Zen Fridays – 2022 Diary / Journal

Another year will be over soon. We will be welcoming another new year soon. Anything new offers us an opportunity to look at things from a new perspective. I write journals or reflections daily. For the coming new year, 2022, I have purchased a planner and a Pursebook from Mori. Mori is a women-run business, giving opportunities for women to earn a living while supporting their families.

You can read more on their initiative here:

Mori Initiative
https://moriofficial.com/pages/about-us

Mori Pursebook Collections
https://moriofficial.com/collections/pursebook

Mori Planners
https://moriofficial.com/products/2022-planner-diary-weekly-monthly

I have decorated my 2022 planner with stickers. The below pictures shows my 2022 Mori Diary.

So, if you are a regular journal keeper, what will yours be for the coming year? 🙂

Quote for Today

07Apr2020

“And once the storm is over
You won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive.
You won’t even be sure, in fact, that the storm is over.
But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm,
You won’t be the same person who walked in.
That’s what this storm is all about.”
~ Haruki Murakami ~
(from his novel “Kafka on the Shore”)

Timer Apps for Qigong, Meditation, Yoga, Reiki…

Hi all!

I have been using two timer apps for my Qigong, Meditation and Reiki practices and it is working well for me. Sharing with all here…

a) Meditation Timer & Log by TeleSoftas apps
https://meditationapp.wixsite.com/download-app

b) Meditation Timer by Harish Kumar Chauhan
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sohamgreens.MeditationTimer&hl=en_SG

 

Good day!

shallow focus of clear hourglass
Photo by Jordan Benton on Pexels.com

Life goes on…

To protect ourselves and to contain the virus, most of us are indoors. Below are some ways we can keep occupied while we are indoors.

book on a white wooden table
Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

1. Spend more time on yourself

Each of us must try to get active for 30-45 minutes each day. There are many ways to get active indoors. Some of the ways will be through qigong, tai chi, yoga, meditation, home exercise types of equipment such as the treadmill, etc.

From The Chopra Centre, free programs: https://chopra.com/free-programs

From The Box of Happiness, yoga and many more: http://theboxofhappiness.com/yoga-sequences/

From Live & Dare, free meditation and more: https://liveanddare.com/

From Flowing Zen, [COVID-19 Support] Learn Qigong Online from Me for Free During the Crisis: https://flowingzen.com/21150/learn-qigong-online-from-me-for-free-during-the-covid-19-crisis/

From Reiki Rays, on Reiki resources: https://reikirays.com/

2. Less Clutter, More Energy Flow

The lesser things you have, the more positive energy flows in. Are there things that need cleaning/clearing at your surroundings, closets, kitchen cabinets, etc.? When you are focused on cleaning/clearing, it will relieve you from the stress.

Clean & Happy Nest, Bright Ideas for Better Living: https://cleanandhappynest.org/wpd/category/bright-nest/

How To Make Your Home Totally Zen in 10 Steps: https://freshome.com/inspiration/how-to-make-your-home-totally-zen-in-10-steps/

3. Hobbies: Handicrafts / Sewing / Crochet / Knitting / Paint / Drawing / Colouring

Focus on hobbies that increase your creativity. When your creativity levels are high, there is no place for stress and negativity. There are many online options available.

Crochet Basic Stitches from Karen Costello Soltys: https://www.shopmartingale.com/images/marketing/how-to/pdf/BasicCrochetStitches.pdf

4. Gardening

Spend more time with the plants and feel connected and grounded to nature. Some things you can consider is to grow a new type of plant, repot an existing plant or redecorating your garden space.

The Micro Gardener: https://themicrogardener.com/ten-tips-for-creating-beautiful-gardens/

Good housekeeping: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/advice/g495/small-garden-ideas/

The Spruce, Apartment Gardening for Beginners: https://www.thespruce.com/apartment-gardening-for-beginners-4178600

5. Journal writing

Are you feeling angry and stressed? You can always write out your thoughts and feelings in a journal. By doing that, not only you are releasing all anxiety to the paper, you are lightening the load from yourself.

