Winter and the Nuthatch
Posted: November 27, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Being, Happy Thanksgiving, Mary Oliver, Mindfulness, Poetry, winter, Winter and the Nuthatch 6 Comments…
Once or twice and maybe again, who knows,
the timid nuthatch will come to me
if I stand still, with something good to eat in my hand.
The first time he did it
he landed smack on his belly, as though
the legs wouldn’t cooperate. The next time
he was bolder. Then he became absolutely
wild about those walnuts.
But there was a morning I came late and, guess what,
the nuthatch was flying into a stranger’s hand.
To speak plainly, I felt betrayed.
I wanted to say: Mister,
that nuthatch and I have a relationship.
It took hours of standing in the snow
before he would drop from the tree and trust my fingers.
But I didn’t say anything.
Nobody owns the sky or the trees.
Nobody owns the hearts of birds.
Still, being human and partial therefore to my own successes—
though not resentful of others fashioning theirs—
I’ll come tomorrow, I believe, quite early.
Easy to – Miss –
Posted: November 26, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, Disappointment, family, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, holidays, kindness, life, love, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, passion, perspective, pilates, pride, running, Thanksgiving, yoga, Zen 9 CommentsWith no expectations anything can become-
Life, struggle, disappointment. Hardship, pain and constant misfortune – What would our lives stories be without sharing the unpolished side of life?
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Why do I want to discuss these less then “glamorous” topics a day before Thanksgiving? There are a multitude of reasons as to why, just a few off the top of my head: Remember that New Years resolution that went haywire by the 5th of January? Maybe it was a string of poor race performances over the summer? Thanksgiving is but one day of the year when we awkwardly engage family and friends, acting as though all is fine and dandy in the world … When clearly things are not?!?
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We are all human (I think), and humans are by definition are imperfect beings. Every one of us (myself included), disappoint(s) someone at some time or another during the day, the calendar year and throughout our inspiring lives. This Thanksgiving and Holiday season, lets talk openly about our struggles. Lets deepen our capacity to love and connect with our fellow “creatures“.
Daily Meditation:
Be kind to yourself – Soothe your worries with grace and compassion, authentic conversation is food for the soul.
Self : Portrait :
Posted: November 24, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: biking, blogging, compassion, Cranksgiving, cycling, Giving, gratitude, kindness, love, Omaha, passion, Thanksgiving 10 CommentsYour own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world-
It’s nearly Thanksgiving once again, a time of year to pause, to reflect and connect with loved ones, new friends (or anyone else …) who share a significant role in our lives.
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This morning I am writing to include everyone. Something truly magical has happened since I started blogging four years ago: I have moved closer to feeling more a part of this beautiful world through other lives that touch mine, whether they be family, friends … A random person before yoga class or a bike race here in the Midwest and many other kind, passionate folks who care for my body and spirit. It’s a fleeting conversation with a compassionate barista early one cold morning, the kindness of strangers that continually influence me, fellow bloggers whose words affect me deeply, the bountiful wonders that nature graciously offers us every day. All these “things“, that I once took for granted, fill me with the gratitude of being alive and part of something much larger than myself.
Speaking of which, Cranksgiving this past Saturday was simply awesome! One hundred plus pounds of goods were gathered up and donated to our local food bank, all on bike!
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Daily Meditation:
Be kind to yourself friends … And be kind to someone else each and every day.
: Cranks : Giving
Posted: November 21, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Cranksgiving, cycling, Food Bank for the Heartland, Giving, Gratefulness, holidays, kindness, Omaha, Omaha Bicycle Co., Thanksgiving, yoga 11 CommentsYou can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving-
Please join me tomorrow – November 22nd – at 11a.m. @ Omaha Bike Co. for Cranksgiving!!! What in the world is Cranksgiving?!? Its one part bike ride, part scavenger hunt, and most importantly – part food drive. You’ll need to dust off your bike, gather up a few bags, a bike lock and about $15-$20 to buy the food, which in turn goes to the Food Bank for the Heartland. A classic win-win situation if you ask me!
Not in our fair city, Omaha, Nebraska this Saturday?!? No problem! There may be a Cranksgiving in your neck of the woods!
Come on out and remember – First cup of coffee – tea – whatever is on me!
Daily Meditation:
Just in time for the Holidays – Limited Edition :CultFit: Holiday Tops!
These shirts are pretty cool and will come in handy when its time to stuff a few stockings, wiping down your yoga mat after class or cleaning up around the house. No matter how you choose to “use” them – All proceeds will be delivered by yours truly, to the Food Bank for the Heartland.
Saturday at the Canal
Posted: November 20, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, Gary Soto, Poem, Poetry, Saturday, Saturday at the Canal, weekend, writing 3 Comments…
I was hoping to be happy by seventeen.
School was a sharp check mark in the roll book,
An obnoxious tuba playing at noon because our team
Was going to win at night. The teachers were
Too close to dying to understand. The hallways
Stank of poor grades and unwashed hair. Thus,
A friend and I sat watching the water on Saturday,
Neither of us talking much, just warming ourselves
By hurling large rocks at the dusty ground
And feeling awful because San Francisco was a postcard
On a bedroom wall. We wanted to go there,
Hitchhike under the last migrating birds
And be with people who knew more than three chords
On a guitar. We didn’t drink or smoke,
But our hair was shoulder length, wild when
The wind picked up and the shadows of
This loneliness gripped loose dirt. By bus or car,
By the sway of train over a long bridge,
We wanted to get out. The years froze
As we sat on the bank. Our eyes followed the water,
White -tipped but dark underneath, racing out of town.
CultFit 