Day 285 Intention ~ Accept Impermanence

Day 285 Intention ~ Accept Impermanence

Things are in a constant state of change...that is one constant we can depend on. It is a lesson of yoga to learn to accept the now and not get attached to it because it is all impermanent. I am sure that seeing an old friend in the past week is what sparked my attention to past things, silly arguments I've had or just longing for younger days and friends. 

Through this, some old negative emotions have risen through all of this and it is silly. I know that these feelings are silly to dwell on, but yet, I still let certain things bother me. I need to let go. These past things are not really affecting the here and so fleeting now, except for my pain in my heart or gut about them. It's silly. They are over. These situations are long gone, but I sparked them back to life...in my mind. 

The truth is, every moment is gone in a snap. Try to enjoy them, don't attach to them. If you stopped and really found stillness in the right here, right now, it wouldn't seem so bad. Not dwelling on the past, not worrying about the future. Just being here in the moment...and then it is gone. 

Nothing is permanent. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 278 Intention ~ Wait On A Friend

Day 278 Intention ~ Wait On A Friend

A little Stones reference this morning as I am super excited that one of my oldest & dearest friends is coming to visit this afternoon. Although, I have to go teach class and have other things I need to do before his arrival, I can't help but hum that tune. 

Old friends are the best. New ones are pretty great too, but those ones that are like family...sometimes they actually know you better than your family does. That is how this one is & I cannot wait. He moved out of the States years ago and, if lucky, I get to see him once a year, usually every couple years. So, although I am sure it will fly by, I can't wait to see this old friend and cherish the time together! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 267 Intention ~ Keep Balanced

Day 267 Intention ~ Keep Balanced

Sunday was the fall equinox and on that day the daylight and nightfall are an equal 12 hours each. It brings me to think about balance. As fall starts, many of us throw ourselves back into work or school activities, football, upcoming holidays and all sorts of things after a lazy summer and forget to take time for oneself. 

I am the same way. I like the activity that gets stirred up once everything gets back to normal, but being in a constant state of "go" can burn you out...fast.

So, remember to find balance in your life. Take some time for you to replenish so that you can enjoy all of those great fall activities. 

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 218 Intention ~ Hang in There

Day 218 Intention ~ Hang In There

Although an afternoon and night away from reality was great, as soon as I got home this morning, the "to do" list started ticking in my brain. 

How do you turn it off?? 

Well, you take deep breaths and try to tackle one thing at a time. Once you get going, it's really much easier to keep the pace up. Sometimes that is easier said than done, sure, but once you get up and do it, it usually starts rolling. At least that is what I have found, not just today, but other days when I am trying to get back into the swing of things. 

Appreciate the time away, and appreciate the time in the daily grind. It's the only time to celebrate this particular time, so appreciate it and enjoy life...hang in there! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 161 Intention ~ Enjoy Mamacita

Day 161 Intention ~ Enjoy Mamacita

Mamacita is what John & I call his mom. She has been visiting since Thursday for the wedding. Today is her last day here in Cleveland before heading back to Colorado, so I want to make the most of it. 

She is a fun, interesting lady. We have good conversations and read tarot cards and stuff like that. We don't get to see her that often, so it's special when she gets to visit or we get to head back to Colorado to visit. 

Family and loved ones are so important in our lives. We must appreciate and enjoy them while they are here with us and not wait til it's too late. I don't mean to sound morbid, and believe me, mamacita is not knocking on death's door or anything like that. I am just trying to be present and appreciative and remind myself to enjoy time spent with any of our loved ones each time. It truly is a blessing to be enjoyed. 

On that note...til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 32 Intention ~ Take My Time, I Will Get When It's Time

Day 32 Intention ~ Take my time, I will get there when it's time.

This can be applied to many things...my yoga practice, my career, my enlightenment, even my drive to Berea in the snow. Friends that have known me for a long time know that rushing is not something that I like to do. Whether it is to get out of the house in the morning or to get into a yoga pose that I find challenging. When I was younger, I would sometimes feel little less accomplished because I wasn't working in a career that I necessarily wanted to be in, or I wasn't with my life partner yet when my friends all had seemed to find that love already. Whatever it was that came up, I hadn't figured out what it was that I needed and wanted from this life and it made me feel insecure. 

Nowadays, I feel like I am finally doing what I want to do, but am still unsure of what direction it will end up. That's okay. I have realized that my slow & steady pace is what works for me. I am working in the field I want to be in, I have found that love that I want to share a life with, and I can finally (after many years), at least lift up into a forearm stand albeit still armed with a strap & a block...that is okay. 

I know that I quote my African proverbs calendar a lot on this blog, but it's kind of going along with my life, sending me little reminders, and today is no exception. It's a Ugandan proverb that reads, "The long, sure way will take you to your destination." Perfect. I can't wait to see what is going to happen when I arrive.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia