mindfulness — Blog (The Dancing Hummingbird)

From Jumping In Childhood To Jumping In Life

Growing up my family was one of about two black families in town. Now there is more diversity, but back then not so much.

Some weekends my family would drive to New York to visit my great uncle and great aunt and my cousins.

One time my great aunt asked me, “Khristee, do you double dutch?”

”No,” I replied.

“Do you know how to double Dutch?“ she asked.

“No,” I replied.

She smiled.

“I will teach you.“

We went to the back.

“First, just watch.“

I watched the ropes swing quickly and the girls jump in and effortlessly jump and dance with the ropes. I was mesmerized.

“Now, you try.“

The twins started the ropes. They spun round and round.

“Now, jump!“

Why Do We Put Busyness On A Pedestal?

Many times when someone asks how someone else is doing, the other person may respond, “I am so busy.”

I always find the response “That’s good” to be odd.

Why are they glad the other person is busy instead of well or happy?

And some people even say, “Well, at least it’s better than the alternative.“

Better than being relaxed and at peace? Better than someone feeling they are enough and that they don’t have to hustle to fit in? Better than feeling balanced and healthy?

I think it’s so important for us to practice mindfulness.

Spread A Little Kindness To The Ones You Love And To Yourself

Hi Everyone!

Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day which is part of Random Acts of Kindness Week which runs until February 20.

What can you today to share your kindness with someone?

Can you write a letter or email someone you care about, someone who made a big impact in your life, and them know how much you love them or the difference they made in your life?
Can you volunteer to help someone in need?
Can you perform a random act of kindness with a stranger or a loved one?
Can you give something to someone else?
Can you offer your time with someone? An ear? Or a hand?

What will you decide to do?

Fill Up Your Heart With Self-Love

Hi Everyone!

I was inspired to create a self-love series.

I used to dread Valentine’s Day. I used to feel bad that I was not in a romantic relationship. I used to feel sad on that day. But just like we can set goals and intentions every day, we don’t have to wait until New Years; we can fill ourselves up with love every day, we don’t have to wait for someone to love us. So last year I filled myself up with so much love. I meditated. I spent time outside in my hammock and going for walks. I exercised. I read. I took baths. I listened to inspirational podcasts. I studied numerology and astrology. I did shadow work. I wrote gratitude lists and I healed myself.

Last Friday, I started Fill Up Your Heart: Self-Love Series on Facebook. I decided to broadcast it on my business FB page, The Dancing Curtain and in my private FB group for empaths and creatives who wish to live an extraordinary life. Click here to join the private group. The series has just begun! I wanted to start it before Valentine’s Day to help support those who are single or broken-hearted but it continues until February 26. I wanted to make the series long enough so that people really felt that their hearts are filled up with love. Watch the replays on the pages and invite a friend.

Inspiration, Mindfulness, Self-care, Spirituality, Holistic HealthKhristee RichFebruary 15, 2021self care, self-love, self-care tips, mindfulness, self-discoveryComment

Have You Ever Felt Judgment From A Spiritual Teacher?

Many years ago, when I lived in Connecticut and had a debilitating chronic illness, I attended a gentle yoga class. I enrolled in the class for relaxation and socializing. The teacher said that the class was intended to be slow and gentle unlike many yoga classes which were competitive, high-energy, and athletic. I had chronic fatigue and no stamina, so slow and gentle was definitely my speed plus this class was spiritual, so she seemed to be the right teacher for me at the time to try to muddle through my chronic illness. But even though she seemed spiritual, I was surprised to see that she was judgmental. On one instance, during her yoga class, I’ll never forget it, she asked us to do a pose which I wasn’t able to do. She asked us to thread our fingers through our toes and I just couldn’t do it. She looked at me, shook her head, and started laughing. It would’ve been different if I was laughing and making fun of myself, but I couldn’t do it. I was frustrated. It was preposterous to me and she just looked at me and laughed.

What Were You Taught To Believe?

They taught me to be afraid of you.

“Stand 6 feet apart.”

They taught me to be afraid of myself.

“Wear a mask. You may be contagious.”

They taught me not to trust the strength of my immune system.

“Only medication and vaccines can remedy this.”

They taught me to stay inside. “Don’t go out, unless it is necessary.”

And they closed our beaches.
When natural vitamin D from the sun boosts the immune system.

They taught me to watch the news constantly: for updates and further information.

When fear weakens the immune system and spreads more fear to others.

They taught me that you cannot overcome chronic illness,

but I overcame mine.

They taught me to spy on my friends and neighbors.

No one needs privacy anymore.

They taught me to report anyone acting out of duty.

They taught us that tracking us is acceptable.

They taught me that is not a time for freedom.

They taught me not to think for myself.

They taught me to bully anyone who disagrees.

They taught me to shame, blame, and criticize anyone who thinks for themselves.

Overwhelm. What To Do?

It seems that everyone who I have been connecting with lately is feeling overwhelm. Are you feeling overwhelm? It seems to be something we are not experiencing individually, but collectively right now. It’s no surprise with everything that has been going on the last few months: the Coranavirus pandemic (the fear of becoming sick, the fear of our loved ones becoming sick, the isolation and not having the help systems we have relied on, job loss/financial loss, losing loved ones to the virus), all of the corruption and racism that has been appearing in the news, all of the scandals etc. What can we do to feel better and release this overwhelm?

Yesterday, in my private Facebook Group, Empowered Joyful Empaths, I discussed this topic and let everyone know that they are not alone if they are feeling overwhelm. I also provided some coping skills to help at this time.

Try these coping skills. Pick the ones that are best for you. You do not need to practice all of them.

Meditate
Spend time alone in nature
Consciously slow down
Take something off your to do list
De-clutter
Breathe deeply
Delegate
Prioritize. Does everything need to be done today?
Rest/Nap
Have fun

People No Longer

People can no longer count their own steps so they have watches to do that for them.

People no longer have the patience to be healed by healers so they purchase their own healing machines.

People can no longer keep track of their objects so they have apps to find their phones.

People can no longer be responsible for their time so their phone tracks their productivity.

People no longer have patience to research when they can ask Siri.

People can no longer be bothered to cook so they microwave the nutrition out of their food.

Or eat food out of cans,

Plastic,

Or cardboard.

No more do people share wisdom, but articles from Google.

No more do people call, but send texts and emojis.

No more do people wake up to birds chirping or a rooster crowing or the sunlight streaming in, but to an alarm sounding.

People use their voices to turn on music instead of their fingers.

People rely on voice commands to guide their way instead of their inner compass or a well illustrated map.

Authenticity, Creativity, MindfulnessKhristee RichJuly 8, 2020creativity, poetry, mindfulnessComment

It's A Bigger Issue Than Racism

Last year one of my clients asked me to teach empathy since he believed that the world needed more empathy. No one ever asked me to teach empathy before so I thought about it for a minute. I have been an empath all of my life, but can empathy be taught? I concluded that it can’t. Compassion can be taught; mindfulness can be taught but empathy cannot be taught, especially as one gets older.

Luckily I grew up with my father being empathic so I was around empathy growing up. Kids develop most of their personality by the age of 7.

I grew up in a predominantly white environment as one of the few African American families in town. Looking at me, most people don’t expect it, but like other African-Americans, I was exposed to racism. But I was exposed to racism in a different way than most since many people didn’t know if I was white or black.

On the school bus, I remembered one kid saying how much he hated blacks and my neighbor tried to shush him saying, “Be quiet! Khristee’s on the bus!”

To which he replied, “Who cares? She’s not black!”

To which my neighbor replied, “Yes, she is!”

Happy Earth Day!

Hi Everyone!

Once a year, we celebrate the Earth. I don't know about you, but I love the Earth! I love the beautiful landscapes, the oceans, the sunsets, the fresh air, the rainbows, the waterfalls, the meadows, the gorgeous animals, the delicious fruits and vegetables, the colors, the textures, the fragrances, you name it! I am glad to be here on this Earth!

For some Earth Day may seem like just another holiday, but the truth of it is that most of us take the Earth for granted. Which is a real shame! The Earth gives us so much! It gives us life, health, energy, food, oxygen, protection, and peace of mind. It energizes us, grounds us, and even inspires us.

The DancingHummingbird

The Dancing
Hummingbird