I couldn't be happier today to introduce you to one of my favorite bloggers, Joanne Demaio. She has a wonderful blog, Whole Latte Life, with a bit of a thinking challenge each time she posts - also she has great photos that are always perfectly in tune with her message. I love her topics - she is an excellent writer! She can get ya thinking in 100 words or less! What a gift! See if you don't agree!
KEEP RUNNING
I recently passed a local schoolyard where a day camp was going on. Children were assembled with a few coaches on the field, playing a game of Kickball. I haven't seen a Kickball game in years! It made me smile, thinking of our old backyard ragtag games.
"Keep running! Keep running!" the coach called after one player running the bases. All forces conspired against the poor kid. Coming toward her at all angles was the opposition, trying to stop her in any way possible: blocking her, throwing her out, tagging her, slowing her up. Fate conspired against her as the resistance closed in. But through it all, her coach's voice came through ... "Keep running!"
And she did. And she scored, with fifteen young voices calling out "Home Run!"
How inspiring, watching her young persistence running around the bases.
Keep running! Whatever your passion ... writing, swimming, antiquing, watercolor painting ... how do you keep running with it? How do you keep one step ahead of the opposition's clutches, making your way around the bases? Care to inspire us?
~Joanne
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Summer Solstice and Time for Review
Here we are, about half way through 2010 already! Is time flying or what? And Summer Solstice - ah, I love it! For those of you new to my crazy system, I do the equivalent of New Year's Resolutions four times a year - Winter/Summer Solstice and Fall/Spring Equinox. Yep, four times a year. It gives me more chances and shorter periods to deal with when I set goals - more chances for success! PLUS I don't have to remember all year long how I blew the resolution last February! (Think about this - it works!)
So I'm doing some mental assessment on how my last little 90-day session has gone. Not bad! And the few things I never did get to, get to be top on the list for THIS next 90-day block of time til Fall. It's summer so the list will be short!
This little "system" of mine may seem crazy at first, but it really does help to keep your mind focused and your short term goals on the front burner. When it comes to goals, I don't care what it is, it is one step at a time, sometimes one day at a time.
Since we are halfway thru the year, how are things going for you? Need to tweak things? Re-think the plan? Are there things you have given up on? Solstice is the same day every year - a great marker, unlike holidays that tend to be changed (except Dec. 25 is always Christmas, but you know what I mean.). Use this time, this date, and sit down with yourself for a little chat.
Health wise, here are a few suggestions that over time will make a huge difference in how you feel, and you may, by Winter Solstice, have lost weight as a super bonus!
1. Quit consuming anything with artificial sweetners or HFCS.
2. Eliminate cola drinks. (If you are as crazy about the "fizz" as I am, trying sparkling water with fresh lime and a bit of agave - it's very refreshing!)
3. Increase your veggie consumption. (This does NOT mean add fries!)
4. Try going a few days meatless - or at least one day a week.
5. Walk! Park far away and walk - do stairs instead of elevators - best yet, get a pedometer and put yourself on a program to walk 10,000 steps a day - start slowly but increase your steps a bit each week.
See how you do in the next 90 days - by Fall Equinox!
So I'm doing some mental assessment on how my last little 90-day session has gone. Not bad! And the few things I never did get to, get to be top on the list for THIS next 90-day block of time til Fall. It's summer so the list will be short!
This little "system" of mine may seem crazy at first, but it really does help to keep your mind focused and your short term goals on the front burner. When it comes to goals, I don't care what it is, it is one step at a time, sometimes one day at a time.
Since we are halfway thru the year, how are things going for you? Need to tweak things? Re-think the plan? Are there things you have given up on? Solstice is the same day every year - a great marker, unlike holidays that tend to be changed (except Dec. 25 is always Christmas, but you know what I mean.). Use this time, this date, and sit down with yourself for a little chat.
Health wise, here are a few suggestions that over time will make a huge difference in how you feel, and you may, by Winter Solstice, have lost weight as a super bonus!
1. Quit consuming anything with artificial sweetners or HFCS.
2. Eliminate cola drinks. (If you are as crazy about the "fizz" as I am, trying sparkling water with fresh lime and a bit of agave - it's very refreshing!)
