2016: Section 9

Posted on September 1, 2016 by
2016 MotY - Section 09

2016 MotY – Section 09

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In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 9 we look at the monkey energy of social.

Toque macaques living in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka - from BBC One - Planet Earth Live

Toque macaques living in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
from BBC One – Planet Earth Live

One “Social” definition offered by Merrium-Webster defines it as “relating to or involving activities in which people spend time talking to each other or doing enjoyable things with each other.”

This month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year encourages us to be more social. Spend time talking and hanging out with people, getting to know them, expanding our human interaction experience.

While it seems safer and easier to isolate rather than “deal” with people, maybe if we allow ourselves to be present with others, we could allow ourselves to enjoy the moment and their company.

And if a situation becomes intolerable we have the option to leave knowing that we at least tried or we can stay, shifting our perspective to “observer mode” and turning it into a people-watching event.

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

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Be sure to download/color the September 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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2016: Section 8

Posted on August 1, 2016 by
2016 MotY - Section 08

2016 MotY – Section 08

Download 2016 MotY – Section 8

In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 8 we look at the monkey energy of honor.

Monkey Feast in Thailand - photo by Nudy Nutsati

Monkey Feast in Thailand – photo by Nudy Nutsati

Every year in late November the city of Lop Buri in Thailand provides an annual feast for their revered monkeys at the Monkey Temple.

From a youtube post about the feast:

The colorful buffet soon sparks a feeding frenzy for the 3000 monkeys that have lived in this town for centuries. Locals believe that they are the direct descendants of Hindu monkey god Hanuman. And while some consider them a nuisance, many more believe the macaques are a symbol of prosperity and fortune.

About Hanuman from Kashgar.com.au :

Because of his bravery, perseverance, strength and devoted service, Hanuman is regarded as a perfect symbol of selflessness and loyalty.

Simple Definition of honor

  • respect that is given to someone who is admired
  • good reputation : good quality or character as judged by other people
  • high moral standards of behavior

This section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year asks us to examine how well honor plays out in our lives, both with ourselves and with others.

  • Do we honor our bodies, our lives, the work that we do, our homes, our possessions, our families, our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers?
  • Do we wait until others honor us before we honor them?
  • Do our actions for ourselves and with others speak of honor or disrespect?

Our greatest challenge in this regard may be honoring those who totally dishonor us, especially those closest to us. From Luke173Ministries.org they offer this insight:

You can honor them by accepting them for who they are, not expecting change, and letting them live their own way in peace, but at the same time honor yourself and your own right to live in peace as well. Which means choosing NOT to be in their presence when they are abusing you.

Above all though…

“Honoring yourself is not selfish, it’s vital.”
― Elaina Marie

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

Be sure to download/color the August 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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2016: Section 7

Posted on July 1, 2016 by
2016 MotY - Section 07

2016 MotY – Section 07

Download 2016 MotY – Section 7

In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 7 we look at the monkey energy of compassion.

Monkey holding a puppy - photo by REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman

Monkey holding a puppy
source: REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman

From Greater Good:

Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.

While it’s generally easier to show compassion towards others, we tend to struggle with showing compassion for ourselves. When we go astray, make a mistake, or mess up, we usually beat ourselves up about it.

This month’s section encourages us to go easy on ourselves when we experience such “mishaps”. Remind ourselves of how we would treat others in such instances and apply that same care to ourselves.

Some basic self-compassion guidelines

  1. acknowledge what happened or is happening … it is what it is
  2. what, if anything, can be done right now to fix it
  3. what knowledge can we learned from this experience
  4. how can it be done better next time
  5. enliven our Spirit with affirmations, such as: “even though this happened, I love and accept myself just as I am” or “even though this happened, I know I’m okay” or “I allow myself to be okay with where I am and with what I am doing”

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

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Be sure to download/color the July 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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2016: Section 6

Posted on June 1, 2016 by
2016 MotY - Section 06

2016 MotY – Section 06

Download 2016 MotY – Section 6

In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 6 we look at the monkey energy of witty.