Tips to start a journal writing from wikiHow: https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Journal

6. Scrapbooking

Heard of this? Get creative about this.

What Is Scrapbooking? by Rebecca Ludens: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/what-is-scrapbooking-2960505

Scrapbook Ideas for Beginners: 25 Inspiring Layouts by Megan Andersen: https://www.creativelive.com/blog/scrapbook-ideas-for-beginners/

7. Sing and Hum to yourself

Sing and hum to yourself…

Singing And Humming To Yourself Can Have A Huge Impact On Your Body’s Health: https://www.littlethings.com/singing-humming-benefits

8. Cooking / Baking

With all the panic buying and stockpiling, this can be a bit challenging. Let’s be creative and create simple dishes or bake new items to try.

9. House Improvement Works

You can consider repainting your home or doing some simple home improvement works. And if you are intending to paint walls, why not use the stencils and get creative?

How to Make Wall Stencils: https://www.toolnerds.com/how-to-make-wall-stencils/

10. Write a story

Have you ever wanted to be an author or write a story? There are many online tools available to create a story online.

Commaful: https://commaful.com/writers/

For Children: https://www.imagineforest.com/

My Storybook: https://www.mystorybook.com/

11. Reading Books / Inspirational Guides

Do you still have old books stored away? It will be a good time to get them to re-read. If your nearby library is closed, you can also consider reading the electronic version of books.

12. Origami

A standard size paper of 75 x 75mm and you can make amazing crafts. It is a fantastic activity for the whole family. But do take note that origami paper comes in several sizes.

From Origmi.me: https://origami.me/

13. Board Games / Card Games

Board and/or card games will bring the nostalgic feeling of the good old days! At the same time, it will provide a break from electronics.

Top 10 Health Benefits Of Board Games: https://howgameareyou.com/health-benefits-board-games/

14. Other Ideas

Coronavirus Keeping You Home? These Fun STEAM DIY Kids Activities are Parenting Rescues! by SassyMama: https://www.sassymamasg.com/parenting-coronavirus-stay-home-kids-activities/

In short, all I can say,
Be positive! Be creative!

Blessings,
Esther

 

TOP 25 THIS TOO SHALL PASS QUOTES | A-Z Quotes

From The Chopra Centre: The Immeasurable Value of Meditation for Coping During the COVID-19 Crisis

Want to know the benefits of meditation in this difficult time?

Refer to the below link for more details:

https://chopra.com/articles/the-immeasurable-value-of-meditation-for-coping-during-the-covid-19-crisis?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=200324-March-Newsletter&utm_campaign=Newsletter2020324

For free 21 day meditation, refer to this link from Chopra Centre:

https://chopracentermeditation.com/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=200324-March-Newsletter&utm_campaign=Newsletter2020324

aquatic bloom blooming blossom
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

International Day of Happiness – 20 March

Times might not be right to be celebrating this…but it is necessary to be in gratitude and in happiness whatever that can be happening around us.

Refer to this link on how we all can come together to face the crisis: https://www.dayofhappiness.net/#new

There is also a 30-day coping calendar available for download.

Blessings,

Esther

blue banner sign posters
Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

Quote for Today

18Mar2020

“We are like children building a sand castle. We embellish it with beautiful shells, bits of driftwood, and pieces of colored glass. The castle is ours, off limits to others. We’re willing to attack if others threaten to hurt it. Yet despite all our attachment, we know that the tide will inevitably come in and sweep the sand castle away. The trick is to enjoy it fully but without clinging, and when the time comes, let it dissolve back into the sea.”
~ Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times ~

Quote for Today

09 Mar 2020

“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think. So start each day by thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for. Your future will depend very largely on the thoughts you think today. So think thoughts of hope and confidence and love and success.”
~Dale Carnegie~