Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection

For many people, new "stay-at-home" orders are going into effect daily. Here in Truckee we've reverted to distance learning until January. So my kids are home full-time, again, and with the cold weather and early nightfall, it's hard to get outdoors. All this time at home can be a good thing, but it also means more getting on each other's nerves, more eating, more preparing meals for everyone, and more stress   With COVID-19 still spreading across the country and around the world, my family and many others I know  are looking for ways to create greater peace in our lives.   

 I was happy to discover that Chopra Global and Oprah Winfrey have re-released their popular 21-Day Meditation Experience “Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection" in response to this trying year and amidst the divisive election, health pandemic, and social unrest. 

The free, 21-day meditation experience is available now, and will help participants resolve conflict and make a connection with their true self, hopefully leading to a greater inner peace, which will naturally extend to family, friends, the community and the world. 

Most of us are restricted in terms of where we can travel and who we can visit Thanksgiving holiday. I know a lot of family won't be able to be together this year.  My sister and I will not be able to share a meal. But we can still be there to support one another. I am thankful for this free meditation and the power of connection

 You can sign up for the meditation here or if you have the Chopra app on your phone, it appears in the Free Mediation section.

Three Ways to Avoid Single Use Plastics During the COVID-19 Crisis

This month is Plastic Free July, the 31 days every year when millions of people pledge to give up single-use plastics.

I join this pledge each year as a reminder of just how much plastic we consume and try to do my part to eliminate as much plastic as I can during this month.  This year makes things a whole lot more difficult with the Coronavirus pandemic. Single-use items, from personal protective equipment (PPE) to disposable coffee cups are on the rise. 

Here in Truckee, CA, I know that single use gloves and masks are littered on the roadsides and the shores of our beautiful lakes.  Stores have paused on plastic bag bans and many other many states have backtracked on bag bans as well. Coffee shops have temporarily prohibited reusable mugs.

I am determined to keep fighting for a cleaner and healthier world, Join me this month for a Plastic Free July.  Avoid as many plastic items in your life and replace them with a sustainable alternative.

Here are three ways to get started this year..

1. Avoid Plastic Bags While Grocery Shopping

For the time being, reusable bags aren’t allowed in grocery stores. But, I say no to single use bags at the store and I just leave the groceries in my cart and I’ve just been keeping the reusable bags in my car taking my groceries to bag in the car and avoiding the single-use plastic altogether.

2. Use a Washable Face-mask and Gloves– Not Disposable.

I’ve been opting  for a reusable/washable mask. If you have spare fabric and can sew, make your own. For gloves, I’ve been wearing some ski glove liners that I usually use in the winter and just wash them after each use.  And of course, washing my hands frequently.

3. Be Smart with Anti-Bac

I’ve purchased a large bottle of hand sanitizer instead of mini bottles and just refill my travel-size containers. I’ve also made my own hand gel using high % alcohol and aloe. And, at home instead of using disposable wipes, I’ve been using anti-bacterial spray with reusable cloth rags. If you do use wet wipes, do not flush them down the toilet They contain harmful plastic microfibers that end up in the water systems

There are many more ways to go plastic free, pick a couple that work for you and start the Plastic Free July Challenge today!

• Eat less meat

• Use a reuseable water bottle

• Use canvas bags vs plastic

• Ride your bike instead of driving to the store

• Use bar of soap vs body wash 

• Purchase bamboo toothbrushes

• Use reusable dishcloths vs paper towels

• Shop at your local farmers market

• Support local, sustainable businesses

Finding Hope in Uncertain Times with Deepak and Oprah's Free Guided Meditation

With the rapid spread of Coronavirus around the globe, it is understandable that many of us feel helpless. So how can we keep ourselves sane in these unpredictable times? 

Join Deepak Chopra and Oprah and millions of meditators around the world to find peace of mind in the midst of turmoil and do your part to help our global community find hope and optimism and become more mindful.

I completed the 21-Day Meditation Challenge, "Hope in Uncertain Times," from Deepak and Oprah, in 2017. Today, with COVID-19, the meditation conveys a whole new meaning. I am grateful that Deepak and Oprah have re-released this mediation so we can all join the #HopeGoesGlobal movement. it is free, easy to use, and provides a wonderful source of inspiration.

I personally have been feeling overwhelmed lately and this could have not come at a better time. This challenge has a focus on how to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity to grow and evolve. I am only on Day 3, but I’m feeling more centered already. I try to meditate first thing in the morning before my kids are up and start their distance learning.

You can still sign up for the challenge here or if you have the app on your phone, it appears in the Free Meditation section.

Random Acts of Kindness

I love my town of Truckee, CA!  This week my local radio station, 101.5 FM - Truckee Tahoe Radio, is honoring acts of kindness. I’m thrilled that they are taking time to celebrate folks in my community for their random acts of kindness. It can be anything, from cleaning up the park, helping an elderly neighbor with yard work, or buying a tank of gas for a stranger. If you are here in Tahoe you can post an act of human kindness on Facebook using the hashtag #tahoekindness, and the station announce these acts of kindness on the radio.  

If you want to pay it forward, another site I like is 1460 Days of Kindness where you can submit random acts of kindness and help show the world that our country is one of love, care, and compassion. 

Following the results of the 2016 election, the creators of 1460 Days of Kindness decided that they wanted America's legacy to be one of empathy and understanding rather than hate and fear. In that spirit, they decided to complete a random act of kindness for every day our president serves in office and encourage anyone who reads their blog to do the same.

Spread the love and kindness!