Thursday, November 30, 2006
Joy?
I have been taking care of details, spirit stuff, yoga stuff, variety show stuff, decorating stuff, party stuff, shopping
stuff, and it occured to me that December is really going to be just one big party.
Is there such a thing as too much joy? Hope not.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Bed and Breakfast?
The last couple of months (after the play) I have been getting on with my life. Not that I wasn't living before,
quite on the contrary, but I kept revisiting the same issues with the same results. Who was it that said, "the real
definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and then expecting different results"? I realized there
were things I was attracting just by wondering why I kept attracting them. There was a multitude of ugliness that I
was creating with my subconscious need to recreate my childhood victim-ness. Wait a minute, that's probably TMI.
So in moving on, I had to first start figuring out what I really wanted to move towards. Always a good place to
start. Much more powerful than moving away from what you don't want. Spin it positive.
I have known that I have a gift. The yoga truly just comes through me. It has nothing to do with me really,
I am just lucky enough to be blessed with it. Now, don't get me wrong, I have studied and studied and studied all sorts
of wonderful things that guide me in my teaching and I do understand that really helps my confidence and my 'this world' guidance
but the bottom line is that the ability to get up in front of a group of people and 'feel' what they need and then give it
to them is a gift from God. No question.
I have a deep need to serve others. It used to be a selfish, "people will like me if I give them what they want",
but it has evolved into need to create happiness and healing with no thought other than to bring joy.
Ahhh, Flowering......"The Queen of Rainbows is like a fantastic plant that has reached the apex of its flowering and its colors.
The sleeves of her garment contain an abundance of seeds, and as the wind blows the seeds will be scattered to take root where
they may. She is not concerned whether they land on the soil or on the rocks - she is just spreading them everywhere in sheer
celebration of life and love. Flowers fall on her from above, in harmony with her own flowering, and the waters of emotion
swirl playfully beneath the flower on which she sits.
Your life should reach to others. Your blissfulness, your benediction, your ecstasy should not be contained within you
like a seed. It should open like a flower and spread its fragrance to all and sundry - not only to the friends but to the
strangers too.
This is real compassion, this is real love: sharing your enlightenment, sharing your dance of the beyond."
www.osho.com
I had this as a poster on my bedroom wall for the longest time. It speaks to me--tossing my seeds, not concerned
with where they land.....
Barry and I are talking about buying a bed and breakfast/healing center. He discovered this weekend that there
may be a different path for us. We are starting to research it, kinda narrowing it down to where and how and what and
possibilities. I know down in my bones that it is the right path for me. Or at least some variation of it.
I feel as if I am meant to create a sanctuary for healing, a place for people to let down their every day selves and be held
in warmth and comfort. Mmmm, yoga and energy healing and warm tea and fire....I can see it all. Stay tuned.....
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Tee Hee
So a month or so ago, I made a vision board. I put magazine cut outs of the things I am visualizing for my future--a
yoga studio, a bed and breakfast with a beautiful garden, health, bringing others happiness, trees, etc. I put it on the wall
next to the bed and every morning when I wake up I roll over and smile at it (still being a bit skeptical about the whole
law of attraction)
Yesterday was the Restorative Yoga Day. It was lovely. I have never felt so 'in my element'. I was
joyous and wanting to give and peaceful and calm all day. When people came in to register, we had angel cards at
the table where they could pick one to give them a word to focus on for their day. During the first yoga session,
I had everyone move their mats to the wall so they could do 'legs up the wall' for relaxation. Someone had left their
angel card on their mat and it turned rightside up and stayed at my feet for the rest of the day. STRENGTH was
the word on the card. I occasionally glanced down and noticed it throughout the day, not really thinking anything of
it (as I mentioned, I was totally in my element, no thoughts, just everything coming through me, I was just a conduit
for healing)
Last night, as I was exhaustedly turning in to bed, completely content and happy, I rolled toward the wall and saw this:
(I can't get the picture to upload, will add it later. It's a picture of my vision board. Right across the
middle in big bold letters is the word STRENGTH)
The universe is so funny. The 'law of attraction': you will attract those feelings you visualize, that you
bring to your focus. I have been visualizing peace, how my yoga makes me feel, how teaching and serving others feels.
There's a quote from one of the scientists in "What the Bleep?" where he says he starts each day setting his intention.
I don't remember the whole thing but it ends with a prayer to God to let him know that he is on the right path and if he is,
that God should give him a sign so he will know without a doubt that he is doing the right thing. I always thought
that was a bit presumptous of him to demand that God give him a sign and figured he must get disappointed a lot.
I thank God for letting me know without a doubt that I am doing the right thing. And that I am on the right
path. And I didn't even really need the sign. But I am oh so grateful to have it!
Namaste'
Friday, November 24, 2006
Tomorrow
I'm so excited!
And I just can't hide it!
I think it's gonna be wonderful......
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thank the Indians for the Fact that You Survived
Day!!!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thanksgiving
I was searching for something interesting to say about Thanksgiving and found the most pathetic stories of how we abused
the Indians and then gave thanks for our prosperity and act like it's our God given right.
Ugh. Dreadful.
And then we have the nerve to cheapen it further by calling it Turkey Day. What the heck are we worshipping really?
Sorry. Gonna walk it off. Did you know that my maternal grandfather was full blooded Cherokee? humpf.
Turkey Day my butt. Should call it Thank the Indians for the Fact You Survived Day.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Water
In the movie "What the Bleep?" there is a part where the main character learns about the power of suggestion
on water. It is based on Dr. Masaru Emoto's scientific studies where he taped words onto water sources and magnified
the results to see if there were any changes. The results are amazing, here is a link to his web site and the water
crystal of the month.
http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/ephoto.html It is astonishing the power that words have on water, one of the best lines in the movie is "If words can
do that to water, imagine what they can do to us".
I personally tend toward skepticism whenever it comes to woo woo stuff, which is actually quite interesting
considering my profession but I really have to experience things myself to believe them. So the whole idea
that you can change the chemistry of water and yourself with words is a bit far fetched in my opinion. But I decided
to try and keep an open mind and do a bit of experimenting on my own. It was actually quite spontaneous.
I was washing my face the other day, just like every morning, and suddenly I started speaking to the water.
I know? How weird.... Not like a conversation but just a word or two that came to mind as I was splashing the water
onto my face. Words like healing....love....energy. Just whatever came to mind. Silly right? I completely
forgot about it until the next morning when it just started naturally happening again. Compassion....peace.....wisdom.
Okay. Call it the power of suggestion (duh) but I feel so much better, so much happier, sort of clearer.
More upbeat. Even with all the hoopla going on in my world right now. (trust me, you don't want to know)
Is it possible that this stuff is true? Or is it just the thought that it may be true? Or is that the point?
Try it. Let me know how it works for you.
What's the worst that could happen? People might think you are nuts? Ha ha, I guess it's too
late for me, huh?
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Bring It!
Anyone who knows my family knows that we are totally strange about the weather. My husband is a total weather geek,
will go on and on about what's gonna happen, what happened in 1908 in Europe, you get the picture. A simple "what's
the weather gonna be like tomorrow?" will provide you with an hour of head lolling "uh huhs" trying to be polite. But
he's cute and it is free entertainment so we ask him regularly just to amuse ourselves.
If they ever predict a big storm (and well really, aren't they always predicting the 'big one'?) you can find us
all out on the porch watching the skies waiting for the "real wrath of God-type stuff" as Barry puts it. When the storm
starts we all are yelling, "BRING IT!!" waiting for the big one that the weather forecasters have been predicting with
their wild eyed dire threats for years.
Of course, with that kind of build up it would take a real act of God, total devastation, trees falling, cows flying
by, to really live up to our wild imagination of what a REAL storm would be like. And we would probably then be screaming,
"JUST KIDDING!!! Don't you know a joke when you hear one? A ha ha ha?"
There's always a moment in the storm when the lightening gets just a little too close for comfort and I always think
that the idea that you should be careful what you wish for is good advice.
Today. Not so much. Sigh. Guess we'll have to wait for the first 10 foot snow storm. Bring it!!!!
Sha-right.....
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Hurry Up and Wait
One of the most radical concepts to accept is the idea that a minute or two really isn't going to make a difference when
you are late or in a rush. Sometimes we get sooo frantic that we think we can't waste a second, we must go, go, go,
now, now, now! I see this a lot in my yoga classes. People screeching into the parking space, prodding and
pushing their children into the daycare, running into the classroom, throwing down their mats and laying down panting
like "OKAY NOW IT'S TIME TO RELAX!!!!!" It always makes me chuckle. Poor things, I just wonder if the amount of
time saved is really worth the amount of time it will take them to chill back down again. Seems like an even exchange
to me.
