Personal Growth Archives - Page 6 of 7

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 19 – Listen

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Success, Well-being

I have a stone in my studio with one word on it. It says, "Listen". Ironically, I received it in a gift exchange from a guy whose wife had given it to him. You think she was trying to tell him something? One of the best things you can do to show someone that you care about them is to Listen to them. In fact, the three words that people long to hear even more than even “I love you” is “I hear you…”. Active listening also happens to be one of the hardest things in the world to do. Why is this? Because it requires so much focus, and attention, intentional awareness, and frankly… caring. And while it can take so much energy and focus, listening in nature can…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 18 – Beginner’s Mind

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simplicity, Success, Well-being

Start every day with Beginner's Mind. It's that time of year again when we look back at the year we just came through and ahead to the following one, making plans, goals and New Year's resolutions. The way to ensure those resolutions are kept this year is to start every day with Beginner's Mind. It helps us form and keep new habits by changing the way we think, forming new neural pathways in our brain and doing things in a mindful and meaningful way. Look at the world through new lenses. Be curious about everything. Ask questions. And be thankful... As you slow down and take time for silence and mindfulness you are doing a world of good for your overall health and mental, physical and emotional well-being. Your…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 17 – Nature On Demand

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Success, Uncategorized, Well-being

The point of what we do here at Mountain Zen Den is to help you reunite with the natural, beautiful world right where you are. It’s almost too good to be true. Mother Nature patiently waits for us to tap into her organic, wholesome goodness that is always available “On Demand” to help every one us become our best and realize our full potential. The best part is, there are no hidden fees for this service that is available for us all. The only thing you and I have to pay for this benefit is attention. We just need to wake up and remain alert to the natural resources of health, energy and well-being that focus on and a proximity to the goodness of the Earth all around us. You…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 16 – Special Christmas Edition

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

This time of year brings with it such a wide array of emotions – anticipation, joy and hope and peace on earth and goodwill towards men... But it also can be a very painful time for some of us – bringing up feelings of sadness, anxiety and stress, feelings of fear and loss and disappointment, unmet expectations – all underscored by overwhelm and exhaustion. This can result in great cynicism and disdain for Christmastime due to commercialism, self-centeredness and a lack of reflection on the true meaning of the season. Today we take a few minutes of mindfulness to reflect on The Christmas Story as told on the book of Luke. Merry Christmas! http://traffic.libsyn.com/mountainzenden/MZD_-_Ep_16_Special_Christmas_Edition.mp3 Photos by Ray Hennessy and Les Anderson on Unsplash For more mountain goodness Listen on…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 15 – The Beauty of Silence

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

Listen. Do you hear that? That is a rare sound these days. A rare sound indeed. It’s the sound of silence. It seems to be even more rare during the busy rush and hubbub of the holidays. And Christmas is almost upon us. What do you think of when you hear the word “Silence”? Here’s an even better question. What do you think of when you’re in silence? Noise - that thing we consider “unwanted sound” and levels from human activities, have been doubling every thirty years – even faster than the population growth! What’s up with that? And more importantly, what are we going to do about it? For today’s meditation, we’re going to spend a few minutes just quieting our hearts and enjoying the silence within. You can…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 14 – Snow!

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

Snow symbolizes so many things for us. Christmas, vacation, snow days, skiing, sledding, snow-shoeing, building snow men and having snowball fights, making snow angels and catching snowflakes on your tongue. It’s always such a cozy feeling to come from in afterwards… peppermint hot chocolate, crackling fires in the fireplace, hot tubs… It also represents purity and renewal. It’s a symbol of forgiveness, peace and beauty. Snow seems to be the ultimate visual symbol of winter and the apex of the season. But what is snow? Really? For today’s meditation we’re going to get all bundled up in our warmest outdoor gear – the kind that makes you all excited about going snow-shoeing or skiing, and we’re going to explore snow and get comfortable in the great winter outdoor wilderness. http://traffic.libsyn.com/mountainzenden/MZD_-_Ep_14_Snow.mp3…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 13 – Conquer Yourself~Conquer the Mountain

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Success, Well-being

Have you ever noticed how a mountain - the very thing that symbolizes majesty, beauty, grandeur, inspiration, peace, and renewal, is the symbol we reference when speaking of a challenge or obstacle we need to conquer or “get over” in our lives? The sheer massiveness of this immovable force can both inspire and intimidate, draw and repel, challenge and taunt the humanness in every one us of us. Truth is, a mountain can no more conquer you than can a cloud, or a raindrop, or pine cone. It is a thing. A part of this world, and therefore, the Universe. A part of you, and of me, and of the hiker a mile up the trail in front of you. It is the thought of the mountain, or rather, the…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 12 – The Power of Intention

