Day 339 Intention ~ Plan Ahead

Day 339 Intention ~ Plan Ahead

I am not one to map everything out in my life or world. I admittedly get a little lazy about it and fly by the seat of my pants at times. 

Tomorrow I am leading a wellness day for a community group that I have been very excited about. Sure, I've known about it for months. Sure, I've had an idea of what I have wanted to do since learning of this event. And, no, not til this afternoon, did I type it all out and get it together. 

What's funny is that the past two nights I have dreamt of this event and me leading it and, well, it all going well. But, the fact that I am dreaming about it lets me know that I am actually concerned about it more than I consciously feel like I am. 

So, even with my vague outline in my head, today, I planned this event. I typed it all out & am ready to roll with it come tomorrow. 

And guess what? I feel more relaxed now. 

A Malian proverb from today's African proverbs calendar reads, "Those who accomplish great things pay attention to little ones."  So, perhaps this outline and plan for me are the "little" things, but to someone who reaps its benefits tomorrow, it could be considered great. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 327 Intention ~ Follow Through With Plans

Day 327 Intention ~ Follow Through With Plans

Ugh. Stayed up til 4 a.m. celebrating my husband's birthday. What was I thinking?!?! 

Still had to get up and do all of my responsibilities today. 

Banking, teach class, deal with my car issue, walk the dog, and now I am off to a benefit. 

Almost there...it's snowing and cold outside. We just got the 3rd season of Treme, disc 1 in the mail from Netflix. My husband is planted on the couch in his recovery spot. Yes, I would like to just stay here and doze off to the sounds of New Orleans. 

BUT ~ in my more mature 40's, I really am trying to do what I say I am going to do. And that means, go to this benefit right now. Then, I can rest. 

Follow through is a good intention for me as I used to just blow things off if I didn't feel like it. This not only made me miss out on some cool experiences, but sometimes put other people out. I try not to behave that way anymore. 

So, til tomorrow (when I am better rested)...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 282 Intention ~ Bend Don't Break

Day 282 Intention ~ Bend Don't Break

I read an article last night about what some super successful people do before 8 a.m. that puts them ahead of the game. Some were obvious like workout and eat breakfast, and then one that would seem obvious, yet now that I work for myself (sort of), I forget to do: make a schedule/to do list for that day. Seems like common sense to do that, but if something isn't completely pressing, I tend to let it wait until the last minute, so that I can just completely freak out to get it done. 

So, last night before I went to bed, I compiled a schedule for myself today. It helps to keep me focused and challenges me not to slack off. I used to make these schedules for myself all of the time to be sure I remained organized and didn't forget things that I needed to do, but have let that go the last few months for whatever reason. 

So, although I am trying to keep my "to do" list on track today, of course, things come up. Learning to find some flexibility in the schedule is important too. Otherwise, I would go crazy and life would be too regimented for me to enjoy it. 

The goal is to try to keep on track, but be willing to bend a little bit if needed, not break if something changes. 

We can apply this to many things, a detour on our commute, a different yoga teacher in class that day, if a plan simply falls through. It happens all the time, but if we can find some santosa or contentment and peace with what is going on around us, planned or not planned, we will be able to find a little more joy and ease in our day. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 225 Intention ~ Take It In Stride

Day 225 Intention ~ Take It In Stride

Plans change. Things come up. Today was one of those days. The muffler fell off my husband's van, so he needed a ride to work. No problem. Then he informed me of an appointment midday that he had. Threw my work plans into the fire since I go work for friends about 50 miles away on Tuesday's. Then his phone wasn't working, so we spent an hour at the Sprint store. 

In the past, pre-yoga days, I may have freaked out and felt put upon in my selfishness that my day was getting screwed up, but nowadays, I just take it in stride. Sure, there are times I am stressed about things and can't seem to let things go right away. But more times than not anymore, I can take things in stride and realize the world is not going to come to an end & everything will be okay even with a change of plans. 

So, if you find yourself feeling stressed or upset because things haven't progressed in the way you planned or the way you hoped, try to let it be what it is and take it in stride.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 219 Intention ~ Accept Whatever Happens

Day 219 Intention ~ Accept Whatever Happens

It's a rainy day today in Cleveland. I have 2 outdoor classes scheduled with no rain backup. As much as I would like these classes to happen, I am just going with the flow and accepting whatever happens. 

Finding contentment with what goes on...good or seemingly bad or unfortunate is just a part of life, therefore, we might as well not fight it. That just makes it harder. Everything happens for a reason, or so "they" say, so I am going to practice santosha and be grateful just for the day and be content with whatever happens. I certainly am not going to fight with Mother Nature about the rain! 

When things don't go as we planned, it can be an interesting investigation as to what the universe is trying to tell us. Maybe something bad would have happened if things went on as we wanted or perhaps something more important to the here and now will pop up. It's hard to know, but either way, I am content. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia