Lessons from food envy and other wise thoughts

As much as I like writing (hence my blogging hobby) I love reading other inspiring blog posts.

This one was passed along to me recently by an old friend and uncle of the author.  I met Meggie many moons ago when she probably too young to remember, but likely still eating grilled cheese sandwiches.

Going With Your Gut And Don't Be Afraid to Say No to the Special

Her message 'love what YOU love' struck a chord with me. Whether it's food, literature, movies, going with my gut never steers me wrong!

Musings from the Berkshires

Photo from http://www.ruth-writes.com/

Last week I made my annual visit to Kripalu which although was long overdue and far too short, was still relaxing and thought provoking.

Here are a few of the lessons and reminders I brought home with me.

Photo from http://www.ruth-writes.com/

• Create peace & harmony in your heart  - Even 48 hours of R&R can help to create some space in your life and consequently in your mind and body.

• Allow healing to occur  - When I'm feeling burnt out, both physically and mentally, as I was prior to this trip, I am reminded from the moment I arrive that we need to allow time for healing. 

• Let it in and go with the moment - As usual I had far too many expectations and plans for this brief 48 hours.  In addition to the wonderful workshops and yoga classes, I had plenty of reading, writing in my journal, walking, napping, and who knows what else in mind.  Sometimes you just have to GO with the moment and allow things to unfold.

• Laugh for no reason - I took a wonderful Laughter Yoga workshop with one of my favorite Kripalu presenters Evelyn Gonzalez.   It took me out of my comfort zone for sure! I still laugh every time I think about it.  It is a good reminder for me to lighten up!

• "Keep the Kripalu"  - This is a phrase that pops into my head every time I'm driving home from my visit.  What can I do to keep this feeling going?  Mediate more?  Make some nuts and berries for lunch?   Finally master the crow pose? 
  I don't think so.  The real lesson is to continue to make micro-movements toward balance and bring mindfulness off the mat.  After all yoga without the breath and mindfulness is just stretching.  It's what we practice moment to moment that counts.

Namaste!

Note: I came to this lovely blog www.ruth-writes.com via the Kripalu Facebook page.  She captured some beautiful images on her stay.   I "borrowed" two of the wonderful Labryinth which I love to wander through.  Check out Ruth's blog for more gorgeous Kripalu scenes.

She Did What She Could

A few weeks ago I attended a wonderful event in support of the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. I invited twenty women with generous hearts and we enjoyed a beautiful inspiring evening along with 650 other women to raise over $185,000 for this important organization.

The keynote speaker was Elisa Morgan, and for weeks her message has been in my mind.  Hers is a powerful message and  her words have stayed with me, especially since it is the season of Lent.

She Did What She Could

Prior to hearing Ms. Morgan speak, I read  her book (pictured above) and I encourage you to read it as well.  It's a very quick, simple, but thought provoking read. It is a meditation on an event in Jesus' life and a call to action.   It is a reminder of the all the things I could be doing to make a difference.  One of the things the author emphasizes in this story Jesus did not say she did ALL she could and I really appreciate that.  So often we feel we need to be doing more than we are.    Ms. Morgan does a great job of eliminating the all or nothing mentality and challenges us to do OUR best.   


It was fitting as the theme of the event was Women Who Can for Women Who Can't.   I am blessed to have spent an evening among such fabulous women who CAN, and I hope to take Ms. Morgan's words, as well as those of all the women who shared that evening and do WHAT I can. 

Pina & Leslie:  Women who CAN

 



Learn more here

Happiness is always available to you

Especially in the midst of difficulties, learning to be happy is one of the most important skills we can develop.

One of my dearest friends forwarded an email she received from a friend of a friend who is in Japan right now.  She spoke of what her day to day life was like right now  I was completely in awe of how she recognized blessings all around her despite the horrific circumstances.

Hopefully she won't mind if I share just a few words from her message....

Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.

Happiness and magnificence is truly always available to you

How old does your body think you are?

"We can actually control our genes and change our bodies and lives on a cellular level, simply through our actions."  

Michael Rozien

Do you sometimes FEEL like you're 60 even though you're only 40?   Or maybe you have the energy of a 25 year old, but you've already blown the candles out on your big 5-0 cake.

How old does your body think you are?  

You could be a little -- or a lot -- younger, or maybe older! Your RealAge is the biological age of your body based on how you have maintained it.

Being in the health & fitness field, I have some pretty good habits, but having recently turned 45, I decided to see just how well those habits are serving me, so I decided take the quiz.

Now, if you decided to take the quiz as well, be completely HONEST with your answers.   Otherwise, what's the point?!   We all know how we can easily overestimate the amount of exercise we get or how many veggies we eat a day. But let's face the facts, it doesn't help anyone when we fudge our answers.

I was happy to see that I came out eight years younger than I actually am.  I was hoping for ten, but that family history gets me every time.  The good news is, as the quote above suggests, I can combat that sketchy family history with good choices every day.

Go to www.realage.com and see for yourself. And be brave, and post the results in the comment section below!

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Do the thing you think you can not do....

I LOVE this photo from http://www.yogajournal.com/

This morning I taught the Sunday 9:30 am Jazzercise class at my Center and our latest trainee, Terri, joined me on stage.  It's fun to get the gals on stage when they're preparing so they can see things from what will soon be their new vantage point.  I also love to see people challenge themselves and set their sights on something wonderful. 


What is the one think you think you can not do?    


Check out 83 year old Bette Calman rockin' the peacock pose (in pearls no less!).

"I'm proof that if you keep at it, you'll get there. I can do more now than I could 50 years ago," the Australian grandmother.

Let Bette inspire you and take one action toward that one think you think you can not do.

Celebrate every day....now I just need some ideas.

I just finished reading a wonderful book called Epiphany by Elise Ballard. It is compilation of wonderful essays and I could probably write a blog post about every chapter.

One woman, Wendi Cooper, ended her essay with this wonderful advice.

 

"It's important for us all to try every day to do something great for ourselves and something great for someone else, and it doesn't matter how big or how small - just something great, every day.

It's important.  We all deserve it."

Sounds good. So now I just need to figure what that will be today.  I've got a pretty open schedule today.  No meetings and everything I'm working on can be done anywhere.  What will I do for myself and what will I do for someone else?   

What will YOU do to follow this advice ?  And if you have any suggestions for me, bring 'em on!