“I tell you I must go!”

I retorted, roused to something like passion. “Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you think I am an automaton?—a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!—I have as much soul as you,—and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh;—it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal,—as we are!”
Charlotte Brontë – Jane Eyre

Notes:

A very inspiring, touching and important post is on tap tomorrow to celebrate the 117th running of the Boston Marathon. I hope you stop by, until then – take care and be well!

CultFit Imagine


Ahead of my Time

The best is the enemy of good-

Why do we allow others to inflict the burden of excellence upon ourselves when we’re not even sure what it means? The broad discussion I am asking you to contemplate this morning: Is the quest for “elite” performance – results, eroding our true inner ambition, our true talents?

We should not be pushed away from developing enthusiasm, passion for our talents. We should not be trapped inside what is regarded as potential by the supportive folks around us. In essence: We are being caged by possibility. We are being driven towards developing an “excellence” that might be better called “obsession.”

Notes:

Excellence” shouldn’t be a burden every time you click in, go for a run, step with presence on your yoga mat; achievement shouldn’t be a weathered rope around your neck in the gym(box) or a weight tied tightly around your waist. Doing well, just being you. Should be a choice, a gift, a chance, a pleasure … a chance to be free.

CultFit Risk


Born Again For The Last Time

In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically-

Living in the moment’ rather than being trapped inside a hazy daydream, we fully experience more of life.

Without ever realizing it, most of us spend much of our time trapped inside of our daily lives. We are unconscious to the world evolving around us,  sleep walking through the day.

Are you piloted by the daily routines that force you to live inside your thoughts rather than in your “life“?

Our journey in life is A to B, our lives seem longer as they slow down and when we begin to ‘show up – being fully present’, but happier too. A classic win – win situation!

Here are a few ideas to help the “slowing down” process:

Walk- Walking is hands down one of the purest forms of  exercise/movement available. Need a way to relive stress and give your sloppy mood a boost? Walk. A flowing walk puts the world in perspective, walking is also a brilliant way to feel alive no matter how dreary the start of your week has been.

Breathe- Breathe: Whenever you become angry, stressed, anxious, or when you feel a pissy mood coming on. See breathing as a breath of fresh air into the now. Breathe.

Notes:

Happiness is looking at the same “things” with a different set of eyes. Life only happens here (not on this blog), at this very moment, snuggled up in your jammies, enjoying a glass of wine.

CultFit Bad


Everybody Pass Me By

How many things one should disregard in order to act-

Preface: The post that follows evolved from a discussion between some dude and a highly motivated yoga fashionista/passionate runner …

We see it everywhere: More and more well-intentioned, active people who use “data” to solve the “problems” in their life. More specifically: Using the endless amounts of data we collect from our gadgets to help us run, bike, swim and supposedly live a better more fulfilling life.

Here are a few ideas that have been lost in the space-time continuum, hidden under the centre couch cushion … let me flip it over for you.

My lap times are abysmal! I need to shave off at least ten seconds a lap to compete in my next triathlon!

Look at the “problems” you face not as problems but as challenges. Difficult experiences and situations in life can be excellent opportunities for growth, exploring new possibilities. Most importantly perhaps, do not run (swim) away from your problems. It’s impossible to run away, analyze downloaded data and grow simultaneously.

I’m supposed to get 35-40 miles in per week to maintain my training schedule for my first ultra-marathon this September …

Be gentle, take care and be kind to yourself. As humans, parents, lovers, friends and somewhere way down the list: Athletes .. we always have something that needs a little work, some tweaks here and there and improvements to be made. The process of becoming who we want to be, starts with acceptance of who we are, right now.

Racing in this new age group is rather intimidating. It’s like my 9am yoga class.

By focusing on the right attitude for “life” and paying little attention to differences? We are afforded the ability to carry over lessons we learn within everyday life. Completely accepting of the fact that differences exist between all of us and these differences always will. If we continue to stay focused on what divides us instead of what unites us? Our ego will inflate in such a way that our thoughts will change from being positive to being negative.

Notes:

Data can be really useful to us, there’s no doubt about it. Although I passionately feel that if we fail to address and discuss: Envy, Shame, Guilt, Pride, Lust, Hatred, and Greed … These emotions lead to a negative emotional state, one that provides little gain, much like the data we use to comfort our soul.

Be well this weekend.

CultFit Rainbow


Out of the night

that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
-William Ernest Henley Invictus

Notes:

Be well today!

CultFit Path