3. Increase your veggie consumption. (This does NOT mean add fries!)
4. Try going a few days meatless - or at least one day a week.
5. Walk! Park far away and walk - do stairs instead of elevators - best yet, get a pedometer and put yourself on a program to walk 10,000 steps a day - start slowly but increase your steps a bit each week.
See how you do in the next 90 days - by Fall Equinox!
Monday, June 14, 2010
We Are What We Eat --- and THINK!
.
I know you have all heard this before - we are what we eat - but of course you know I'll put a suZen spin on this because there is a whole lot more to this than "just" what we consume in the way of food! (Can't believe I'm saying that in light of my recent food blogs!) I've written before about the mind/body connection. To say it's a HUGE topic is clearly an understatement.
Imagine, if you will, my NONsurprise in reading about the three major causes of illness and disease - the three T's my textbook calls them - Thoughts, Toxins and Timing! When you think about it, don't all the "experts" tell us that stress is the major cause of most illness/disease? And just what is this thing stress? Thoughts! Mostly anger, frustration, feelings of victimization, being out of control and a lot of shallow breathing. It is an illness or disease just waiting to manifest itself. You may think you will outwit, outplay and survive without repercussions but the body does not forget this abuse!
Think of it as a huge hard drive - it stores all this crap and it will, in its own time (never YOURS) decide to screw up the computer with this out of date information. Snafu. Computer down. What the hell happened? It was fine yesterday. Some people may get to almost retirement age then come down with some god-awful diseases. Or it could hit you in your forties, fifties. Gee, you've been so healthy all these years too! Hmmm, where'd that come from? Of course the food you have been eating all along is right there too - nasty combo this toxic food and toxic thought duo. It's a guarantee - you will pay for the abuse eventually.
I found out how this works from my class in Body Chemistry. Negative thoughts in our heads produce acid in our bodies. Since our bodies are slightly more alkaline than acid, we can (depending on our thoughts) be adding a boat load of acid to our body without even eating a thing! Let this build up and over time, if you don't change your thoughts, it won't matter what the heck you eat, your body cannot handle the imbalance. It will go into survivor mode. In survivor mode it needs to rob peter to pay paul - it can take calcium in your bones to help neutralize the acid for example. Can you say osteoporosis? The body will raise blood pressure trying to cope, and a number of other icky things you don't want to go through. These are "side effects" to your thinking. Disease and illnesses are not a product of old age. (You cannot believe how relieved I was to read THAT!)
Now I know this sounds bizarre to some. But low and behold we ARE capable - and indeed do! - make our own selves sick. Just look at the billions spent on anti-acids in this country alone. Don't blame it ALL on food - though godonlyknows our diets need to be examined too! But assuming this is truth - that negative thoughts, stress or whatever you want to call this - causes acid in your body, isn't this worth a bit of time to consider some thought-changing? (I'll cover foods in many future posts as I work my way through "officially" getting certified in health/wellness/nutrition coaching - oh yes, a late in life career swing - how wonderfully exciting!)
There must be a bazillion "experts" out there writing and speaking about the best ways to reduce stress in your life. All of them great I am sure. And I'll betcha you have read more than your share of articles on it too. I relate this quest to my own when my kids were little.
My God, I read every single book available on how to raise kids, how to deal with behaviors - not one book could give me an example of the EXACT scenario I was dealing with at the time. I was somewhat frantic. Why couldn't somebody write about my exact problem? I'm sure I could find it if I just kept looking. Then the problem would change or morph into something ELSE. So I would hit the books again. Nope. Nothing there on "this". Then the kids became teens. Get thee to new library! Ha! This too, shall pass.
If I had been as Zen then, as I am now, I would have realized the value of "This too shall pass." Relax. It is all about how you process your external environment - not actually the environment itself. That takes care of itself in most cases. For example, you have an impossible boss. The world is full of those and don't bother with the library! Doesn't matter that you think your problem is unique and there must be Somebody Somewhere who will tell you what to do about it. It's all about how you think about the situation that ultimately will determine your stress level. Don't spend the day cussing beneath your breath. B-R-E-A-T-H-E deeply, realize you cannot control the jerk, and YOU and your health are more important than his egotistical behavior, and just do your work. Let it go. Say you can't? Have a good spin with Eckhart Tolle and his chapters on ego. You don't want this problem so don't HAVE this problem.
