Day 359 Intention ~ Enjoy Time With Family

Day 359 Intention ~ Enjoy Time With My Family

It's the holidays. I know it sounds cliche, but the thing that makes me happiest is to see my family and get some time with them. We are all spread out these days and rarely are we all in the same place at the same time (this year included), so it's nice to catch up with whoever I can.

My nieces & nephews are changing and growing up so fast that it's hard to keep up. My father will be 85 in 2014, so I know it really means a lot to him when we are all (or some) there.

So, as we drive back to Ohio to work tomorrow, I am so glad to have been able to live, share, laugh & love with my original satsang!

I wish you all the merriest and hope that you got to spend the holidays with your loved ones.

Namaste til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 301 Intention ~ Contribute In Some Way...

Day 301 Intention ~ Contribute In Some Way...

Lokah samastah sukinoh bhavantu

May all beings everywhere, be happy & free,

And may the thoughts, words & actions of my own life

Contribute in some way,

To that happiness and that freedom for all.

Shanti, shanti, shanti...ommmmmmmmmmmm

This is the Jivamukti invocation, it is also a mantra that is included in the closing Ashtanga prayer. It's a mantra that has been around for a very (to say the least) long time. 

Sometimes we all get so wrapped up in the little things in our daily lives, that we forget that part of this life is just about taking care of each other. 

I think about some of the negativity about some personal things that has been running through my mind the past couple of days and when I hear or chant this mantra, it makes me feel silly. Life is not about focusing on the negative, it's about bringing the good out of situations. Not wallowing in negativity and letting things just fester and grow. So, even though, right now, the things I am thinking about are personal, I want to contribute to the good and positive things in people's lives. Yes, all people. Sometimes the ones we miss are the ones closest to us. So, especially them. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 292 Intention ~ Stand In Awe

Day 292 Intention ~ Stand In Awe

Last night was my husband's big art opening. I was amazed by the outpouring of support from friends, family, co-workers and my yoga students (who are also friends) that came out. It is difficult for me to express how touched John & I both were from all of this. I stand in awe of all of their amazing-ness.

I am also in awe of the turn out in the Cleveland Heights community and all of their kind words and support. It is always nice to hear from strangers. I do really enjoy living in this community, so to feel like my husband's work was appreciated here, at home, was a wonderful feeling. 

I am also in awe of the amazing range of artists that do support the community. The talents out there are amazing and I hope that we can all support each other in our endeavors and keep art alive & well! 

Keep living and loving those around you and your community will only grow and thrive. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 277 Intention ~ Think It Through

Day 277 Intention ~ Think It Through

Sometimes my husband & I get excited about things. When one of our goals is being offered on a silver platter, we want to jump on it ~ who wouldn't?!

Last night, one of John's goals that we had written off for this year was offered to him. We were excited and wound up after a Browns victory (3 in a row!), so we were gung ho and up for the task. 

This morning, reality hit. How much work this would be to accomplish in the next 6 weeks, is it realistic? When it is something you want, it's hard not to just grab it and hold on tight without thinking. So, instead of just blindly leaping forth, we are going to discuss it like adults this evening and think it through. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 273 Intention ~ Get Back On Track

Day 273 Intention ~ Get Back On Track

There are a lot of wonderful things coming up for my husband and I in the next few weeks. We both have a lot of work to do to make these events successful. Sometimes, I think, in a bit of a childish way, we both tend to avoid these obligations by going out and celebrating our lives before we accomplish what we need to. I'm not saying we shouldn't celebrate life, but we also shouldn't avoid our responsibilities. 

Today, it's back to reality, as I have classes and a lot of work to do at home before tomorrow. I am taking a hiatus from socializing to get my head screwed back on straight and until I get some of these "responsibilities" crossed off of my list. Then we can really celebrate...without any guilt!

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 214 Intention ~ Remember It's Already Inside

Day 214 Intention ~ Remember It's Already Inside

We have everything we need inside of us already. It's just waiting for us to tap into it. I still forget this and get nervous sometimes when I am about to teach students that don't already know me. This was how I felt this morning and then luckily, in a moment of clarity, I realized that I just need to teach my yoga. I already know what I am doing. Trying to teach like someone else is silly...and inauthentic. 

Stay true to yourself, stay open to others and teach from your heart, knowing that you already have the tools to live, teach, and love this life...whatever it is you do.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 65 Intention ~ Start Fresh

Day 65 Intention ~ Start Fresh

Wipe the slate clean. Now, I'm not talking about removing everything from your life, just letting today be a new day. 

When we hold onto things so tightly whether it be emotions, work, certain situations or even other people, we get stuck. We wallow in the past and that leaves us stranded...emotionally and mentally. If we do that for too long, we will also start to see physical repercussions, like back aches, tight shoulders, headaches, even laziness or overeating (or not eating enough)...the list goes on and on. 

So, remember that each day is a new day. Try to wipe the slate clean and give yourself a chance to thrive, live and love! We all deserve that chance. 

Yesterday, I was feeling physically drained, mentally stressed and overworked and just plain tired. This led to me creating a "poor me" situation in my head and feeling like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I ate a healthy meal, went to bed a decent hour and lo and behold, today is like a new dawn!

If you are feeling tired, overworked, stressed, angry, sad, lazy or negative...stop and try to see what you may be holding onto that you don't need anymore. How can you let it go? What has changed in your routine? Diet? Exercise? 

Go to a yoga class, take a run, drink water, eat something healthy and definitely try to get at least 7 hours of sleep. 

My guess is that you will feel like you've wiped the slate clean and can start the new day fresh. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 20 Intention ~ No Regrets

Day 20 Intention ~ No Regrets

I have always tried to live my life without regrets. Have I done stupid things? Yes, yes I have. But, I try to learn and grow from these mistakes. Sometimes it takes longer than other times. Sometimes they are bigger than others. 

What I do know is that we can't turn back and change what we did, so there is no point in regretting our past actions. 

It can be hard to do, but dwelling on them instead of moving forward gets us nowhere. 

Live in the present. Accept each moment as it is and just keep trying to grow and move forward. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia