging kids to aspire to that kind of militaristic heroism themselves — and become the next generation’s dead soldiers.

Perversely, we’ve turned the day into a recruiting tool for further war instead of a celebration of peace.  

Maybe that has happened because the noble ideal of Armistice day—to protect future human life from future wars—did not succeed. That “war to end all wars,” WWI, was quickly followed by WW II a few decades later. 

But this historical fact does not mean we should throw out the goal of disarming the world’s nations and achieving a lasting peace. As a world, we’ve actually achieved a shaky, tentative peace during the past three-quarters of a century since the Second World War ended. Yes, we’ve waged regional conflicts and proxy wars, and many have died as a result, but another massive World War has not occurred. This is progress. 

RELATED: Weapons of War: the Malignant Fruits of Material Civilization

However, our planet’s military forces are still armed to the teeth. We now possess more powerful destructive weaponry than at any past period in human history. Wars rage right now in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. If history is a gauge, we humans have always tended to use the weapons we develop sooner or later. The nationalistic conflicts and disputes that could cause the use of those fearsome weapons still exist, and should prevent us from growing complacent. Rivalries and political clashes in one region of the world could easily degenerate into a global war. We haven’t yet perfected an international mechanism — the representative world Parliament the Baha’i teachings call for — which would prevent the escalation of a proxy or regional conflict into a planetary one.

If we go back to calling November 11^th Armistice Day, perhaps it will allow us to focus, for at least one day each year, on the gradual multilateral disarmament the Baha’i teachings advocate and the world so desperately needs. Maybe it will help us take our collective fingers off the triggers.

The Baha’i teachings define global disarmament and peace between nations as humanity’s greatest future accomplishment. Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, wrote in one of his tablets:

We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great Peace—the surest of all means for the protection of humanity. The sovereigns of the world should, with one accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples and nations.

Of course, as Abdu’l-Baha described it to a newspaper interviewer during his 1912 trip to Canada, that accomplishment hasn’t permanently happened yet, and we have work to do to get there:

Now the question of disarmament must be put into practice by all the nations and not only by one or two. Consequently the advocates of Peace must strive day and night, so that the individuals of every country may become peace-loving, public opinion may gain a strong and permanent footing, and day by day the army of International Peace be increased, complete disarmament be realized and the Flag of Universal Conciliation be waving on the summit of the mountains of the earth.

Do you consider yourself an advocate of peace? Do you “strive day and night” to “become peace-loving”? Here’s a suggestion Abdu’l-Baha made to an audience in Paris more than a century ago:

I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content.

Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness.

When soldiers of the world draw their swords to kill, soldiers of God clasp each other’s hands! So may all the savagery of man disappear by the Mercy of God, working through the pure in heart and the sincere of soul. Do not think the peace of the world an ideal impossible to attain! 

So today, when you observe Veterans Day or Remembrance Day in your country, remember that only a true global armistice will save future veterans — the ones who are small children now. By working to end war, you can help spare the lives of those children.

The post Veterans Day: Let’s Call it Armistice Day Again appeared first on Minds Valley.

Mom, Mentor, Speaker and Bestselling Author Hunter Clarke-Fields announces her Top 0.5% Mindful Mama Podcast is now the Mindful Parenting Podcast.

Mindful Parenting Podcast Host and “Raising Good Humans” Author Hunter Clarke-Fields with her family.

2 Bestselling Mindful Parenting Books by Hunter Clarke-Fields: “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day”.

New Bestselling Mindful Parenting Book “Raising Good Humans Every Day” by Mom and Top Podcast Host Hunter Clarke-Fields.

Mindful Parenting Podcast Host, Bestselling Author and Coach Hunter Clarke-Fields speaking at Mom 2.0 Summit Los Angeles.

Mom, Mentor and “Raising Good Humans” Bestselling Author Hunter Clarke-Fields announces her Top 0.5% Mindful Mama Podcast is now the Mindful Parenting Podcast.

