Day 297 Intention ~ Bow Down to Mother Nature

Day 297 Intention ~ Bow Down to Mother Nature

Today was our first snow in Cleveland. It's only October 24th and although this happens some years, it's still a surprise. That first snow fall. So pristine. So new. So foreign, even though we come to expect it each year. 

Mother Nature is amazing. The change of seasons is beautiful and breathtaking. I know some get down at the first snow sighting, dreading the months to come, but I think it's beautiful. It is a sight to behold. All four seasons. It is amazing the cycle of life that we go through in each year. 

Now that we are headed to our cold snowy winter season, it's a time to come back into ourselves. Find some grounding and inner discovery. Review the past year...good times and bad. 

Instead of looking at winter in a negative way, take it as a time to regroup and rediscover yourself and what you need now or observe how you have grown over the past year. 

Embrace that & bow down to Mother Nature. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 261 Intention ~ Regroup

Day 261 Intention ~ Regroup

The last two nights I have had nightmares. I used to have them all of the time when I worked 9-5 or rather 8:30-5:30 Monday through Friday and then taught every evening and on weekends. I would be pulling my hair out. I was frazzled and I would have nightmares caused by stress. Not very yogic for sure. 

Since quitting my day job and teaching full-time, I have had less. Sure, the occasional one slips in when all the bills are due and I am constantly running a calculator through my head, but the longer I have been teaching, the less that has been happening. 

The last two days though. What's up?! Well, I start 3 new classes (all different from each other) this week besides the 2 new ones I started last week and in addition to subbing 2 classes already this week. Needless to say, it's a busy week. With new classes, especially ones catered to certain groups, today's new one is a class for seniors. It takes extra preparation that I haven't felt like I have had time to do yet. It stresses me out. Even though I know it will be fine and I will get it together, I want it to be good. 

So, writing this early today and getting off of the computer...and the smart phone and regrouping, so that I can make these nightmares fade away and feel more organized. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 256 Intention ~ Stay In

Day 256 Intention ~ Stay In

One nice thing about the weather getting a little cooler and at least today, rainy, is that it conjures up a nesting feeling in me. During the spring & summer months, all I want to do is be outside running around, socializing, and living a very energized lifestyle. Fall & winter bring us inside. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. It's a time to regroup and recoup some of the energy spent over the past few months. Don't get me wrong, I would still like to see some summer like days out there, but for today, I am okay with it. 

Many Friday nights this summer, if we were in town, my husband and I have be-bopped around our neighborhood having fun. Not always the easiest for me to deal with come Saturday when I have to teach, but okay. We had fun. We met people, we supported local businesses (although we usually do) and most importantly we bonded. 

But, this Friday night, tonight, we are staying in and I am thrilled. I am excited to just recoup, especially after last weekend's craziness and rest. And, I actually have a rare Saturday off tomorrow, which is a bonus! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 233 Intention ~ Take Some Time to Regroup

Day 233 Intention ~ Take Some Time To Regroup

Having many different responsibilities and obligations seems to be either the American way or maybe just how life goes. 

Between teaching classes, writing, working for JAK, changing teaching schedules, meetings, cleaning, shopping, preparing meals, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, getting my own practice in and on and on, things can get jumbled in my head. 

Today, luckily, at least for the rest of summer, is one of my mellow weekdays. It allows me to stop and think and put things in order in my head. These days are important to have. If they didn't happen every once in awhile, I would turn into that frazzled, burned out yoga teacher from which no one would want to take a class. 

If this doesn't seem like a possibility in your coming days, even just taking 10 minutes in the morning, midday, or really, whenever you can and just meditating can help clear the mind. It can help to bring back focus and calm. 

Find a comfortable seat, sit up nice and tall and close your eyes. Focus on the 3rd eye and breathe. When outside thoughts float in, and believe me, they will, just acknowledge them and let them float right back out. It's unbelievable how just a short meditation can turn your mind and day around. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia