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Why Struggle? Podcast - 2024 - Week 47 - Music and Mindfulness

This is an episode about how to use music as a mindful practice.

Last week at my job at the library we were talking about music and songs. I remembered a song by Alexandro Sanz, Quisera Ser that I shared with my co-workers. In that moment I was transported to a time in space where I first heard the song. It was on the Latin Grammys show where Alexandro Sanz was singing with Destiny’s Child. That was over 15 years ago. He was so passionate singing in the performance I decided to buy the CD. Thinking about the song that day brought up such lovely feelings and memories from that time. That got me thinking about how music is so powerful.

Over the next five weeks I’ll be sharing excerpts from my audio program: Five Mindful Ways to Struggle Less and Enjoy Life More. I know that's a mouthful. Lol. Each week I will share one of the five M’s: Music, Mouth, Meditation/Mindfulness, Memories and Movement. The intention is for you to have immediate tools to recognize when you are struggling and how to relax and choose something different.

I'm a believer that life is practice. Using these tools in life is practice. The simple tools can easily be a part of your day to help you incorporate new strategies to release struggling with life.

Keep listening on my YouTube Channel.

🌹🌻🌷 🌹🌻🌷🌹🌻🌷 🌹🌻🌷

Greetings, I'm Barbara J. Faison, a voice talent, #meditation, #audiodescription, #eLearning projects and more. I also post reminders to be in the present moment called #breathbreaks.

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2024 - Week 46 - How Do You Hygge?

You can listen to this on my podcast - 6:51 mins or click the link here for the YouTube Channel version (audio only)

If you're new to the podcast, welcome, and if you listen regularly, thank you.

This is an episode about Hygge. Say what now?
How do you Hygge? Have you heard of the Danish practice called Hygge? Hygge is spelled H-Y-G-G-E is pronounced HOO-ga. Here’s a quick description of the informal practice, in fact, here is a replay week 45 from 2023 from my podcast where I talked about the practice.
If you’ve been listening to me, you know, I love a good practice. Lol. I also call it filling my own cup! And guess what? This weekend I was with some of the same ladies gathering together like we did last year. I hope you enjoy this excerpt. I did pull a new card, so keep listening for that.
“To practice hygge, surround yourself with people, activities, and things that make you feel cozy, loved, happy, or content. Go simple: spend time with your favorite people, add a small vase of flowers to your space, don fuzzy slippers once home, eat a treasured comfort food, or listen to a favorite song.”
All of those suggestions certainly sound like it would invite you to feel cozy, loved, happy or content.

All Links: LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON

This is an episode about guess what… gratitude!

Greetings and welcome to 2024 - Week 45 - Still Grateful!

If you're new to the podcast, welcome, and if you listen regularly, thank you.

Yes, I am still grateful. Several times this year, and just as recent as a few weeks ago, I was sharing scientific proof of how gratitude impacts our lives. And I'm still talking about that. Lol.

Last week I mentioned that my initial regular colonoscopy was scheduled for September 26 and it got canceled due to the hurricane's passing through the area. I completed the rescheduled procedure on Friday and everything looks good. So I am still grateful.

Allowing myself to find gratitude in all things, even what may feel unpleasant really helps me maintain an even, steady state of mind. So you know what that means if you've been listening to me for any length of time, will do something to practice being in that state of mind.

I'm calling this a thank you practice. If you'd like to join me, please allow yourself to be uninterrupted for the duration of this practice. If you're driving, you may listen, just keep your eyes open. Lol.

OK let's begin.

In this thank you practice we are going to allow ourselves to repeat the words thank you over and over, like a mantra. You can keep your eyes open or closed, it’s up to you. We will begin by taking three deep breaths, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.

Are you ready? I invite you to place your hands on your body somewhere, to remind you of your connection to your body. Remember, our body gets us around and is our mode of transportation while we are here on planet earth. Place your hands wherever you like on your body.

I invite you to take a deep breath in through the nose, with a long, exhale out your mouth.

Once again, a deep breath in through the nose, and a long, exhale out your mouth. One final deep breath.

Now begin breathing at your own pace, rate and rhythm. Relax your shoulders by taking them up to your ears on the breath in and let them drop down on the breath out. Now, and as you breathe at your own pace, begin saying thank you out loud, and after a few times, saying thank you out loud begin, repeating the words silently in your mind I'll start you off, and then I will drift into silence and return shortly to bring you back into the present moment.

• Thank you.

• Thank you.

• Thank you.

• Thank you

• Thank you

It's time to bring your attention back to the present moment. You may release saying thank you silently.