Be the light

Today I'm so glad I was reminded that the world is not going to hell in a handbasket, that there are "invisible" people being kind all the time, that goodness usually rules the day, and that just thinking of good things does some good in the world because it means you are sending out some positive energy.

So, grab a cup of tea.  Let yourself settle down for a few minutes.  Then enjoy this piece by Dr. Kelly Flanagan, "The Whole Truth About How (Not) Rotten Human Beings Can Be."  

Om Ma Ni Pa Me Hum

Art from Marlene Koenig via Pinterest

It's so nice when things run smoothly.  Life feels in order.  I feel sane.  I feel in control even though deep down I know I'm not.

But, when things don't run smoothly life seems anxious.  My breathing becomes shallow and I'm reaching out for something to hold onto, but all I 

grab is air.

I want to protect those who are hurting.  I want to shield them from the pains we all must endure at some point in our lives.  I want to protect my 7th grader from lessons I don't think she needs to learn.  The universe sees things differently.

I want to let go.  Let go of things that aren't mine to have.  Let go of comparisons and jealousy.  Let go of my expectations of how I think things are supposed to happen.

This morning I woke up with the desperate need to chant, to pray, to fall.  I found the Sanskrit mantra, "Om Ma Ni Pa Me Hum".  Om purifies bliss and pride. Ma purifies jealousy and need for entertainment.  Ni purifies passion and desire. Pa purifies ignorance and prejudice.  Me purifies poverty and possessiveness. Hum purifies aggression and hatred.

The sound took me to my heart center.  Perhaps I have my own lessons to learn.  

I took a walk

I took a walk to enjoy the quiet.
I took a walk to breathe in the fresh air after a rain.
I took a walk to remember my connection to the earth.
I took a walk to fall in love with the colors of Autumn.
I took a walk to feel alive.

Mindful Monday: Connection

Meditation is something I believe in strongly and yet so many times I let the practice fall to the wayside or I half-heartedly sit letting my mind wander.

This morning I woke up not wanting to get out of bed. The covers were too toasty, my body was too lazy and my mind wanted to hide instead of face the thoughts that eventually would lead me to action. Before I put both of my feet on the floor I told myself that I would not take care of the dog or the cat or the lunches or breakfast. Instead I would take care of me.

I grabbed my morning glass of water, chose the Connection Meditation from Fragrant Heart(a wonderful site for guided meditations), lit a candle, sat down and honored myself by allowing 10 minutes of connecting to just me before connecting to everyone else. It lead to a morning of being grateful, not rushing and amazingly some real focus. I tend to let time suckers/wasters enter my day when I don't have any real focus. So, being more focused is kind of a big deal for me. I'll take what I can get.

Getting back on track

Sweet little snow berries found in our yard all dressed up with a quote.

I haven't blogged in a while. I've wanted to because there has been so much fun to share, but I haven't because, well, so much fun has happened. The kids were off for 2 weeks with Winter Break and then the weekend after their first week back it snowed like crazy here in our little town. This closed area schools down for 3 days. And it shut down any kind of "normalcy" here at home. But, we are now back on track... kind of.

The hubby and I have started a 10-day cleanse called the Love Your Body Cleanse. For me, it's a great way to re-connect to my body and show it some extra care. I must admit that with the holidays and the New Year I was eating so many yummy, but somewhat unhealthy snacks. Finding my way back to greens and whole grains will ground me and keep me focused. I was getting too spontaneous with food and allowing myself one too many "treats". In other words, WAY too much refined sugar. Oi!

So, it's only mid-afternoon of Day 1 on the cleanse, but I already feel refreshed. This is what my food intake looks like thus far:

Water (lots o' water)
Avacado Smoothie (avacado, cucumber, banana, agave, romaine lettuce leaves)
Picnic Lunch (hard boiled egg, raw nuts, olives, apple slices, carrots/cucumber slices with hummus)
Red, Red Juice (beet, carrots and an apple)


I'm looking forward to tonight's dinner (creamy kale salad, brown rice with tahini dressing and roasted fennel/carrots/beets)AND then my dessert (a cup of roobios tea with coconut milk).

Tomorrow's menu sounds just as delicious and if you ever get a chance to participate in a cleanse like this one, you should!

A Self Study

I look at myself and I wonder who I am. I mean, I know who I am on a somewhat superficial level; a mom, a wife, a woman, a caregiver, a daughter,a 38 year-old, a sister, etc. But, who am I really? Do I really exist? I think, therefore I am... right? I look at the wrinkles forming around my eyes and my lips. I look a my hands and see how they have grown more tired and more aged. They don't look like young hands. But, I don't feel old. I don't feel the way I look and I wonder if a new self is emerging. A self that is much more than time, more than a physical being, more than a thought...

They say the eyes can tell a thousand stories. I guess tonight's is just one of many.