We changed our podcast name to Mindful Parenting to help moms & dads build their non-reactive muscle and calm their stress response around their kids to build loving connections vs. being destructive.”

— Hunter Clarke-Fields, “Raising Good Humans”

PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, September 26, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — In sync with National Family Day (Sept 26, 2023), Mom, Coach, Speaker and Bestselling Author (“Raising Good Humans” and Raising Good Humans Every Day”) Hunter Clarke-Fields announces her Top 0.5% Mindful Mama Podcast is now called the “Mindful Parenting – Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids” Podcast. After 11 years, hosting 385+ episodes, and a 4.8/5 average rating, this top podcast will now expand topics to help moms and dads be “less irritable, calmer, and a more joyful parent.”

Clarke-Fields explains, “We changed our podcast name to Mindful Parenting to help both moms and dads build their non-reactive muscle and calm their stress response around their kids. What we need most as parents when we are at our worst and yelling at our kids is to stop yelling. What mindfulness does is help us build that non-reactive muscle and stay calm – so we can build loving connections versus being destructive.”

The 3 most recent episodes of the updated Mindful Parenting Podcast include:
– How to Talk About Hard Things with Kids – with Guest Sara Olsher [420] – [Mindfulness for Kids 1] Calm Reminder – with Guest Dr. Christopher Willard
(9/20/23)
– [Mindful Parenting Coaching] How do I share my calm? [419] – with Guest Mom
Brittany (9/18/23)

Based on 20+ years of studying meditation, yoga and mindful parenting tools, Clarke-Fields has published two books, including “Raising Good Humans” and the new bestselling book, “Raising Good Humans Every Day” (New Harbinger Publications, Aug 1, 2023). Her updated Mindful Parenting Podcast name will increase the reach by sharing tips with moms, dads and really anyone with parenting responsibilities.

With the incredible success of Hunter Clarke-Fields’ first book, “Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids ” that sold 200k copies, “Raising Good Humans Every Day: 50 Simple Ways to Press Pause, Stay Present and Connect with your Kids” is the highly anticipated sequel with 50 short chapters (3-5 pages) that can parents read in 5-15 minutes each on-the-go.

The author explains how her new book is in sync with this revised Mindful Parenting Podcast name, “‘Raising Good Humans Every Day’ provides parents with a daily guide with mindfulness tools that are also used by CEOs, surgeons, Navy Seals and anyone in high stress jobs – like parents. It helps parents stay calm, practice compassion, and use loving speech and deep listening with your children to raise kind, confident and conscientious kids.”

And as a recognized Mindful Parenting Expert, Hunter Clarke-Fields’ recent speaking engagements have included a trip to Egypt last summer, keynotes and workshops:
– Author Talk in Laramie, Wyoming with Hunter Clarke-Fields (9/8/23 and 9/9/23)
– Keynote near Detroit, Michigan – Pancake Breakfast Parent Camp hosted by Novi Educational Foundation in partnership with Novi Mental Health Alliance with Hunter Clarke-Fields – How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids (9/16/23)
– Mindful Parenting Presentation at The Raised Good Summit Online (9/22/23)

NEW BOOK on AMAZON
“Raising Good Humans Every Day” (Aug 1, 2023, New Harbinger Publications)
https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Good-Humans-Every-Day/dp/1648481426

Follow Hunter Clarke-Fields and the book news here:
Instagram @MindfulMamaMentor https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmamamentor
Facebook @MindfulMamaMentor https://www.facebook.com/mindfulmamamentor

MEDIA CONTACT:
Liz Kelly, 310-987-7207

ABOUT MINDFUL PARENTING PODCAST
Bestselling Author of “Raising Good Humans” and Mindful Parenting Course creator Hunter Clarke-Fields shares interviews, inspiration, and coaching. Mindful Parenting is about becoming a less irritable, calmer, and more joyful parent. We know that you cannot give what you do not have. And when you are thriving, when you have calm and peace within—then you can give it to your children. Learn about Mindful Parenting and get inspired!
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/mindful-parenting-breaking-the-cycle-of-a2d3QThOUJ0/

