This article is #5 in a series about what I learned/relearned from a week in beautiful Holden Village in July 2024. Read the others here.
I love serendipity. One morning at Holden as I listened to an excellent lecture about refugees by Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, I kept thinking of Woody Guthrie's beautiful “Deportee” sung by Joan Baez. The song is about the Los Gatos airplane crash in 1948 and the racist treatment of the Mexican passengers who died. I couldn’t get it out of my head.
The next morning I put on my Spotify Favorites list on shuffle. Out of 469 hours and 47 minutes of music, the second song was “Deportee” by Dolly Parton. Doodling journaling* about this beautiful serendipity reminded me I have the power to manifest my dreams.
Each day at Holden, I doodle journaled during workshops or on my daily sojourn to my favorite place on the bridge for contemplative time.
Contemplation doesn’t have to be sit-still, close-your-eyes meditation. You can contemplate while you walk in the woods, prayer, journal, do Soul Collage, draw, or do other activities that help you contemplate your life and other things that matter.
Here’s why I’m committed to integrating contemplative practice into my regular schedule:
Personal growth
Taking time to consider where I’m headed in my life always inspires me and gives me a boost in confidence. Quiet time makes me more creative and aware of my strengths and areas for improvement.
Professional performance
Reflective practice is not just for personal growth; it can also enhance your professional performance.
A Harvard Business School study found that employees who engaged in 15-minute daily reflection performed 23% higher job satisfaction and confidence in their abilities.
Emotional well-being
Daily reflection can be a simple way to manage stress and anxiety.
A study in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who practice daily gratitude reflections are significantly happier and less depressed.
A contemplative practice can help you shift your thinking from the negatives to the positives in your life and help you feel more content and resilient, even on the toughest days.
Incorporating daily contemplative practice into your routine is a pathway to personal growth, professional development, and emotional well-being. The benefits of reflection are profound.
I find it easier to prioritize journaling when I’m at Holden. It’s more of a challenge coming back home to work at my dining room table, with all the distractions of my family. Now my contemplative time often happens on my forest walks, but I miss my daily doodle journaling and want to get back to it.
Because I know that taking time to reflect is not just a good habit—it’s an essential practice for a fulfilling life.
*The week before I went to Holden, I took a wonderful doodling class with art teacher Pam Consear. I’ve always been crafty with nice handwriting, but I’ve never felt particularly talented at drawing. Doodle journaling was a perfect outlet! More of my doodles are at the bottom of this post.
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