Day 144 Intention ~ Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Day 144 Intention ~ Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

There are times when I get worked up over something that, really, in the whole scheme of things, is just not a big deal. 

There are many factors that can lead to this reaction: lack of sleep, if I ate junk food, if I have pms or an argument with someone I love, and many many more. 

Last night, I had one of these moments. I got myself worked up over a little thing because I was overtired and didn't want to be inconvenienced. 

In the light of day, all is fine and everything has worked out. But, I still really don't like when I react that way to things. When it does happen, it means it's time for me to take a step back and really think about what's going on around me. It's usually something else bothering me or causing me to feel frustrated. 

So, think before you react. And really, don't sweat the small stuff! It's never worth it. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 143 Intention ~ Live Presently

Day 143 Intention ~ Live Presently

"Be here now", as Ram Dass would say, but he's right. We spend so much time trying to plan our coming days or wallowing in past events that we forget to enjoy the now. Right at this moment. Find contentment. Find peace.

Earlier in the week on my Facebook page, I posted a quote of the day from some other page that quoted Lao Tzu, "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present." 

It's normal. But, just stop right now as you are reading this and enjoy this...present...moment...and exhale. :)

Presently saying til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 142 Intention ~ Take My Own Advice

Day 142 Intention ~ Take My Own Advice

I am constantly going on about practice, practice, practice...and meditation and being present and so on and so on. As I wallow in my little funk I've been in, although, I have accepted it for what it is, I simultaneously kind of stopped my practice. 

Hmmm. Connection? No practice = tamasic funk? 

Seems likely. 

Sure, I still drink my green drinks and eat vegan. I pretend in my mind that because I demo a couple of poses during class, that I am practicing my asana practice. (I know my meditation & breathing practice has fallen to the wayside- at least I don't lie to myself about that!) 

But, no wonder I haven't been feeling my normal chipper self!

So, today, and the rest of my days ahead, I will follow my own advice to those around me and practice, practice, practice. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 141 Intention ~ Go With The Cycle

Day 141 Intention ~ Go With the Cycle

If you were on this blog last week, you may recall the discussion over the gunas & how they move in cycles.

Yep, today is just a reminder of that for myself. 

As I sluggishly moved from class to work, pretty apathetic towards the world around me...just trying to get through it, I remembered that whole blog I wrote about the cycles of the gunas and how we need each one. Well, I'm trying to go with the cycle, but am really hoping that rajas guna kicks in pretty quick over here! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 140 Intention ~ Think Before You Speak

Day 140 Intention ~ Think Before You Speak

One of the great things about yoga practice for me is that I have become much less reactionary. The breath work, the calmness, just living in a more connected way has helped me pause before just blurting out whatever is on my mind. 

Lots of times we say things we don't mean in a self-defense reactionary impulse. Often we hurt those we are speaking to when we really don't even mean what we are saying. When we take a moment to pause before making a statement (for a long or a short period of time), we can react calmly saying things in a clear manner that isn't hurtful. 

Today, my goal is to remember that pause. Think before I speak and be sure to not blurt out things that I don't mean...especially if it is something hurtful. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 139 Intention - Take a Smartphone Break

Day 139 Intention - Take a Smartphone Break

Sure, it wasn't my intention when I woke up this morning, it was nice to not even pick up my phone or look at emails or Facebook until 7:30 at night.

The break made me feel a little more interested in what was going on out in the world than when I check my phone every few minutes. 

I spoke to a parenting expert earlier in the week for an article I was writing and she expressed her concern with kids and all of their smartphones and games and t.v., etc. and her fear that they weren't going to learn the skill of conversation. How to actually talk to people. Heck, abbreviating words doesn't help childrens spelling skills either. 

For me, it allowed me to keep my head clear without constant stimulation. This allowed me to truly clear the mind, not answering emails and texts immediately.

You should give it a shot someday and see how it makes you feel. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 138 Intention ~ Try Something New

Day 138 Intention ~ Try Something New

A couple days ago, my husband's horoscope said to go on an adventure. Try something new or go someplace you've never been. There are many ways to interpret this, but he wants to try a restaurant that he's never been to before. 

We were set to go on this adventure Thursday evening after my class. He dropped me off, he would pick me up afterwards and off we would go. 

By the time my class was over, he had lost his steam. So, being the 40 somethings that we are, we decided to reschedule for tonight. 

Although, the horoscope is really for him, we both are going someplace new. It's exciting to find some new and different stimulus and to check out places around town. Get a feel for other local places, meet new people and have some fun where we live...together. 

People get so bogged down in their daily lives that they sometimes need to reconnect. 

I am looking forward to trying something new & maybe even after all these years, discovering something new about my husband. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia