100 Plays Later: A Mindfulness Wake-Up

Something surprising happened today…

I heard a song I’ve listened to 100+ times — and for the first time, I really listened.

It was one of my mother’s favorite songs. Not her wedding song, but one that always carried a deep emotional connection. And today, it stopped me in my tracks.

The lyrics hit me differently. They opened something up: the idea of love — romantic, yes, but also unconditional love, familial love, and even self-love.

But this post isn’t about love. It’s about deep listening — and how mindfulness has helped me access it in a whole new way.

When Stress Hits (And You Forget Why You Walked Into the Room)

Back in September 2024, I was overwhelmed. Between menopause, brain fog, and the general stress of life and business, I felt like I was losing it.

A few daily thoughts I had:

“Why did I walk into this room?”

“Where’s my phone?” (Oh, it’s in my hand.)

“Wait… what was I just saying?”

A friend suggested meditation. And out of desperation, I gave it a try.

It wasn’t magic overnight—but slowly, it began to shift things.

A New Way of Listening

That same old song I’d played a hundred times… brought me to tears. It opened new meaning. It reminded me how far I’ve come.

This is what mindfulness has taught me so far:

• Listen more deeply—to others and myself

• Speak with more kindness, especially when I’m frustrated

• Be more compassionate toward my clients

• Be less hard on myself

• Recognize that change is a practice, not a one-time event

I'm still a work in progress. But aren’t we all?

Want to Listen With Me?

🎵 Here’s the song 

🧘‍♀️ Here’s a meditation I’ve been using — Lesson 8: Equanimity & Letting Go (7-minute mark is where the real magic starts)

This exercise was originally shared by Coach Tom Stone, who spoke at an ICFNE event. If you were there, let me know in the comments!

Let's Talk Mindfulness...

Do you meditate?Do you have a practice or technique that helps you stay grounded?What helps you slow down and really listen — to your thoughts, your body, or others?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for listening.

—DQ