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 200 Intention ~ Take Responsibility

Day 200 Intention ~ Take Responsibility

I can't believe it's day 200 already!! 

Today I am taking responsibility. I admittedly have made some stupid mistakes regarding my money and credit cards in my life. I try to make these things life lessons, but this one has taken me 20 years to learn. BUT, I am finally learning it. 

It is a point of contention with my husband and myself and has held a dark cloud over my head for way too long. 

How could I have let this happen??? When I first started teaching yoga full-time and was building up my classes and clientele, I was too proud to ask my husband for money to pay my credit card bill. I stupidly paid late more than once, but never more than a day or two. Well, they jacked my rate up. Now the payments are out of control. Half of my monthly income seems to go to paying on that account. ugh. Of course, I am completely embarrassed by the situation. But now, I am swallowing my pride and admitting to myself that I don't have this under control and making calls to help myself. 

Why is this such an issue??

I am totally responsible in other aspects of my life. I show up, on time, for all of my work engagements, heck, even my social engagements. I pay our other bills. I balance my checkbook, I admit when I am wrong, and I've written this blog everyday for the last 200 days like I promised. 

So, today I am taking responsibility. I have already called the credit card company to try to get them to work with me on this. My next call is to my accountant to ask for her advice on how to handle this issue. I had told my husband that I would do this quite awhile back and avoided it out of embarrassment, but today is the day!

Even though I may not like what I hear, I already feel better having taken the first steps in this process. If you have something hanging over your head, get it out! It's not worth the stress. Start moving forward with it today and clear it up. 

You'll be happy that you did. 

I know that I already feel more true to myself by admitting and trying to fix this than I did just yesterday.

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 168 Intention ~ Stand For Something

Day 168 Intention ~ Stand For Something

Back to my old African proverbs calendar today...I know you all have missed it! 

"If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything." 

                                                          

Not sure exactly what country that is from, but it stirs up some thoughts. What do I stand for? What do I do to fight for what I stand for? Is it working? 

Of course I have many things that I believe in and stand for, but am I actively protecting and fighting for these things...meh. Not really. Sure, I sign online petitions and sometimes send money to the Cleveland APL or ASPCA and eat vegan and recycle and try to leave less of a carbon footprint. But, when it comes to marching for GMO labeling or going to any meetings of any sort, I suddenly have no time. 

It's not that I think that actually changing your habits and lifestyle don't count as legitimate ways of supporting an idea or doing what I can, but why do I cringe at the idea of doing more? 

For a long time, I have wanted to put on a class to benefit the animals at the Cleveland APL. Perhaps today's African proverb was just the kick in the pants I needed to get it organized. 

Whatever it is you believe in, stand up for it, work for it and live your life true to what you believe. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 122 Intention ~ Be True To YOU

Day 122 Intention ~ Be True to YOU

Alright, so I know that the fortune cookie posting has been overdone, BUT this really was in my fortune cookie last night. "A man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away." No doubt. We, although we look similar to each other, are all unique and have wonderful beautiful quirks that make us all different in this vast world. It keeps things interesting and it keeps us happy. 

Who ever feels good when they're faking it? No one. Not really.

But, when you feel the freedom to relax and just be who you are, life is just more enjoyable. You feel more at ease. 

There is a quote in The Bhagavad Gita that says, "It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection." 

So, feel free to be you and you may just find a little more contentment and peace in this world while you are here. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 119 Intention ~ Move On...

Day 119 Intention ~ Move On...

All things come to an end. Sometimes things make us happy, sometimes sad, sometimes relieved, sometimes frustrated or angry. When it is time for a change, no matter what emotion is going on in one's head, it is best to move on with grace. Why beat it to death. Especially if you won't have to deal with it anymore. 

Sometimes when I've been angry in the past at a co-worker or whatever/whoever it may be, I've thought that telling that person off would make me feel better. You know what, it really never does. It usually just makes me feel bad for not being able to control myself or for hurting that person. 

Does not expressing your feelings to this person make you not being true to yourself? Not really. You need to decide which battles are worth the fight. Sometimes it's just not worth it. Saving them from hurt feelings or anger could be looked at as a form of practicing ahimsa I suppose. 

So, move on with your life. If something is not serving you, let it go. Don't dwell on it...move on. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 63 Intention ~ Accept That It's Time to Close A Door

Day 63 Intention ~ Accept that it's time to close a door. 

Change, it's not always easy. But, it is constant and necessary. I have needed to close a door in my working world for awhile now and I am accepting today that this needs to get done...today. 

For me, it's not so much that I can't let go, it's more the idea of having the conversation that worries me. It is something that has needed to happen for a long time, but I have been avoiding it because I don't like confrontation. I know that I will approach this situation in a peaceful way, because that is how I like to live my life. Hopefully it remains peaceful. 

Accepting that I cannot continue something because it isn't working for me anymore is huge...for me. I have the tendency to hang on to things way past their expiration date for fear of disappointing others. But, to truly do what is right for me and my happiness, this door needs to close. 

Wish me luck. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 38 Intention ~ Wag More, Bark Less

Day 38 Intention ~ Wag More, Bark Less

Pretty self-explanatory I think. But, yes, my goal is to be more like my dog. He's always happy to see me, will take a walk in any weather with exuberance, takes a nap when he needs one, will protect those he loves and can't hide who he is...ever. 

I aim to be so true all the time & real all the time. To treat others like they are the most important person on the planet.

Don't get me wrong, I know he's a dog and his biggest concern is his next treat. But he is also so full of love and that is a wonderful thing in another being. If we could all be so open to love each other. 

So today is my ode to George. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia