welcome to mindful monday. 

my second group of retreaters bid adieu yesterday {le sigh} and i headed to versailles to see a ballet and tour marie antionette’s estate. such decadence and tranquility among the overwhelm of versailles. truly lovely. this morning i said “au revoir” to sweet montparnasse and relocated to a sweet un petit apartment in the 20th arrondissment. i’m delighted to explore a new neighborhood while returning to hours of writing and editing {with occasional parisian jaunts, of course}.

while snapping pics in paris last week, retreater denise shared the story of losing her phone to a snatch and run “artist” and encouraged me to set up a password. i’ve tried it before and found it annoying. a sort of barrier to entry preventing me from the “crack” of connection.

however, i heeded her recommendation and have been working with it the past few days. although it slows down my picture taking, i’m finding i like the pause before the connection. beloved teacher thich nhat hanh encourages a phone meditation. when it rings {or vibrates if you’re like me and avoid having it on}, notice your breath, breathe deeply, then answer. use it as a return to the present moment. 

i’m now seeing the password as a sort of mindfulness bell.

what simple daily act can you use as a mindfulness bell?

play with incorporating mindfulness into your technology. observe subtle shifts. bisous. x