It's the same with traffic. We've all seen those frantic white knuckled drivers (and I'm sure we've all been them
too) weaving in and out of traffic, cutting people off, riding too closely to the car ahead only to end up at the same spotlight.
Depending on which side of the driver day you're having, you are either gleeful that 'they' didn't get anywhere or rationalizing
that at least I'm ahead of YOU.
My daughter and I have a private joke as we are driving that the world has just become a mess of screaming, frantic,
waving arms in the air roller coaster drivers. Watch them sometimes. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
It is really hard when you are in a hurry to stop and realize that one minute will not make a difference. I used
to say to my husband (who is quite an aggressive driver) "Better late than dead" Not that it has any impact on
his driving but I thought it quite clever. The point is what difference does it make if you are 5 minutes late or 6
minutes? Late is late. If you are really that worried about it, use the anxiety to make the changes you need
to not be late in the first place.
Or don't worry about it. Or figure out why you are late. For most people it's habitual. You'll notice
it's always the same people who are always late. This is not coincidental. I'm sure there are whole books devoted
to this in pysch 101. <puts on Dr. Freud glasses> "so, do you enjoy controlling the
situations you create? were your parents early everywhere? or do you just thrive on anxiety?"
Waves hands over head screaming, "AHHHHHHHH!" Tee hee! Next time you drive, look around--it's really quite
entertaining. As long as you steer clear and take your time. Be pass-ive , let "them" go by.
I'm sure it's much more important to "them" to be first.
Remember Jesus said, "But many people who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first.' Matthew 19:30
And don't worry about being late to yoga, take your time....we all end up in the same place anyway. Hmmmmm.
Namaste'
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Strange Phenomenon
So this morning I wake up, come downstairs, drink my coffee and notice that it's going to be another gorgeous day.
And I think, "hmmm, what will I do with this day?"
And like a bolt out of the blue it hits me. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I SAID THAT? ON A SATURDAY? Like
OMG, I can't remember having a Saturday that wasn't scheduled to the umpf degree.
Like, I have nothing to do today. And tonight. And instantly the guilt sets in. And then a vague teenage
remnant of unpopularity--how could I NOT have plans?
And then I remember.....This is what I have been working toward. Ahhhh, thank you universe! I got what I
visualized.
Now. What do I do with it?
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Trees Part two
So, in the Fall the place to be is my backyard. I have the most beautiful red maple that just lights up the entire
space. It's another one of those trees, like my cherry tree in the spring, that commands the attention and has provided
countless hours of support for children hanging upside down, been the backdrop for many pictures and has held any number of
bird feeders and whirl a gigs and never complained a bit.
It's right outside my bathroom window so every morning and night I just watch it, waiting for the change and marveling
at the color. This morning I was brushing my teeth and I had this random thought that maybe the tree was symbolic of
our relationship to God. Or maybe how God sees us. We may think that we are the tree but really truly, we are
the leaves. And each one of us is very important to the tree. We each have a job to do, birth, life, thrive, change
and ultimately let go and fly away to allow the new crop to form, leaving our legacy to support the growth of the future.
And maybe some leaves go too early and some are taken too quick and some refuse to let go. Some are bigger and
some are smaller but each one is it's own creation. I bet each leaf sometimes thinks they are the most important in
the bunch and some may think it doesn't matter whether they are there or not but I'm sure there's a reason for each one to
be there. Exactly that many, no more, no less.
Who's to say that any of these leaves are more or less important than the others?
You could learn a lot about life from watching a tree.
Don't tell anyone, but it's my private belief that the real reason for animals, plants and trees are to help us
learn about ourselves. And maybe vice versa. See, the Genesis thing? Metaphor. Symbolic. Very,
very powerful. Like yoga poses. Hmmmm.
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Thanksgiving Altar
This is my Thanksgiving Altar. And no, I am not a witch. (most days) Everyday I sit on a little stool
and light a candle and think about what I am thankful for. There's a beautiful window just overhead and I can see the
birds and the sky and I remember what's really important. There's a little dish with paper to write what I am thankful
for or the red book is my gratitude journal and I can write in more detail. Sometimes I pick a Zen card if I am looking
for direction, most days I figure out what "color" needs some work and I'll light a corresponding candle. Red for roots,
Orange for change, Yellow for wisdom, Green for heart, Blue for communication, Indigo for intuition and Purple for connecting
with God. Chakras for my non-yogi readers.
I love my little altar. C & R sometimes sit at it and light their candle and write what they are thankful for
too. That makes me really happy. I think it's important to remember that although it sometimes seems easier to
dwell on all the badness (especially during elections) it doesn't really serve your spirit. It's kinda like eating
cheese fries. It feels good initially but when you step away from the table it's not so pretty. That's why an
altar is a good thing. When you step away from it, you feel peaceful and joyful.
I highly recommend it. Helps with that 'inner peace' thing.....
These are some of the most common symptoms
of 'inner peace'... if you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms.... you're doing something right!
- A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears
based on past experiences.
- An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
- A loss of interest in judging other people.
- A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
- A loss of interest in conflict.
- A loss of the ability to worry.
- Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
- Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
- Frequent attacks of smiling.
- An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as
well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
Peace Pilgrim, 1908-1981
Sunday, November 5, 2006
Errgh.
Wrote a whole blog about my evening and lost the whole thing.
Maybe the stories are not meant to be told.
I'll give you a pictorial highlight:
Friday, November 3, 2006
The Way
Listen closely and you can hear them...
the great spirits of every tribe
the ones who were here before
us
Listen to what they are saying
There is one who calls himself Gandhi
and another who calls himself
King
They know that the way is not easy
There is a woman named Teresa
and many who are simply known
as
Grandmothers and Grandfathers
and all of them whisper into our ear...
'Don't give up' they tell
us...
'Don't become cynical...'
'Take one more step...'
'There is a reason...'
(May
this day bring you joy! ;-)
Ron Atchison
The Mayor of Inspiration Peak
http://www.inspirationpeak.comRamtha says "The only bad days I ever have are ones where I allow myself to feel sorry for myself" What do you
do when you went to bed angry and you wake up noticing the gorgeous colors of the trees outside your bathroom window and you
come downstairs determined to have a great day, get back on your track but you can't even find a place to sit because of other
people's
messes left behind, so you reach to pick up a pillow that's been thrown onto the floor and your hand goes into something
cold and gooey and you realize it's dog doo doo and you scream and fling it but you only have to then find it so you can clean
it up but first you have to get it out from underneath your fingernails which is about the most disgusting thing you can imagine?
Hmmm. What would you do?
In Conversations With God, God says, "Whenever you don't know what to do, ask yourself, 'what would love do?'
and the Way will be made clear" The Way. Hmmm, I suppose it's no accident that Tao is literally translated to
"The Way". Or that when Jesus came He said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Light"
What would Gandhi do? What would Mother Teresa do?
Yeah, I laughed, cleaned it up, blogged about it and now I think I'll make a Thanksgiving altar. I'll start with
I'm thankful I don't have dog doo doo on my hands anymore.......
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Power
It's a fun, pick a card, tell your fortune sort of place. I like it cause it has pretty pictures and makes you
wait for the text which forces me to slow down and pay attention to what I think the picture represents.
Today I get:
The Sun
New Powers are growing within you. You don't have to do anything
but realize
who you really are and let your personality shine thru.
Smile- and the world smiles back at you.
And I realize that's the word that keeps cropping up since I started
this web site. Power. Usually I don't really like the word Power. It seems scary, having more to do with
others as in "that rich guy has a lot of power" I don't really like to think the word has anything to do with me.
Although I realize it may. Just a different definition of Power. As in "that woman realized that all along she
held the power of truth, visualization and love right in her heart".
"The best day of your life is the one
on
which you decide your life is your own.
No apologies or excuses.
No one to lean on, rely on, or blame.
The
gift is yours - it is an amazing journey -
and you alone are responsible for the quality of it.
This is
the day your life really begins."
Bob Moawad
Inspirational Author, Speaker and Coach
Now that's Power! Knowing who you really are. And
I would add, knowing how to get back when you've lost your way. That's the real Power.
Very Cool.
9:21 am est
