This past Saturday, July 4th marked an important date in our country’s history. It was our nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary! Wow! Two-hundred and fifty years ago the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence, the document in which the original Thirteen Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson with input from the Founding Fathers, it is comprised of three parts, the Preamble, List of Grievances, and the Resolution of Independence. Best known to Americans perhaps is the Preamble that states that all men are created equal and are born with unalienable rights, among them the right to Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness. A list of 27 complaints against King George III is included that explains the reasons for breaking free from British rule and tyranny. And the last piece declares our official separation from Great Britain and our claimed power as an independent nation. What a monumental document and what an amazing milestone! Commemorated nationwide with special community events, parades, and traditional backyard barbeques and fireworks, I hope you had a safe, meaningful, and fun celebration with your family, friends, and neighbors!
While it’d be hard to top this past weekend’s festivities, July is just getting started and will bring more summer events and activities. For us, we’ll be attending more outdoor concerts, we’ll be getting out on our bikes more, and we’ll be tending to our newly planted garden after our spring harvest. All exciting events to look forward to. And one more for me, is my monthly mindfulness activity. This one I have tried several times in the past, yet I haven’t succeeded in making it stick. Now, however, I feel I may be ready. Before going into details, I’d like to share my mindfulness journey from last month. It was definitely worth slowing down for.
From my journal: June 7, 2026, Newbury Park, California
“No distractions…made such a difference. Tasting each bite…the sauteed tomatoes, basil leaves…just focusing on what I’m eating is such a better experience…I know when I feel full…”
My goal in June was to eat each meal mindfully. That meant sitting at the table with no distractions. No puzzles figured out over breakfast, no magazines perused at lunch. Dinner wasn’t a problem as we always share meals together or with others relaxing around a table. Did I do what I set out to? Yes, in fact I enjoyed my meals much more at an easier going pace. Not being on autopilot really made me aware of the food on my plate. The aromas, the colors, textures, even the sounds, and of course, the tastes. I really liked paying attention because it gave me the opportunity to slow down and fully appreciate where the food came from and how it nourished me, as well as the effort that went into preparing it. Such a simple act, yet it has had a big impact on how I want to eat my meals going forward, delighting in each and every bite.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to July’s mindfulness pick. Why I feel ready to take it on is because I have spent the last six months in this new mindset, so to speak. I started exploring this world of letting go of wandering thoughts while stilling my body in the late 1990s. Among the books I read were Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and Jack Kornfield’s Meditation for Beginners. I am now ready to give meditation another try.
Dating back to 1500 BCE, this practice has ties to ancient religious traditions and is most closely associated with Buddhism. The term meditation stems from the Latin word “meditatum” meaning “to ponder”. Benefits of meditating include calming the nervous system, improved focus, and even better sleep! Some people find that meditation helps them manage stress better, reduces negative feelings, and increases creativity. This makes sense as anytime you quiet your body and close your eyes, your nervous system receives a signal to relax. Giving yourself a rest any time restores energy too. Mindfulness expert and CEO of Mindvalley, Vishen Lakhiami says that people generally benefit from 15 to 20 minutes of meditation a day, however he says that even 1 to 3 minutes of calmness can reap remarkable results and rewards.
Perhaps in the past I was overzealous and either tried too hard, expected myself to sit quietly for longer than I could, or was too critical of my progress. Definitely older now, and hopefully a little wiser, I am going to start small this time. Each day this month, I’ll sit comfortably in a place where I won’t be disturbed. Then, I’ll close my eyes and focus on the rhythm of my breath. My aim will be to sit still for 2 to 5 minutes. If my thoughts wander, I won’t judge them (or myself!) and will gently bring my focus back to my breath. Thereby grounding my body in the present moment, while anchoring my mind.
A Journal Journey 