Tag Archives: Mindful Practice

Companions – by Ivon

Posted on June 25, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I occasionally forget what got me where I am today. I follow a blog called Slappshot and its author poses questions. Recently, he asked, “What’s your line of work and if you could choose another career…what would it be?”

I responded, “I would not want to change anything, but, if I could keep everything else in tact, I want to be a professional hockey player.” You see what I have is very good. Yes, I struggle with things each day, but around me there are people who care and this poem is for them. I am learning to focus on the positive in life instead of the negative.

Each morning

Awaken

Tentatively step forward

Discover voice

Discover meaning

That which nourishes, waters, and heals the soul

With those who stand with you

For you

By you

Share the journey

Break bread

Mutual, Reciprocal, Companionship

A refuge in each other

Speak mindfully, heartfully, graciously

Hear mindfully, heartfully, graciously

Your self and the other present.

2 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged learning, Mindful Practice, mindfulness, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Gift of Love – John Lennon

Posted on June 24, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

We’ve got this gift of Love, but Love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.

~John Lennon

Paradox in Nature

Posted on June 23, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I found these picture of a small lake in the Crowsnest Pass when I was looking at the pictures I posted at A Time to Listen. Nature is a spectacular and paradoxical part of creation and I hope this is revealed in the following.

Green, aqua, granite

Nature draws from her palette

Drawing me to her.

Water cascading

Suddenly appears out of rock

Disappears again.

Calmness and chaos

Nature speaks in paradox

Harmony emerges.

2 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Uncategorized and tagged calmness, crowsnest pass, Mindful Practice, mindfulness, nature, poetry, spirituality, stewardship, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

A Time to Listen – Visually and Poetry

Posted on June 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy and I travel. We spend time during the summer touring Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and adjoining American states. This summer we are revisiting Waterton Lakes National Park as part of my rehab. We travel through this area regularly and it brings back great memories.

On one trip, we stopped at a provincial park just above Lundbreck Falls. Recently, I went through pictures of the Crowsnest River downstream and it reminded of what I notice and don’t notice in life. Wendell Berry wrote a beautiful piece: The Impeded Stream is the One that Sings. I realized I heard the river before I saw it. I recalled the life around the river: cottonwood fluff flying, flowering wild rose, insects pollinating, and a musky smell perhaps of a bear recently by. The river is a living instrument sharing a song to others forming a web of life.

I read Wendell Berry’s words while reliving the picture and was inspired to write a Haiku.

Observe life’s current

Pausing, listening, caring

Present with my self.

5 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged community, Mindful Practice, mindfulness, nature, poetry, spirituality, stewardship, teacher as transformer, waterton lakes national park, Wendell Berry. Bookmark the permalink.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson

Posted on June 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

A medical practitioner I visit once a week to try resolve some issues with chronic, physical pain was the source of this wonderful, insightful poem. Whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or intellectual, I fall into habits and absolve my self of responsibility f or my actions.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost … I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

~ Portia Nelson ~

4 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged Mindful Practice, mindfulness, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Human Being Instead of Human Doing

Posted on June 20, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Many days I wonder about what other are doing, what causes them to do it, and what I can do to control their behaviours. I used the word do a lot in that first sentence. When I wonder that way, I become angry, frustrated, and hurt. I become a human doing instead of a human being. Being present and living each moment mindfully is part of this being.

Some words and an image to help us be today. Happy summer solstice.

The art of life isn’t controlling what happens, which is impossible; it’s using what happens.

~Gloria Steinem

10 Comments

Posted in Community, Education, Mindful Life, Reflective Moments and tagged community, education, leadership, Mindful Practice, Progressive Education, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Violence of Modern Life

Posted on June 19, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Thomas Merton is one of my favourite authors and spiritual thinkers. He offered a radical definition of violence. This sounds like the opposite of multi-tasking, single-tasking. I hope I can do better as I move forward and take time to listen to the inner teacher and its wisdom.

Parker Palmer shared this with those of us who follow him on Facebook.

8 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Reflective Moments and tagged human-rights, leadership, Leadership. Servant-Leadership, Mindful Practice, mindfulness, Parker Palmer, spiritual thinkers, spirituality, Thomas Merton. Bookmark the permalink.

