There is a vast difference between seeking solitude and loneliness, though, in our warp speed minds – solitude and loneliness are often used interchangeably on a daily basis.
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: Festivus :
Posted: December 23, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Festivus, Grievances, holidays, Omaha, yoga 19 CommentsI got a lot of problems with you people-
In the lighthearted tone of this “special” holiday, I would like to share my grievance(s) from the past year. I’ll wait, patiently, as you set up your aluminum Festivus poles and prepare for your feats of strength.
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Tailgating drivers, zombie like pedestrians, and folks who go one tarnished step beyond stealing spots reserved for the elderly and pregnant women – Pale in comparison to individuals running late to yoga class!
Daily Meditation:
Celebrating this truly brilliant holiday, allow me to close with a simple question – What irks you the most on a daily basis?!? Air your grievances below or at least write a comment in ALL CAPS and so markedly terrible, that some random inter-webs pecksniffian, will have the chance to complain about it!
: Joy :
Posted: December 22, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: christmas, kindness, love, meditation, Omaha, passion, winter, yoga 8 CommentsWhen you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy-
The season of “peace” … Hanukkah, Festivus, Kwanzaa, Christmas, winter solstice, and New Years arrive once a year. Some folks look forward to this time – Others, like myself … Dread them. Can we peel away some of the stress, and find time for peaceful days?
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I’m not a complete Scrooge – Really! I enjoy winter and the holiday season, all of the celebrations, traditions, and joyous gatherings they bring. And there are some tangible benefits we can reap from this time of year – like spending more face-to-face time with friends, rather than “liking” them on social media. Also hidden within the holidays are remedies for being a grinch and a curmudgeon. Such as joining family and old friends for a pick up hockey game, a walk after dinner or even a bike ride. For most of us though, the wear-and-tear of the most “Wonderful Time” of the year is simply too much to handle. As much as hibernation sounds like the perfect solution …
Daily Meditation:
Meditation or whatever you want to call it, can truly bring us peace. Slow down with me this morning, let’s take in the lovely sights, the alluring scents and sounds that are traditional for this time of year … And as Cousin Eddie once said: “That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”
Too Close for : Comfort :
Posted: December 16, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Body Image, courage, gratitude, kindness, love, Omaha, passion, perfection, yoga 7 CommentsConfront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing-
Raise your hand if you consider yourself to be a perfectionist? Good. Now keep your hand raised if you expect those around you to follow in your footsteps?
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This past Saturday morning during a powerful yoga class, I made a series of mistakes, and I want to share with you in this brief post – What a relief it is to make a mistake without belittling yourself. Without a doubt, I want to do the very best I can, but expecting myself or anyone else to achieve perfection is unrealistic and a denial of my true spirit. Accepting my many “imperfections” does not mean I can allow myself to become unfocused during yoga class or life for that matter, but rather that we can set realistic goals for ourselves.
Daily Meditation:
I don’t have to be perfect to smile and enjoy life, and as a wise yoga instructor once said during class – Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
Vacation in the : Sun :
Posted: December 15, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: gratitude, karma koffee omaha, kindness, life, love, meditation, Mindfulness, Omaha, passion, Solitude, yoga, Zen 12 CommentsThere is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more
― George Gordon Byron
Solitude is the state of being alone, without being lonely. Solitude is a state of being, where we nourish our hearts with wonder and experiencing the bounty of nature. Solitude is a time for reflection, searching for, and developing our true spirit.
Solitude nurtures our inner peace – Solitude is simply enjoying stillness, Solitude is sustenance for our souls.
Daily Meditation:
We can choose solitude, loneliness on the other hand – Is imposed on us by others.
How Deep is the : Ocean :
Posted: December 9, 2014 Filed under: Kindness, Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Bliss, blogging, Body Image, Buddhism, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, fitness, freshly pressed, gratitude, happiness, health, holidays, hope, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, Mindfulness, Omaha, passion, pilates, Self-love, Solitude, winter, yoga, Zen 24 CommentsSolitude is fine but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.-
When I became chronically “injured” over five years ago, I was forced to trade the exciting life of an aspiring athlete for the isolation of my own mind … The loneliness was dense, palpable at times, it was hard to distinguish between the injury I was struggling through at the time and the loneliness that gripped me all of the time.
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Back in the wonder years, I found being alone anything but glorious, and far from being soothing. It wasn’t even remotely sweet and delicious. Although, a close friends advice that yoga was what I needed – planted a delicate seed in my mind, and so I began to explore the meaning of “being alone.” I realized early on that being alone on my mat, in and of itself, is neither positive nor negative. This profound feedback described a good portion of my life trying to be someone who I was not – The painful loneliness of striving to be better than the person next me on the starting line or the glorious solitude of going home broken and empty-handed.
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The spiritual manifestation of yoga (not to be confused with the physical) and a deeply rooted mindfulness “practice” showed me that if I could let go of the desire to win at all costs, I might be able to open my heart and soul to the possibility that life could be sweet, maybe even delicious?!? I gradually warmed to the quiet calm of my mind, mindfully following my breath entering and leaving my body. My powers of observation, began to bloom – noting the subtle details swirling around me, details that in the past – Escaped me, like the play of sunlight reflecting from the metallic rims on the road as I cycle along or leaves dancing carelessly in the air on a windy fall morning.
Daily Meditation:
Once I opened my heart and soul to being alone, my loneliness did become sweet and delicious. And some days, when all is calm, it’s even beautiful. Cultivating self-compassion more so than anything else, softens my loneliness and pain, which in turn makes me smile.
Rachelle, Jeff, Cheryl – Sandra, Jim, Katelon, Alyssa, Susie – Michelle, Sara and Maia. To all of you who have “followed” my ramblings from the beginning – My sincerest gratitude for your kindness and support. There truly is no way I can accurately put into words how much you have helped me – Thank you.
CultFit 