Author: takeawalk44

Recently, my family and I had the joy of submersion.  A spring process that happens constantly, but never right in front of us.  With many lives running more simply these days we had the time and space to watch the more than 50 caterpillars that took refuge on our house for their transformation, their metamorphosis.  Most made this transition like clockwork.  A few came out as fragile butterflies and fell before their wings could dry.  Several did not make it out of chrysalis and about 2 were not able to form a chrysalis.

This process reminded me of OUR process as a whole.  When we look at each person individually, life can seem cruel, nonsensical and very confusing.  We perceive events and transformations negatively and as personal insults as well as punishments.

Some of these creatures were successful only in caterpillar form.  Some were successful in 2 stages and others saw all 3 stages and flew on to possibly a roller coaster year of life, a bird’s mouth or a car’s window shield.   Every single detail isn’t ‘easy’ or ‘fair’.  These two words that we use so often in our lives to describe what SHOULD be.

The large picture.

Life beyond our own details.

Sit back and watch the larger process.

My guys were visiting baby chicks the other day.  Their first attempt to hold them was a fury of ‘fast grabbing’, excitement and not much success.  They quickly realized as everything ran away from them in fear and REACTION that if they simply lay a gentle open palm the chicks were instantly fearless and curious, seeking food.  Within seconds they each had a chick to hold and the chicks were not stressed or scared and came to them easily after that.

And so….today, is your attempt fast and desperately grabbing?

Is your palm gently open?

Isn’t it a sight to see, this simplicity?

When all of the tiny worries and large stress turn into simply- life or death.

Health and balance. Caring for others. A big picture.

What is real comes out and the illusion fades.  Don’t miss it!

This simplicity.

We are all in this together.  In sickness and in health, for better or worse.

A reminder.

We are all in this together. Whether we are in the same room or a mile a part.

 

We have time, a certain amount and you do not get to know how much.  I heard recently that the most healing thing you can do is to sit down, in quiet and simply BE.  No distractions, no music, podcasts or tv.  To BE with you and the world that happens to BE around you.  To accept it and find Joy past the tapping foot, past the grocery list, past irritation and memories of that last meeting at work.

Sit, or go out with no earbuds and BE in the world for a bit.  Listen, walk, ride.  Listen.  If it is hard you may just need it the most.  There is healing in the present moment of nature – YOU are nature.

 

The only thing that I want to say today is that balsamic glaze makes everything a little happier in my world.  From avocado toast to veggies to baked fruit.  It can even classy UP a hot dog.

Better.  Happier.  Positivity.

I do not think the sky takes storms personally.

I do not think it mopes or mourns over unorganized configurations.

I do not think it praises itself for a clear day or the perfect wind for birds to play.

I believe it lives, breathes, laughs, cries, has ‘fits’ of anger and joy without judgement or remorse.

I believe it lives fully and we watch a show of perfect expression.

Let me have that ease.

This is the best way that I know to stay MERRY in this season….well and really any season.

1-say NO when you really do not want to; give, go, do.  Then let it go.

2-say YES when you feel the urge to share, be there or buy.  Then let it go.

3-Do not take what people do and say personally as if it is ALL simply to crush your day.  They are living their own path through the holidays and that can be VERY difficult.  “Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”  Said differently by many people.   Let them go.

4-“Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it.”  Brian Tracy

Remembering that you do not necessarily need a quiet, neutral room with a yoga mat for ‘peace of mind’.  Then again, you might.  Let it be.

 

After the large beautiful meal that you enjoyed yesterday and left overs today you may not be feeling your sharpest or most energetic.  Here are some suggestions for getting that digestion back online even when you might have eaten sides that inflame your gut.

Standing with feet shoulder width, arms at your side, feel your feet in the ground and begin to sway with heavy soft arms.  a casual twisting that likens a walk. exhale every time you twist, inhale as you sway to the other side.  15-30 breaths.  Breathing may seem fast, and that is ok!  Work for those thorough exhales.  Energize this twisting sway with breath, not arms.

Then begin to high step one knee to the opposite elbow (maybe seems like an aerobics class at the moment). exhale with every elbow/knee touch.  15-30.

Stand tall, feet close, for Standing Crescent.  Arms over   head, feet and heels firmly planted.  pull one wrist over stretching the side body like a crescent moon.  Opposite side as many times as you like.  Your side body may be quite tight, so DEEP inhales as you arch over.

Next, either take a nice walk outside in the fresh air OR lay down and increase your digestions with Reclined Twists, Legs left first.  Back and forth with 3-4 breaths for each side and then end legs on right side.  This is for your ascending and descending colon.

JOY to your GUT.

It’s not always nice or helpful to say ‘get over it’.  Mmmm probably never actually.  Yet, I am going to say it, inside.  This morning was a morning in which my 6 year old felt the world and its inner workings were worth tears and defeat at every turn.  Nothing was right or OK.  Don’t we all have moments and hours and days like this.  Sometimes entire seasons.

Some things we may never get over, we move along with them and begin to see them differently.

Some things we can share and talk about and find joy within.

Some things, some mornings, we need to get over.  Move past and start FRESH.  Breath. A pose.  Change clothes.  Allow for a mess.  Move through on and get over IT.  There is a day waiting that is bursting with NEW.  I hope today the best lifts you up and sets your path onward.  Little things can be worth tears.  You are worth moving on and getting over IT.