Advice From Ivon

Posted on June 18, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

There was an image here and some of you responded. I appreciated your comments and left them in place. Apparently, I infringed on a copyright of a group that sells the postcard I posted. I leave you with this.

What advice can I give?

Stand firmly rooted to the Earth.

Reach and touch the sky.

Take risks.

Trust those closest to you.

Love those closest to you.

Find your voice.

Speak right.

Act right.

Apologize sincerely when it is right do so.

And wonder in awe when it is time do so.

About the rights of nature and humans.

Take care.

I humbly apologize for using an image posted in various other places. I meant no harm … Here is what I am legally obliged to present for making a human error:

The Advice from a Tree image and words previously posted were an infringement of the copyrights of Ilan Shamir and Your True Nature and has been shared around the Internet. I am reposting the correct version of this and encourage you to visit the Advice from Nature website at http://www.yourtruenature.com for Advice from a Tree and over 100 other advice bookmarks, posters, journals, tshirts and other eco products. copyright 1993-2012 YTN

Again, enjoy.

19 Comments

Posted in Just Because Posts, Nature in All Its Glory, Reflective Moments and tagged Mindful Practice, mindfulness, nature, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Haiku Haven

Posted on June 16, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Each year, we learn about Haiku in our classroom. I was fortunate this year. We began the process during the fall when the Harvest Moon was in full glory. Driving to work in the morning, the Moon would be sitting above the horizon or in the evening it appeared as a rich, orange orb almost asking me to reach and touch it. I also drove through the Rockies just before the school year began and Mount Robson was in full majesty with a tiny wisp of cloud.

It had been several years since I heard a student say, “Poetry is stupid. My dad says it is a waste of time” or words to that effect. This year I heard it. I even had one parent tell me it was a waste of time. I calmly pointed out writing out poetry, in general, is the practice of choosing the right word and Haiku takes this one step further, at least I think it does. What I left unsaid, but is worthy of saying, poetry is always present, is part of being mindful, and being in the world.

Those mornings and evenings I observed the moon I found words pressing forward and asked to be shared. I wrote these on the whiteboard as an exercise of being mindful and present.

Majestically,

Touching endless sky above

Roots firmly grounded.

Greetings and adieu

Sun and Moon sharing the sky

Guides my morning drive.

Enjoy Saturday.

1 Comment

Posted in Education, Lesson Plans, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged Mindful Practice, nature, poetry, Rocky Mountains, stewardship, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Gratitude

Posted on June 15, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I began blogging in earnest in February, but it really began to take off in April. Today was a milestone with my 200th follower. With that, comes the reverse. I follow. There is a tremendous digital gathering and we are only just beginning to understand its impact.

200,

it isn’t 300,

the movie

or followers.

Thank you

for finding your way to this blog.

On a digital palette

I create

vent

reveal

learn

present

about the complex nuances of my life in this world.

My gratitude expressed two ways–

following others

who blaze trails

as pioneers

as companions.

Thank you

grateful

you share

your venture along

on this road less traveled

a humbling

transforming

uplifting space.

I am grateful, indebted.

Thank you

is the second way to express gratitude to 200 + 1 now.

Here is a sampler of blogs I follow. Please visit and add to their following. They inspire, teach, and share each day I prepare to write. I ma sure you will enjoy all or some of the following. Check out my blog roll for others.

Spokane Favs is a colleague of mine at Gonzaga University in Spokane WA.

Mikibong inspires with diverse and great photography

Marie Wetmore is a life coach par excellent

Elke Teaches is an Australian teacher to be and mother

Words/Love is a fantastic and creative writer

Zellie M Quinn is a writer and reflector of life

Edilio Ciclostile is a whimsical artist who wants you help him grow down

Enough of the Cat Talk is a teacher from New York who shares in many ways

Meanwhile Melody Muses is an exceptional writer of great poetry who honours nature and teaches.

Mike’s Look at Life is through poetry and photography of things we normally ignore but are there all the time

Brian Gaynor Photography provides inspiring pictures of and in nature

Rod Posse is a photographer of unusual but interesting things