In My Craft or Sullen Art

In my craft or sullen art
Exercised in the still night
When only the moon rages
And the lovers lie abed
With all their griefs in their arms,
I labour by singing light
Not for ambition or bread
Or the strut and trade of charms
On the ivory stages
But for the common wages
Of their most secret heart.

Not for the proud man apart
From the raging moon I write
On these spindrift pages
Nor for the towering dead
With their nightingales and psalms
But for the lovers, their arms
Round the griefs of the ages,
Who pay no praise or wages
Nor heed my craft or art.

Dylan Thomas

CultFit Grow


Child

Your clear eye is the one absolutely beautiful thing.
I want to fill it with color and ducks,
The zoo of the new

Whose names you meditate
April snowdrop, Indian pipe,
Little

Stalk without wrinkle,
Pool in which images
Should be grand and classical

Not this troublous
Wringing of hands, this dark
Ceiling without a star.

Sylvia Plath

CultFit Cloud


(My) Secret

The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter-

*I’m writing with a broad perspective this morning. I do so because I may have unearthed a major obstacle along my path in life and maybe along your path as well … *

Quick question: What does it truly mean to be patient as defined by you, not defined by a self-help book, nor by a friend or coach – You?

In the still, frigid morning light, I tried to untangle the meaning of patience and its assorted complexities. What does it mean to find peace in the very moments that intrinsically seem to bring frustration to me? To show compassion to other drivers on the road who are in more of a hurry than I am? How does it feel when we stop rushing towards an unknown future,instead, turning our appreciation to life unfolding in front of our very eyes?

Impatience, is not a part of myself I’m particularly proud of. I am far more patient with the many inspiring people in my life, than I am with my own self. It takes far too much effort and energy to have patience with my broken down body, to forgive myself for all the ways I am not perfect and believe me, there are many painful war stories to tell – figuratively and literally. Little do those stories matter, my insatiable thirst for instant gratification dictates otherwise.

Patience is a far more difficult than searching for polysyllabic words to describe how I am feeling this morning. Simply, patience is my kryptonite against the irrational demands I place upon myself, each and every day.

Daily Meditation:

I haven’t been patient enough with my blogging thing recently as I have been in the past. I need to step back, step back to listen to the warmth in my heart, that so very often gets rushed and misplaced due to my need to post as often as I do.

I am working on many exciting and cool “things” I believe you will find useful, not only on the mat or out on the trail, but rather more importantly This “thing” called life.

CultFit Patience


Door, Propped – Wide Open

Good resolutions are like babies crying in church. They should be carried out immediately-

If this is your first time visiting CultFit? Welcome and I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit. If you came in search of some prophetic wisdom pertaining to life, yoga, mediation and whatever else tickles your fancy? Don’t let the door slam your tush as you scurry away

Wanting to be a super flexible yogi and actually being a super flexible yogi are two entirely different “things“. After a restless nights sleep, a twenty-five minute drive to the studio, biting morning temperatures and sitting on a frozen yoga mat (Top Tip: Bring your mat in the house …), morning yoga practice is the last thing I feel like doing. Although, on these days when I’ve given up and decided to cut myself a break to head to Dunkin Donuts instead of having a frozen tush? Leaves me feeling restless and anxiousinstead of feeling centered and energized. I find myself being uncomfortable at work, daydreaming about some exotic, yoga beachfront retreat somewhere in Mexico-Land as I continue making bullshit promises to myself that I’ll practice when I get home, with little to no chance of ever getting played out.

I know my heart would feel calmer and more fulfilled if I went, if I merely had the drive to simply show up and stop making lame ass excuses 

So here I am at work, having to microwave my coffee because its cold now, trying to relax, while simultaneously pushing the thoughts of being a bum further back into my mind. I need time to think and reflect this morning. There just has to be a path, an avenue, where I can drift, and break free from the must-dos, appearing to look busy and productive.

Daily Meditation:

A text appears on my phone, a few streaks of coffee racing down the side of my stained Kahlua coffee cup, a thought appears in my mind  Smile, open the door gently and go for a walk.

CultFit Walk


K(now)ing

I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing-

Because each one of us reading on this chilly Monday morning are rational, intelligent people (and maybe myself). We believe that if we know the reasons for the “things“, in our daily life This understanding of events will set us free. Imagine knowing what other people are thinking standing in line for a latte or how they are feeling, or why they act differently than we do?

Real life however? Does not work like this

Knowing why other people “do” what they do, won’t make us feel any better this morning, and it certainly won’t make us any warmer on the inside – in our hearts. It seems as though our journey in today’s world, constantly seeking answers … “Let me look the answer up on my phone“, begins and ends with: “Yeah … But“.

Why don’t our thoughts and feelings fall into place when “life” so graciously presents us with a rational answer?

Daily Meditation:

Over the first part of the year, I am going to steer this CultFit vessel off course just a touch. I want to explore finding the “eureka” moment(s) in our lives, and how we react when the right answer arrives at our pretty little toes … Now, the real work begins.

Be well this morning and please take care!

CultFit Frozen