So I'm not feeling too hot today. I have been feeling my body trying to fend off an impending cold, fever and chills since Sunday and it finally gave in!! 

Even so, I refuse to be sick - I don't like being sick and after my two classes today, I spent time resting and trying to drink fluids.

What I do know, however, is that when I do get sick (which isn't often) my body is telling me that it needs to rest and rejuvenate. It's moments like these that I can really see my mindful practice at work. 

I try to practice mindfulness everyday and with that practice, my sense of self-awareness grows. I continue to strive to be in-tune with my body and its needs. That is an awesome feeling. 

Self-Awareness is just one wonderful outcome of practicing Mindfulness. 

Have you had a moment to yourself today? If not, why not now? I've posted a 
great 5 minute Breathing Meditation from UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). Click here for more free guided meditations! 

Enjoy your mindful moment!!

TODAY'S GOAL:  you begin a daily practice of the S.T.O.P technique, to help recognize (without judgement) your needs in the present moment. 

Like many of us, I find myself trying to juggle a handful of daily tasks. For example: 

• Staying focused and disciplined on my exercise and nutrition plan à la Mendy Lynn, my trainer. Check out Mendy's business Chic Clique Fitness! 
• Taking two fantastic strategic communication classes
• Working full time
• Getting prepared for the Miss Leavenworth/Wooded Hills pageant...which I am SO excited for!
• Networking and Searching for internships in PR/Strategic Communications
• Finding acting jobs 

All of the above are things that I love doing, but sometimes I feel the weight of those tasks and find stress creeping in. It's in those moments that mindfulness plays a key role in my sanity. 

Below is a graphic of the S.T.O.P technique, told to me by Lisa Pinsker, MA, a wonderful teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Kansas City. 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) originated in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. There, Zinn developed a program for hospital patients as they were recovering from injuries, mental/developmental issues and general stress related problems. What he discovered has been since proven by lauded universities: mindfulness works! 

Let's see what he has to say about Mindfulness and what its purpose is: 

Today, as our ever-changing times in this world will validate, many lives are filled with consternation, conflict and a lack of acceptance of others. From our battles in the Middle East to our homeland issues of misunderstandings between some of the general public and our police forces, such incidents seem to serve to breed hostility. However, were we to become imbued in the spirit and definition of “Mindfulness,” we would have the power to change both ourselves and the world around us. 


Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment, or focusing our attentions, so as to experience our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations without judgment. By its application, we can promote a much needed sense of balance, calmness, strength and wisdom: first in our own personal lives and then in our surrounding local and world communities. Mindfulness is an issue whose time has come.