Life in – Mono –
Posted: May 19, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, harmony, health, hipster, Intention, karma, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, perspective, pilates, recovery, running, trail running, whole foods, yoga 4 CommentsEven chance meetings are the result of karma… Things in life are fated by our previous lives. That even in the smallest events there’s no such thing as coincidence–
Its a beautiful morning and the perfect time to discuss karma.
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I often hear from different folks (I personally contemplate these thoughts as well) who want to know why they are struggling, when others are not (running specific this morning). The vast majority of them think their training/performance is some sort of “karmic retribution” for a fleeting, bad action in the past – Heaven forbid we eat three pieces of wedding cake the day before a race! Fast forward to limping across the finish line, emotional and sick because “bad karma” doomed them to suffer from the very start.
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This next bit is a memo to myself: The simple truth about Karma? Karma is about the nature of our intentions, our intentions in this very moment.
When we respond to our intention and action(s), with kindness, compassion, and generosity? We are planting the seeds of change, slowly blossoming into someone who is kind, compassionate, and generous. We are defining our character, which in turn has a pretty cool effect on the world around us.
Daily Meditation:
The teachings of Buddha in regards to karma can be life changing. Each one of us posses the ability to change ourselves no matter how ingrained our habits may be, even blaming a poor performance on wedding cake. As some wise dude once said: “Intending, one does karma.”
Morning : Star :
Posted: May 16, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kindness, life, love, marathon, meditation, Mindfulness, motivation, musings, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, recovery, running, simplicity, trail running, walking, writing, yoga, Zen 13 CommentsNo matter how hard you try, there are times when things just don’t go as planned. And, it’s not because you are doing something wrong. It is because the thing you are after is not designed for you. It is not a part of your destiny–
The subtle art of paying attention to the details in the present moment – Mindfulness. We don’t often “think” we are engaged in the process of being mindful … Whether through practicing yoga early one morning, listing to the birds playing riding to work, taking in the beauty of a lone daisy swaying in a field … Without getting caught up in where these moment may be leading us.
The past week has been rough, I have to admit that it’s been hard to focus on the present moment; my reckless past and gentle future seem to be taking up all the free space in my brain these days (which isn’t much to begin with). My practice of Ahiṃsā, has fallen out of balance of late as well. Pushing a little too hard mountain bike racing, and not paying attention while commuting to work – Life pro tip: Railroad tracks are “slippery when wet” … Not honoring my true spirit and self has been anything but mindful of late.
Daily Meditation:
This beautiful moment right now, reminds me that the present moment contains the possibility for all things, including freedom from suffering, picking splinters and little gravel bits from the battered left side of my body. Being mindful right now? Is not going to make my bruises and scars magically disappear, reverse the abuse I have put my body through this past week, put the Colorado Avalanche back in playoffs, or even re true my front wheel.
My Dear Reader(s) we are here, in this beautiful – crazy mess for other reasons as well … To marinate in this tender (literally) moment – fully present and mindful. Have a fantastic weekend, and please take care!
Midnight : Flight :
Posted: May 14, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: biking, blogging, Commuting, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fear, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, NHL, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, Playoffs, running, simplicity, trail running, Yeti, yoga, Zen 6 CommentsWe can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light–
These early morning cycling commutes have me thinking about fear, a lot …
Maybe I’m out of touch this morning, although I don’t think anyone in their right mind wishes to walk this beautiful path in life completely fearless. At least after the rush of a close encounter, we can appreciate that our internal warning “thing” is aligned with the red traffic light up ahead, preventing us from crossing the intersection and becoming tasty roadkill for the turkey vultures circling above (I miss roundabouts). Thinking about this for a moment, I don’t think I know anyone who appreciates being afraid for no good reason, or even just being anxious about future events; which just so happens to be my definition of being a “worry wort.“
Once I start worrying above and beyond what is needed for the most basic survival (food – water – family – bikes – fantasy hockey …), worry builds upon worry, and my thoughts spin out of control. The question is what to do about worrying when it makes no sense?!?
: Take a deep breath and return to the present moment :
Daily Meditation:
Our “worried” minds are accustomed to seeing only the negative in life, ignoring the awe-inspiring spectacle of beauty, love, and boundless opportunity that awaits us. Instead of “worrying” about these threats – Red Lights – Road Kill – Turkey Vultures … Maybe we can hone in on what is right in our life, the “little” things, such as the beautiful sky above, dew on a blade of grass and the Pittsburgh Penguins being eliminated from the NHL playoffs.
Yesterday is Here
Posted: May 9, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, gratitude, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, writing, yoga, Zen 9 CommentsCultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude–
Claudia – Thank you, immensely, for generously awarding me the Liebster Award. Your touching blog Living on Borrowed Days is simply amazing and as a show of my humble gratitude, and because I don’t follow directions very well … This post is dedicated to you and your inspiring readers.
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The sun is gently rising now and I’m standing at my desk, savoring the first sip of hot coffee in my fave Kahlua cup, and I’m moved by the gratitude I feel, this deep appreciation for all that I have and for all that is.
Finding the time for gratitude has not been easy for me this week. I’m commuting on bike more, a little tired and worn out, plus dealing with traffic really tests my nerves. I don’t feel much gratitude towards myself either, leaving my change of clothes for work today – at home, neatly folded on the back of the couch. Thinking about the events of the past week – I want to drown in self-pity, moaning and complaining.
Moments like these though, are the best times to seek out and surrender to – Gratitude.
Daily Meditation:
The cool thing is Dear Reader(s), gratitude is not limited to my Friday morning sob story. Gratitude can be accessed by anyone, anywhere, anytime and all it takes is a single moment … Be well and have a beautiful weekend!
Secret : Energy :
Posted: May 7, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Bellevue, blogging, Breakfast, Commuting, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fear, fitness, For the Love of Food Truck, free range, freshly pressed, friends, health, kindness, life, love, meditation, motivation, musings, nature, nebraska, passion, perspective, social media, writing, yoga, Zen 8 CommentsDo not be afraid; our fate
Cannot be taken from us; it is a gift–
“What would you do if fear was removed the equation?”
A close friend once asked me the very same question I am asking you this beautiful morning, and I’m here to tell you, this simple little question changed my life. Well, that and the best breakfast burritos in Nebraska did …
This seemingly simply question helped me to pause, to listen, in order to break decisions down to their very essence. What I realized was that I was not living each day to the fullest because I was desperately afraid of getting hit by a car, letting my family down, even of success – Tasty success that is!
Pondering this question allowed me to separate my fear, from my dream of breakfast burritos, and in doing so, I realized that I really wanted to hit the road a bit earlier, stay alert early in the morning, in spite of the fear of getting crunched by a Prius.
My friends question helped me to identify my fears and determine whether they deserved as much power as I was giving them.
Daily Meditation:
Often at times I have those dark nights of the soul at 4am, when I’m overcome with fear. Do I let these thoughts rule my choices anymore? Damn right I don’t!
I would like to thank Moisés and Jacklyn Salgado, purveyors of the – For the Love of Food Truck – For helping me to overcome my fear of commuting in the insane, reckless morning traffic in Bellevue, Nebraska. Yes! Their breakfast burritos are totally worth it!!!
When you have a moment today, head on over to their Facebook page and give ’em a big “Like” (or whatever the kids call it) from CultFit!
CultFit 