As we pull out of the driveway, my mind takes off like a herd of wild horses.

Do I have my notes for my 10 o’clock meeting…Did I remember to sign Lily’s permission slip…What the heck am I going to make for dinner tonight…What time did John say he’d be home…

It’s a 15 minute drive from our house to my son’s kindergarten — and one of the few times I get to be alone with my sweet boy — and yet far too often I spend the majority of the trip miles away from him.

Driving (too fast), flipping through radio channels, planning, rehashing, worrying, and absently saying “Really?” and “That’s great, Buddy!” to the chatty five-year-old in the backseat.

Yoga? Mindfulness? Peace?

It is a practice, my friends. And we can start (or start over) in any moment.

It begins with meeting yourself right where you are, setting your course in the direction you want to go, and taking a nice deep breath.

And it changes everything.

Thank you for sharing the journey with me.

Love + Light…

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Ready for the next step? Registration is now OPEN!!

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Would you like to receive Breathing Space – along with discounts and goodies available only to e-mail subscribers — in your in-box every-other-Friday? Click the image to the left or right HERE to subscribe.

Because so many of you have been asking What’s next?

(And because I’ve been asking myself the same thing.)

Because it is the perfect time of year for it to be this.

Because this program is for everyone with an open heart.

Because sharing this process is one of my favorite things in the world.

( Click the image above or RIGHT HERE for all the delightful details. )

Today I am pleased to resume offering Sponsor Spotlight posts here at exhale. return to center. (Yay!) by welcoming Amy Bowers of mama merit badges.

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About mama merit badges:

Mama merit badges are 1½ inches, iron on, and 100% embroidery. They can be worn on your diaper bag, purse, tote, jacket, jeans, scarf or baby carrier. Stick them on your wall, fridge or bulletin board. They make a wonderful shower or blessingway gift. Present one to a friend after a mama-roic episode. Use them when journaling or scrapbooking about your life as a mother.

Each badge comes individually packaged with a description of the badge included.

Amy’s inspiration for mama merit badges:

I started mama merit badges when I looked for merit badges for parenting on the internet and they were not there! So, I had to make them. I have heard from so many moms (and dads) about their parenting adventures and the absurd situations we so often find ourselves in.

The badges are meant to be a funny, irreverent little gift that allows us to take our selves less seriously and have more fun.

Mama merit badges meet craft store ribbons – how fun!

Visit Amy’s blog for more creative merit badge display ideas.

Behind the scenes with Amy:

This last year I have been blogging at www.mamamscout.com chronicling my family’s explorations and activities as unschooly creatives. We live in a rambling 100 year old house in Florida, where we appreciate the weather, swimming, citrus, amusement parks, and insane skies.

Our days are filled with reading, art making, face paint, cooking, traveling, asking a lot of questions, hanging out with friends, hiking, looking in microscopes and dancing.

Oh, and I have a passion for getting as near to alligators as I can.

My favorite words are, “wow” and “look!”

Favorite way to exhale. return to center.:

My favorite way to exhale and return to center is to spend the late afternoon and dinner at the beach.

We started this a few years ago and now I am smitten with sea suppers.

We load up a simple dinner, maybe a little wine or some icy beer, and kids in bathing suits. As we are arriving at the beach, everyone else is leaving – bliss! We play in the late afternoon sun, run, slide down sand dunes, send messages in bottles and philosophize about how great it all is.

After sunset, we rinse off and put on pajamas for the ride home. At least one kid always has to be carried up to bed and the rest fall asleep just as quick.

It is the most re-energizing thing I have ever done.

Connect with Amy:

mamameritbadges.com
mamascout.com
Etsy
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

Today’s giveaway is for a full set of mama merit badges.

(Click HERE to see the whole colorful collection.)

To enter, leave a comment below between now and Saturday at 5 p.m. EST. If you are inspired, tell us which merit badge you most deserve (or go ahead — invent your own and award it to youself!).

Amy is also offering FREE SHIPPING for the month of February in the mama scout Etsy shop. Use the code “exhale” at checkout.

Thank you, Amy!  Mamasté, friends.

Photo: Stephen A. Wolfe

Waking up this morning, I smile,
Twenty four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Happy Monday, friends.

I’ll be back here tomorrow with a Sponsor Spotlight (and giveaway!!) from Mama Merit Badges and a sneak peek at my second online program!

Sunday Still Life is an evolving photography project; an weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are inspired to join in, please leave a link in the comments.

Pens. Pencils. Sticks.

Pinecones. Shells. Twist-ties.

Rocks. Stuffed animals. Sheepskin.

Laughing. Playing. Working together.

They built a cozy nest.

Oh my! I have so much goodness to share with you today!

The latest episode of Behind the Blog, with Author Caroline Starr Rose is up on my Podcast page and on iTunes.

Caroline Starr Rose, signing a copy of her debut novel, May B.

Caroline and I will be having a post-podcast chat over on my Facebook page tomorrow morning ( 8 a.m. MST / 10 a.m. EST) and we would love if you stopped by to join us.

And…I have a gift to share!

One lucky exhale. return to center. reader will win a copy of Caroline’s beautiful book, May B., along with a May B. Journal.

(Click on the book to peek inside, via Amazon.com.)

What people are saying about May B:

Heroes come in all sizes; my newest hero is a pint-sized girl named May B. Caroline Starr Rose tells May’s story in simple, moving verse that captures the joy of family, the gloomy isolation of a dirt soddy, and the determination of one scared but indomitable young person. May B. is a girl you’ll be proud to know.

~ Karen Cushman, Newbery winner

Writing with compassion and a wealth of evocative details, Rose offers a memorable heroine and a testament to the will to survive.

~ Publishers Weekly, December 5, 2011

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To enter for a chance to win a copy of May B. and a May B. Journal, simply leave a comment on this post between now and Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. EST.

For a second chance to win, share this post using the Facebook and / or Twitter links below (or however you are connecting and sharing these days) and then come back here and leave a second comment saying where you shared and you’ll be entered a second time.

Comments are closed.

Congratulations, Melanie! (And many thanks to Caroline.)

As I sit at my art table, I feel like should draw a picture for this week. What should this picture be about? “Tuesday,” is what I thought. Valentine’s Day made me think of this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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We are a Waldorf-inspired, life-learning family supplementing our experiences with public school. In other words, we’re following our hearts, making it up as we go and doing our best to meet everyone’s needs. Our daughter Lily (7) needs to create art; I’m thrilled to share this space with her on Thursdays.

I often have a lot to say on Valentine’s Day.

About marriage equality.

And similarities and differences.

And candy overload.

But today, on the day after the 10-Day Family Re-Charge, what I most want to express is quiet but heartfelt gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who took this journey with me.

Thank you to my family and friends who supported (and tolerated) me for the last several weeks.

And thank you to all of you who visit here (and here) and share a bit of your day with me.

Wishing you love and peace — today and always.

XO

PS ~ New podcast comes out on Thursday!

Photo: Luz Adriana Villa A.

Here it comes again: another start of another day. What a reprieve! You have incalculable chances to change the ending. To change your attitude. To be the new you. Whether you know it or not, you already are the new you. Forget what you think, lose the foregone conclusion, and just be new.

~ Karen Maezen Miller, Momma Zen

Happy Monday, friends.

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Sunday Still Life is an evolving photography project; an weekly invitation to pause the busy of our days, to re-center and celebrate the beauty and depth of life. If you are inspired to join in, please leave a link in the comments.

I realized about 10 minutes into our visit that Lily has all but outgrown the Children’s Museum where we have spent so many hours playing.

As Quinn raced from room to room with the full exuberance of a five-year-old, I put my arm around her and encouraged her to make the best of it.

And she did, snuggling with me on a bench while Quinn played and taking photos and videos of her brother.

But still I knew she was bored.

And then we came upon this light table filled with Magna-Tiles.

And suddenly my big girl could not have been happier to be at the children’s museum.