The Practice of Presence: A 30-Day Guided Journal to Bring the Gift of Mindfulness into Each New Day

By Monica Kate

This is Monica Kate's first book. She gathered these insights and reminders throughout the years as she raised her young children. Time at home during the pandemic gave her the nudge needed to compile them into a book, a guided journal. This journal can be used as a reset for the New Year, beginning of the month, or any day to begin a new positive habit of slowing down to notice and appreciate the moments present in our lives. Use it once or return to it many times to realign with mindfulness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669825128

Monica Kate

Monica Kate is a mindful mama of three boys and step-mother of two daughters, residing in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 15 years. She has been supporting children, families, and teachers for more than 25 years. Monica studied Social and Behavioral Sciences at Indiana University and then transitioned into Early Childhood and Elementary Education, earning her Masters degree from Portland State University. She later continued her education and interests through earning certificates in children's and adult yoga. Monica has been teaching yoga and mindfulness to children and facilitating training for parents and educators for years. She balances this important work with enjoying time spent with her family and her cunucu dogs rescued from the streets of Aruba.

Book preview

DAY 1

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It’s so important to have self-care practices securely in place. When you feel good and everything is going well, establish them as a habit. Then, more importantly, when things aren’t going well, you can rely on them since you have already made them a daily habit.

These habits don’t have to be huge things. The small everyday things that you do can really save you during a difficult time: a quiet cup of tea in the morning; some protein for breakfast; lots of water; walking; gardening or simply watering the flowers. Being mindful in doing the simple daily tasks like washing the dishes or folding the laundry will help keep your mind from filling up with worries and what-ifs when life is hard.

Occasionally it will be hard, for sure. Rough times are inevitable. Sometimes we try to avoid them by watching TV, or drinking too much, or eating food that is not healthy or beneficial - all in trying to numb our feelings. But we can do better than that.

Prepare yourself now so you can continue to care for yourself then. Yoga, meditation, massage, exercise - all are wonderful things to put in your daily routine so you can confidently count on them when life challenges you.

What simple and enjoyable self-care practices do you already do?

What can you add to your list today?

DAY 2

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The pandemic has made life much harder to handle. It’s important to remember that this pandemic time is not normal. Please don’t let us ever think that this seemingly interminable disconnection is normal or healthy. Absolutely it is necessary right now during a pandemic, but now more than ever we all need connection, and touch, and