Author: takeawalk44

There is a practice in positive, joyful living to seek out and soak in the new life growing up and pushing through.  Whether this is vegetation, animal, ideas or human connection, take the time today to notice new beginnings.  These fragile states or existence long to be seen, admired and cherished.  In this present day there are young, joyful events determined to thrive – acknowledge them, study them and support their growth.

 

 

 

   

Photo by Kin Lye.  Maine

 

 

There is happiness and joy all around us.  Our day becomes what we look at, focus on and worry about.  That day becomes our month which becomes our years and so our life.  We chose to see, focus and ruminate on specific aspects of life.  10,000 versions are offered, and we choose 10.  Make this choice very carefully.  Not only does this choice become your life, it becomes you.  We are what we think, do, say and choose.  Every little glance, breath and smile.

 

Some friends never know your name or hold your hand.

They might never compliment a new shirt or see your many talents.

They can’t play ball with you or laugh at your jokes and yet they are a part of your favorite days.

They are the reason you can withstand difficult weather and offer protection from danger.

These giant friends are constant companions; giving gifts, listening, offering advise of patience and strength.  

They are quietly essential to the best summer day.

They are quiet, still…

Take notice and thank them anyway.

 

 

Alex Honnold, 31, climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park June 3 with not one piece of supporting equipment.  Free Solo Climbing: no ropes, no protection, no fear?

I have watched and spoken with Free Solo climbers in the past and they are an interesting type of person.  They plan, the study, they prepare and train….in short, they beautifully obsess over a piece of nature and then climb it putting enough fear aside to typically make it to the top with ‘ease’.  This man made incredible, astounding history flying up El Cap’s 7,569 feet in just under 4 hours!  This climb takes most amazingly skilled climbers days to accomplish with protection, if not at least 24 hours!

Protection.  This is something to think about.  I never have wanted to free solo climb, not ever.  It has to be in your blood.

Protection is something we use in every aspect of life.  From defensive personalities to weapons.  Honnold is saying that although this life long goal was scary, fear does him no favors in his performance and so he says, ‘I set it aside and leave it be.”  He is so incredibly good at this skill that scientist/neurologists are studying his brain to see how he differs from the average Joe.

Does this take Training?  Faith?  A missing Amygdala?  I believe these answers are worth looking at, thinking about and sitting with for each individual person.  Fear separates, exhausts, ruins, kills, breeds hate and disease…. What are you afraid of, I mean truly afraid of and what Protection are you using in your daily life to run and hide from fear?

“All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running to and from and why.”  James Thurber

 

Isn’t it wonderful to know that YOU are exactly where you have always intended to be. Laugh, Cry, Breathe, Appreciate just how powerful you are and just how cared for you are to be where you are right this very moment.

We breathe, we chose.  We give and take.  We take and give.  It is all just right to learn what is needed and find what is wanted.  It is just perfect.

Can we begin the day with our breath and our acceptance that it is just right, right now.

Life gets busy.  Sometimes it is so FULL that you do not even know if you’re enjoying one bit of it.  You might hear yourself sigh more, dropping or forgetting things and just noticing a negative attitude leaking and then pouring out.  I looked at our calendar and realized there are no breaks for a while, no days just to catch up or be lazy.  I quickly realized that this was stressful and bringing on my ‘Negative Nancy’ alter ego.

This is life.  It’s what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans, right?  It’s the days that make your head spin, the meetings you dread, the family in town, the trips to pack and plan for and the endless laundry, dishes and toys to clean up.  This is life.  It’s not next month and it doesn’t reside in the quiet moments alone.  It can be loud, messy and unrelenting.  I literally said out loud, “you can go with the flow and enjoy what your life is right now or you can fight it, wish it away and even break down into tears. What’s it gonna be?”   Without a breath, my heart and brain jumped to: “ENJOY!!”  Nothing horrible is happening, it’s just a fast flow right now.

We can enjoy.

 

Below you will find attainable goals for enjoying and soaking in the very moment you ARE!  If there is one of these mindfulness moments that speaks to you- start small and simply with 2-5 minutes or 1-2 thoughts or 3-5 breaths.  It doesn’t have to be a massive shift in your world and day to make a difference in your perspective with time.

Mindfulness Moments: 

• Gratitude Journal / Board (on your fridge, bathroom mirror or office desk.  1-2 pieces each day that brought joy, a smile, a sigh of relief….
• A midday ‘Breather’.  Set an alarm on your phone or computer for the time of day you like to grab coffee or a snack or check Facebook quickly.  Instead or in addition to this break, take a Breather, 3-5 breathes.  Count your inhale and exhale and bring them to an balanced number.  For instance, a 3 second inhale and a 3 second exhale.
• Name a Yoga Pose or any posture that you feel good and revitalized within and start your day with that pose, while in the kitchen making breakfast or even while you are still in bed!
• Name a Yoga Pose that brings comfort and end you day with 1 pose, while you’re watching a show or brushing your teeth, or when you settle into bed.

Small steps that are achievable in our busy lives is the key to bringing in a new habit. They will grow naturally with time if they serve you and if they don’t experiment with a new Moment just for you.

Sit and listen.  Breath and listen.  Be bored and listen.  Get sleepy and listen.  Stretch and listen.  We have so many questions and wonders – and Life is answering us in every moment.

If you love the taste of butter without always eating a large amount of fats you can make your own Ghee this weekend!!  Ghee has a more intense flavor, a high smoke point (485* F)and does not need to be refrigerated.

1. Cut two sticks of unsalted butter into chunks and put in a sauce pan on med, low heat.  It is easy to burn the fat so don’t go do other chores, watch this and stay in the kitchen!  Take it from me 🙂
2. Let is boil and foam, it will dissipate and foam again.  This is a 10-15 minute process.  After that second boil/foam, turn heat off, let is cool slightly and pour through a fine mesh strainer.  There should be solid fats at the bottom and or in your strainer.
3. What is left -is Ghee! A healthier butter with a nutty, rich flavor.

Ghee is considered “liquid gold” and revered in Indian culture (and has been for centuries).  It is quite expensive in the store and so easy to make.

Benefits:

• a great source of fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin K and is great for teeth, hair, skin and nails.
• Rich and Fat soluble Vitmain A, D, E
• Milk proteins are removed in this process. (Casein free)
• Contains Butyrate, an Essential Short-Chain Fatty Acid.

Open and strong posture can be a key piece to feeling positive about the day ahead.  First thing or throughout the day try these simple stretches to begin and refresh the approach to what lies ahead.

1. Use a Yoga Strap, belt or piece of clothing: hold this taut between each hand behind your hips.  Inhale your chest lifted and exhale your shoulder blades down, inhale your hands away from your body behind you, exhale your belly button toward your spine.  Hold this chest opening for a few breaths or let it rise and fall with 4-5 breaths.
2. Hold this strap overhead taut, hands about shoulder width apart.  Draw your upper arms away from your peripheral vision as your shoulder blades reach toward your spine and exhale down toward your sacrum.
3. Find a tall stance with grounded, broad feet.  Soften your knees and swing your arms from one side to the other.  With each swing, bend your knees and find a rhythm with your breath.  20 breaths.  Stand still, grounded and tall – shake your hands, arms and shoulders as if to ‘shake off’ any extra heavy energy from the following day or hour.

Lengthen your collar bones, lead with your sternum, take a deep belly breath and GO!