Mindful Webs Archives - Miranda van den Heuvel

Art teaches

Miranda2022-11-12T23:50:28+02:00September 9th, 2022|

When I create, there is always such an element of self. I can only create from within, from my feelings, my experience, my love/hate, my messages, my needs, my perceptions, my understanding, my views,... Every piece of art, every collage, every doodle, represents a little (or big) piece of me. Yet it is also not me. It is a translation. A story that needs telling. An image that needs drawing. A feeling that needs being felt. A message that needs to be heard. I always knew there was a healing el [...]

Miranda’s favorite things – June 2021

Miranda2022-04-30T19:30:59+02:00June 25th, 2021|

Remember my recent favorite podcasts post? Today's another collection of my recent favorites, but a more generic one. Enjoy How we love There is the book, and initially it was written for couples to improve their marriage and partnership. However, how we love is so much broader than just with our significant other. Each person’s childhood experiences form the roots of who they are; continuing to inform the way that person responds to others or expresses love, even far into adulthood. The r [...]

Adult crafting during lockdown

Miranda2021-03-26T09:45:47+02:00March 26th, 2021|

Since we're all spending so much time at home and you might be running out of puzzles to make, I thought I'd share a list of other (doable) crafty things you can do. If you have any to share with us, post them in the comments below. Rope bowl You have probably seen these bowls in a shop and thought they would look nice on your mantelpiece. Well, looks like they're pretty easy to make yourself. And wouldn't it be nice to be able to say to your neighbour next time he comes around: 'oh that t [...]

Miranda’s favorite things – Spring 2021

Miranda2022-06-02T16:49:33+02:00February 26th, 2021|

It's almost spring! The weather is definitely gorgeous. So it's time for another post on my recently discovered favourite things. I thought I'd keep them all to the online category considering that most of the world is currently in lockdown. Also, if you have any tips that may fall into this category, I'd be happy if you could share them with me via email or in the comments below! Let's share our favorites! More Love Letters WRITE Write letters to people in need. Each month this website po [...]

Miranda’s favorite podcasts – January 2021

Miranda2022-06-01T13:29:34+02:00January 22nd, 2021|

My last favorite podcasts post dates back to 2018. So I thought it's time to share some new recent favorites with you. They are ideal for when you have a some time to spare, while driving to work, while waiting at the doctors or the bus stop. They are a great learning opportunity, can teach you about new things, can help you understand certain topics, give you tips and tricks or simply tell a wonderful short story. Also, if you have any podcasts to share, please do so in the comments below! I [...]

How to be mindful

Miranda2022-06-03T12:55:47+02:00July 17th, 2020|

What is mindfulness? The most widely used definition comes from Jon Kabat-Zinn, the microbiologist-turned meditation teacher who designed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the eight-week mindfulness course, which is favoured by scientists who are interested in studying the effects of meditation. Kabat-Zinn has defined mindfulness meditation as “the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally”. By focusing on the breath, the idea i [...]

Rewilding yourself

Miranda2022-06-01T11:00:52+02:00July 10th, 2020|

This year's pandemic obliged almost the entire world to retreat into their homes for several months. Some people, especially in the city, did not have a choice but stay within their 4 walls. Some however, seem to have rediscovered the forests and fields around where they live. When there is nothing else to explore and you are reduced to a few kilometres from home, what you thought you knew, suddenly starts to look different. I used to run at lunchtime at work and sometimes on weekends at home. [...]

Summer 2020 – original vacation ideas

Miranda2020-07-03T09:39:47+02:00July 3rd, 2020|

Due to the pandemic situation, we, like many others, had to rethink our holiday plans. We are no longer going to Florida, but have now booked a house with a pool in the Provence. It feels right, safe and doable in these crazy times. Staying closer to home, driving distance seems to be more important now. So I thought I'd provide you with a few original ideas on where to spend your summer this year, should you still be looking... LUXEMBOURG Trail-inn The Trail Inn hotel is in my vill [...]

Miranda’s favorite things – May 2020

Miranda2022-06-02T16:50:30+02:00May 1st, 2020|

I know we've only just had a favorite things post. But one can never have enough favorite things to share, right? AIRBNB's online experiences Airbnb is known as a travel platform that let's you stay in unique places. They already had a sidekick called 'Experiences' where you could book wine tastings or art making sessions with a local. Now that people are no longer able to travel, they have started offering those experiences as online sessions. Cooking pasta with granny, learning tango or [...]

11 awesome videos on the importance of creativity

Miranda2022-06-01T11:07:40+02:00April 24th, 2020|

Ken Robinson on how schools kill creativity: Tim Brown (Ideo) on Creativity and Play Ji Lee: The Transformative Power of Personal Projects How to add some fun to the things you need people to do John Cleese - Creativity in Management Don Norman on how happiness triggers creativity Stuart Brown: Why play is vital -- no matter your age Meet Jen Stark, a young artist who has found a way (by 'accident' or 'chance') to turn cheap paper into art. Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity Daniel Pin [...]