Hiya,

I hope this message finds you well as we step into 'spooky' October 🎃 I’m very happy to connect with you and share a few updates from my world as we embrace this new season together.

As I walk to the nursery with my little one, I get to notice and show her how everything around us keeps changing: trees losing their fullness, leaves on the ground with rich browns and oranges, sunrises coming a bit later, and earlier sunsets… not to mention the return of the pumpkin spice latte! There’s a beautiful mindfulness lesson here. We can always pause, take a breath, and truly see what’s around us. Approaching life with a ‘beginner’s mind’ allows us to see things as if for the first time (like when we were children) bringing a sense of curiosity and openness. It also keeps us grounded in the present moment, which is when we can truly take action. Sometimes, we miss these small yet significant moments when we’re on autopilot.

I’m also proud to share that I recently concluded teaching my eight-week Mindfulness for well-being course, such an enriching journey! I’ve always believed that teaching is a two-way process; while sharing knowledge, I also learn so much from those I work with.

And speaking of learning, I recently participated in a 10-day intensive online mindfulness teacher retreat, organised by the Masters in Mindfulness programme at Bangor University. After taking a year off for self-care and grounding, I’m excited to be back to my studies, and this retreat was a wonderful way to re-engage! The experience of being both a teacher and participant allowed me to deepen my practice through a variety of exercises and shared moments with my peers.

[Mental sticky note: Pausing to reassess is always valid. Prioritising self-care is essential before caring for others.]

📗 What have I been reading lately?

I’ve been diving into ‘Why can’t I meditate?’ by Nigel Wellings. It’s been a valuable read, helping me better understand and support clients who struggle to maintain a personal mindfulness practice even after completing an eight-week course. If you’re finding it challenging to meditate regularly, remember you can always begin again. Self-kindness is key, especially when building habits like daily meditation.

🙋‍♀️ Quick reminder: Our minds will always wander to the past, and/or the future, and that’s normal. What we can change is our attitude toward this wandering. Can our inner voice be kinder, gentler, and more understanding?

🎶 What have I been listening to?

In September, we celebrated International Day of Peace 🕊️, and I found a reference to this song ‘Peace will find a way’. The lyrics have been particularly inspiring, especially in light of the violence and suffering present in today’s world. I truly believe we can each contribute to a more peaceful world by fostering kindness and understanding in all our interactions, be it at home, work, or with friends. Here’s a snippet from the song:

When the power of love grows stronger

We’ll study war no longer

We can break the chain

And love will rule the day.

🙏 What am I grateful for?

I’m so grateful for September, which brought a few exciting changes both personally and professionally. My little girl started nursery, giving me a bit more time and space for myself and my work. It’s been such a joy to watch her embrace this new adventure, and it’s allowed me to explore new opportunities and deepen my own practices.

🌟 Suggested practice

The loving-kindness practice is one of my favourites, and for this month, I invite you to send well-wishes in all directions 💗 But remember, always start by offering them to yourself first:

May I be happy

May I be as well as I can

May I be safe

May I live with ease

May all beings be happy

May all beings be as well as they can

May all beings be safe

May all beings live with ease

I’m looking forward to sharing a bit more with you throughout this month: practices, reflections, and perhaps a few surprises!

Stay tuned, and wishing you a mindful October ahead.

If you feel like this email could be useful to someone else, feel free to share it 💌

Warm regards,

Pili

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