Whole Living in 10 Easy Thoughts

I've been doing a whole lot of whole living - egads, to the point I've  been away from the blogosphere.  Now that the weather is a delight, I'm sure we are pretty hard-pressed to keep attached to our computers.   I was leafing through my blog ideas notebook and ran across this ditty from Body and Soul magazine I just loved so I'll share these ten thoughts  on whole living. 

#1 - Learn to RECEIVE what others have to offer, and you'll enable someone else to give.

#2 - Becoming AWARE of your habits is key to an  intentional life.

#3 - Your stuff reflects you.  As your needs EVOLVE, find new homes for your old things.

#4 - True RELEASE comes from sustained relaxation.

#5 - Worry narrows; gratitude EXPANDS.  Find ways to celebrate all that you have.

#6 - Redefine your idea of CLEAN; focus on removing the dirt, not adding chemicals.

#7 - There is more than  one path to long-term HEALTH.

#8 - Pay close ATTENTION to pain; you  body makes itself very clear.

#9 - Savor your alone time.  It is restorative power can help you THRIVE in unexpected ways.

#10 - Vital change cannot be forced.  It begins with EMBRACING where you are right now.


I have to laugh because a few of these are really speaking to me today.  #3 - as I am redecorating everything here and finding some things harder to part with than others.  Good time to let go!  I'm planning a garage sale as soon as I'm able to.

And of course, #6 = Oh mercy I making such messes here and have been living in the midst of construction debris, plaster dust and saw dust.  Clean?  What clean?  Clean What?!  I only dream of clean these days.

What is speaking to you on this list? 

Controlling Motor Mouth - Without Using Duct Tape

 There are times, I'm sure when I'm excited, or nervous or just plain out of touch with my surroundings that I tend to be a motor mouth.  Oh I've used the mental duct tape on my mouth many times (who with teens hasn't had to!) but I ran across this beautifully embossed parchment with a prayer on it that I want to share.  Someone unknown has a great sense of humor!



It's called the 17th Century Nun's Prayer, source unknown.

"Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessing cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Amen."

What thinks thee of this?

suZen

Michael Pollan on Food

Now you didn't think for a minute I was through with videos and blogs on the food issues we are facing did you?  Just cuz I'm up at the lake, and not watching as carefully as I usually do, I need to sneak in these reminders - did you eat something green and REAL today?  (I'm not meaning frogs).

Enjoy the weekend!

The Paradox of Choice

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Below is the video I stumbled across one day that actually led me to Barry Schwartz's book called "The Paradox of Choice".  When he says he wrote a whole book after his buying jeans incident, the man was not kidding. 


I've said for some time now that I think a lot of our stress is due to too many choices, certainly too many bad ones in the grocery store, but just plain out too many choices.  We don't NEED all this variety in every darn thing.  So when I get going on this line of conversation with hubs, the accountant in him kicks in and he tells me "But honey, the manufacturing of all these "choices" as you put it, creates many, many jobs." 

So I respond with "We need more farmers.  We need more people to work producing good food so all those people making a thousand kinds of widgets could grow peas and spinach." 

But I'm not that naive, not really.  Just wishful.  I remember growing up with kids who wanted desperately to leave the farms they lived on, move the city, and get jobs - jobs that were NOT farm related.  All I can think of is gee, they sure created a lot of "stuff" in them thar city places!
Most of which I betcha we could totally do without.

Anyway, I did read this book - and I really enjoyed it!  Listen to Barry's little routine here and you will get the gist of it.  Of course there is a ton of research in his book - I found the whole of it fascinating.

Let me know what YOU think.

Money Saving Luxury Bath

Think you can't afford a luxury these days?  Try watching this video and make your own pampering, spa like bubble bath - for great soft skin and a relaxing treat!  I made this myself with Ivory snow flakes for a base and my favorite scent, lavender.  Slice of heaven!  Enjoy your weekend --- and hope you have time for this!

Pampering - A Commandment in the Works!

Monday. The day I look at my nifty new "planner" and see what the week holds in store for me. You know how there are some weeks that you do this and just want to go back to bed? It's booked solid.  

I hear my spiritual guru's saying "Live In The Moment".

I hear my yoga teacher saying "It is what it is".

I hear the song "What will be, will be"

I hear myself telling my journaling class to make a list of all the ways you can nurture yourself and do something on that list this week for homework.

I know the top three are a given. I want to come into this week refreshed and calm and full of joyous positive energy. It took me all of two minutes to know what was next, what I would cram into this week, what I HAD to do for ME.

Use my spa coupons. I know this may at first not sound healthy, but I canceled my dentist appointment and booked a massage for this week instead, then rescheduled my mammogram and booked a manicure/pedicure too. During the luxuriating treatments I am helping myself by loving myself enough to make time, special time, for me.  Hey I have gift certificates and coupons - they are meant to be used, no?

It is the idea of taking a bit of control for self-nurturing, letting yourself know that yes, you matter, that is important here. Do you know when I had people make this list in journaling class, they were hard-pressed to come up with much? Like they hadn't really given this much thought? Have you?

Anyone taking the class knows about Suzen's Lists --- Suzen's list of 100 things. They dread them. They love them.

This is the first one they get: List 100 ways you can nurture yourself.

For some people this feels really strange --- especially women who are the major caretakers of families. Sometimes they look at me like I'm nuts! (Of course the jury is still out on that one.) I see the questions on their faces --- "What? You mean I have MORE to do than I'm doing?" You know that bumper sticker "If Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy"? Yeah, it's like that.

The things on the list don't have to be costly - how about a nice luxuriating bubble bath? There is always the walk in the park, the time browsing at the library or the mall or craft/art galleries. Julia Cameron in her book "The Artists Way" calls for a weekly date with yourself. This time for and with yourself can nurture your creative spirit. Think of things you can do for yourself and enjoy whatever it is without feeling guilty. It's ok. Give yourself permission. In reality it will only take a few hours this week but I am feeling more peaceful inside already just having made the appointments.  I also filled in a few other things for the week - time for ME with no guilt allowed.

Let me know if you get to 100. Nobody has. Not even me, though Godonlyknows I try!

suZen

Mother's Day - Let No Woman Be Left Out

Let's face it - EVERYbody has or had a mom.  The thing is, mom's come in all kinds of sizes and personality packages.  I do not want to know how my kids would label ME, yet I'm sure they do.  There is some description of me out there - but this is not about me.  It's about moms, all moms.

There is the long-suffering mom, the over-achiever, the emotionally bankrupt, angry moms, poor moms, rich moms.  There is the comedian mom, the doomsday mom, the drama mom.  There is the socially conscious mom, the socially climbing mom, the social misfit mom and the outright anti-social mom.  Not a characteristic out there you couldn't match up with SOME mom or other.

My mom died 26 years ago.  I still miss her even though I've worn the matriarchs shoes a long time now.  I "talk" to her sometimes in my journal writing.  She comes real close to defying description - such a composite of so many things.  But all along I knew she was doing her best.  There is no manual on motherhood, despite the plethora of books out there to the contrary - sorry, they don't really count.  If you are mom, you already know this!  You have to LIVE this to know it!

And so for everybody that has a mom, here is a delightful trio of funniest mom's to lighten and brighten your day!

 

Spiritual Partnership - A book review

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The beginning of Gary Zukav's new book "Spiritual Partnership - The Journey to Authentic Power" opened with the vibe of IT IS COMING.  Much like the hopeful articles about 2012 I've read and blogged about (see Jan. archives) "new" this and "new" that, his book begins with "As more and more of us experience the new perceptions and values of the new human species, we begin to see ourselves and one another differently, our world differently and the purpose of our lives differently."

What?  A new human species? 

Not in the physical sense really.  A new consciousness, awareness and getting in touch with our souls.


Gary says we are now evolving by growing spiritually.  There are those among us who are five-sensory humans.  He begins by explaining that five-sensory humans believe that actions create consequences.  Then there are those among us (I'm afraid out-numbered?) that are multi-sensory and they know that the intention behind an action creates the consequences of the action.  These multi-sensory people are REALLY in touch with their intuition.  In fact, he says that intuition replaces intellect as the primary decision making faculty.

As an aside here - ask yourself just how much you trust your intuitition?  Do you use your intellect or your gut (slang for intuition I think) to make decisions?  Well if you are using your head (intellect) and things aren't going too well, maybe it's time to rev up the intuition?

Gary writes a lot about authentic power in a way that is understandable, loving and gentle. If you at all interested (or confused) about aligning your personality with your soul, he is your man and this is the book!  And if you aren't sure what I'm talking about, here is a brief excerpt from his book describing just what this would feel like.

"Humbleness, clarity, forgiveness, and love replace fear.  The world becomes a friendly place.  You see the struggles and spiritual potential of others and the complexity and richness of their lives, even if they are not aware of them.  Superiority gives way to appreciation.  Inferiority disappears.  The energy of your soul flows effortlessly through you into the Earth school like the breath of a musician through a flute.  Neither you nor others can tell where your personality ends and your soul begins.  Gratitude, joy, meaning and bliss fill your days.

You consult intuition, choose your intentions consciously, move forward with an empowered heart, and act without attachment to the outcome.  You do not presume to know how the Universe works or question the wisdom and compassion that shape your experiences according to the choice that you have made.  You do your part and trust your nonphysical guides and teachers to do theirs; take responsibility for your choices, and strive to contribute compassionately and wisely to life.  Each moment is full and complete.  You think in terms of causes (intentions) and effects (experience) instead of right and wrong, good and bad, fortunate or unfortunate.  You give without expectation and receive without with reservation.  All that you need is given to you.  This is authentic power."

Wow - I'll have some of that!  How about you? 

This book is wonderful - way too much for me to share here.  Gary Zukav, who also wrote "Seat of the Soul" (which I read years ago) is really the Soul Master as far as I am concerned.  This book is making its debut this month - GREAT summer reading!  Go for it!