There is a saying "Chop Wood - Carry Water" in Zen. Do the work, whatever it is, be mindful of what you are doing and HOW you are breathing. We expell a certain amount of toxic acids with our exhaling. Make that work for you! They don't say "the breath of life" for nothing!
Start with your thoughts. Positive thinking - does a body good!!!!
Eat something green today. (It's one of the commandments you know!)
Hugs,
suZen
I know you have all heard this before - we are what we eat - but of course you know I'll put a suZen spin on this because there is a whole lot more to this than "just" what we consume in the way of food! (Can't believe I'm saying that in light of my recent food blogs!) I've written before about the mind/body connection. To say it's a HUGE topic is clearly an understatement.
Imagine, if you will, my NONsurprise in reading about the three major causes of illness and disease - the three T's my textbook calls them - Thoughts, Toxins and Timing! When you think about it, don't all the "experts" tell us that stress is the major cause of most illness/disease? And just what is this thing stress? Thoughts! Mostly anger, frustration, feelings of victimization, being out of control and a lot of shallow breathing. It is an illness or disease just waiting to manifest itself. You may think you will outwit, outplay and survive without repercussions but the body does not forget this abuse!
Think of it as a huge hard drive - it stores all this crap and it will, in its own time (never YOURS) decide to screw up the computer with this out of date information. Snafu. Computer down. What the hell happened? It was fine yesterday. Some people may get to almost retirement age then come down with some god-awful diseases. Or it could hit you in your forties, fifties. Gee, you've been so healthy all these years too! Hmmm, where'd that come from? Of course the food you have been eating all along is right there too - nasty combo this toxic food and toxic thought duo. It's a guarantee - you will pay for the abuse eventually.
I found out how this works from my class in Body Chemistry. Negative thoughts in our heads produce acid in our bodies. Since our bodies are slightly more alkaline than acid, we can (depending on our thoughts) be adding a boat load of acid to our body without even eating a thing! Let this build up and over time, if you don't change your thoughts, it won't matter what the heck you eat, your body cannot handle the imbalance. It will go into survivor mode. In survivor mode it needs to rob peter to pay paul - it can take calcium in your bones to help neutralize the acid for example. Can you say osteoporosis? The body will raise blood pressure trying to cope, and a number of other icky things you don't want to go through. These are "side effects" to your thinking. Disease and illnesses are not a product of old age. (You cannot believe how relieved I was to read THAT!)
Now I know this sounds bizarre to some. But low and behold we ARE capable - and indeed do! - make our own selves sick. Just look at the billions spent on anti-acids in this country alone. Don't blame it ALL on food - though godonlyknows our diets need to be examined too! But assuming this is truth - that negative thoughts, stress or whatever you want to call this - causes acid in your body, isn't this worth a bit of time to consider some thought-changing? (I'll cover foods in many future posts as I work my way through "officially" getting certified in health/wellness/nutrition coaching - oh yes, a late in life career swing - how wonderfully exciting!)
There must be a bazillion "experts" out there writing and speaking about the best ways to reduce stress in your life. All of them great I am sure. And I'll betcha you have read more than your share of articles on it too. I relate this quest to my own when my kids were little.
My God, I read every single book available on how to raise kids, how to deal with behaviors - not one book could give me an example of the EXACT scenario I was dealing with at the time. I was somewhat frantic. Why couldn't somebody write about my exact problem? I'm sure I could find it if I just kept looking. Then the problem would change or morph into something ELSE. So I would hit the books again. Nope. Nothing there on "this". Then the kids became teens. Get thee to new library! Ha! This too, shall pass.
If I had been as Zen then, as I am now, I would have realized the value of "This too shall pass." Relax. It is all about how you process your external environment - not actually the environment itself. That takes care of itself in most cases. For example, you have an impossible boss. The world is full of those and don't bother with the library! Doesn't matter that you think your problem is unique and there must be Somebody Somewhere who will tell you what to do about it. It's all about how you think about the situation that ultimately will determine your stress level. Don't spend the day cussing beneath your breath. B-R-E-A-T-H-E deeply, realize you cannot control the jerk, and YOU and your health are more important than his egotistical behavior, and just do your work. Let it go. Say you can't? Have a good spin with Eckhart Tolle and his chapters on ego. You don't want this problem so don't HAVE this problem.
