: Astro : Travellin
Posted: January 26, 2015 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: art, beauty, Being, Body Image, Current Events, cycling, hedonic treadmill, Identity, life, love, Omaha, passion, self, writing, yoga 18 CommentsI really think I write about everyday life. I don’t think I’m quite as odd as others say I am. Life is intrinsically, well, boring and dangerous at the same time. At any given moment the floor may open up. Of course, it almost never does; that’s what makes it so boring-
Why do we become bored with cycling – running, our yoga practice – anything? Typically we immerse ourselves in rewarding and stimulating environment(s) – We have plenty of training apps and social media to keep us motivated, although, tracking performance or sharing memorable accounts of a recent race with friends, succeeds only in dividing our attention further from the inspiring moment at hand, perpetuating our boredom even more. Let’s honestly ask ourselves and reflect on how often we simply stare at our gadgets, with no purpose at all?
Why is our boredom hardly ever recognized, let alone less addressed and talked about openly?
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What boredom does for me personally, is to pull open the blinds on some rather uncomfortable thoughts and feelings – Thoughts and feelings, I normally try to escape and block out with a flurry of activity. Case in point: Long bike rides, lets say 75+ miles, I often find myself bored, which means I spend more time looking up Stats and KOM’s with Strava. Rather than savoring the beautiful countryside flowing beside me. If you are ever unfortunate enough to attend one of my yoga classes? When some new-age hippie Wanderlust music starts playing fifteen minutes into class and you have been in down dog for 5 minutes? I have become bored and uninspired as a teacher. Time to hop on the old Hedonic Treadmill …
I find being bored so unpleasant, that I expend considerable time and energy trying to reduce it. The technological gizmos lying at our twitchy fingertips have put an infinite amount of “information” and “stimulation” at our disposal. However, oddly enough, this only serves to make “things” worse! How? Instead of just being we become stale to the world, seeking more stimulation and information … The treadmill rolls on.
Daily Meditation:
When we ease into the comfort of our boredom, we develop a deeper relationship with our true selves rather than our technology/phones/gadgets. There is a simple, brilliant wealth of creativity waiting for us …
: Like : Me
Posted: January 23, 2015 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: beauty, Body Image, compassion, cycling, Daily Meditation, eating disorders, Guilt, Identity, kindness, life, love, meditation, Omaha, passion, What if?, yoga 17 CommentsI seem to have run in a great circle, and met myself again on the starting line-
“I feel a little queasy this morning before class. What if it’s cancer of the liver? What will happen to my mat, my car, my phone – if I die in class?!?”
“I haven’t heard from my friend since yesterday. What if he was hit by a car commuting to work?!?” He’s in a ditch I just know it … “
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The most unimaginative “things” in this thing called life do happen, and they create real and lasting pain in our cruel world. Although, when left to our devices, the imagined fantasies above cause senseless suffering in our hearts and minds, whether there is a once of truth in them or not. Why do we bathe ourselves in worry with “what if” thinking?
Daily Meditation:
I caught myself this morning causing my own suffering with “what ifs” … The trick to easing my own self induced pain, is acknowledging my pesky thoughts, smiling, and then moving on. I hope this post greets you with a smile as well – Have a wonderful weekend!
Spoken : Softly :
Posted: January 20, 2015 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Body Image, compassion, Embarrassed, Embarrassment, gratitude, joy, Kidness, love, Omaha, social media, yoga 5 CommentsYou know on TV when there’s one of those awkward, shocking moments and all you hear are the crickets in the background? Well chirp f*cking chirp…this is one of those moments-
Being embarrassed in social situation(s) feels rather unpleasant. When someone remarks suddenly before class: “Your underwear is showing,” or while standing in line for a coffee … “Your barn door is open,” even better yet “Is that balsamic vinegar salad dressing in your hair?!?” Here let me smell. Few of us are likely to feel particularly joyful, to say the very least.
I’m recalling this morning with you, times during my life when I have felt the most embarrassed and to my surprise – Being embarrassed truly can be joyful!
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There are a few moments of feeling embarrassed that instantly come to mind. One, was the night my son was born about nine years ago I suppose. You see, I exude a fairly calm, cool and collected demeanor, most times that is. I was pretty chill during the birth and what stands out to me was when it was only my beautiful new-born son, myself and a caring nurse handing him to me for the first time – “Here is your son sir” placing him gently into me shaking hands, tears streaming down my face, having no clue in the world what to do. I was embarrassed in this truly joyful moment.
At the same time though, there are horrible feelings that also produce embarrassment, feelings of being humiliated …
I still remember like it was yesterday, the dreadful scene when some of my classmates in 6th grade took great pleasure in teasing me to tears, because I was “fat” and started to go through the throes of puberty – acne and all. Calling me “fatty” by the boys and girls, the incessant teasing, only served to make the humiliation more degrading. I was deeply embarrassed during these joyless childhood moments.
Daily Meditation:
What life, compassion, kindness and gratitude provide us is, if we reflect and allow the blushed cheeked, crying and shameful negative feelings of humiliation fade away. Is that, maybe, just maybe embarrassment really is an expression of – Joy.
Alone : Together :
Posted: January 7, 2015 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Barre, Body Image, Equanimity, gratitude, life, love, New Years Resolutions, Omaha, passion, pilates, yoga 8 CommentsI can hardly wait for tomorrow, it means a new life for me each and every day-
Where were we?!? Equanimity and Happiness are temporary mood state(s) that can’t be achieved by flipping an inner switch, which I like to call – Will power. The delicate aspects of equanimity and happiness that we can control, is about what we consciously choose to focus on – The way in which we shine our attention upon the good “things” in our lives.
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Sadly, we are pressured and guilted into resolutions by social media and society as a whole. Buried in the sweeping negative thoughts, the sadness and depression that come with resolutions unfilled … Is being grateful. We are too distracted with our FitBit stats and marathon training plans to notice how we are goaded into being too ambitious with our delicate souls. Simply being grateful for our health, simply being, awakens us to the idea of nurturing ourselves and not mindlessly causing harm with addictive New Years resolutions.
Daily Meditation:
As the temperature gradually gets colder outside, I feel fortunate to be able to shut out the cold north winds, the driving snow, grateful to take shelter in your warm hearts.
: Black Coffee :
Posted: January 5, 2015 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Body Image, compassion, family, gratitude, habits, icchā, Intention, meditation, New Year's, New Years Resolutions, passion, yoga 3 CommentsThings are always better in the morning-
Old habits … Die hard. Cultivating new and lasting passion … Feels elusive. Our habitual patterns in life create a repetitive stream of thoughts and behavior. Right now, today, in this vulnerable New Year … Is precisely where we get stuck. A fleeting resolution penned on a stained bar napkin simply is not enough; tacking upon a fresh breeze is required with the necessary energy to sustain it.
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Think for a moment of yourself floating in a vast ocean, on a sprout little sailboat. Maybe the faded name “Bering in Mind” is painted on the side … As you begin rigging your brightly colored sail, this effort on your part equals your intention to sail away into this inspiring day. Although, you are not setting a course, and technically “sailing,” without a little wind. This gentle wind you so desperately seek, is evocative of your icchā – your will. You will need both the sail and the wind in order to make it safely back to shore – You require both icchā and intention to achieve this goal …
Daily Meditation:
When we become invested in the change we desire? We commit to a turning point in our lives. Whether or not reading this blog – Your Blog – this morning can be considered a defining moment in your life, is up for a heated debate! However so, you made it here, and I am deeply grateful.
CultFit 