When Things Come Together by Camilla Downs

October 20 2018:

When Things Come Together

And she began the walk
The walk of only she,
breathing in, knowing she was breathing in
breathing out, knowing she was breathing out

She listened to the sounds of
the stillness
the song birds
the beeping construction equipment
the roar of an airplane overhead
the creak and pop of the plastic fence
the screech of the …..

Poetry and Photography: When Things Come Together

 

The Walk of Alchemy by Camilla Downs

May 20 2018:

I went for walk this morning.

Not unlike many mornings over the past 17 years. The meaning and depth of the walk has shifted throughout the years. What began as a way to exercise and get fresh air has shifted to be much deeper than that.

I have experienced many mindful walks. Walking slower than usual, listening, feeling, and smelling in silence.

Yet, this morning I knew it was …

The Walk of Alchemy

Making Decisions from a Place of Love

**THROWBACK POST**

December 18 2015:

This morning’s theme from a client session had to do with acting and making decisions from a place of love, rather than a place of fear. This sounds simple on the surface. Upon stopping and accessing decisions and choices made, it’s easier to see that we do make some decisions from a place of fear. It’s actually a slight shift, the decision made may even be the same whether it’s made from a place of fear or love. However, the effects internally can be drastic.

I’ll use myself as an example. I have made the choice for myself and family to eat organic, non-gmo foods without artificial ingredients and low to no processed sugar. Have I made this choice due to my fear of illness, disease, and weight issues or have I made this choice because I love and enjoy this body and want to nourish it in the best way possible? The root of how this decision is made matters. It matters tremendously. The success of a decision hinges on whether or not it is made from a place of love or fear.

Another example: Am I accepting this job or this work because I fear having no money or am I accepting it because I am passionate about it and I know it’s my purpose to do this? This can be applied in relationship decisions also. This is not to say that one suddenly make the shift to making all decisions from a place of love and not fear. It’s enough to simply stop and note the root of the decision. And if you feel moved to make this shift for yourself, start small. Make it easy so that you can successfully shift to making all decisions from a place of love. xoxo

So grateful I get to share of myself in this way. When I meet with a client, I set the intention that the session will unfold organically and what needs to be said and shared will come forth. We message ahead of the meeting to know 1 – 3 areas to be discussed. During the session I ask questions and offer thoughts and techniques relating to mindfulness and emotional connection. Good stuff!!!

How to Mindfully Dance with Life

January 9 2017:

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number SEVEN 2016 CamillaDowns.com blog post with the most views: “A Rapturous Dance With Life” ……. xoxoxoxoxo …….

A Rapturous Dance With Life

…. “Thoughts of us being stranded due to car problems kept entering my mind like a dark storm cloud encroaching on the brightest of days. Not to be left out of the dance, thoughts of my insanity at attempting this cut into the dance too. All of this dance to be completed with the veil of anxiety and worry weaving in and out like a breeze blowing through the trees …..

…. I had stepped way out of my comfort zone with this trip. I had never driven this far, much less driven this far being the only one in charge of packing, driving, and navigating. Plus, we had never … ”

 

How a Family of Three Lives in a Tiny Home

January 5 2017:

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number THREE 2016 CamillaDowns.com blog post with the most views: “Living in a Tiny Home Adventures – Four Months” … Hoping to write an update post on this! It’s been a while!

“One night after dinner and dishes, I cleared the table. Thomas and I then played a “homemade” version of ping pong using what we had. Brought so much deep belly laughter … From Lillian too as she watched us. I think the ball had fun too …..

Living in Tiny Home Adventures – Four Months

 

 

An Open Letter to My Daughter’s Meltdowns

January 3 2017:

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Top 10 Countdown! The 2016 blog post on CamillaDowns.com with the most views: Dear Meltdown – The article which was quickly accepted and published by elephant journal.

May this land in front of the one who would benefit from reading it …

Dear Meltdown: Meet My Friend Mindfulness

 

Gifts from Nature and Reiki

**THROWBACK POST**

June 15 2013:

Economical and from the heart gift …

A dear friend severely injured her back several months ago which led to emergency surgery. I wanted to give her a little something to enjoy during her recovery that would also be inspiring once her back was healed.

This is what I came up with …. a lovely bag of ROCKS! That’s me! I love creating gifts with …..

https://camilladowns.com/2013/06/13/gift-ideas-from-nature-more-rocks/

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What a wonderful, relaxing and beautiful experience I got to enjoy today!! Thank you Denise Sheehan for helping me to experience and fulfill #66 on my adventurelist‬ / bucketlist‬ …. You and Dana have such an amazing and awesome property …. Loved every minute of it!!

