I especially love watching the start of YaYa’s races. The intense focus in the moments leading up to the start. When runners set down their blocks and prepare for the gun to fire, they are setting themselves up mentally, physically and spiritually/emotionally. It’s fantastic!
Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you approached each activity with this same sort of focus?
I gave been making an effort to bring more positive energy into my world for myself and those around me. Like the saying about waking up on the wrong side of the bed seems to infer, it starts before your feet even hit the floor. Do you open your eyes and immediately dread the day ahead? If so, you may be setting the energy for just that. But, if you wake up and try to appreciate the blessings that you have (no matter how simple and basic they may be), something changes.
At my last chiropractic appointment my chiropractor asked me how 2017 has been so far. “Honestly”, I admitted, “I’ve sort of been in a funk.” I said this with a little bit of bewilderment for I have been a little taken aback by it. My chiropractor (Dr. P) in his usual down-to-earth sort of way, said that this year seemed to be manifesting similarly for many. I love that I can say it how it is with him. He doesn’t judge; he just listens. I told him that I had been making a concerted effort to consciously notice the niceties around me like the flowers blooming, sun shining, etc. but that it didn’t seem to make much of a difference. That was when he introduced me to a book called The Five Minute Journal. He said that he’d gotten copies for all of his staff and has been using it himself.
The premise is simple. You start each day off on a positive note. You shift your energy away from the problems and gravitate towards the good.
Upon waking, you jot down:
Right before you go to sleep, you write down:
It almost seems too simple to work. Right?
Well, I’ve been at it for only 11 days now but I have noticed a shift, albeit a small one.
Like the two open flowers in the bundle of yellow (pictured above), it’s the little things that add up. One needn’t look long and hard to see that this is surely going to manifest into something grand indeed. I just KNOW IT!
It’s been 10 years since Tom’s ashes were scattered here. The spot unfamiliar to me but very special to him as it was where his newborn’s ashes were scattered more than 20 years earlier. Believe it or not, this is the first time I have been back here. I just couldn’t manage to make it happen until now.
We couldn’t have asks for a lovelier day. DD just happened to be in from New York for his [birth] mom’s birthday. I cut the first rose of spring from the garden to toss out to sea as we did when we sent his ashes out. An offering, of sorts.
But the day wasn’t really about grieving. It fell into a day of just being us. We found a quiet spot off to the side near the overpass and threw the ball into water for the dog for a while. Then the boys played a game of baseball and mocked each other as brothers do.
And right before we left, we walked over to the ocean where I tossed the rose in and watched it get taken away. Today, unlike 10 years ago, the rose only had to be tossed once before it was off on it’s journey. I was a little sad to see it go so easily, but after a bit, I felt a teeny bit of peacefulness fill a little bit more of the empty space that was left in my heart the day he died.
Growing up, I was the peace keeper of the family. Like it or not, I learned to keep my opinions to myself. It was just easier that way. In general, that wasn’t really a big deal. After all, life is all about striking a balance between “give” and “take”.
But, when the balance is OFF, it’s time to do something about it — less you get taken advantage of. This is when it’s important to stand up for your rights, voice your opinion, and do so in the most positive manner possible.
As I said, I am all about peace. So when I first heard about women’s marches occurring around the nation, I was a little apprehensive. On one hand, I wanted to be a part of the anti-protest “protest” — to join the community of women, men, and children walking in unity to spread awareness of the seemingly obvious fact that we don’t want this nation to go backwards where rights for women, minorities, healthcare, etc. are involved.
On the other hand, I was seriously worried that there would be violent opposition and intolerance to the movement. I feared that there might be too much negativity and derogatory comments about the new president, and that those with opposing views OR the police would get ugly in response.
My fears took over my dreams and, by morning, I was considering backing out of my plans to join the march. However, I promised my long-time friend, who was visiting her daughter from out of state, that I would join them. I am a women of my word. I couldn’t back down now.
Everyone knows that violence is NOT the answer. It is just the reaction that will serve to further divide the nation in a time of uncertainty. So with a leap of faith, and a prayer or two, I put aside my fears and went. I reminded myself that there is a lot on the line: issues already on the chopping block that need to be saved.
I am glad that I did… [Read more…]
Once again, I am in awe that another year is behind us. Time seems to be picking up speed as it flies past us. My fear of missing out on life’s precious moments is increasing. What’s more, I have found myself alone a lot more these days — as my sons grow more and more independent. The reality that BoBo will soon be moving out and heading south follows with the inevitability that young YaYa will soon be doing the same. As I sit with this truth, all by myself, I take note of how lonely my evenings have become. And I wonder what I will do to fill the emptiness.
It’s good that my sons are heading in this direction. It is what parents want for their children. I mean, I have a list of things I had planned to do after they leave the nest — such as a trip to Mysore India to practice at the KPJAYI, finishing my yoga teacher certification and perhaps actually teaching yoga. I figured I’d be remarried by this time and that I wouldn’t be alone. But I guess I too am growing up and becoming independent. Whoa! That’s a new concept, isn’t it?
Ha!. I am a slow learner.
Try as I might, I cannot fight the inevitable. Honestly, I want to see them grow and become independent.
Whatever my future holds, I am certain that they and *I* will be okay.
Until then, I am trying to relax a little, continue to enjoy being with them whenever I can, and trust that everything will indeed be okay when they are both on their own.
And if I pick up a few skills in the process than that would be good too.