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Success, Well-being

It’s time to regain balance and harmony, beauty and purpose. Instead of wandering around in a bad dream, we need to regain focus on the natural world and the way the Universe works. As we begin to understand the laws that were set up to help us grow to become all we were meant to be – we find Love & Simplicity, Joy & Tranquility. But the problem is, this doesn’t just happen. The law of entropy (where things are constantly falling apart) keeps things interesting. We have been given an active role in guiding, nurturing and directing our world. Either for good or for bad. Our gardens don’t just grow tomatoes and corn and beans or beautiful orchids and roses without a bit of forethought planning and intention. Neither…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 11 – Reinventing Yourself Every Day

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

Every morning is an opportunity to have a do over, if you messed up the day before, OR want a chance to build on the good things and progress you made yesterday. Either way, it’s a win-win! It’s a part of the nature of life to struggle a bit. Struggling and trying and failing and struggling some more and trying again is normal. It’s how we grow. Have you ever watched a wobbly-legged newborn baby animal struggle to try to stand up and walk? Or how about a baby bird learning to fly? Or a tree trying to grow through a rock or fence or other obstacle. It’s about not giving up. It’s about taking chances. Trying and failing and trying again. Trying something new, learning from your mistakes…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 10 – A Rocky Mountain Christmas

Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

Christmas in the mountains is a time of beauty and wonder. Christmas in the Rocky is transcendent. So strap on your snowshoes and come along with me. In the spirit of Ralph Waldo Emerson who inspired John Muir who inspired Enos Mills to protect, preserve and become the father of Rocky Mountain National Park, we give you “A Rocky Mountain Christmas”. An early Merry Christmas to you and yours! http://traffic.libsyn.com/mountainzenden/MZD_-_Ep_10_A_Rocky_Mountain_Christmas.mp3 Want more Mountain goodness? [maxbutton id="8"] Photo by Medena Rosa on Unsplash

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 9 – The Joy of Now

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

I woke up this morning to what sounded like a gazillion Canada geese just gaggling about, swooping in for a landing in the frosty cornfields here in front of the mountains. There are things all around us everyday that would bring so much joy and happiness and peace if we would just take the time to notice them. It’s called living in the "Now". Now is all we’ve got. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow hasn’t come, we just have Now. And if you think about it, it’s ok. We couldn’t handle anything more. Nor would we want to. Now is where we live and the only place we can find joy. Join us today as we take a few minutes to walk through our day in our minds, finding joy…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 8 – Finding Your “Ahhh…”

Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

Photo by Brett Wilson for Mountain Zen Den Celebrating Nature's Restorative Powers Life just keeps getting busier and busier. Hurry, worry and rush are the norm. It’s like the proverbial roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes! This “unnatural” stress is creating a sickness, not just in the individual, but in our society as a whole. We’ve lost our sense of connectedness, with Nature and with each other, with our sense of meaning and purpose. We've gotten away from the core of who we are and where we came from. We are literally killing ourselves through unneeded worry, mindlessness and stress. In today's show we explore and celebrate the much-needed restorative powers of Nature. Come on in! http://traffic.libsyn.com/mountainzenden/MZD_-_Ep_8_Finding_Your_Ahhh....mp3 Want…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 7 – The Mountains Are Calling

Meditation, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

There is something so invigorating, soul-awakening, renewing, restoring, refreshing and healing about being in the mountains for us. It truly is like being home. For time out of mind the mountains have provided a place of restoration and renewal. Refreshment and retreat. Relaxation and reflection. The prefix "Re-" generally means to do again. And again and again, like a second chance. Join us as we take a few minutes to enjoy a re-visit to the mountains today and just take in their restorative power for re-energization and renewal. So glad you're here! http://traffic.libsyn.com/mountainzenden/MZD_-_Ep_7_The_Mountains_Are_Calling.mp3 Photos by Brett Wilson for Mountain Zen Den Want more Mountain goodness? [maxbutton id="8"]

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 6 – The Art of Slowing Down

Health, Meditation, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover I had not lived." ~ Henry David Thoreau ~ Walden The Art of Slowing Down means being present... for yourself and for the ones you love. It means living deliberately. It means accomplishing more by doing less. We invite you to slow down just long enough to join us for today's show to learn how this works. Glad to have you here! http://traffic.libsyn.com/mountainzenden/MZD_-_Ep_6_The_Art_of_Slowing_Down.mp3 Want more natural goodness? [maxbutton id="8"]

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 5 – The Power of Persistence

Meditation, Mountains, Nature, Personal Growth, Podcast, Simple Living, Simplicity, Well-being

Nature offers us so many lessons and examples of the power of persistence. The sun rises every morning and sets every evening, and as it does it’s work plants and grasses, trees and flowers grow and are nurtured by its warmth and radiance. Animals tirelessly gather food for the winter Rivers cut through rock, boulders and mountainsides over eons forming deep and beautiful canyons How can water carve out a rock? How does a river form a canyon? The truth reveals itself like a friend who has always been there. By never giving up. By continuous joyful persistence and perseverance. Through untiring, unwavering regularity - doing the same thing day by day, an awes-inspiring, joy-imparting ravine connects unfathomable height with valley and lowland. Heaven with earth. You with…

Category: Personal Growth