ABOUT THE HOST / AUTHOR / MOM: Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, E-RYT (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a Mindfulness Mentor, Mindful Parenting Podcast Host, Mom, Global Speaker, and Number 1 Bestselling Author of “Raising Good Humans” with a New Bestselling Book: “Raising Good Humans Every Day” (Aug 1, 2023). Hunter has over 20 years of experience in meditation and yoga practices, and helps moms bring more calm and family cooperation into their daily lives. She is a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, the creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training, and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide, including a recent trip to Egypt. Hunter presents talks on parenting, is a certified teacher of Parent Effectiveness Training. In addition, Hunter coaches smart, accomplished, over-stressed individuals on how to cultivate mindfulness. Hunter is the mother of two active daughters, who challenge her every day to hone her craft! Her work has appeared in CNBC Make It, Parade, Motherhood Moment, The Hollywood Digest, along with on NBC10 Boston, ABC Portland, NBC Milwaukee, and CBS South Bend, Kansas Public Radio, and many podcasts. And as part of her self-care, Hunter likes to do Scottish country dancing. Learn more about Hunter at https://MindfulMamaMentor.com

Liz Kelly
Goody PR
email us here

Mindful Parenting Podcast – Tips for Mealtime with Host and “Raising Good Humans” Author Hunter Clarke-Fields with Guest Amy Palanjian “Dinnertime SOS” Author

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The post Top 0.5% Podcast Host Announces New “Mindful Parenting Podcast” Name to help Moms and Dads Raise Good Humans Every Day appeared first on Minds Valley.

Stress is — many times — an unwanted guest that overstays its welcome in our fast-paced society. In today’s hectic world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frazzled, searching for ways to find inner peace. Fortunately, the ancient practice of mindfulness offers a lifeline.

Mindfulness isn’t just an abstract notion; it’s a practical, science-backed tool that can rewire your brain and reshape how you deal with life’s challenges. From the soothing art of visualization to the profound impact of meditation, the therapeutic outlet of journaling, the revitalizing practice of physical movement, and the calming influence of mindful breathing, you’re armed with a toolkit tailored to you.

Our exploration of mindfulness isn’t merely superficial; we’ll dive headfirst into its mysteries and reveal its potent potential. Get ready for a transformative journey as we unveil not one but five practical keys to infuse mindfulness into your daily routine, enabling you to reclaim the serene kingdom of inner peace and steadfast serenity.

Ri Butov / Pixabay

What is mindfulness, and how does it reduce stress?

Before we dive into the techniques, let’s clarify what mindfulness truly means. Mindfulness is the art of being fully present in the moment without judgment or distraction. It’s about paying keen attention to your thoughts, emotions, and the world around you. By doing so, you can cultivate a sense of inner calm and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

Understanding how mindfulness works its magic on stress is crucial. We’ll explore the science and physiology behind it, shedding light on how this practice can rewire your brain for tranquility and emotional balance.

Increased resilience 

Studies have shown that mindfulness can enhance your psychological resilience, making you better equipped to handle challenging situations without becoming overwhelmed.

Reduction in rumination 

Rumination, or dwelling on negative thoughts, is a common contributor to stress and anxiety. Mindfulness can reduce rumination by redirecting your attention away from these thoughts.

Enhanced coping strategies 

Mindfulness can provide you with new coping strategies and a different perspective on stressors. It helps you accept what you cannot change and find healthier ways to address what you can.

Decreased stress response

Mindfulness helps you develop the ability to respond to stressors in a more controlled and deliberate manner. Instead of reacting impulsively, you can choose how to respond to stress, which can reduce the intensity of your stress reactions. Mindfulness practices have been linked to lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone associated with stress. Regular mindfulness can help regulate your body’s stress response.

