Listen to the – Dawn –
Posted: September 12, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: anxiety, Autumn, blogging, Body Image, Buddha, Buddhism, Celiac Diease, compassion, exercise, fitness, freshly pressed, gluten free, happiness, health, karma, Karma yoga, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, motivation, musings, natural, running, Seva, sex, trail running, writing, yoga, Zen 22 CommentsThere is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up-
What is the secret formula that can provide us with a long and fulfilling life? Most of the nauseating advice we are bombarded with is formulated around living a “healthy lifestyle” (<- whatever this is), leading to assumptions that center primarily on the physical aspects of this thing called life.
“Eat your cauliflower!” “Drink your coconut water!” “Run, walk, cycle, sex, yoga and drink red wine!” Say the experts, and you wonder why our culture is brimming with anxiety! Gotta do this, and we gotta do that if we want to live a long prosperous life! Gotta browse LivingSocial for the best yoga deals, shop organic and eat gluten-free – even if we don’t have Celiac disease. Most of our effort is done with variable success and the predictable stress is eagerly awaiting us around each corner.
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How can we feel better about ourselves, boost our confidence naturally and build true inner peace? :Generosity: The quality of being kind, practicing selflessness and understanding, the willingness to give to those in our lives “things” that have value. Generosity is a spiritual principle that provides us with the key to leading a happy and healthy life.
Generosity is a natural (organic – ha!) confidence builder. Generosity acts as a shield against self-hatred and anxiety. By focusing on what we are giving, rather than what we are receiving, we cultivate and nurture a more outward orientation toward the world, shifting the focus away from our physical selves, onto something deeper, something that has a far greater impact on our daily lives.
Daily Meditation:
Each beautiful morning life presents us with a handful of opportunities to be generous; through embracing generosity (not cauliflower, not coconut water, not even gluten-free bread), we can do ourselves and those around us a world of good.
I am deeply grateful to each of you reading today – Take care and be well.
CultFit 
Tremendous thoughts!
Thank you immensely for stopping over and visiting – Take care this morning and be well 🙂
AMEN!
I’m glad you enjoyed my quasi rant about the pedantic, little “things” in this amazing “thing” called life 🙂
Yes, we really do miss the point sometimes, don’t we? Generosity is a beautiful practice.
… Sometimes that point flies right over my head and its not until the moment passes, that I realize there was an opportunity to be a little bit more generous and grateful 🙂
And I am deeply grateful for the ability and opportunity to read your meditations. Having said that, I make a mean cauliflower.
Thank you for your kind thoughts and continued support! Up until about two weeks ago I was not very fond of cauliflower, one of the many holdover foods I disliked from childhood. Long story short: My friend made a wonderful stew with these tasty little white cauliflower things in it – In the past? They had to go, but this time I tried a few, I’m not certain as to why I did? Although, I LOVE cauliflower now! If you have any recopies you would like to share – I’m all ears 🙂
Not sure how to send a pdf via reply, so here it is – all ears and all flourets: What you need:
1 head cauliflower cored and cut in either wedges or flourets
3 tbs olive oil or sesame seed oil
1 tsp course salt
black pepper to taste.
A preheated 400°F oven.
Nonstick or aluminum foiled lined baking sheet.
What to do:
Mix food items together in a bowl until cauliflower is covered with spices/oil.
Place evenly across baking sheet and into preheated oven.
Turn every 10 min – should be ready in 20 to 25 min. You will know when as it begins to brown on the edges. Taste for tenderness.
Let me know how it works for you. (And, dare we step into the land of brussel sprouts, this process works just as well with a slightly hotter oven.)
Thank you so much! When we visit the market this Sunday I’ll be sure to pick up some cauliflower to try your recipe 🙂
I’m really looking forward to trying this, thank you once again!
OK. I truly embrace generousity…but…I have to say, I do love coconut water!!! It is so fun to read your post, because I think those same thoughts. Still, though, I will continue with the coconut water, and I will think generous thoughts when drinking it. Cultfit, I thank your for sharing and so enjoy reading your posts. Have a great weekend.
I’m fully aware that I am one picky dude, but – but … Coconut water? I’m shaking just thinking about it 😉
We had a wonderful fall like weekend here and I hope you had the same opportunity to rest and enjoy the company of those around you. Be well this week my friend.
I really love this post…it’s just what I needed today.
I’m genuinely touched that my post helped 🙂
I hope you had a peaceful weekend – Take care this morning!
Beautiful as always 🙂
Too kind – as always 🙂
I hope you had a great weekend!
It’s good to be home sick today–I am finally catching up on your blog posts. And thoroughly enjoyed this one in particular.
Setting goals that bring me happiness during the journey is my standby. . . but that’s rather narcissistic, isn’t it? Sigh. One of my many shortcomings.
I may have to go try some coconut water (tee hee)
Its not a shortcoming my friend, but rather a blessing in disguise … How do I explain? Hmm … Are we discussing healthy goals? Goals that make you feel warm, passionate and grateful? Or rather, goals that might make your reflection more important that what truly counts – your beautiful and inspiring inner spirit 🙂
Thanks for the validation, my friend. Your insightful was is so endearing. :>
Reblogged this on Priscilla Hansen Mahoney, CPC – The Natural Business Leadership Guide and commented:
Sometimes in the pursuit of health and happiness, our packs get overburdened… Learn to lighten your load and leave the rest behind…
I reported this – it’s excellent
Thank you so much for stopping over and sharing. Take care and be well 🙂