We often hear the phrase “quit monkeying around” by serious-minded people when work needs to be done and where focused attention is required. However it’s been shown that taking a break for some play and fun time actually helps us be more effective with our more serious-minded work.

This month’s section inspires us to be more playful, to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, to have some fun once in a while…giving us permission to monkey around a bit.

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

follow me on:
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Be sure to download/color the June 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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2016: Section 5

Posted on May 1, 2016 by
2016 MotY - Section 05

2016 MotY – Section 05

Download 2016 MotY – Section 5

In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 5 we look at the monkey energy of innovative.

Essentially this month’s section asks us to take a look at what’s working in our lives and more importantly, what has stopped working in our lives. If what we’re doing fails to serve us in positive, forward-moving ways, STOP DOING IT! Do something new. Change it Up!

  • if saying affirmations has become just a process of reciting the same words over an over again without any connection to them or any results, do something new…for instance: turn them into songs or a dance or a mime. Change it up!
  • if our health habits are giving us different results than the health status we want, do something new…for instance: turn calorie-counting/exercise into a contest or a game. Change it Up!
  • if our relationships have become boring, uninspiring, and/or negative, determine our part in it and do something new…for instance: plan an adventure together, or leave, or open up or go dancing. Change it Up!

Think outside the box. Turn it inside out; or upside down. Do a 180.

Do Something New…Change it Up!

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

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Be sure to download/color the May 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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2016: Section 4

Posted on April 1, 2016 by
2016 MotY - Section 04

2016 MotY – Section 04

Download 2016: Section 4

In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 4 we look at the monkey energy of expressive.

While monkeys freely express themselves, we humans tend to hold back to the point of suppressing our thoughts and emotions completely.

Juvenile Japanese Snow Monkey

Juvenile Japanese Snow Monkey Yawning

Our culture often discourages, puts down, ridicules, even at times shames anything beyond what it determines to be comfortably normal. Overly suppressing our emotions, ideas, and thoughts can eventually lead to mental, emotional, and/or physical health issues.

If we struggle with expressing ourselves in the “usual” way through conversation or interactions with others, finding a creative way to do so can help us holistically.

For renowned psychologist Carl Jung, he found that making mandalas proved to be a therapeutic way for his subconscious mind to express itself. He gained greater insight about himself through this process. Eventually he found that it helped his patients as well.

When we color mandalas, we can increase their effectiveness by setting an intention prior to coloring, to be able to express ourselves in our efforts to better understand our life’s circumstances and our inner workings, giving us a more holistic perspective.

Before coloring this month’s section, let’s set the intention to allow ourselves to express that which is in our best interest to know at this time and to do so adding author, Marc Allen‘s powerful mantra “in an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way, in its own perfect time, and for the highest good of all.”

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

follow me on:
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Be sure to download/color the April 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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2016: Section 3

Posted on March 1, 2016 by
2015 MotY: Section 1

2015 MotY: Section 1

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In honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year which began on February 8, 2016, I’m dedicating the 2016 Mandala of the Year to the Monkey. Each month we’ll explore a trait or symbol of the monkey to explore how we can incorporate it into our own lives.

For Section 3 we look at the monkey energy of dexterity.

In our current fast-paced, instant gratification world, we’ve lost our ability or appreciation for the art of practicing. We become frustrated and give up on new things if we fail to “get it” right way.  In short: “if at first we don’t succeed, we give up.”

What have we been putting off because we feel it will take too long or have some fear about it? As long as we continue with this type of thinking, we will still keep putting it off.

This month we’re being asked to consider the idea of practicing, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes a day. Regardless of what it is we want to learn, do, be, create, we’ll be amazed by how far we advance in very short order. Baby steps are better than no steps.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice. Practice. Practice.

Let’s make it so that a year from now we’ll be glad we started today.

Ponder this while coloring this month’s section of the 2016 Mandala of the Year.

Happy Coloring!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala lady

follow me on:
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Be sure to download/color the March 2016 Mandala of the Month.

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