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How to Have a Homemade Christmas

December 25 2016:

The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 1

Lillian created a Nature Book for me that caused my eyes to sweat.

“Grass is healthy food and beautiful.
Sky is a beautiful ocean in the sky.
Flower is a pretty thing in nature.
Trees are old wise spirits in nature.
Ocean is a reflection of the sky.
Night is a beautiful time.
Animals are people and nature like us.”

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I wrote a poem for each of them and made it into a wall hanger.

Thomas: “Knowledge beyond grasp, Gentle and tender heart, Deep knowing of the soul.”

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Lillian: “Beauty shining within and without, Depth and strength I know not, A light shining brightly for the World.”

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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 2

A handmade card from Lillian and a poster size drawing from both Thomas and Lillian.

The card is full of original Lillian nature quotes … Plus one from Thomas!

“A sunset is nature’s art.
Rainbows are nature’s fancy artwork.
Night is art to the human’s eye.
Seasons are nature’s beauty.
Wind is nature’s music.
Space is a beautiful art.
Snow and ice are nature’s quiet time.” -Lillian

“Nature is full of awesome animals.” -Thomas

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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 3

Lillian made Thomas a Nature Book also.

“A cat can make several sounds including purr and meow.
A dog likes a lot of outdoor exercise.
Fish are living in almost any body of water.
Mouse like a lot of food scraps including cheese.
Ducks are social.
Cows help humans by making milk and eating grass.
Humans can dress up as animals and wear animal headbands. We are animals.” xoxo

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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Last Set of Pictures

Lillian made a Christmas card for Thomas and a noisemaker for me!

Many of you know that Lillian has been working on having flexibility. Something that is extremely difficult for her. At about 9:00 pm Christmas Eve she was still working on handmade gifts. She was determined to stay up until she was done!

She decided at 11:00 that she would go to bed and finish in the morning. YAY for flexibility entering a wee bit!! I simply knew the next morning that it would be best to not even suggest waiting until after opening gifts for her to finish.

So … our Christmas Day did not begin until about 11:00 as we waited for her to be finished …… And, we were all okay with that …. xoxoxo

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There were a few non homemade gifts too!! Thomas and I can play tennis now!! And as soon as it snows he can go sledding. Plus a calendar and a sweater he just loves.

Here’s a great gift idea for someone with sensory issues ……. a soft fuzzy sweater. He asked me if he could wear it all week. Great job Romano Duo on that gift!!! Thanks to Super Owen for the great book too!

Lillian got a box of one of her favorite cookies, a great new LEGO set, some books, and a calendar. Thanks to Super Owen for the great book.

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Gifts beyond the handmade …. I received some great books, a new sheet pan, oh so comfy socks, and since I’m not able to have a real camera right now, a few awesome accessories for what I do have!

Can’t wait to read the books! Thank you Frank for this amazing pan!!! Baked rosemary fries in it last night and they were amazing.

Thank you Olivia for these yummy socks!! And thank you Momma for the lenses. I finally got to go for a walk this morning and tested the macro. Love, love, love it!!!!

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Most Popular Blog Posts for 2016 – Camilla Downs

December 24 2016:

With deep gratitude to all who subscribe to and read the content I write and share ….

I have been working my way through stats to put together the Most Popular Blog Posts for 2016. It’s wonderful to look back and see which posts received the most views. Go here to check it out! https://camilladowns.com/…/24/10-most-popular-posts-for-2016/

Oceans of thanks to those who subscribe and receive the posts directly to their email inbox and those who migrate over from here, twitter, instagram, facebook, and pinterest. xoxoxo

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Completion and New Beginnings

December 14 2016

Here’s to completion and new beginnings!!

Today we graduated from psychotherapy sessions with Alexa at Midtown Mindfulness.

After a trip back home to Germany beginning tomorrow, Alexa will begin her new journey helping young girls affected by sex trafficking. A beautiful heart centered new beginning for her.

We are extremely grateful for the year and a half we’ve experienced sessions with Alexa. She has seen Lillian come a long way from that first visit in 2014.

Alexa always shared wonderful comments about my style of parenting and ability to stay calm and relaxed. Of course I’m not always able to sustain this, yet how would I know the joy and peace of remaining calm if I don’t experience the opposite.

Mindfulness is indeed miraculous and has been life changing for all 3 of us. Another wonderful path in our journey together!!! Cheers!!!!!

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