You cannot be anyone you want to be. You cannot be anyone you want to be? Really? -Stephen Cope In his book The Great Work of Your Life, Stephen Cope highlights Krishna's guidance for Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita to discuss the yogic idea of dharma or life's work/path. Growing up, many of us may have been … Continue reading Are you what you are or what?
I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore
Some weeks, I experience this great inspiration and I know exactly what I want to share in my blog. It flows effortlessly from my brain to my fingertips as I type it all out. And then some weeks, I feel like there is no major inspiration, but I will have a few little ideas that … Continue reading I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore
Stand in the place where you are…
In speaking to clients in counseling, as well as students in yoga, one of the subjects that has come up several times as of late is that of mindfulness. I get questions about how to stop 'racing thoughts', how to 'be here now', and how to 'worry less'. My answer to all of these is … Continue reading Stand in the place where you are…
Speak To Me Pretty
The words we use, both verbally and non-verbally (in our thoughts), make a huge difference in shaping our life and our reality. Taking the time and care to choose what we say can pay off in how we feel, how we cope, and what we believe is possible. Words carry a vibration just like everything … Continue reading Speak To Me Pretty
We’re not in Kansas anymore
When I feel stressed, scared, and out of control, my first instinct is to run as fast and as far as I can. To drop everything and get the hell out of there so as to prevent major damage being done. This rarely means that I physically run away. But, I am a pro at … Continue reading We’re not in Kansas anymore
Each one, teach one
A coworker asked me yesterday if there were many "levels" to yoga. I told her that I have been practicing for 16 years and I am a beginner. (She really is a beginner, so maybe that wasn't the most motivating thing I could have said...) But, some days, it certainly feels that I am. I … Continue reading Each one, teach one
So, that happened.
I really like to pretend that I am in control. I might even be what my husband some people call a 'control freak'. But, from time to time, the Universe likes to remind me that NO ONE is in control, and that I am no exception. The best laid plans can be blown to bits … Continue reading So, that happened.
Why can’t we be friends?
When we refer to addiction, we often think of drugs and/or alcohol, but when I talk about addiction at work with my patients and when I lead a YogaFit for Addiction and Recovery training, we talk about addictive behaviors in a much broader scope. In his book Recovery 2.0, Tommy Rosen defines addiction as "Any behavior … Continue reading Why can’t we be friends?
Shake it off
Frequently when we think about trauma, we think about it in reference to other people. But let me tell you that we ALL have trauma in our lives. "Trauma is a fact of life, but it doesn't have to be a life sentence." - Peter Levine So, what is trauma? Trauma is defined as a … Continue reading Shake it off
Man in the Mirror
Change is hard. Even when we plan for the change, it can be very stressful. And change is scary. Maybe this is how you change has felt for you. If you let this go, who will you be?! How will you cope? But, in the end, change is inevitable. Whether we choose it or not, change will happen. What … Continue reading Man in the Mirror
Without a doubt
This past week was a "Staycation" week for me and although we did not go to our usual jobs, my husband and I did a great deal of work. We tore the carpet out of two rooms in our house and replaced it with with laminate flooring. We have two fur babies and I have … Continue reading Without a doubt
I love you, man.
My stepfather FREQUENTLY told me that "You never know what will happen" and that I should tell the people I am close to that I love them as much as possible. And then on the evening of July 3, 2007, he went to sleep and never woke up. In recent weeks, I have seen multiple posts on … Continue reading I love you, man.
Out with luck, In with intention
When I say that I am a terrific procrastinator, I mean that I could earn a living as a procrastinator trainer if there were such a thing. I have always loved the movie "Gone with the Wind" for many reasons. I was fascinated by this epic drama and the fact that it could keep my … Continue reading Out with luck, In with intention
Me and Meditation
Some of the things that meditating for 500 days in a row has taught me (in random order): Meditating outside is awesome. Meditation does not mean that you can automatically make all thoughts go away. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The mind is a restless little thing and it tends to get antsy some … Continue reading Me and Meditation
To Live Like You Were Dying
A few months ago, my mom gave me a box of items from my childhood bedroom. Among the items was a small, lockable 5-year diary. The date was at the top of each page and below were 5 lined sections each beginning with 19__ . Upon review of said diary, it was apparent that I … Continue reading To Live Like You Were Dying