Episode 8 with Maya Nova - Living more mindfully

Um, for this episode, we have a wonderful guest, my, uh, uh, that I'm going to ask Maya to introduce himself. Uh, and first of all, thank you for being here and thank you for joining me in this conversation.

Um, helping people with what I call mental fitness and emotional agility and, um, uh, you know, it's the process of understanding ourselves and becoming more resilient, more functional so that we can be happier and that we can have a positive impact on the world, um, our actions and what we do.

We did, partly because you were speaking in a sense, my language, it's not that often that when I go to have conversations with people or when I go to workshops, that most of the words that I used to, because they come perhaps from a different background that you already use and nothing else, like it was, it was really, really nice to, to be able to attend, um, to be able to get people a little bit of what we are talking about.

And would you be able to share with us about your journey with, especially with when you were talking about and what you do and what you're trying to bring into the world in your journey from when you were a kid, what's part of your interest in.

And, you know, there was a lot of turmoil, um, And I was actually, it was a pure luck if I think now that I had come across the DAMA and the woulda speeching seatings in a communist country prior to the internet, it's basically a small miracle, but because my parents were, um, you know, they were both academics and we had quite extensive library and it was one of the books. I remember being 17 years old and coming across a book that was a collaboration between Arie from in Suzuki Rashi.

And there was something about this sentence, the intersection between. Uh, you know, Western psychology and Western science, and then these ancient, uh, you know, Eastern meditative contemplative practices that it just lit me up from the moment that I saw it and that passion and that particular intersection has really stayed with me for the rest of my life. So it obviously took a number of years for that to that, to develop. Um, and, uh, I'm, uh, I happened to be like a lifelong learner.

And so that is something that I continue to always investigate and think what are some of the ways in which we can, what are the practices in which we can expand the minds, but also what do we understand through the neuroscience and the modern psychology around how, how our psyche works, how our brains work and what is that intersection between the brain and the mind, you know? Um, so, so it kind of started me basically healing myself and understanding myself.

And as you know, often that process leads us on these unexpected June. So when I was in my early to mid thirties, I got very, very deeply into my Buddhist practice and my meditation practice. And so at one point there is a Buddhist monk and I like the same mine because I think sometimes, um, you know, my son was asking me actually yesterday, why didn't you say none? And I think it's a bit like actor and actress, you know, why would you put gender to such a thing?

It doesn't, it doesn't make any sense. And so it was actually during that time, you know, cause this is the type of work that often, you know, the question will be, well, who am I to do this? You know, who am I to do this work? And so our ego is done. You know, we often think of ego as this kind of, um, oh, the bearing or the competent, uh, mental state, but often actually our egos can be shadow. They can put, make us play really small.

So. I was actually told to teach a beginners meditation class. And in that process, I discovered my vocation, you know? And so then, um, after a number of years when I left that kind of intense way of living in practicing, uh, then I kind of slowly found my way, um, through that. And interestingly, I predominantly work in the corporate world and you know, sometimes again, you know, this conversation I had with my son and he's like, mainly how did you end up in that space?

But it was kind of a combination, both of a coincidence. You know, a synchronicity, you might call it that one of my earliest students happened to be Nick Patrick, who was, uh, a leadership consultant and is now the head of a center for creative leadership in, in Houston, Texas. And he took me on board to kind of add value to what he was doing. And then through that I met, you know, so it was this kind of evolving Jannie. Then I went and courses and continued to develop and grow.

Uh, but it seems to me, you know, that in our modern world, uh, and I think you will know about this, you know, that, um, There are serious gaps in our education in the west, you know, and that some of these fundamental practices around being able to self-regulate and utilize use foundational practices as breasts and present moment awareness and body awareness, we just haven't been thought any of this.

And so you often get people working, uh, you know, uh, in their thirties, forties, fifties, that actually absolutely don't have any, even the foundations of these kinds of self-awareness best practices. And I really see the workplace is actually providing an extraordinary opportunity for people to, uh, to tap into this.

And especially, you know, in the recent years through the wellbeing programs and the mental health initiatives, I think it's really recognized that, um, that, that people absolutely. Need that they need, those tools needed support. And so that kind of ended up being a place where I really felt that I could make a difference in value. And so, uh, yeah, that is where a large portion of my work is happening now.

I started being on this path of actually being in front of people and facilitating. It was because my teacher, when I was living in the center, he basically said at one point, okay, now you started living as part of my own training as part of my own experience. I went there because I wanted to learn more about myself.

Like I wanted to grow and then wanted to understand more because I thought that's more to life than what I knew, which is basically when you're saying that missing part of the dedication, it was a little bit missing for me. Although I had really amazing parents that introduced me to all of this, and I see this huge difference of some of the people that I know that thought this looks like an awesome profession. I can be a yoga teacher.

I can be a mindfulness teacher and I know some amazing people that that's their path, but I see, and this is just my opinion. I see a difference between those that are living because that's where the path took them. Instead of being like that looks like an awesome job. And I'm going to go and do it, have you noticed something in terms of perhaps

You know, like I think that at a very minimum, people have to really have an established practice and they have to understand too, at least a reasonable degree, uh, you know, the evolution and the, and the impact and the, just how these practices work and what are the things that happen because how can you lead someone else? You know, if you haven't really gained that understanding. And so we are also talking about thousands of years of, uh, you know, lineages that have persisted through time.

And, uh, you know, I am forever indebted to, to, uh, you know, uh, the, the, the Buddhist traditions in the, and the teachings that I have received because. You know, they come from very profound insights and has been proven to be true, uh, over a long period of time. And so there's no need to really, in some of these practices to reinvent the wheel.

And when we talk particular about mindfulness based meditation, which is what, uh, I teach, I mean, I am both into mindfulness and I'm also very, very inspired and guided by advice for teaching, but there is a very close intersection between these two.

And so for the listeners who don't perhaps know what this means, there's really, um, oh gosh, hard to explain sometimes, but it's really about understanding of interconnectedness and into being, you know, and this is where, in terms of, I know some of the stuff that you guys are doing, and I was really delighted to be on this podcast because of that, you know, because there is an intersection between spirituality and then how we live in the world in a more conscious way.

And, um, so sorry, there's a bit of a digression here, but, um, but I think that, yeah, ultimately. You kind of have to walk the talk a bit and you have to have understood thanks to, uh, to the degree then that you can help someone else with it. Right. So I think that that, that needs to be a prerequisite, at least at the very least. Yeah.

For certain aspects of my life, actually having a piece of paper that would say, Brian actually studied this or things like that, that it makes sense. And in this world, like for me, it's such a fluid thing and how much of a qualification do we need? And I think that that might depend on where are we working? What type of industry, or which spaces we are working.

Because as I said, like, if you work more than the corporate and the corporate, there are certain processes and there are certain guidelines that perhaps someone with zero qualifications perhaps. How the doors open as much. I don't know. It's just different. Well,

So I think we will see changes in that space, but, uh, yeah, it's a bit difficult to regulate it.

It's does believe that just below the level of awareness that, uh, Uh, really informing and guiding our experience in a way that we can't really see, you know, and it's not until you actually see that. And you see, so I'll tell you one, which is so basic and so obvious and so simple, but, um, I'm used to kind of. I think that was sitting in the back of my mind and, you know, I would wake up in the morning and before anything even happened, I would kind of think, oh, it's too hard, you know?

And so, so that's happening sort of almost as like it's an almost nonverbal thing that just is, there's sort of this, this lens through which now is very difficult to engage with life where it's too hard before you even started something.

Right. But once I, that kind of came and this is I think, where meditation is hugely helpful and having some kind of reflecting, experiencing, like generally where we are able to hear ourselves or being in that kind of a therapeutic relationship with someone else, there is someone that's holding space for us, or, you know, where we can actually start to hear those thoughts and, and challenged them and, uh, realize, oh my God, I actually do think that, you know, uh,

and then what would be a more useful or healthy or better way to approach this. And when that shifts. Uh, it can be life-changing and in my experience, that was an often, you know, it's, um, it's very, it's often like a really, really simple, basic line, like a five-year-old language, uh, you know, type type, uh, staff. And, and when we change that stuff, then new year, you can really go back and you think, wow, I actually can't even recognize who I am today.

A completely different person that functions completely differently because my mind is not governed by this limiting belief. You know? So that's just one example is I'm sure there's plenty more, but yeah. Yeah.

Um, what, what is, what, what do you think that would actually be super beneficial to change this? Is this something that kids at Cole should be learning meditation? Yoga? What is your.

And, you know, there is a huge global movement to bring mindfulness and, and it is especially across UK, from what I understand that, um, there are a bunch of schools who are integrating this. I recently actually ran a six week course for, uh, features and Auckland school who both for themselves, and then to offer some of these basic things, you know, to, to, to, uh, you know, guide a child to pause and center and, uh, Self-compassion you know, to, uh, just know that feelings are feelings.

So it's the thoughts to listen, to sounds, you know, these are, these are not difficult things to integrate, you know? Um, but it's a, it's a culture that is so externally focused and so externally motivated and, um, you know, uh, object driven that it's, it's almost like this, um, yeah, this kind of, that the shift needs to happen where we turn our, uh, interests than I gave in when they become, you know, become a bit more interested. Well, what's happening in me that.

Uh, impacting how I show up in the world, you know, because otherwise we have this position that this is happening to me. Life is happening to me, and I'm just basically helplessly reacting to circumstances rather than recognizing that that is really just the stimulus and that how I respond of course will completely influence the outcome. And if you can, uh, uh, you know, if you can teach this to young people, I think we would see a huge drop in, uh, you know, mental health issues.

And we'll see an increase in confidence and, um, you know, because we all have this extraordinary potential, right? Every single human being, and it's a, it's a really tragically missed opportunity, not to at least a portion of our attention, a portion of our energy to, to use. For these purposes, rather than just external and material success, you know, and I'm all for being successful in the world. It's like, I mean, that's something that I've actually had to heal in myself.

Having gone from like a really radical spiritual journey. I do believe that we can, uh, that we can lead a happy, integrated, even excellent lines, but that, you know, the, the portion of our attention and, um, and, and, and curiosity and regard needs to be with ourselves.

And, and I love that you said this because it's something that I believe it's really simple. It's not, it's not rocket science, but sometimes it's very challenging, especially if we don't have this, when we are kids, the longer that we wait, they're hard, they're that we're neuropathways are going to be hardwired. They are just going to be there for us. And there is something that, that I find so incredible about what is happening today with, and this is part of your world.

Um, making this union and integration of this ancient Eastern teacher teachings and all of the modern science neuroscience, and how to use the language of science, get people to understand this is not this on the new age world.

You know, like if you understand that, if, uh, if, if you know how to, uh, you know, activate abdominal breath, that you can shift your purse, sympathetic nervous system, which will, you know, help you to regulate anxiety. And these are very simple things and they're absolutely evidence-based.

So I think actually, you know, as the years go by, instead of things becoming more complex, actually for me, it's becoming more and more simple and, um, Really kind of distilling some of these things in a way that I really believe everyone can practice, but I think people need to be willing and ready. And, you know, as I told you once said, well, Uh, has the hemp Stafford inaccurate. So this is the strange thing, you know, is actually that it is the, the pain of being disconnected to ourselves.

The pain of, uh, you know, of stress or anxiety of depression is tremendous. You know, that the, and we live in an era where, uh, it is like an epidemic. And, you know, that can often guide that, you know, reaching a point where you just absolutely cannot bear it any more that you become ready really to, to, to change.

And once you become ready to change, and you are honest about that change, I really don't think, yes, it's easier with children, but anyone at any point, uh, can begin and in a very, very short time can actually see a big life life-changing experiences within, you know, there have been studies where three consecutive days or six weeks of practice.

You know, visible changes in the brain structure and people's moods have changed, then their blood pressure's different, you know, and their immune systems are improving. So, so that's very good news,

Um, and I've seen actually how many people that have the capacity to do it, we're able to start something new or to develop some kind of practice during this time. I'm super interested in seeing what happened from here, because I see what's the saying, there's some people that need to hit rock bottom to be able to start having that openness to do something different. But there's a lot of people that especially lately have been waking up to. There's something more.

It's like a resounding no. You know, because if we, if going back to, if normal was the congested, motorways and crazy busy and not having any time to do anything meaningful or connect meaningfully to others, or spend time with people that we care about, then there's something profoundly wrong with that way of life. And we've kind of known it.

I think we have known it for a long time, but it's like an addiction, you know, we're addicted to this way of life and, uh, all the structures and it plays to, to support it. And I think things, I really hope that we're going to see some changes. I think we're already seeing changes as a result of it. And it's just a matter of keeping that thread going and keeping those conversations going and keeping the provide platform.

For people to, uh, keep, you know, blagging back into, into their understanding and, and, and realizing, you know, I think that's one of the reasons why having a daily practice, even if it's quite short is very important because it is that reset button, you know?

So yes, it's a wonderful, this was obviously a terrible thing that happened, but there was some, some, I think amazing opportunities in this space as well, but you're not going on a retreat or going on a holiday, but that can only happen maybe. Once or twice, a few times a year, if you're, if you're really lucky. So what are these micro resets that we can do every day?

Every day is like, you know, just like you would refresh the screen, uh, instead of having this load and, you know, cognitive load is something that I talk a lot about, especially in the corporate world, you know, where we literally don't have the Headspace, we have time for, you know, to actually, uh, have even a degree of clarity. So it's literally like, uh, you know, like a hamster on a wheel, uh, and that's, that's an exhausting, a way of life that is not rewarding, you know?

And I think there was some things through during this time, by slowing down, slowing down and emptying and creating a bit of space and then, uh, you know, uh, really think that it's actually the small things that we care about, you know, and to, to really hold. You know, hold these simple experiences of, uh, what really makes us human and what makes us feel alive.

And as you said, that's slowing down and created that pace in our heads and our being, um, what I'm going to put you on the spot here, but what is one practice that you can share that one of these practices that people can do in their.

And, you know, they are highly intuitive user friendly app. So you could say, well, I have, uh, three minutes, I have five minutes, then I'm feeling anxious or I want to go to sleep or I want to focus. And, you know, uh, these are search engines, basically. They'll, they're, they're highly intuitive. So, so there'll be dozens, sometimes hundreds of options. And then it's actually just giving things a go.

But on a more simple note to someone who is absolutely new to this stuff, um, it's, uh, an acronym stop that I came across through mindful.org many years ago, and something that I have used over the past decade, almost with, uh, and probably most of my workshops, because I think we, we neglect to recognize that our state can change. In an instant homeless, right. But it's to do with finding that, that pause. And so stop in itself is a magic word.

But as an acronym, S P stands for take a breath, breathe in and out, and this something is stitching when we size, right. A sigh of relief, it's such a good thing to do. Right. And maybe we do that three times and then always put observed. So like right now, if I become a bit quiet, I can see a two-way thing in my God. And I can notice the raindrops on my window. My cat is sleeping on a couch. Life's fairly actually magical and good and peaceful, but we are not often present enough to notice.

Right. And so we don't get the nourishment from that moment. And then always, um, so P is for proceed onwards. It doesn't have to take all day. Right. So stop, take a breath. Observe. And then proceed. And then, you know, these micro resets, we can do that many times a day.

You know, if we notice that we are overwhelmed there or that we're getting stressed or anxious, you know, we look for solution everything else rather than where it can be found, which is here, oh, if I'm anxious, my tummy is dyed. And my unclench, then my breath is shallow. You know, if I, if I change my physiology, if I give a bit of a helping hand to my body to relax, to reset my, you know, my nervous system suddenly, it's a different moment, you know?

And I, uh, feel a bit more, I mean, it's amazing within five minutes, we can have radical changes.

And I would love to ask you going back in your experience because I know what it was like for me. When I went from living in cities to suddenly I was living in a Buddhist center in the middle of a mountain, just a few people, practicing was such a different lifestyle. What was your experience like living as a Buddhist monk? However you want to call it? What does your daily life.

It's actually being in the world, but finding that in a peace that comes from a discipline and from letting go of things that, uh, you know, I'm not necessary. So it's that simplicity of life, you know? And there's, there's a very sort of, uh, sounds a little bit like the cliche, you know, but what do we really need? You know, all these things that we think we need, ultimately you realize actually, um, my, my, one of my great learnings in life has been.

Proven to be true again and again and again, that last is really often more, you know, so there's something about that. Um, deliberate, conscious simplicity and, uh, really, uh, really trying to imbue daily activities with mindfulness more. So then, uh, in this particular tradition that I was practicing also then, uh, you know, focusing more on. Uh, developing deep meditative state.

So I did that actually after I disrobed and I practiced in at Thailand for a bunch of years or the other, a bunch of years going and undressed times and going on these really deep, deep meditative practices. Um, and you know, you gain some pretty powerful insights, but then it's a little bit more difficult to integrate back into the crazy world. So, yeah.

So, um, so I think what has served me the most is actually, and this is how I try and live my life now, you know, is that part of me will always be a mind.

Clearly. It doesn't matter what I look like on the, it's not, uh, it's not as much of what you look like on the outside, but you know, it's about actually letting go of attachment to things it's about deliberately, uh, you know, being really vigilant with are in a state it's about, uh, you know, practicing self-compassion and practicing kindness towards others, you know, and you know about all these things. So if we can have daily practices.

In place and daily, daily, uh, you know, even small rituals and then staying really connected to, uh, some of those foundational principles or some people call them precepts. You know, it's possible to do that and our everyday lives, but it helps, I think at the beginning, at the beginning of practice, it's good to create. Yeah, a little bit of safety, often use this analogy.

It's a bit like, um, I mean you want to grow, see doing, you know, and if you put sealing into really hash environment and into direct sun or very strong, it it's just not going to survive. So when you're trying to grow a seedling, you are being, you know, you're tending to with care and you're providing nourishment and shade.

And so I think when, uh, self-awareness is first, uh, budding, you know, it needs a bit of that gentle protection and care and that's, I think, uh, something to be aware of. Really.

And that always, always stuck with me because it reminded me that I already have the answers. I just need to understand that, but I need to let go of that, which is preventing me from seeing that I do have all of that. But then I do have the answers. I just haven't been conditioned to think differently. And we all have different conditioning of course, but, and this is why.

For me, the Buddhist teachings were so important because it came back to that place of none attachment, compassion, kindness. And I tried a lot to get out of even a lot of times, not even mentioning Buddhism. That's where most of my understanding comes from because these are the universal teachings, kindness, compassion. Self-compassion none of that's meant. And the world when we all take that into practice.

And I remember, and I used this sometimes when I post things and like someone asked him, how do we teach every eight year old in the world? How to meditate.

And I mean, I'll show you, like, I have a little habit trackers, you know, and things like that on my wall. And every time I do a practice, like put a dog and if I don't, well, then I kind of go, okay, this is the reality of it. In my mind, I thought I was doing yoga every second day, but actually that's actually what it's like, you know? So it doesn't have to be high tech, you know, and, um, a book that, um, I really.

Got a lot of, um, in kind of more secular way is a book called atomic habits by James clear and you know, a whole lot of good science around this idea of becoming 1% bed, you know? Cause I think a big obstacle with people, especially when it comes to something like meditation, is this idea that somehow you shouldn't pain, these sublime states and you should be able to. You know, perfect equanimity and peace. And, uh, and that should be this kind of unchanging state is a, is a crazy idea. Right?

And it's actually more about, um, meeting ourselves where we're at and developing day by day, you know, it's like a muscle it's just like going to the gym, uh, but we have to show up and it's the showing up that matters. The most, one of my teachers said, you know, um, the only bad meditation is the one that you haven't done, you know?

So it's that, you know, starting small, getting the foundations, I mean, finding a good teacher is helpful at the beginning, but even with apps, one can make some. Um, you know, quite a long way. And then when the opportunity arises then perhaps going on a retreat or, uh, taking a course or, and there's amazing online stuff happening. I mean, there's some world renowned teachers that have been offering for three or four, not very much, you know, over this period.

So there really isn't an excuse, uh, that this can be done. It's just, it's just the, it's just the mindset shift. And I agree with you for me, keyword integration. Yeah.

But we live now in a, in a state of continuous partial attention. And then, you know, with screens, our attention spans on dwindling. Uh, and I think that it's a problem, you know, um, in a, in an age when we really need our creativity and we need that ability to think deeply and to do meaningful works.

If, if our attention spans are so short and we are so time, poor and compromised, then how, where are we going to find the, uh, the discipline and the, and the, and the, and the cognitive power to actually just be it be in, in that inquiring, being that place where we do our best work. There's a really good book. Um, it's by Cal Newport, it's actually from my behind me called the deep work. And, you know, he, he's very much talking about this.

Um, You know, especially in an age of AI where a lot of, um, uh, you know, task oriented work will be done much better with, by intelligent machines than us. Uh, you know, the ability to use their creativity, to focus, to solve complex problems, you know, to, uh, respond, uh, respond creatively is vital. And, and if we can't even focus, you know, it's, it's, it's a

Um, so my kids are now 18 and 20, and sometimes we sit down and you ha we have this conversation because I haven't, you know, especially when you're so deep in your practice, you don't want it to be one of those militant parents that, uh, you know, putting them in life, but what you realize, you know, especially, like I said, now, having those conversations and, and watching, uh, the way my kids are and how much of it is they've actually integrated into their

lives is because they grew up, uh, yeah. With a particular mindset, you know, that, um, that this is a, is a way of approaching life that requires a bit more awareness and that, um, you know, like my kids, when they were little, I remember this, you know, cause they grew up in a Buddhist center. Uh, I remember my, when my son, he was five and a half years old and he went to school, you know, and his teacher was this lovely young girl and he really liked her. It was all nice.

And then out of the blue, she just went like this and she killed the spider in front of him. And he was so horrified that he actually peed his pants and he had to be taken into the principal's office because in his world that never happened. He, he couldn't comprehend that you could willingly kill another creature. Now that was obviously a bit of a, what appears in our world to be an extreme view. But, you know, is it, is it, is it really.

Do we, if we don't have to harm other creatures, why do we do that? You know, why, why we think that it's okay. And so, you know, I think some of these things come through just holding certain principles and living them and breathing them. And then kids just kind of follow our example without necessarily even realizing. And that can be good and bad. So the more self-aware we are and the more consciously eyes parents, the better.

And then of course, we also have to be compassionate and know that nobody is perfect and that we will work it out. And in that sense, I think it's actually. Um, something that has served me well in my relationship with my kids and we're still really good friends and we hang out and we go to festivals and we traveled together is also, um, you know, when you do make a mistake, um, uh, being able to say, look, I, I screwed up, I'm sorry.

Or I actually don't know I haven't done this before, even though I'm a parent and you know, I'm still learning how to do this and maybe we can work it out together, you know? So there's a kind of like a self-awareness and humility and, uh, really kind of something that I've always, um, done is really. The potential of my children and I, and it's what of inspires me in my work with people in general is that I really, really believe in see this tremendous potential in human beings.

And I think when we relate to each other from, uh, the point of view of shortcomings, you know, that you should be like this and you haven't yet done this. And of course, as a parent, you have to do some of that. And it's our job to do this to an extent, but sometimes, you know, If the discipline becomes too harsh, we actually forget to narrow to our children.

They're like you said, that we already enough, you know, that we've actually got everything here and it's kind of more of a nurturing role. I feel to hold that space and to nurture the potential in these young people so that they can blossom and, um, and, and be happy and be free. And in that process also, you know, find, find their path and make a contribution to the world.

