(My) Secret
Posted: January 14, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: balance, Bliss, blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, holistic, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, Patience, perspective, pilates, recovery, running, simplicity, trail running, walking, whole foods, writing, yoga, Zen 21 CommentsThe 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.
अलग दृष्टिकोण
Posted: January 10, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Behavior, blogging, Calmness, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, Patience, perspective, pilates, Power Yoga, recovery, running, trail running, whole foods, yoga 25 CommentsIt’s calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion-
Pop Quiz Hot Shot(s): Name your favorite restaurant? Cool … Now name your greatest strength? Why was the second questions harder to answer … Self reflection, open and honest dialogue and talking about the dirty stuff in our lives. Can we agree that breaking through and acknowledging self-love, our true selves is pretty tricky?
Many of us are blind to our best qualities. When asked to name our strengths, we often come up empty-handed, stumble for words and say something that isn’t very meaningful. We tend to overlook the very essence of our true selves, our core qualities, our strengths. The craziness of daily life, past injuries, lamenting a medical diagnosis – hypnotizes, controls, and impedes our progress moving forward.
Sometimes it is easier to “see” our true selves when viewing from a different angle.
Daily Meditation:
What are your passions in life? Seriously, please do not blow off what I am about to write …
What activities fill your heart with love and warmth? What activities are effortless and give you a sense of passion and freedom? Biking, yoga, playing a drop in hockey game, talking with your best friend over lunch, trying a new restaurant on a first date? Dig deep in your soul for a definitive answer! Like you, its effortless for me to construct such a list of passion(s).
What follows is what I hope you dwell on this weekend: What character strengths you are using during each activity? Confidence riding a new trail, honoring yourself during a strenuous power yoga class, moderation playing hockey, listening attentively over lunch, openness to exploring new “things” … These are your greatest strengths!!!
Door, Propped – Wide Open
Posted: January 8, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, trail running, walking, whole foods, yoga 4 CommentsGood 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 anxious, instead 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 …
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.
Temor de Flujo
Posted: January 7, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: anxiety, blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, friends, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, trail running, whole foods, writing, yoga 12 CommentsAnxiety is the dizziness of freedom-
“Any” act of creative expression comes with its own unique perils and fear, I believe its safe to say fear, is the antithesis of flow, and that flow is an engaged state of mind in whatever we are doing? Flow feels entirely effortless and free.
Am I talking about yoga, brushing your teeth, trail running, cycling or mixing the perfect cocktail?
Like you, I have rather nifty collection of fear, fear that hinders my flow in life. Let me know if any of these resonate within you?
The fear that I am lacking talent or a particular set of skills (name the movie and you win a prize). The fear that, if anyone notices me (as a dude practicing yoga) they will think less of me. The fear of appearing foolish cycling about the countryside. The fear of not being able to finish a century. The fear that I’ve wasted my time writing this blog. The fear of offending a reader – you. A fear of leaping into the unknown, jumping in over my head … The fear that I’ll run out of fresh – insightful ideas.
Daily Meditation:
If “whatever” you are doing today feels dreadful and tedious? Maybe you and I are doing something wrong. Maybe we need to try again, in a different way … Am I still talking about yoga, brushing our teeth, trail running, cycling or mixing the perfect cocktail?
K(now)ing
Posted: January 6, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, frozen, gluten free, happiness, health, hope, kindness, life, Lost Love, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, mental health, motivation, musings, natural, nature, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, recovery, relationships, running, snow, trail running, walking, weather, whole foods, writing, yoga 6 CommentsI 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 