Pexels / Pixabay

5 ways to incorporate mindfulness throughout your day

The practice of mindfulness reduces stress by cultivating present-moment awareness, which leads to a sense of control over one’s reactions to stressors and a greater ability to respond calmly and clearly. By promoting relaxation, regulating stress hormones, and enhancing emotional regulation, these practices reduce physiological and psychological stress. Here’s what mindfulness looks like.

Visualization

Visualization is a potent mindfulness technique backed by science. When you vividly imagine positive scenarios, your brain responds by releasing calming neurotransmitters like serotonin. This practice can alleviate anxiety and enhance your overall sense of well-being.

Visualization has more benefits than just reducing stress. It can boost confidence, improve focus, and even enhance performance in various aspects of life.

Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and visualize a peaceful scene – an empty beach or perhaps your favorite fishing hole. As if you were there, experience the sensations, sights, and sounds. Next time you have a stressful meeting, set aside five minutes beforehand to visualize and center yourself. Then, observe what happens.

Meditation

Meditation promotes relaxation and reduces the production of stress hormones like cortisol by affecting your brain’s neural pathways. As a result, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational decision-making and emotional regulation, is strengthened.

Regular meditation can lead to reduced anxiety, improved emotional well-being, and heightened self-awareness. It’s a powerful tool for managing stress.

To meditate, find a quiet space, sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. When your mind wanders (and it will), gently bring your attention back to your breath. There are various meditation apps and guided sessions available to assist you.

Journaling

Journaling provides an outlet for processing emotions and reduces the emotional reactivity of the brain. Self-reflection and emotional regulation can be enhanced by writing about your feelings.

Journaling can help you gain clarity, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve overall mental well-being.

Set aside a few minutes each day to jot down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. You can also use prompts to guide your writing, such as “What am I grateful for today?” or “What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them?”

Physical movement

Physical activity, even in the form of a leisurely walk, triggers the release of endorphins, your body’s natural mood lifters. It also reduces cortisol levels, promoting relaxation.

Incorporating movement into your day can clear your mind, enhance your mood, and decrease stress levels. It’s a simple yet powerful way to practice mindfulness.

Aim to move your body intentionally each day, whether it’s a brisk walk during your lunch break or a short stretch session in the morning. As you walk, pay attention to the sensations of each step as well as the surroundings. Embrace the experience with all of your senses.

Breathing exercises

Conscious breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing the “fight or flight” response associated with stress. It also improves oxygenation, which is vital for overall well-being.

Practicing mindful breathing can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and enhance mental clarity. It can also be done in many different ways, and there are many different breathing techniques to choose from.

Mindfulness isn’t just some abstract notion; it’s a practical tool that can rewire your brain and reshape how you deal with life’s challenges. Begin to visualize a life with less anxiety, sharper focus, and unwavering resilience. As you make mindfulness a part of your daily schedule, these moments of calm will become more and more frequent.

When it comes to living stress-free, mindfulness is your best friend. With every breath, every step, and every word you jot down, you’re taking control of the serenity that’s rightfully yours. Stress might try to knock on your door, but now you’ve got the tools to show it who’s boss.

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Are you in a slump you can’t get out of? Do you often feel like a drone that’s only working, sleeping, and not much else?

Well, that was me only a couple of years ago. However, I’ve managed to turn my life around and be happier than ever. 

Here are the things I did every single day that helped me make a 180. 

1) Dance or listen to music

Music has a powerful impact on mood. Put on your favorite music and dance like no one’s watching. 

Now, I won’t lie to you and say that I danced every day. Or ever. Dancing isn’t my forte. 

But I did listen to music that lifted my spirits and inspired me to take on new projects. Apart from that, there are so many motivational videos you can listen to that will help you get moving if you’re stuck in life. 

The thing is, you should do this every day. Don’t wait for the time you need it. Simply make this a routine. 

2) Have self-compassion

If you’re anything like me, you’re often your harshest critic. You’re never satisfied with your work, interactions with other people, or your life in general.

That’s, of course, a big mistake. It’s also a surefire way to never get ahead in life and stay deeply unhappy. 

Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. When facing challenges or making mistakes, remind yourself that it’s okay to be imperfect. 

Self-compassion encourages a healthier relationship with yourself and reduces self-criticism. 

Ultimately, why make your life even harder than it already is? Why be a starving artist if you can be a thriving one? 

Here’s another thing that will help you feel better and happier. 

3) Lift your spirits with positive self-affirmations

Positive affirmations help you reinforce positive beliefs about yourself. Repeat affirmations such as:

• “I’m capable,” 
• “I can do this,” or 
• “I’m resilient” 

to boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Pump yourself up or have a pep talk in the mirror each morning if you have trouble going through the day. 

The key is to be specific in your affirmations. Instead of using broad statements, narrow them down to address individual aspects of your life. 

For example, if you’re working on self-confidence, say, “I’m confident in my abilities in…”

4) Embrace a minimalist lifestyle

Minimalism is about simplifying your life by decluttering your physical and mental space. 

Start by decluttering your home, then consider simplifying your daily routines and commitments. The goal is to create more space for what truly matters to you.

I started my minimalist journey by throwing away, recycling, or giving to someone around ten items per day. 

It’s an easy way to declutter without really doing the hard work or seeing any drastic changes that might make you think twice about doing it. 

Once you get to a level of minimalism you feel is right for you, simply maintain it and don’t fall into the consumerism trap again. 

5) Connect with pets and other animals

Whether you have pets or visit animal shelters, spending time with animals brings enormous joy. 

The unconditional love and companionship of animals give you comfort and happiness. I have two cats of my own I love spending time with, and petting them really helped me calm down. 

We have had them for 14 years already, and they’ve moved with us across the continent. 

For some people, however, a dog is a better choice as they’re more active, and you can take them on your adventures. Plus, they encourage you to move more. 

But even if you can’t have pets, try spending as much time as you can with animals. 

6) Practice mindful breathing

Mindful breathing involves taking a few moments to focus your attention solely on your breath. 

Here’s how:

Find a comfy place to sit or lie down, shut your eyes, and take slow and deep breaths. 

Pay attention to the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body. 

This practice can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and bring a sense of calm to your day.

I also recommend Yoga and similar practices that make you focus on breathing and incorporate breath work. 

7) Read inspiring books

If you take away anything from this article, I hope it will be the importance of reading books. Especially inspiring ones. 

But reading, in general, is a gateway to new worlds and perspectives. Consider choosing books that inspire personal growth, resilience, or creativity. 

Biographies of successful people, self-help books, or novels with profound themes can all be sources of inspiration.

I personally love reading biographies and autobiographies of people I admire. Like Marie Colvin, the American journalist and foreign affairs correspondent. 

8) Embrace a hobby

Hobbies provide an opportunity for joy and self-expression. Whether you’re drawn to painting, gardening, playing a musical instrument, or crafting, dedicating time to your hobby can be a fulfilling escape from daily routines.

For me, this is videography, but also building and messing with R/C cars. 

The first one gets me out of the house, and the other one lets me work on my patience and helps keep my brain engaged. 

9) Do random acts of kindness

Random acts of kindness are simple gestures that brighten someone else’s day. This could include buying a stranger’s meal, holding the door for someone, or leaving uplifting notes in public spaces. 

These acts not only spread positivity but also increase your own sense of altruism and happiness.

Here are more suggestions:

• Compliment a stranger on something you genuinely appreciate about them
• Offer to help someone struggling with heavy bags or luggage
• Donate food items or toiletries to a local food bank or shelter
• Visit and spend time with elderly neighbors who may be lonely or isolated
• Send a heartfelt message or letter to a friend or family member, expressing your love and appreciation
• Participate in tree-planting initiatives
• Offer your seat to someone in need on public transportation
• Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park and pick up litter to keep the environment clean

10) Journaling

Keeping a journal has been a therapeutic practice for me. I simply write down my thoughts, feelings, and experiences regularly. 

