Day 255 Intention ~ Bring Joy To Another

Day 255 Intention ~ Bring Joy To Another

Perhaps it's just a smile or a laugh. Maybe it's letting someone in your driving lane. Maybe it's by listening...really listening. There are so many ways to bring joy to another person that you come across in your day. Whether it is a stranger or your dearest loved one, bring someone some joy and it is sure to be passed on. 

Seems like that should be an everyday intention...for everyone. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 152 Intention ~ Look Around & Smile

Day 152 Intention ~ Look Around & Smile

Yesterday I was driving home from class and realized that I had a grin across my face as I drove in this crazy traffic that was happening. It was that moment of realization that struck me...life is a wonderful amazing thing, no matter what is going on. Sure, sometimes things don't go as we would wish and are tough or sometimes we're just plain bored, but sometimes that is okay. It all moves in cycles and we need those times to appreciate the blissful times. 

Last weekend I spent so much time driving, from Cleveland to Rochester to Toronto, back to Rochester and then back to Cleveland, all with so much activity inbetween (which was fabulous), but it was also exhausting. 

Today, after my class, I chilled at home, made vegan cookie dough and watched "Dexter" with my husband, dog, George & cat, Stella. At first I felt guilty, wishing it would start raining, so that I didn't feel like a lazy good for nothing. But then I realized that there was nothing else I'd rather do than have a lazy afternoon with my family...relaxing. Bring that smile back to my face. 

Lo and behold, as soon as I came up here to write this blog up, the downpour came outside. Hopefully it cools it down, so that actually baking the cookies won't create a sauna in my house! 

Til tomorrow...just look around and smile...life is so full of richness & wonderment. Enjoy.

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 126 Intention ~ Keep Smiling

Day 126 Intention ~ Keep Smiling

Monday blahs. Many of us get them. Back to work after a beautiful weekend. Today, I vow to keep smiling. If we can change our attitude towards something and make it a positive, well, lo and behold, it usually becomes more positive. 

So, although I don't work a regular 9-5 job, it doesn't mean that I am not busy. Today is no different, but smiling and being positive through it all just makes it more pleasant all around. 

Monday Funday! (Okay, maybe that is extreme for some of you, but please try to enjoy every day ~ it's the only one of that day you'll ever get!)

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 95 Intention ~ Embrace the Day

Day 95 Intention ~ Embrace the Day

This is gonna be short and sweet today, because it's gonna be another busy one for me...but the plan is to embrace the day! Whatever it brings! 

Enjoy what comes your way. Smile at people, laugh, appreciate this great big world while you're here! Why waste time being negative about things, it only makes it worse, never better. Try to see the light in all things and you just may find that your heart and your mind open more and more. 

Happy Friday you all! 

Til tomorrow...(told ya it was gonna be a short one today!)

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 89 Intention ~ Spring Clean

Day 89 Intention ~ Spring Clean

Perhaps a cleanse is in order...at the very least, a buckle down on my eating habits needs to happen. A spring cleaning of sorts. Ever since going vegan (and discovering delicious vegan baked treats) my diet has fallen into a no man's land of sugary "good"ness. Ugh. Sluggishness, laziness and just a general gross feeling have joined in the fun. 

So, today, my intention is to get back on the healthy food track...so really, this intention will spread much longer than today. It's been good so far with kale and other fruits, veggies and whole grains in my meals today. Crossing fingers, I can stick to it and break my newly formed habits. 

Spring is a great time to reassess your habits, food and exercise related. With the weather breaking, people come out of the wood work and get more active. There is a "lighter" energy about town and our diets should follow. Moving away from the heavy chilis, soups, stews, potatoes, fatty foods and meals that comforted us in the cold winter months and allowing fruits and fresh salads to move in to keep us light and energized. 

Our yoga practices even can take on a lighter tone. While in winter, we tend to find grounding and comfort through many seated forward folds, more yin and restorative poses and perhaps a slower pace in class, spring and summer is a time to float and move a little bit faster. Jumping, flipping, twisting, balancing and back bends are great poses to help us spring clean the body and allow us to greet the world with a great big smile. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 88 Intention ~ Celebrate Spring!

Day 88 Intention ~ Celebrate Spring!

Okay, so this picture may seem more like, celebrate summer, but I have a lot of excitement over this nice weather. 

Today in Cleveland, the sun is shining bright, it's 50 degrees out and it's supposed to be a beautiful weekend. Since Spring started, we have been hit by snow, after snow, after snow...none of it really sticking, but grey skies and snow do not a Spring-like day make. So, today, I celebrate! 

And apparently, others feel the same. Everywhere I have ventured today, there are people all over, walking around, riding bikes, chatting, laughing and most importantly, smiling. 

Amazing what a little sunshine can do for the spirit. I love all of the seasons, don't get me wrong, but there's just something about that bright sun after months of cloudy, grey , snowy days. 

On that note, have a great Friday. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 51 Intention ~ To Smile at the People I Meet

Day 51 Intention ~ To Smile at the People I Meet Today

Pretty simple and pretty easy to do. My goal today is to just smile and be friendly to those I meet up with today. It could just make someone's day, who knows! It may cause a chain reaction of people smiling and being courteous and friendly to one another. Isn't that a nice way to live! 

In my yoga classes, I try to smile and laugh and put people at ease, so they feel more relaxed and calm and usually more willing to try poses they may not have been willing to try. Today was no different. I have a student who used to practice all the time, but has recently discovered that she has rheumatoid arthritis and things that she used to do, are much more difficult now, if she can even do them. But, she smiles and breathes and does what she can. I applaud her for that, and I am glad that she feels at ease in my class to know that that is okay. 

I even tried this smiling at the BMV today. And guess what, the woman behind the counter helping me, at first, wasn't looking at me, but then she yawned, and I smiled and cracked a joke. From then on out, she was as attentive and friendly as can be. Interesting. 

I am going to keep this going for the rest of the day, and try to do it everyday. We are all connected, so why not give a warm smile to someone who may look like they need it. You may just make their day! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia