Day 363 Intention ~ Check Back

Day 363 Intention ~ Check Back

 

We are drawing very close to the end of the year.

 

How are you feeling about it? If you look back at the resolutions or let's just call them goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of 2013, do you feel satisfied with how they have come along?

 

Looking back to January 1st, I decided not to set resolutions, but instead to set intentions each day. One of those intentions for the year was to write about them each day, right here on this blog to share with you. That has been a success (although one day I did miss the midnight deadline by I think 30 minutes or so-not too bad for 365 days!)

 

Other things that I wanted to do were to practice asana, meditation and pranayama everyday this year. I know teaching yoga doesn't really count, so no, I haven't practiced these everyday, but pretty darn close. And yes, I do count days when it was a shortened 20 minute practice. The pranayama beyond ujjayi breath during the physical practice needs to be done more...as does the meditation. But, I was much more disciplined with my physical practice.

 

Lastly, I took on a vegan diet this year. It really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The most difficult times have been going out to eat, but I have gotten that down to a routine now when I do go out and lately, during the holidays, it has been a struggle. I have found myself giving in to gatherings with people and eating some dairy here and there. I'll tell you what, I can feel it! I feel sluggish and heavy after the holidays and am looking forward to getting back to a normal routine. So, all in all, it was a positive experience. I felt so much happier and peaceful with myself and my choices. I wanted to try it for a year to see how it was and frankly, I can't imagine going back.

 

As for 2014, the intentions will keep coming, but perhaps not publicly.

 

Mainly, I want to remember to be present and enjoy this life and those in it while I am here.

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

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