I am super excited about leading mindful moments during the Wonder Women Tech DC Global Summit on May 1st. Join me! Register today.
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Guess who joined the NTEN Board in March? Moi! Woo Hoo!
March was a positive, powerful, and productive month. One of the most positive and powerful moments occurred when I joined the Nonprofit Technology Network’s Board of Directors during the annual conference in Portland, Oregon. I am super excited to serve along side a fantastic group of folks including my fellow new Board members Jude Parker Koski and Meico Marquette Whitlock.
Shout out to the current NTEN Board members who welcomed us with open arms, herbal tea, and healthy food and snacks: Amy Sample Ward, Jason Shim, Rob Wu, Jereme Bivins, Vailey Oehlke, Nam-ho Park, John Zoltner, Ken Montenegro, Farra Trompeter, Gayle Samuelson Carpentier, Debra Socia, and Beth Kanter.
Ananda Leeke Discusses Mindful Communication at NTEN Conference (#19NTC) in March
Here’s what I said when I received the invitation to speak about mindful communication during the Activating a Culture of Resilience and Sustainable Impact session at the Nonprofit Technology Network‘s (NTEN) 2019 Conference: YESSSSSSSSSSSSS (in my best impression of Cookie Lyon of the Fox musical drama Empire). WHY?
Three reasons.
Reason #1 – My amazing and brilliant co-presenters Beth Kanter of the Happy Healthy Nonprofit, Carrie Rice of Carrie Rice Consulting, and Meico Whitlock of Mindful Techie.
Reason #2 – The awesome NTEN attendees! What a dynamic groovy group of diverse and creative people who are so generous with their knowledge, kindness, and coolness! Special thanks to everyone who attended the Activating a Culture of Resilience and Sustainable Impact session. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and discussing mindful communication.
Reason #3 – The super fabulousness of NTEN’s conferences, food, vendors, and fun locations. Portland rocks! I was fortunate to experience the 2016 and 2018 conferences. I am looking forward to the 2020 conference in Baltimore.
Check out the podcast resources and takeaways from my mindful communication presentation below.
THRIVING MINDFULLY PODCAST RESOURCES
- Episode: What is mindfulness? (guided meditation included)
- Episode: What is meditation? (guided meditation included)
- Episode: Mindful Relationships and Communication in the Workplace (guided meditation, and journaling exercises included)
- Episode: Loving Kindness Meditation for You & Your Colleagues at Work
- Episode: Be Mindful at Work
TAKEAWAYS
Mindful Communication is intentional, being present, actively listening, practicing compassion and nonjudgement, and using honest speech from the heart.
COMMUNICATION in the workplace can be a M.E.S.S. because it offers us an opportunity to:
- Practice MINDFULNESS with ourselves first and
- EXPRESS mindfulness in ways that
- SUPPORT our team and
- SERVE the mission of our organization.
Mindful Communication happens when:
- People pay attention to each other with direct eye contact, without any distractions (like using smartphones & computers).
- People actively listen to each other by giving one’s full attention to the speaker with kindness, compassion, and nonjudgment without reacting, thinking of ways to respond, and speaking while the speaker is talking.
- People speak honestly, concisely, and from the heart.
Benefits of Mindful Communication
- Reduces stress, anxiety & burnout
- Resolves conflict
- Strengthens team relationships
- Increases staff confidence, performance & productivity
Tips for Mindful Communication with Teams
- MINDFUL INTENTION: Spend 1-3 minutes in the morning setting an intention for how you want to show up and communicate with your team.
- MINDFUL BREAKS: Take mindful breaks during your day to slow down, be still, breathe deeply (3-5X), check-in, and re-center yourself.
- MINDFUL PAUSE: Practice the mindful pause (10-30 second or more pause) before speaking and writing.
- MINDFUL JOURNALING: Take some deep breaths before journaling for 3 minutes or more about what you want to communicate. Don’t censure yourself. Breathe deeply as you read what you wrote. Decide if it makes sense.
Tips for Promoting Compassionate Dialogue and Navigating Conflict
- Start meetings with a mindful moment that allows the team to breathe deeply and sit still for 1-3 minutes.
- Use active listening and honest and concise speech from the heart during meetings.
- Encourage your team to have walking meetings with 1-2 others when appropriate.
Thriving Mindfully Show Launches on Eaton Radio on March 16th at 12 Noon EST (Facebook Live)
On March 16th, my Thriving Mindfully Show launches on Eaton Radio with a discussion on Warrior Women Who Practice Mindfulness at 12 noon ET. The three amazing guests are Iris Rivera, Shamanic Practitioner, Life Coach, and Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, and founder of Intentional Healing; Satyani McPherson, Mindfulness Trainer and founder of Kozmique Light Meditations; and Emily Rasowsky, yoga teacher and founder of The Release. Watch the show from 12 noon to 1 p.m. ET on Eaton Workshop’s Facebook Live.