Um, one of the biggest things that, that I'm really grateful for the parents that I have is that they encouraged me to, to be me to go and follow what I wanted to follow and not comparing myself to my siblings or with anybody else and be like, okay, what is it that you want to do? What is it that you want to achieve on how they want to experience your life? And to be able to, to allow me to do that, um, to support me as much as possible.

And one of the things that I know is that I left Argentina and that must have been in the moment. I didn't realize it that much, but for my mum, specially for my parents, it's a big thing your kids live in and how to allow that.

And I think as parents, we come as close as we possibly can to unconditional love, you know, which is loving someone and wishing their happiness rather than what's in it for me. And so there's a tremendous amount of letting go that have.

They're such a hit, but what's the impact that they will have in the world and to be able to foster that into what's, um, I don't want to take so much of our time on this conversation because I know that be good to continue for this. So I'm just going to ask you a few questions to get to, uh, the end of this conversation. So you have already recommended a few books, but, um, and this can be, again, one of those, what is a resource that you would recommend to others?

Um, you know, pretty much all the best modern day teachers are all there for free. Instead of listening to your stressful thoughts, you could just listen to someone wise, guide you through, through, uh, uh, you know, really effective five, 10 minutes of meditation.

You also have a time of function on it where you can actually find yourself, uh, you know, so there are others as well, but that's, that's something that I think is, uh, a very simple, uh, easily accessible three, uh, powerful resource that people could use.

It helps us to get off the screen, you know, honestly, 15, 20 minutes outside, especially if we can combined it with some mindfulness practice and actually being present and in our bodies and doing some deep breathing, I think that's a very powerful restorative practice.

And the more we pay attention to even the smallest things. So profoundly, life-affirming like I have, you know, a slung plan just outside my door and you can see this kind of whole life cycle of butterflies. And there's two is living in the trees in my God.

And then, um, during the log of that, and especially, you know, just seeing people actually doing that more, coming outside and going for walks and sitting on the curb and talking to a neighbor and the kids riding bicycles, I think this is something that. So healing and so needed in this world. And I hope that we continue that I really do.

I mean, I can, I have already noticed everyone back in cars, which breaks my heart a little bit, but, you know, um, that we will at least increase, uh, those practices and really begin to recognize how, um, how restorative that is, you know?

Just, just, just because, you know, just really as an act of kindness and love and contribution, and that has, as often as the case with X of kindness has given me so much nourishment and joy, and it's been a truly wonderful experience.

And many of my friends or some of my clients from years ago that have moved away and living in different parts of the world, people who've come randomly from different parts of the world, you know, and then also the community that's kind of close community and it has, it has been a really wonderful thing. And so sometimes, you know, when we give, what we receive back is just tremendous.

And then that little act that says, Hey, you know, Have a good day, you know, a smile. I mean, anything.

You know, if we could collaborate both in terms of, you know, individual in, within our communities and globally, we could, we could, we could make an enormous difference, you know, and it's actually, um, are as being that, that myth of separation, I think is what's causing them closing pretty much every other, uh, uh, conflict and misunderstanding.

Um, so yeah, I think that that would be the one thing, if we could magically all wake up tomorrow and realize that we live in this interconnected universe in which there's no separation, I think all of our problems would see.

Put ourselves out into the world, or I thought, and so many people have come back and said, Hey, thank you. That was, that was really helpful. Or that I resonated with that. So, um, that's also a good way to keep in touch with me because I share, you know, just, just a little, little, little mindful musing every week. Uh, but also as a footnote, usually there's like if there's retreats coming up or there is, um, there are events that I will, um, I'm actually having a pipeline.

Um, last year I had a series of really, uh, successful, uh, and well attended, mindful leadership retreats. And so I'm thinking. About creating, um, sort of like a 19 minute masterclass workshop at an affordable rate. So, so there's, there's a few things in a pipeline coming up and a bunch of these types of conversations around the power of mindset with some really interesting individuals.

So people can find about that if they go on my website and, uh, just click, you know, and subscribe to my newsletter and then they can stay in touch. And, uh, I kind of have a small presence on Facebook and Instagram, but I'm mostly posted on LinkedIn. So that's for those people who use those platforms,