With this, I gain clarity, process emotions, and track my personal growth and achievements. But, most importantly, it helps me express gratitude for the things and people in my life. 

It’s a way of not taking things for granted and deeply appreciating how beautiful life can be. 

Self-reflection is also a basis for understanding ourselves and finding out what makes us tick.  

It also helps us work on the following:

11) Deepen relationships

Building and maintaining strong relationships is one of the most important building blocks of happiness. Plan quality time with loved ones, especially friends, and express your appreciation and love for them regularly.

It turns out friends are even more important for happiness than family. But there is a catch.

You see, we do more meaningful activities with friends and more mundane ones with our family. 

So, the key is to have more enjoyable experiences and activities with people in general. One of them should definitely be:

12) Volunteer in your community

Volunteering can be as simple or as complex as you make it. You can volunteer with animals, the elderly, the homeless, kids, nature, and so on.

Find volunteer opportunities in your local community that align with your interests and values. 

By helping others, you create a sense of purpose and connection, which in turn makes you even happier with life.  

13) Unplug from technology

If you don’t use technology and social media with a clear purpose, it will make you unhappy. For example, mindlessly killing time by scrolling the news feed. 

It’s also essential to take breaks from screens. That’s why you must designate specific times each day to unplug and engage in analog activities like reading a physical book, taking a nature walk, or having face-to-face conversations.

14) Set boundaries

And lastly, establishing healthy boundaries is also crucial for your well-being. Learn to say no when necessary to prevent overcommitting and feeling overwhelmed. 

By setting clear limits in your personal and professional life, you reduce stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

With so many jobs available these days, there’s really no need to be someone’s slave. And if you’re over 50, don’t worry. You’re a hot commodity now because of your reliability, strong work ethic, and experience. 

But also…

The basics. You know – exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. Without this as your foundation, you can do ten other things and still never be content. 

If you’re unhappy, start with these. Exercising alone will make you feel better (after the initial shock to the body). 

Break a sweat each day and get your heart rate up.

Find something you love doing, like playing sports, hiking, mountain biking, ultimate frisbee, or jumping rope, and stick with it.  

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We have quit America

When the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights were authored, our Founding Fathers could not envision how American society would change the meaning of being free and happy 247 years hence. It’s akin to the growth of a saguaro cactus — 247 years ago the saguaro was 6 inches tall, today it towers 30 feet, with multiple arms and weighs a ton. It is entirely different but still a saguaro. Today, we are still Americans.

What does it mean to be free and happy in today’s America? With our modern times we have opportunities to be more free, more happy with better lives. So, why the social anger? We should be celebratory, not shouting, shooting or shaming.

We have abandoned our fundamental American values. We have quit America. Becoming devoid of respect for human feelings, and human worth. We need a fix. It’s an individual fix. We must be better people- better parents, better mentors, better leaders, and better Americans living American ideals.

People are also reading…

Trump’s doings

I am a Mexican, first-generation U.S. woman that loves my heritage and is a proud American. The day former President Donald Trump stood in front of the White House, and spoke to his followers, and encouraged them to attack the Capital Building of the United States, I cried. Trump told them he would meet them there. He incited them to do something especially bad. This evil, corrupt man urged his thugs to stop Vice President Mike Pence from validating President Joe Biden’s election. How can Trump’s party members, especially those in Congress, continue to support him? It is a truly very sad time in this great nation. Our Democracy is being destroyed by this man that admires Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung Un of North Korea. Trump even claps his hands like Kim when he meets his crowds. A dictator Trump would like to be. Let us stop him!

Julieta Bustamante Portillo

After the Blue Ribbon Commission exploring the fate of the Pima County Jail adjourned on Thursday, the protestors held their own meeting, discussing the problems at the jail.

