We pause because: 

“Learning to pause is the first step in the practice of Radical Acceptance. A pause is a suspension of activity, a time of temporary disengagement when we are no longer moving toward a goal… In a pause, we simply discontinue whatever we are doing - thinking, talking, walking, writing, planning, worrying, eating - and become wholeheartedly present, attentive and, often, physically still… A pause is, by nature, time limited. We resume our activities, but we do so with increased presence and more ability to make choices... when we pause, we don’t know what will happen next. But, by disrupting our habitual behaviors, we open to the possibility of new and creative ways of responding to our wants and fears... Through the sacred art of pausing, we develop the capacity to stop hiding, to stop running away from our experience. We begin to trust in our natural intelligence, in our natural wise heart, in our capacity to open to whatever arises. Like awakening from a dream, in the moment our trance recedes, Radical Acceptance becomes possible.”

P.51-53. Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With The Heart Of A Buddha, by Tara Brach, PH.D.

We set intentions because: 

“Intending as a group created what could only be described as an ecstasy of unity - a palpable sense of oneness. A cosmic power seemed to work through us, providing a feeling repeatedly described as a “coming home.” The responses from participants suggested that the group-intention experience breaks down separation between individuals, allowing them to experience the “God consciousness” of pure connection. Many found it profoundly transforming, an opening into a reality they never knew existed… The true point had nothing to do with the outcome of the experiment and everything to do with the act of participation. Perhaps praying together as a group affords a glimpse of the whole of the cosmos, the closest you can get to an experience of the miraculous. And it may be that this state, like a near-death experience, changes you forever.”

P.98 The Power of Eight: Harnessing the Miraculous Energies of a Small Group to Heal Others, Your Life, and the World, Lynne McTaggert.  

We meditate and bring awareness to our breath because:

Without breath, obviously we wouldn't be alive. Breath is our direct connection to all that is, ever was and will ever be. In a moment, through our breath, we can connect. I learned the power of breath in 2007 when I was lying acutely ill in the hospital on what nearly became my literal death bed. My lungs and kidneys were hemorrhaging due to an autoimmune condition that was ravaging my lungs and infiltrating my kidneys. Terrifying, to say the least. Nothing I can imagine from my life experience has given me more appreciation for the power of breath than this experience. Nothing could be more valuable for or more calming to our nervous system. Bringing mindful breathing practices into our daily lives and in particular to a meditation practice cultivates living in flow, the opposite of living in and through fear or reactivity. Here’s a great Ted Talk on how everything’s connected and why, by Tom Chi.  And guess what the most critical link in that connection is? You guessed it. The breath. Enjoy!  https://youtu.be/rPh3c8Sa37M

We share celebrations through accountability because:

It matters. And in so doing, we honor the joy of celebration and we honor and cultivate integrity. This makes a difference. When I say I’m going to do something, I do it. To the best of my ability. Unless I truly can’t. Then, I say why and/or get the support needed to make it happen to the best of my ability. This supports growth which allows for blooming. When I don’t do what I say I’m going to do, I feel the need to say why. That motivates me even more to do what I said I was going to do, to honor my commitments and promises to myself and others. This is integrity. And, to align with integrity is to align with wholeness. To mean what we say and say what we mean matters. Period. This is how we grow and sustain trust in ourselves and others. And to be in full integrity as much as possible with my actions and words aligning, ideally, in the highest vibrational way, accountability helps. Accountability supports showing up as our ideal selves which supports blooming a life you absolutely love.  Celebrating our lives and our selves cultivates the feelings of joy, pride, honoring and aliveness - all essential ingredients to loving the life we're in.