Monthly Archives: March 2015

“Egg”cellent Eggs – Exchanging Love and Appreciation at Easter Time

Posted on by

0

eggcellent the very last with egg in correct poistion green basket bunney last entry

Eggs have always had a special meaning during Easter celebrations. A symbol of new life, new beginnings and renewal. Plus, of course egg hunts galore. I am adding a potential activity for your consideration –  “Egg”cellent Eggs – Exchanging Your Love & Appreciation at Easter Time. What a wonderful way to be refreshed and renewed by having your family members express how they feel you are a person of “excellence”. I am always searching for unique and fun ways to show love and appreciation. I find celebrations are a perfect time to do so.

“Egg”cellent Eggs – Exchanging Love & Appreciation

The purpose of this Easter activity is to provide an avenue for family members and friends to show their love and appreciation for each other through a fun Easter activity. The activity will center around how we view each family member or friend in the area of how they show their excellence (basically what we feel they are good at).

eggcellent basket and messages material

  1. GATHER MATERIALS.
  • Plastic Eggs – Use paper strips to enclose inside of plastic eggs special notes of how you feel each family member or friend is a person of “excellence”, what you feel they are good at. You will need enough eggs for each person to do a special egg for each person at the event. Colored markers and paper will be needed as well.  Note: In some ways using plastic eggs is the easiest way to do this activity, but “real” deal eggs can work as well

OR

  • “Real” Deal Eggs –  Using permanent markers will work to write your special word or words of how you feel this person excels. Eggs will need to be dyed before hand. Or one could use un-dyed eggs as well and just use markers to decorate and add words that you wish to attribute their positive attributes. You would want to have folks put who the special word or words are from.
  • Dollar store baskets can be purchased and placed at the dinner table for each person as name tags and an indicator of where to put the eggs that are created for each guest.  The reading of the eggs may be a fun activity to do when dishes are cleared and dessert is brought out or picked up from a buffet table. A sweet ending of a meal, opening up your eggs (or looking at the outside of your eggs) and finding out what excellent attributes your family or friends attribute to you.
  • Another option is to have a very large basket for all of the marked eggs in the center of the dining room table, a fun center piece that will double as an activity.

OR

  • The “EGG”cellent Eggs can be used as part of an EASTER EGG HUNT. This is another way to use these fun eggs. In this case the egg would need to marked on the outside with the person’s name so when they hunt they will be hunting specifically for their own specially made eggs.
  • A name tag attached to each basket if you are doing this as a dinner table activity. This can potentially also serve as place tags for who is to sit where if one wishes to do so.
  • Templates can be obtained on line. The sources used for my name tags are: bunny rabbit template at activityvillage.co.uk; chick template at bigliettidastampare.it   Both found on Pinterest. Having children create the name tags is fun way to involve children. Their own unique creations would be a wonderful contribution.

Note: This can be a relatively inexpensive project. I found baskets and eggs at the dollar store and then used left over ribbons, etc.    

eggcellent chick basket with message

 2. ACTIVITY DIRECTIONS 

  • Everyone pre-make their eggs at home before the Easter Meal or Event. And then put the eggs in the appropriate baskets set out when they arrive. And then at the designated time you have folks look at their special notes of appreciation and love from their families, finding out how they stand out as an excellent person in the eyes of their family and friends.

OR

  • The creating of the eggs and their messages can be done at the Easter Event and then eggs put in the Easter Baskets provided by the host. Another alternative is for each person to bring their own basket for their eggs.

eggcellent basket, small one with flower shape at top, close up of message

 

     3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS

  • Advice those participating if they are to prepare eggs before they come to your Easter event or if it will be done at the time of the event.
  • Email or send a note to them as to what you want on or in their eggs. You might create a form that you send to them with the needed template to gather the information for their eggs. I find communication is critical for these special kinds of activities to go smoothly. It might go as follows:

____________, YOU are a person of “EGG”cellence!

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

From                                             Date

 

This note is to be filled in with the person’s name at the very top and then a note indicating what you feel they excel at or are good at. Some examples might be:  Adam, YOU are a person of “EGG”cellence! You are so very thoughtful and kind. From  Tanna   Date   April, 2015  OR  Jane, YOU are a person of “EGG”cellence! You really know how to make an awesome cherry pie!  From  Tanna   Date   April, 2015  OR   Aiden, You are a person of “EGG”cellence! You are so friendly to everyone.  From  Tanna   Date   April, 2015

  • Consider how young children can be involved. I might note that even young children who are not writing yet can dictate what they like about another family member. This is a wonderful activity to create positive, warm feelings all way around. If you have a baby or toddler you might image what they may say to another member and write it for them. For example: Daddy, You are a person of “EGG”cellence.  I love how you give me hugs and kisses. From  Amelia   Date   April, 2015 Or a preschooler could draw a picture to be included.

 

This above note format is intended for if you use plastic eggs. If you do dyed eggs you will want to have folks only do a word or phrase on the egg and if possible who it is from on the egg. For example:  Very Friendly. From Tanna   OR   Thoughtful. From Tanna  OR   Great Cook. From Tanna.

  • Let them know if you will provide a basket or egg holder or if they need to bring this.
  • If you have them bring their own basket, advise if they need to put their name on it or if you will be doing this as the host.

eggcellent basket message instructions

4. CONSIDERATIONS FOR RELUCTANT PARTICIPANTS

  •  If you feel you will have some folks who will be uncomfortable doing this activity, you could provide a choice of something they might feel more comfortable doing. For example: You could give the choice of doing the “EGG”cellent Egg for each of their family members or friends OR they can bring a small edible or non edible treat to put in their family member or friend’s basket. If this is done as an egg hunt, they will need to put their treats in plastic eggs.

 

Notes:

1) You might check out my post on Cooperative Egg Hunts that I did last year for this blog. It is a yearly ritual that I personally am involved with

2) In addition you might check out next week’s post in which I will talk about a natural egg dying activity. This is an old traditional activity that many no longer do because of plastic Easter eggs. This post will go back to the very old school way of dying your eggs with natural plant-based dye. So stay tuned for next week’s post.

Best wishes for a lovely Easter, filled with love and appreciation for one another!

Creating OFF Mode for Self Renewal and Better Relationships

Posted on by

2

snoopy on top his house, laying flat depressed look

When we are ON all the time we begin to feel burned out and drained and find not much left for care of ourselves or of our relationships. It actually can begin to feel addictive, this need to be ON and “plugged in”. I can attest for my own self that I  have to constantly be on guard as to how much I let things control my time. We have more power than we think we do.  There is a practical, realistic piece as to work and personal commitments.  What I  do find interesting is that so many times the more balanced we become, the more focused and purpose driven we become.  We can even accomplish more when we are in our ON work mode  all of the time. And it can feel every so good when we are ON and all of our creative juices are flowing. This is most true of course when we love our work.  It is finding that lovely balance that we all so crave. And that may be a bit different for each one of us.

But for so many it feels like we live in a crazy, busy world. So how can we switch to our OFF mode more often? Doing a bit of reflection can help to access your balance. This is a place to start.

snoop and bird on top of house looking disconnected

Are you in OFF mode enough for Self and Relationship Health?

  • What does your body tell you? You might consider how you feel physically.
  • What does your internal “gut” tell you? So many times we know when we get quiet and still for a bit to consider this.
  • Are you happy? Do you like how you are spending your time? Does it match up with your goals and desires for yourself and your relationship?
  • Do your loved ones complain that they never see you or that you don’t spend enough time with them?
  • Do you have enough contact with your family and friends that you really know what is going on in their lives?
  • Do you feel close and connected with loved ones?
  • Do you spend more time on Facebook, texting, on the internet than you do with your family? Does your “electronic world” take away from having OFF time that you need for your self renewal and your relationships?

None of us will be perfectly synced and balanced all the time with the perfect OFF / ON balance. But what we can consider is what this looks like most of the time. Plus, what is one man or women’s perfect fit is not so much for another person.

snoopy and bird playing on skateboard happy

 

What are Some Practical Strategies to Put More OFF Time in Your LIfe?

  1. Get very clear as to what you want for your life. How much time do you want to be in work and volunteer commitment mode? In personal self-care mode? And in nourishing your relationships? Visualizing what you want can help you get there. It will lead you to make decisions that really fit for what you want in your life.
  2. Choose carefully what you do with your time. Make it match up with what you want. This feels the most rewarding and is the least draining of our energy. 
  3. Strongly consider your personal relationship with your “electronic world”.  Decide on purpose how much time you spend with the varying media that draws us in. Facebook, texting, Pinterest, Instagram, etc, etc,
  4. Listen to your “inner voice” to keep you on track.  Setting aside a bit of quiet time each day for yourself can help you to stay in tune with what you really need.
  5. Listen to your loved ones. Really hear what they are saying. Make sense of it and take action to keep  close connections.

snoopy holding heart

Note: As I try to always “walk the talk” I will be taking a break from posting on my blog this next week to spend personal time with my family. I wish you well in your own personal journey in finding the right ON / OFF balance in your life.

21 Days to Becoming a Meditator – A “Newbie’s” Journey

Posted on by

0

candle in darkness

Do you want to meditate, but find it a bit overwhelming? Or maybe not sure where to start. You are not alone.   I have ALWAYS wanted to be a meditator. As a therapist I want to model for my clients what I know has so many, many  benefits. Well, I can now say I am on the way to becoming a meditator. I have tried off and on for several years. And then I took a great 6 week class last year and I learned a lot of foundational pieces. But I found it hard to follow through doing it on my own without support. I  ran across a downloadable program recently called: 21 Days Meditation Integration by Teri Cole.  It is set up with a Meditation Tip for each day and then a 10 minute guided meditation.  I had experienced one of her meditation cd’s last year called   Meditation Transformation. And I liked it a lot. But I found this one to be different in that it is set up in a 21 day format, which is supposed to be what it takes to form a habit. Plus this has some great daily, short tips on meditating. I just recently finished by 21st day and have continued with a daily morning meditation.  YaHoo!

The 21 Days Meditation Integration is a digital download that you can obtain from Terri’s website:  www.terricole.com  Terri is a psychotherapist and coach in the New York City area. This is information that is current as of the writing of this blog post. I might note that there are other programs out there. This is just the one that was a fit for me. You may find another program that is better for you. And it is important to note there are different forms of meditation and styles in which it is facilitated. It is worth your time to find your fit so you can incorporate this wonderful practice into your life.

Here is a bit of my Ups and Downs of Becoming a Meditator:

Day 1 – Day 10 – The First Half of Getting Started and Settled.

  •  I was not keeping a journal during the first half of my 21 days. But the things that stand out is feeling awkward and not sure about doing it. And hoping the 10 minute meditation was really going to be a 10 minute meditation as I was on a “schedule” and had to leave for work to be on time. I initially did not allow enough time to keep from worrying about what was next.  I did correct that and it did help.
  • I worried a bit about was I doing it “right”. That too had to be adapted to an attitude of compassion for myself in the learning process – knowing that it is not about doing it perfectly. But continuing to do it and finding that it got a bit easier each day.

Day 11 – An Eventful Meditation with Many Lessons

  • I got a bit distracted and found my self thinking about a text that had come in and decided to respond to it, even though I had made a deal with myself not to get into my emails and answer voice mails,etc until after my first thing early meditation. Well the text lead to thinking maybe I should check my emails. And of course some needed an “immediate response” or so I thought at the time. I finally told myself “STOP”, you are off track. Go meditate. And so I did. But due it being later it was hard to concentrate as I had become hungry. So . . . it is can be hard to not get drawn in. It can take some real self-discipline and thought about what is most important.
  • Liked the idea of breathing into my tense areas to let those begin to relax. It really did work!
  • Really did not want the meditation to end today. This felt like a shift for me.
  • My cats are attached! So they like to be with me when I am home. I had given up on keeping the doors closed to my “Zen Den” as they would yowl and cry at the door until I let them in. Yes I could have waited it out. But it really did not lend to a calm state for meditation. So for me it worked better to let them roam in and out as they liked. Well I thought it was working, until today as I was finishing up my meditation I heard one of kitties jump up on the coffee table. I thought no big deal. Or so I thought. As I finished, I petted my kitty cat and then all of sudden I smelled this awful smell and saw smoke rising up from my kitty. My cat’s tail was on fire! I had not thought about my candle on the coffee table. I ran after my poor kitty. He had enough meditating for the day. The tail was only singed and as he ran for cover he extinguished the small bit of tail that was on fire. After I opened the windows to clear the air, I did the proper Mama Cat thing to do, I cat proofed my Zen Den a bit and moved my candles up high. Not exactly were I wanted them, but the best solution for a more worry free environment. Not the way I envisioned my meditation time ending, but looking back all a bit ironic and humorous.

Day 15 – A “Peaceful Happiness”

  • By the end of this session, I felt incredibly peaceful and happy – a wonderful mix that felt so good.

Day 21 – End of 21 Day Meditation Series

  • I did it! It felt really nice to know that I could hang in there and make it happen.  I think this program was effective in that it is DOABLE for a BEGINNER and offers SUPPORT for an EXTENDED PERIOD of  TIME. Taking these small 10 minute bites of meditation was perfect for a beginner. I still consider myself a “newbie” but I now feel so much more comfortable sitting down to meditate. I have continued my practice and I now feel better about the unguided parts of my meditation. I can rest in the calm and choose what feels best for me. And lastly, I can move into a state of relaxation easier and with less effort during the day when I need to.

meditating budda

Photo by Tanna Strom

at

The Art Institute of Chicago

 

The quick tips that were most helpful for me in getting my meditation practice going were: 

  1. Setting up my “Zen Den”, a place that is conducive to a quiet time that has a pleasant surrounding. I added candles, as they make me feel calm. I recently added some peppermint / chamomile oil. I have heard of many who like to use lavender due to its calming effects.
  2. Sticking with a set time of day to do my meditation. In my case, I chose the first thing in the am. Much of the literature on meditation suggests early am or before bedtime.
  3.  Silencing my phone and any other device that might go off.  Nothing like the  phone going off or the washing machine that was set on delay going off as you are starting your meditation.
  4.  Setting up enough time so you do not feel rushed and have an underlying stressed state going on. Building in some leeway time helped as things happen. Like having trouble getting up or the cat throws up or someone messes up your Zen Den and you have to clear it out, etc, etc.
  5. Alerting other family members about what I was doing and why I was trying to keep the new “Zen Den” free of clutter and piles of things.
  6. I found keeping a daily journal to be helpful to mindfully think about my progress and reactions to meditation. Plus notes on the tips given so I could have for reference at a later time.  Unfortunately, I did not think to do this until mid way in the process. But no worries. The most important part for me was to DO THE MEDITATION. The journal piece takes a bit of extra time, which may or may not work for you.

 

PS If you did not check out my last weeks blog on the scientific benefits of meditation, I would suggest that you do so. There are so many benefits and now backed up by research. How cool is that.

If you have resources you would like to share on meditation downloads, cds, etc, please do let others know by commenting below.