Nice girls like us, have a hard time feigning toughness. Without my pencil, I could barely get my fingers to flip the bird (even for the sole purpose of this picture).
It’s not a bad thing. It’s just a thing.
Archives for August 2012
Say
Even as the eyes are closin.’ Do it with your heart wide open. Say what you need to say… — Say, John Mayer
These lyrics, heard while running, really hit home today. Broadly, the topic has come up on three occasions this week. For that reason, it seemed like I good one to bring up here.
How many times do you have something that you need to say, but don’t? The opportunity to do so passes and kick yourself for not speaking your mind.
When it comes to friends, these confrontations can be tough. You don’t want to compromise the relationship yet, by your friend’s crossing a line they shouldn’t have crossed, the relationship is already in danger.
Hold fast to this concept, before taking on a random act such as coaching a friend in weight loss, running, or yoga. It’s all good, right?
Helping a friend or family member take on such a huge life change is pretty cool. If you’re like me, your genuine want to coach them to know and love the sport is actually a way to rekindle the joy in it for yourself. However, what if they start complaining about high heart rates, pain, and the like? What if they complain when they are out doing the sport with you?
Of course, you have no way of weeding out the real dangers from those perceived in pushing to the next level. Perhaps, you put on the breaks…or suggest that they do. And what if…? What if they don’t listen to their body or you? What if they push beyond their limits and something happens? What then?
This is just one example of crossing the line that needs to be addressed when it comes up. Because if it happens once, it will happen again. Perhaps the next time there will be serious implications. Perhaps 911 will need to be dialed. I told you so means nothing then.
Some call it “Art”
Some people call it graffiti, and some call it art.
While out running, [yeah, I said “running”]…
While out running, I came upon this cement structure completely covered with paint. I had to stop for a photo or two. I also took the opportunity to stretch and gather up a bit more motivation to keep going. I’m not sure if it was the heat or the little bit of pavement we pounded along the way, but this was not an easy one for me. It was, in fact, ugly. Thankfully, I had the good company of my friend, Cindy.
Speaking of ugly, the artwork was not the only mark left behind here. Unfortunately, there were also several empty cans of paint, discarded pizza boxes, paper bags, and an insane amount of broken glass on the ground all around it. That is not called art. That is called WRONG.
Face plant Friday
I was doing my usual (though admittedly not normal) standing cubicle yoga in my cubicle. Reaching back with both arms, I grab my foot with both hands and gently pull my lifted leg as high as I can over my head. Trust me, it feels really good. The release I get in my back when I do this is heaven. If only I had my yoga strap, I thought. And then I thought about the events of my morning….
My intentions were good. Good, I say. I mean, I rolled out of bed and into the darkness. Albeit a little later than I had hoped but given the fact that I was up ’till nearly midnight writing, I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m categorizing it as a success.
I stumbled into YaYa’s room, questioning him on why he sets the alarm only to sleep through the mind numbing beep-beep-beep – which quite honestly is what actually urged me to finally. Get. Out. Of. Bed. Then I made my way down the stairs, fed & let the dogs out, then made myself a nice hot cup of black French Roast. Ah. It’s morning.
Minutes later, I plopped down on my tuffet for my daily attempt at meditation. Of course, as soon as I closed my eyes, my mind wandered here and there and everywhere but into stillness. *sigh* I gave it an almost-honest attempt for a full ten minutes or so. Then… I rolled out my mat and creaked through the first of the ashtanga primary sequence (the sun salutations).
downside UP
Not long ago, theMan shared an interesting piece written on headstand pose (also known as salamba shirshasana). The writer described the pose as one that can lead to a symbolic upheaval in perspective. Anyone who has ever explored this inversion will agree; headstand does have a way of turning your world upside down.
And who could argue? Things do look quite different when you see them from the downside up.