Today in yoga, I learned a none-prayer. It is a simple and beautiful closure that one can do any time.
Cross your hands, touch your thumbs to your forehead, "Remember positive thoughts."
Touch your thumbs to your mouth, "Remember kind words."
Touch your thumbs to your heart, "Remember good intentions."
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Irritability
What is irritability? Yesterday I was irritable for no apparent reason. I really gave this some thought. I felt guilty for my feelings.
I have concluded that irritability is a heightened sensory state. (Think about when you irritate your skin by excessive rubbing.) I cloistered myself away from my family in my room. I piled blankets on my bed and read in a quiet environment. I assume the origin of this heightened state was hormonal but I could be wrong. I do, however, find the thought of limiting contact with others and limiting stimulus to be helpful guidelines.
Maybe our irritable moments are times we don't examine ourselves but merely be one with our environment. We breathe and leave as few ripples on the surface as possible. It's OK to be quiet in a busy world.
I have concluded that irritability is a heightened sensory state. (Think about when you irritate your skin by excessive rubbing.) I cloistered myself away from my family in my room. I piled blankets on my bed and read in a quiet environment. I assume the origin of this heightened state was hormonal but I could be wrong. I do, however, find the thought of limiting contact with others and limiting stimulus to be helpful guidelines.
Maybe our irritable moments are times we don't examine ourselves but merely be one with our environment. We breathe and leave as few ripples on the surface as possible. It's OK to be quiet in a busy world.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A Chinese Proverb
A Chinese farmer has a stallion. One day the stallion runs away. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
A few days later the stallion returns with three mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
The next week the farmer's son breaks his leg taming the wild mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
A month later the Chinese army comes and demands all the young men soldier age. The farmer's son does not have to go because of his leg. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
And so it goes...
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
A few days later the stallion returns with three mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
The next week the farmer's son breaks his leg taming the wild mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
A month later the Chinese army comes and demands all the young men soldier age. The farmer's son does not have to go because of his leg. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
And so it goes...
Friday, January 4, 2008
Moving Meditations
In yoga, we move to the rhythm of our breath. An inhale brings you to downward dog, an exhale to up dog. The movement becomes secondary to the breath.
We talked about how movement becomes a meditation. What if, in everyday life, we could think of our breath and chores of rote could become meditations. For instance, think of something such as folding the laundry. Imagine if we could remind ourselves to be present in the moment. If we could enjoy the warmth of the fabric, the softness of a pair of pajamas, pride in the way we fold like laundry was origami. Think how enjoyable our lives could be? Our enjoyment would be infinite if we could remember to make our lives a moving meditation.
We talked about how movement becomes a meditation. What if, in everyday life, we could think of our breath and chores of rote could become meditations. For instance, think of something such as folding the laundry. Imagine if we could remind ourselves to be present in the moment. If we could enjoy the warmth of the fabric, the softness of a pair of pajamas, pride in the way we fold like laundry was origami. Think how enjoyable our lives could be? Our enjoyment would be infinite if we could remember to make our lives a moving meditation.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Being Present
On the eve of 2008, we talked about being "present" in yoga and in our daily life. This sounds so elementary and yet when you think about it; it can solve so many of our perennial dissatisfaction's: being able to release the past and accept the current situation for what it is, also giving up on trying to see over the horizon line and worrying or living for the future.
Sometimes my business self is not as good at this as my personal self. So much of business is planning ahead, projections, goals. I dream of seeing PositiviTee flourish and be a positive influence on many lives, also raise much needed many for nonprofits. Yet, I do believe if I plug away and allow the business to grow organically rather with a traditional corporate approach; it will happen.
Let's all remember to be "present" in 2008, that alone can make it a wonderful year.
Sometimes my business self is not as good at this as my personal self. So much of business is planning ahead, projections, goals. I dream of seeing PositiviTee flourish and be a positive influence on many lives, also raise much needed many for nonprofits. Yet, I do believe if I plug away and allow the business to grow organically rather with a traditional corporate approach; it will happen.
Let's all remember to be "present" in 2008, that alone can make it a wonderful year.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Finding Joy
Everyday is filled with chores and tasks we perform by rote. We drive, cook, shop without being present in the moment. Even our children are over scheduled and are unable to find joy that comes with spontaneity.
Each morning I have started to ask my kids what will give them joy today. It might be something simple like a cup of chai tea after school. I think it is important all of us remember we only have one life. Finding joy is an individual quest that should never end and definitely not be forgotten.
Each morning I have started to ask my kids what will give them joy today. It might be something simple like a cup of chai tea after school. I think it is important all of us remember we only have one life. Finding joy is an individual quest that should never end and definitely not be forgotten.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
If not now, then when?
In yoga we talked about taking a chance, pushing the envelope, challenging ourselves. My teacher said, "If not today, then when?"
This really resonated with me. I am not a procrastinater but I think it is the human condition to put off what one finds difficult or unpleasant. This could include cleaning a closet or walking the dog. I think this is what we have done regarding finding alternative sources for energy. We have not wanted to take our medicine today to prevent illness in the future. Now, the future is upon us. I try to challenge myself daily to try to find ways to live a cleaner, more conscious life. If I don't do it now, then when?
This really resonated with me. I am not a procrastinater but I think it is the human condition to put off what one finds difficult or unpleasant. This could include cleaning a closet or walking the dog. I think this is what we have done regarding finding alternative sources for energy. We have not wanted to take our medicine today to prevent illness in the future. Now, the future is upon us. I try to challenge myself daily to try to find ways to live a cleaner, more conscious life. If I don't do it now, then when?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
