Logged (Off)
Posted: February 18, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Bicycling, biking, blogging, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, health, kindness, life, love, lululemon, motivation, musings, natural, nebraska, Omaha, passion, perspective, social media, Strava, technology, yoga 9 CommentsIndeed, the direction of the future is only there in order to elude us-
Recently, after a fairly spirited morning group ride here in Nebraska. I found myself warming up with a cup of hot chocolate at a local coffee shop. Savoring the warmth of the first sip, I overheard a group of fellow riders sitting comfortably near the front window. A slender, lively man reached for his iPhone near the center of the table to check his Strava stats. If you are unfamiliar with Strava? Good for you!
Gathering up my gloves, helmet and balaclava, quickly finishing the last sacred sip of my warm drink. I turn to thank the barista before being interrupted with the following question:
“… Hey dude! Have you tried using a Strava when you ride? If you did – I thought we could have a friendly Strava Stat Battle Royal …”
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When I snap the buckle on my helmet, adjusting its fit before the pedals complete one rotation. Consciously I have made the choice(s) to LOG OFF – Taking a much-needed time out from my digital life. No matter how convenient, “handy” and productive technology has become, it is still my choice, (your choice) whether I remain tethered to it everywhere I go.
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As a little dude, I had my fave superman pajamas and blankets to protect me from the monsters lurking underneath the bed. I took comfort with my imaginary friends and I refused to part with them under any circumstances (The movie Mr. Mom describes my childhood …). These transitional objects served to blanket me with comfort as I came to terms with my own individuality, and until I simply grew out of them.
Daily Meditation:
The gadgets we use today? Are our modern-day “security blankets“, distracting us from being alone with our true selves. Over the course of the next few posts, I would like to share some personal stories as to how I was able to toss my security blanket into the fire and my phone gadget thing into the trunk.
The Shinning Path
Posted: February 12, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, trail running, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 6 CommentsYou can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club-
It has taken me 30+ years to discover that there are many paths to happiness available to each and every one of us.
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Discovering my path began by asking myself what true happiness means to me, and allowing my answer to lead the way moving forward. Initially, many paths appeared to be a dead-end, until I looked in a different direction, taking notice of the new openings awaiting just around the bend. I started to notice that the “options” available to me came from thinking outside the box, doing “something” different, or simply letting go of past habits and conditions that had clearly outlived their usefulness.
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I found that by consciously choosing to think, feel, and act differently in relation to life’s challenges? Made the difference between hope and despair – optimism and frustration. Each “dead-end” I encountered introduced new lessons to be learned and new experiences to be shared.
Daily Meditation:
Empty your heart and soul and simply let the path, come to you.
Asteroid B-612
Posted: February 11, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Artsy Wheels, Asia, Asteroid B-612, blogging, compassion, cycling, Europe, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, Help, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, strength, Support, trail running, Travel, whole foods, yoga 7 CommentsIt is thanks to the odd word, here and there, that everything was revealed to me-
There’s power in good will reverberated openly to the world, which is why I would like to introduce you to Artsy Wheels.
Life, is not very easy at times and rather uncomfortable at best. Walking down our path in life, we may feel like we’re walking alone, struggling with each step we take. Although we don’t have to struggle as long as we are honest with ourselves and asking for help when needed.
We can find strength and support through asking for help. Asking for help is not the same as complaining or surrendering in a shameful moment of weakness. Successful, motivated, caring and passionate individuals take control – take responsibility for finding the help they need in this “thing” called life.
Daily Meditation:
All to often we lament, dwell on our uncomfortable lives. Its amazing what happens when we pause to find comfort in our hearts during these moments of distress … Whether it be riding your bike from Romania to Indonesia or seeking help during yoga class.
Buckle (Down)
Posted: February 10, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Ability, blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, Midwest, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, pilates, running, self, trail running, walking, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 11 CommentsPerhaps the less we have, the more we are required to brag-
Do you equate being active with being important? Ever write or say, “I matter” or “I ran a marathon in the morning, attended a fashionable yoga class at noon, and worked on my memories over a nice soy chai tea latte at Dumb Starbucks.”
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Constantly being busy had always been a good “thing” in my life. I used to define myself, boast and brag in a pecksniffian manner, in regards to being able to plow through the most strenuous workouts, cycling for hours on end and running marathons on a whim … My issue with the term busy – was that I took it too far. I didn’t know when or how to stop, take a break from grinding myself into the dirt, telling my friends “no” when it came to registering for an event.
For the longest time, I simply failed at finding balance in my life or I flat-out choose to ignore it – Who wants to talk about balance anyways?!?
Daily Meditation-
Recently, the cold Midwest weather called me to go for a brisk walk, instead of appearing busy – Yoga class, cycling, running around and writing. Going for a walk simply felt right. I didn’t have to show up somewhere to prove anything, to anyone.
Winter Balance
Posted: February 7, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, Gravel Grinder, happiness, health, hipster, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, Mindfulness, motivation, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, recovery, running, snow, trail running, weather, whole foods, winter, WOD, yoga, Zen 13 CommentsWhat good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness–
Its early on a Sunday morning in Eastern Nebraska. The temperature is below zero and bone-chilling. The moon, still glowing, casts a pale and cold shadow upon the newly fallen snow. The last light of distant stars sparkle brilliantly, dancing as the world is still, and glistening.
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I bring my cold hands to heart – centre, my palms pressing actively together to bring warmth and presence, the tips of my numb thumbs pressing into my layered sternum. On a deep inhale, I raise my arms in a gentle sweeping motion, turning my palms outward toward the sparkling sky … Balancing myself before starting off on an aimless ride to nowhere in particular.
Daily Meditation:
Cycling (any outdoor activity) during the long Winter months is purely about finding balance, flow and our true selves. Cycling early on a cold winter morning, encourages me to look mindfully into the furtive places of my mind, from which I can view information from my past, this cold moment – slowly and gracefully.
Be well this weekend and please take care!
CultFit 