Explore Mindfulness with Ananda in November & December (register for classes & workshops)
Check out my November and December classes and workshops below. Share them with your family and friends.
- Meditate with me and the #ThrivingMindfully Meetup Group at the Mindful Monday Meditation on November 12, 19, 26 & December 3 & 10 from 6:15-7:30PM at Qi Kratom CBD Tea, 1517 U Street, NW, Washington, DC (Free; will not meet on December 17, 24 or 31; will resume meeting in early January 2018)
- Thriving Mindfully Online Workshop: Be Mindful at Work (via Zoom) on Tuesday, November 13 from 8-9:30PM ET (Note the time zone; $25) – Register online.
- Thriving Mindfully Online Workshop: Open Your Heart to Mindful Creativity (via Zoom) on Thursday, November 15 from 8-9:30PM ET (Note the time zone; $25) – Register online.
- Thriving Mindfully Online Workshop: Transform Your Failures with Mindfulness (via Zoom) on Sunday, November 25 from 7-8:30PM ET (Note the time zone; $25) – Register online.
Stay tuned for news about a special online event I am co-hosting and my mindfulness workshops (online and in DC) in December!
Ananda Leeke’s September Meditation Classes & Mindfulness Workshops
Get ready for the autumn season with my meditation classes and mindful movement and creativity workshops in September. See the dates, descriptions, and links below.
And remember to share my offerings with your family, friends, colleagues, and online network. Invite them to come with you. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
The #MindfulMonday Meditation is offered every Monday (except Labor Day and the last two Mondays in December). During the class, you will practice mindfulness meditation and learn mindful at work practices on September 10th, 17th, and 24th from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Bring a family member, friend or colleague!
Click here for more information about the #ThrivingMindfully Meetup Group and classes. Don’t worry if you are not a member of the #ThrivingMindfully Meetup Group. You can still attend the class. Drop by and meditate with us!
Register on Eventbrite for Wellness Wednesday Meditation on September 12th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Femme Fatale DC, 4620 Wisconsin Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. Bring a friend, family member or colleague!
I am super excited about leading the Mindful Movement Workshop in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Unity World Day of Prayer at my church, Unity of Washington, DC on September 13th from 4-5 p.m. at 1225 R Street, NW in DC. Visit Unity’s website for more information.
When’s the last time you allowed yourself the space to dream, imagine, and create? Come explore how to open your heart to your own creativity through the power of mindfulness at the Open Your Heart to Mindful Creativity Workshop on September 16th from 1-3 p.m. at Femme Fatale DC, 4620 Wisconsin Avenue, NW in Washington, DC.
During the workshop, I will help you explore your inner archetypes (or personalities) and the role they play in your creativity through deep breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, and discussion. The takeaways include ways to tap into your intuition, imagination, and nurturing energy as growth opportunities during the autumn season.
Register on Eventbrite. Bring a family member, friend, or colleague!
Join Ananda Leeke for a Conversation on Meditation on WHUR FM on May 17 @7PM ET
Meditation is the practice of resting your mind and focusing your awareness on what’s happening inside of yourself – what’s happening in your spirit, heart, mind, and body. In meditation, you can use your breath to help focus your attention and cultivate stillness by observing and coming back to it when your mind is distracted by thoughts.
Meditation can help you become friends with your mind when you offer yourself compassion and nonjudgment. It can also help you increase your self-awareness, relax, improve concentration, reduce stress, strengthen your emotional and physical well-being, and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Join me on May 17th at 7 p.m. ET on WHUR 96.3 FM for a conversation about meditation on The Daily Drum with Harold Fisher, my Morgan State University classmate, and Sherrell Moore-Tucker of Faith & Flow Yoga. You can listen online here.
UPDATE: LISTEN TO SHOW’S AUDIO RECORDING.
Check out the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge, events, and books below.
If you want to create more mindful moments in your life, join the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge. It is a self-directed challenge. That means you do it at your own pace. Here’s how the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge works. There at 31 #ThrivingMindfully podcast episodes that include guided meditations, breathing exercises, short talks, tips, and resources. They are divided into three sections: mindful living, creativity, and technology. Follow the steps below to access the podcasts. You can follow them in numerical order or pick and choose the ones that resonate the most with you. Use what works and leave the rest behind. Read my blog for more details and links to the challenge. Enjoy your #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day journey!
EVENTS
Join me for “Breathe & Meditate,” a free Facebook Live series, on May 20th and 27th from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. EST: http://www.facebook.com/anandaleeke64. Each morning I will guide you through three short meditations and offer tips on how to create mindful living moments in your daily life.
If you live or visit the DC area in May, consider joining me for two #ThrivingMindfully Meetup Group meditation events on May 19 and May 21. Go here for more details.
BOOKS
Looking for mindfulness-inspired books to read? Click here to learn about and buy my three books on Amazon: yoga-inspired novel Love’s Troubadours, mindful creativity memoir That Which Awakens Me, and mindful technology memoir Digital Sisterhood.
