1. The Voice of Knowledge: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace

Created by Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills, this audiobook encourages listeners to adopt a single truth that is the pathway to reducing our daily suffering. We must look deep inside ourselves and recognize that we believe the lies, mostly about ourselves, and we must stop thinking them. This groundbreaking work culls from ancient Toltec wisdom and blends that with ordinary common sense. “We are born in truth, but we grow up believing in lies. One of the biggest lies in the story of humanity is the lie of our imperfection,” Ruiz says.

2. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

This cleverly titled work by Jon Kabat-Zinn blends Eastern and Western meditation practices for Americans. Published in 1994, this classic mindful meditation work has resurfaced to influence another generation with an audio version. Yes, our culture reads less and listens to more online resources. The work provides pragmatic information about basic breathing techniques, enhancing your focus, and allowing stress to wash through your mind and body rather than consume you. The title is also loosely quoted by Peter Weller in the off-beat movie, "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension."

3. The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance 

This 2015 publication turned audiobook may be the perfect mindfulness selection for the workout warrior. In this audiobook, created by George Mumford, top athletes such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and others pay homage to his philosophy. The audiobook shares personal stories and techniques that were used to help elevate athletes into champions. It’s pure inspiration.  

4. Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection

Created by Sharon Salzberg in 2017, this audiobook connects with the many people who harbor feelings that they are not worthy of being loved. The narrative helps shift the mind away from negatives and develop a deepening love for yourself. That can be parlayed into a more fruitful connection with intimate partners and loved ones. Salzberg is widely considered an expert in lovingkindness meditation. This form of meditation focuses on purging seemingly negative habits and thoughts. "Real Love" is like a toolbox for fixing our less than mindfully loving habits.

We hope our Belden-Stratford residents find these audiobooks useful. If you or a friend would like more information about our Chicago apartments, call us today.

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Throw a Decade-Themed Event

Give your guests a reason to get dressed up in their favorite throwback costume by having a party aimed at a specific decade. Here are some ideas on the type of party you could throw.

Decade-Themed Ideas

• A 20s party with jazz playing
• A 50s party complete with poodle skirts and leather jackets
• A 70s party featuring bell bottoms and lots of crazy prints
• A 90s theme complete with grunge clothing and those fun ski hats

Choose any period that gives your guests the chance to be creative. Make it more authentic by serving foods that also suit the era.

Put Charity at the Center

You can have a good time while still giving back to the local community. Find a local charity in need and ask your guests to bring items to donate. That could be anything from old clothing to items like deodorant that charities have a hard time getting themselves.

It is an excellent way to keep others in mind while enjoying the company of your favorite people. That doesn’t mean you should cut back on having some good tunes playing to get everyone dancing! Cap things off by announcing a final tally of everything collected and thanking your guests for their generosity.

Have a Mid-Summer Christmas Party

Sometimes Christmas can seem too far away with the sun shining so brightly. Who says you must wait until December to start enjoying eggnog and gingerbread? Put up some Christmas decorations and ask people over to enjoy your mid-summer Christmas festivities.

Have Santa hats at the ready along with plenty of candy canes to give out. Take things up a notch by having a White Elephant event, where guests can spread around (or get rid of!) Christmas gifts or other items from years past. Adding a little mistletoe at strategic points can also make things fun!

Let us know how the party went or contact us for any other needs you have by calling The Belden Stratford at (866) 452-6177.

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