Lydia Watts photos, Arizona Daily Star

Tucson favorites

Tucson and Vail and Arizona places

Phoenix and Scottsdale and many other spaces

Beautiful weather and the joy that it brings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cactus and grey dove and Palo Verde growing

Barrel and hedgehogs and white cotton sowing

Sunshine and monsoons and good weather swings

These are a few of my favorite things

When the rains come, and the clouds drum

I honestly think of my favorite things

And then I don’t feel so bad.

Mission del Bac and the great Pima Air

Rodeo time the big County Fair

Museums and zoo, and backyards with swings

These are a few of my favorite things

Climbing Mt Lemmon, and historic homes,

National Parks and and old cow bones

Knowing that voice, when e’r Linda Sings

These are a few of my favorite things

When the Cats play, in a bad way

Then I remember my favorite things

And then I don’t feel so bad.

Animal adoption to euthanasia

I was visiting my grandmother when we went to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. I met Beast Boy, a 3-year-old Heeler. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I decided to adopt him and get him transported to me. I contacted the shelter. The Operations Manager told me he had an unknown medical condition and would be put down. I offered financial backing for more medical tests, found a rescue that would take him, and stated I wanted to adopt him. However, she said his fate was sealed. They wouldn’t allow me to help. She stressed that the shelter did not have a contract with the rescue, so they did not know if it would be a safe place for him. Ironically, they will, instead, euthanize him. How can people fight to save animals, when the shelters, deny us the ability to do so? Why can’t he be released to those who want to help him? How can a refusal be justified?

Bureau of Land Management

Re: the Aug. 18 article “Ensuring the health of public lands for tomorrow.”

Glaringly absent from her opinion is the abuse that livestock grazers have imposed on our public land for over a century. Just one example is Cliven Bundy’s trespass cattle still grazing BLM land for free. The riparian areas on BLM land throughout the West have been destroyed by overgrazing. Since grazers have denuded public land for the past century by that overgrazing that is allowed by very poor BLM management, livestock grazing should be completely prohibited on BLM land for the next 100 years. That would balance things fairly and allow public land to recover for the benefit of wildlife and all of us.

Illegal self-help

Donald Trump and his equally delusional supporters rationalize his actions regarding the fake elector scheme as justified because he actually believed (really?) the 2020 election was stolen from him. The logical disconnect is that even a good faith belief in a perceived harm does not justify an illegal act as a self-help remedy. For example, say my bank stole money from my account. I have been wronged. I can complain; sue; or, report the theft to authorities. What I cannot do is rob the bank to retrieve my money.

Rick Jones, retired criminal defense lawyer

New Pima County jail

Pima County has convened a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the possibility of building a new larger jail. The argument includes a statement of increase in crime, although most of that increase is due to nonviolent crime. Mental illness is one of the reasons people can be incarcerated in the jail. No where else to go. Sheriff Nanos himself has said that many of those in the jail are people with mental illness who don’t belong there. Therefore, it seems to me that we are addressing this problem backward. We need to use the money proposed for the new jail to expand treatment of mental illness, thereby reducing the jail population. The Pima County Supervisors will be considering this issue soon.

Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act

I’ve caught COVID-19 seven times since the height of the pandemic and every time I’ve caught it, my symptoms have gotten progressively worse. I’m very worried about the lasting impact the disease will have on my body and health, which is why I still mask up to this day.

Unfortunately, price-setting policies not only have a negative impact on the availability of certain medications on the market today, but also can threaten access to the resources scientists need to keep innovating and developing new, life-saving drugs, and hopefully cures. Lawmakers could start by working to reform negative impact Pharmacy Benefit managers, PBMs, have on prescription drug access and affordability.

The Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act would help reform PBMs and benefit patients while still protecting medical innovation. Congress should pass this bill immediately — and Arizona’s legislators should help lead the charge.

Confused indeed

Re: the Aug. 24 letter “Confused.”

I feel so sorry for the letter writer whose loyalty to extreme Right Wing propaganda and alternate reality has left him with such a dystopian view of things. Of course, everything is President JOe Biden’s fault. Of his many concerns, has he ever considered what Donald Trump, or any Republican has proposed for comprehensive immigration reform or the drug crisis? Republicans choose not to fund education while refusing to teach history and banning books. How about inflation, health care, homelessness and guns? The environment? let’s just ignore that “inconvenient truth” about climate change. Law and order? Let’s also ignore Donald Trump’s four indictments for 91 criminal charges, including stealing secret documents and an attempted coup. Apparently, he prefers fascism over his so-called socialism. Confused indeed.

Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star.

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Pet parents often struggle with guilt when leaving their pooches behind for work, workout and leisure activities. What if the Yoga time can be dedicated to your furry companions as well, extending health benefits to yourself as well as your pups. Puppy Yoga has become quite a rage nowadays as people are also allowing their animal companions to accompany them on Yoga mats multiplying their joy and mindfulness as well as adding to their pets’ happiness. A perfect bonding time for dogs and humans, Puppy Yoga or ‘doga’ entails doing Yoga practice in presence of your pet children as they lick your face or sniff your Yoga mat. (Also read: International Blind Dog Day: Tips to take care of your visually impaired dog)

Puppy Yoga has become quite a rage nowadays as people are also allowing their animal companions to accompany them on Yoga mats multiplying their joy and mindfulness as well as adding to their pets’ happiness.(Pinterest)

“Picture this: A room filled with wagging tails, joyful barks, and a bunch of downward-facing dogs – both human and furry. This delightful scene is none other than puppy yoga, a heartwarming trend that’s taking the world by storm. On International Dog Day, let’s delve into the world of puppy yoga, understand why it’s stealing hearts, and discover the pawsitive ways it benefits both dogs and their loving parents,” says Devanshi Shah, Founder and CEO, Petkonnect.

Puppy yoga, also known as ‘doga,’combines the best of two worlds: the calming practice of yoga and the boundless energy of adorable puppies. It’s not just a fitness routine; it’s a joyful experience that brings dogs and humans closer together.

“Imagine striking a pose while a fluffy pup cozies up next to you, licking your face or curiously sniffing your yoga mat. It’s an instant mood-lifter, bringing smiles, laughter, and an abundance of tail wags,” adds Shah.

So, why is Puppy Yoga gaining popularity?

“Well, besides being incredibly cute, it’s a fantastic way to strengthen the bond between dog and parent. Spending quality time with your pup is like a warm hug for your heart – and your four-legged friend’s heart, too. Engaging in poses while surrounded by these furry bundles of joy promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of connection that words alone can’t describe,” says Shah.

Benefits of Puppy Yoga

Creates joyful environment

Puppy Yoga creates a joyful and serene atmosphere for both humans and dogs and is an opportunity for bonding.

“For doggos, puppy yoga provides a stimulating environment. As they roam around, playfully interrupting your poses, they’re actually aiding your flexibility and balance. Their presence encourages mindfulness, keeping you rooted in the present moment. And yes, puppy yoga is a two-way street. The gentle stretches and soothing breaths of yoga create a serene atmosphere that dogs easily pick up on, helping to calm their spirits,” says Shah.

Relieves anxiety

On a deeper level, puppy yoga can also be therapeutic. It’s been shown to improve mood and alleviate anxiety in both dogs and humans.

“Those endearing puppy snuggles trigger the release of oxytocin – the ‘love hormone,’ which leads to a sense of comfort and emotional well-being. It’s a win-win scenario where both sides reap the rewards of this heartwarming union,” says Shah.

“Puppy yoga isn’t just about stretching your body; it’s about stretching your heart. On this International Dog Day, it’s a reminder of the incredible bond we share with our furry companions. So, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a newbie, gather your mat, invite your pup, and embark on a journey of wagging tails and soul-soothing stretches,” concludes Shah.

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