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Show up and let go. 

Upon reading a book about mindfulness this past month, and exploring how the mind works, I learned that there is so much we 'think we know' about regarding what will happen in our future, but in fact, we know not at all. And it is the faulty ‘knowing’ that causes us to thwart opportunities before they have a chance to cross our path.

So, why do we 'think we know' what tomorrow will bring or how anything will or will not unfold? Especially negative thinking. Because of our past experiences, specifically, our first-hand experiences, our mind, as we've shared before on the blog, likes to know, even if what it thinks it knows is not constructive, healthy or what we hope will be our life experience moving forward. Because of this default, this survival default (lizard mind), we stick to what we know and become ever more hesitant to do anything different, new, out of our comfort zone, large or seemingly small. This occurs more and more as we age but can begin when we are very young.

The most exciting and welcomed news about dispelling this myth that the mind would have us believe is to begin by first being kind and compassionate to ourselves which involves "accepting ourselves with the deepest respect, honor and yes, love." Once we do this, then we can truly "relate to the world with kindness and compassion" and then our entire world begins to change: possibilities arise that we never thought could possibly occur, connections and support and ahas cross our path, and then our life gradually and then like a strong river begins to flow in a way we may have never even imagined could be our reality. And it all begins with each of us, accepting ourselves, honoring our true self and giving ourselves the opportunity for magic to occur. Because it can. Tomorrow is not predetermined, but the caveat is we have to show up fully. That is where and when you will find a "bone-deep peace" in your everyday life as shared in Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Franctic World.

And there you have it. Show up as your full self, bring your awareness, engage with loving-kindness and then let go and see how life begins to dance with you. 

So now to a VERY full monthly newsletter. Why? French-Week. Yep, as many of you already know, TSLL's 8th Annual French Week took place during the second full week in August, and if you are a Francophile, I have oodles of posts and content for you to enjoy. But there was more to August than one week for Francophiles, and that includes inspiring posts to deepen your quality of life, a shopping post full of savings, the weekly This & Thats and much, much more. 

Thank you for choosing to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. Wishing you a wonderful conclusion to summer/winter and a wonderful new month. Until the final day in September (Saturday), the 30th, I will see you on the blog!

—Shannon

~To explore every post you wish to read, be sure to become a member to one of the two tiers - BASIC or TOP as non-members can only read five non-exclusive posts a month (it will reset on the first of each month - tomorrow!).