There is a saying "Chop Wood - Carry Water" in Zen. Do the work, whatever it is, be mindful of what you are doing and HOW you are breathing. We expell a certain amount of toxic acids with our exhaling. Make that work for you! They don't say "the breath of life" for nothing!
Start with your thoughts. Positive thinking - does a body good!!!!
Eat something green today. (It's one of the commandments you know!)
Hugs,
suZen
16
comments
Labels:
acid,
anger,
breathe,
change behavior,
control,
diets,
disease,
eating,
frustration,
illness,
negative thoughts,
no stress,
problems,
thinking,
this too shall pass,
zen
Labels:
acid,
anger,
breathe,
change behavior,
control,
diets,
disease,
eating,
frustration,
illness,
negative thoughts,
no stress,
problems,
thinking,
this too shall pass,
zen
Friday, June 11, 2010
No Differences, Some Differences, Totally Different - A World of Possibilities
Megan Bord sent me this video a while back - since then two other friends sent it along as well - a clear indication I am bound to share this.
Ya know, we sort of typically find friends who share commonalities with us, interests, sports, religions etc. Watch this video - an unlikely friendship with all the love and loyalty a true friendship should have, despite enormous differences. How many times in your life did you step outside the "comfort zone" and become friends with someone who is not at all like you? Food for thought from the innocent world of animals.
Ya know, we sort of typically find friends who share commonalities with us, interests, sports, religions etc. Watch this video - an unlikely friendship with all the love and loyalty a true friendship should have, despite enormous differences. How many times in your life did you step outside the "comfort zone" and become friends with someone who is not at all like you? Food for thought from the innocent world of animals.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Independence of Solitude by Peggy Nolan - Guest Blogger
Along the blogging highway, there are precious gems, treasures and oh so much joy! When I think of gems, treasures and joy, I think of Peggy, my guest blogger for this week. When you read her post, I'm sure you will agree! I am only sorry I technically did not know how to include the gorgeous photo she sent me - duh - you all know how I am with photos! Apologies, Peggy - and many hugs of gratitude for taking over this week!
The Independence of Solitude
By Peggy Nolan
"What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness. It is the harder because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great [wo]man is she who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance"
Solitude in Blue © Peggy Nolan
Long ago in a far away life, I used to do what I thought other people thought I should do – or be. I was in a constant state of over-achieving activity. Often overwhelmed with doing for others, I felt like I was in a perpetual state of juggling fire sticks. Take care of the husband, the kids, the job, the house, the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the bills, ad nauseum. I used to tell people that I was a professional juggler…I took pride in the fact that I could multi-task so well…only who was I kidding?
I remember taking time-out to cross stitch a Christmas present for my ex-father-in-law and my then husband told me how obsessive I became when I shut out the rest of the world. And anytime I did something like that, he’d remind me that I put the blinders on again…and it was never said in a nice way…it was always meant to cut me like a knife…because God forbid I focused my attention on something other than him.
Divorcing my first husband after a 19 year marriage really opened my eyes to how I operated. Very rarely did I do something that actually concerned me. Over the course of a few years, I learned to put the things that concerned me on my priority list. Going through breast cancer was my wake-up call.
Having a life threatening illness can change you in many ways. Depending on the type of person you are, cancer can be a “good” thing and motivate you to redefine and change your life for the better or it can be a “bad” thing and plummet you to the depths of your own personal hell. Going through divorce was my own internal hell and I had no desire to ever go back there. Instead, I chose to redefine my life, take better care of me, and focus on putting effort towards my concerns.
At first I was called “selfish” by my two daughters. And for about a year, we went through a really rough time. They just didn’t understand why I wasn’t bending over backwards and jumping through rings of fire to accommodate them. It wasn’t until they started seeing me happy that they realized their lives were actually better because they had a happy mom.
I stopped catering to what other people thought I should be doing or being. I created and maintained an inner peace and an inner happiness even while going through chemotherapy. As much as I hated losing my hair, I proudly spent the better part of a year bald, never bothering to act or behave sad, sick, or depressed. Even my doctor didn’t understand when I refused to take an anti-depressant to help alleviate hot flashes brought on by chemo induced menopause. I asked her, “why would I take something for depression when all I have are hot flashes?” I had cancer…not depression!
