It takes practice to notice the nature of our thoughts; to gently guide them in a more skillful direction. One technique that can help is to connect with a phrase that calms you. 
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This phrase can be an affirmation, a song lyric, a scripture, a mantra, a positive "something" that holds your attention, something that has meaning for you.
 
Engage this process not from your head, but from your heart. Drop your awareness down into that deeper place; allow the phrase itself to "breathe" through your heart. Say it silently, repeat it again and again for as long as it takes for you to settle down.
 
Today what would be your mind stabilizing, heart-opening phrase?

©2026, Janice L. Lundy

If you are feeling off-center, what can you do right now to change this?

Could you stop what you're doing and take five gentle breaths?

Can you push away from the computer, set down your phone, and step out in nature to focus on its beauty?

Simple acts of self-care like these are easily forgotten when your day picks up pace.

Keep your intention for self-awareness strong so you can give yourself what you need to remain calm and clear throughout your day.

​©2023, Janice L. Lundy

​When your thoughts race and you feel out of control, it is prudent to pause, breathe, and connect your body to the good earth. 
 
Bring your awareness to how your feet feel upon the ground. Root your attention in body awareness: arms, legs, and trunk. Feel how solid you are. 
 
Grounding yourself in this way can shift your experience of busy mind to settled mind. It simply takes remembering to do so.


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What do you do when your wisdom eludes you? When you feel overcome with emotion or ill equipped to handle life as it is? According to Buddhist teacher and author, Thich Nhat Hanh, our safest course of action is "indirect embracing."
 
Most of us have a difficult time embracing all of our emotions, especially the volatile ones. It is a genuine spiritual practice to embrace anger, greed, jealousy, and the like. But we can, with the help of our breath and an attitude of loving-kindness.
 
Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that you recognize the emotion by simply saying hello to it, offering it a slight smile, just like you would someone you're not fond of, but don't want to be impolite to. Allow this hello and an inner smile help you rest into your breath with gentleness. Relief can be yours.

©2023, Janice L. Lundy

I have a lovely friend who signs off her emails by saying, "Breathe deep the day." Each time I read this I really do take a deeper breath. It's delicious.

I notice "breathing deep the day" centers me and it also turns me toward gratitude—appreciation for this one-of-a-kind day. I am so very aware at this stage of my life how special each day is, as well as how fleeing time is. Each moment is precious and can easily slip away into obscurity without my loving attention. 

If you take a few moments right now and breathe deep the day in your own way, what do you notice? How do you feel and what shimmers for you?

I hope and pray that awareness of the precious present sings in your heart today just as it does mine.