National Meditation Month – #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge: Part 1 – Mindful Living Podcasts Day #1-Day #15
There’s still time for you to join the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge during National Meditation Month. Here’s how the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge works. There are 31 #ThrivingMindfully podcast episodes that include guided meditations, breathing exercises, short talks, tips, and resources about mindful living, creativity, and technology.
- Step 1: Each day go to the #ThrivingMindfully Soundcloud page and click on the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge playlist.
- Step 2: Select the podcast episode for Day #1, #2, #3 etc. and listen to it. You can also choose to listen to a podcast that resonates with you. Make the challenge your own. Take what you need and leave the rest behind.
- Step 3: Practice the breathing, meditation, and reflections exercise(s) throughout your day and/or week.
- Step 4: Join the A Mindful Cup of Tea Facebook Group and share your experiences with others.
Part 1 (Day #1-#15 podcasts) focuses on breathing in the present moment to experience mindful living. See the podcast topics and links below. Happy Listening!
Day #1: Breathe in the present moment
Day #2: Choose your experience in the present moment
Day #4: Explore the power of your force – intuition through mindful breathing exercises
Day #5: Trust your intuition when you breathe deeply and come into the present moment
Day #7: Thank your intuition for providing guidance when you breathe deeply and come into the present moment
Day #8: Expect goodness, grace, and growth when you breathe deeply and come into the present moment
Day #9: Create a mindful living intention
Day #10: Make your mindful living intention come alive with action
Day #11: Mindfulness and health
Day #12: Mindfulness and relationships
Day #13: Mindfulness and finances
Day #14: Mindfulness and personal style
Day #15: Mindfulness and home
My online offerings and events are offered as a gift. If they have blessed you, I invite you to show gratitude by supporting my work with a donation on PayPal or with the Cash app: http://www.paypal.me/anandaleeke or http://cash.me/$AnandaLeeke. Thank you for your generosity. It is deeply appreciated!
Mindful Technology: Listen to Ananda Leeke’s Interview on Technology for Mindfulness Podcast
Check out my Technology for Mindfulness podcast interview (53.55 minutes) about my mindfulness journey for the past 25 years, mindful technology, and how the power of one’s breath and the practice of mindfulness can help outsmart stress with Robert Plotkin, founder of Technology for Mindfulness, engineer, and long-time mindfulness practitioner.
During the interview, I share tips on how to cope with stress in the workplace based on self-care lessons I learned from my early career in finance and best practices from my work with clients as a mindfulness yoga teacher and reiki practitioner. I also share how I used mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and journaling to overcome stress caused by failing the bar exam eight times as a young lawyer. You can also listen to the podcast interview on YouTube.
Celebrate National Meditation Month & Join #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge (May 1-31)
Need more mindfulness in your life?
Join the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge to incorporate more mindful living, creativity, and technology moments in your life. It starts May 1st and is self-directed. That means you do it at your own pace.
Here’s how the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge works. There are 31 #ThrivingMindfully podcast episodes that include guided meditations, breathing exercises, short talks, tips, and resources. They are divided into three sections: mindful living, creativity, and technology. Follow the steps below to access the podcasts.
Step 1: Each day go to the #ThrivingMindfully Soundcloud page and click on the #ThrivingMindfully 31-Day Challenge playlist.
- Mindful Living: Listen to episodes 1-15, 29
- Mindful Creativity: Listen to episodes 16-21, 30
- Mindful Technology: Listen to episodes 22-28, 31
Step 2: Select the podcast episode for Day #1, #2, #3 etc. and listen to it. You can also choose to listen to a podcast that resonates with you. Make the challenge your own. Take what you need and leave the rest behind.
Step 3: Practice the breathing, meditation, and reflections exercise(s) throughout your day and/or week.
Step 4: Join the A Mindful Cup of Tea Facebook Group and share your experiences with others.
Join me for “Breathe & Meditate,” a free Facebook Live series, on May 1st, 13th, 20th, and 27th from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. EST: www.facebook.com/anandaleeke64. Each morning I will guide you through three short meditations and offer tips on how to create mindful living moments in your daily life.
If you live or visit the DC area in May, consider joining me for two #ThrivingMindfully Meetup Group events on May 19 and May 21. Go here for more details.
Looking for mindfulness-inspired books to read? Check out my three books on Amazon: yoga-inspired novel Love’s Troubadours, mindful creativity memoir That Which Awakens Me, and mindful technology memoir Digital Sisterhood.
My online offerings and events are offered as a gift. If they have blessed you, I invite you to show gratitude by supporting my work with a donation on PayPal or with the Cash app: http://www.paypal.me/anandaleeke or http://cash.me/$AnandaLeeke. Thank you for your generosity. It is deeply appreciated!
Ananda Leeke 