As my inner happiness grew, it began sloshing outward. My daughters noticed. Family noticed. Friends noticed. Strangers noticed. I called it my “wow.” I began to look at life just a little differently than most people. At the age of 40, I survived a life threatening disease. I decided that I would impose my own terms upon life because I was no longer willing to accept what life was offering me.
With intense almost daily internal dialogue, I became the person I wanted to be with…a person with integrity…a person with a commitment to excellence…a person who always does her personal best. In the midst of day-to-day life, the chaos of never ending demands, and the dog that needs to be walked, I have an internal solitude that brings me peace, quiet, and incredible joy.
What about you? How have you created your own internal solitude?
Peggy Nolan is a free lance writer, blogger, certified yoga teacher and host of the popular radio show, The Stepmom’s Toolbox. You can find her online at http://thestepmomstoolbox.com or on the radio, http://blogtalkradio.com/thestepmomstoolbox
The Independence of Solitude
By Peggy Nolan
"What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness. It is the harder because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great [wo]man is she who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance"
Solitude in Blue © Peggy Nolan
Long ago in a far away life, I used to do what I thought other people thought I should do – or be. I was in a constant state of over-achieving activity. Often overwhelmed with doing for others, I felt like I was in a perpetual state of juggling fire sticks. Take care of the husband, the kids, the job, the house, the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the bills, ad nauseum. I used to tell people that I was a professional juggler…I took pride in the fact that I could multi-task so well…only who was I kidding?
I remember taking time-out to cross stitch a Christmas present for my ex-father-in-law and my then husband told me how obsessive I became when I shut out the rest of the world. And anytime I did something like that, he’d remind me that I put the blinders on again…and it was never said in a nice way…it was always meant to cut me like a knife…because God forbid I focused my attention on something other than him.
Divorcing my first husband after a 19 year marriage really opened my eyes to how I operated. Very rarely did I do something that actually concerned me. Over the course of a few years, I learned to put the things that concerned me on my priority list. Going through breast cancer was my wake-up call.
Having a life threatening illness can change you in many ways. Depending on the type of person you are, cancer can be a “good” thing and motivate you to redefine and change your life for the better or it can be a “bad” thing and plummet you to the depths of your own personal hell. Going through divorce was my own internal hell and I had no desire to ever go back there. Instead, I chose to redefine my life, take better care of me, and focus on putting effort towards my concerns.
At first I was called “selfish” by my two daughters. And for about a year, we went through a really rough time. They just didn’t understand why I wasn’t bending over backwards and jumping through rings of fire to accommodate them. It wasn’t until they started seeing me happy that they realized their lives were actually better because they had a happy mom.
I stopped catering to what other people thought I should be doing or being. I created and maintained an inner peace and an inner happiness even while going through chemotherapy. As much as I hated losing my hair, I proudly spent the better part of a year bald, never bothering to act or behave sad, sick, or depressed. Even my doctor didn’t understand when I refused to take an anti-depressant to help alleviate hot flashes brought on by chemo induced menopause. I asked her, “why would I take something for depression when all I have are hot flashes?” I had cancer…not depression!
As my inner happiness grew, it began sloshing outward. My daughters noticed. Family noticed. Friends noticed. Strangers noticed. I called it my “wow.” I began to look at life just a little differently than most people. At the age of 40, I survived a life threatening disease. I decided that I would impose my own terms upon life because I was no longer willing to accept what life was offering me.
With intense almost daily internal dialogue, I became the person I wanted to be with…a person with integrity…a person with a commitment to excellence…a person who always does her personal best. In the midst of day-to-day life, the chaos of never ending demands, and the dog that needs to be walked, I have an internal solitude that brings me peace, quiet, and incredible joy.
What about you? How have you created your own internal solitude?
Peggy Nolan is a free lance writer, blogger, certified yoga teacher and host of the popular radio show, The Stepmom’s Toolbox. You can find her online at http://thestepmomstoolbox.com or on the radio, http://blogtalkradio.com/thestepmomstoolbox
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)