Today I heard from Swami Saradananda the author of "Chakra Meditation". I have to tell you all how excited I am. This is a book that I love and find very helpful and to hear from its creator has sent me over the moon! See our comments under "Tidbits" posting.
Have a wonderful day and believe great things can happen and often do!
Namaste.
PS Happy Birthday Dad! I love you and have been so blessed to have a dad like you!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wow This Month Flew By!
As I sit here relaxing on Sunday with my hot cup of coffee, writing my weekly entry, I happened to glance at the calendar and realized we only have one week left of January. Wow! Did this month fly by! It seems like yesterday we were all ringing in the New Year.
Well I thought this would be a good time to check in how on the New Year's resolutions are going. I am pleased to say my single worded resolution, Effort", is really working well for me! Some days it is real easy to put forth that extra effort and other days it is hard, but I manage to do it, just the same.
What have I learned? Well for starters putting forth a bit more effort has helped me around the house keeping up with the everyday chores so they haven’t seemed overwhelming by the end of the week. Second, everyday I have been working to build my jewelry business in some way which is helping me gain confidence, knowledge and customers. Third I have been learning more about the world as I have been putting more effort into reading the paper which I have to say is not my favorite because I find it saddens me. However I believe I have a responsibility to myself, family etc... to know what is going on and see how I can change it positively, in my corner of the world.
Starting next Sunday February 1st I will be listing ideas to express our love to those around us. Also I will be writing a gentle yoga practice to us relax and stay healthy during the cold and flu season, and updating “Gem Lore”, “Books” and “Movies”.
Remember to smile, it is contagious and makes people wonder what you have been up to!
Namaste.
Well I thought this would be a good time to check in how on the New Year's resolutions are going. I am pleased to say my single worded resolution, Effort", is really working well for me! Some days it is real easy to put forth that extra effort and other days it is hard, but I manage to do it, just the same.
What have I learned? Well for starters putting forth a bit more effort has helped me around the house keeping up with the everyday chores so they haven’t seemed overwhelming by the end of the week. Second, everyday I have been working to build my jewelry business in some way which is helping me gain confidence, knowledge and customers. Third I have been learning more about the world as I have been putting more effort into reading the paper which I have to say is not my favorite because I find it saddens me. However I believe I have a responsibility to myself, family etc... to know what is going on and see how I can change it positively, in my corner of the world.
Starting next Sunday February 1st I will be listing ideas to express our love to those around us. Also I will be writing a gentle yoga practice to us relax and stay healthy during the cold and flu season, and updating “Gem Lore”, “Books” and “Movies”.
Remember to smile, it is contagious and makes people wonder what you have been up to!
Namaste.
PS The image I selected for this posting is called, "Reflection", perfect for this entry.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Interview With God
I dreamed I had an interview with God…
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time,” I answered.
God smiled. “My time is eternity. What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?” I asked.
God answered, “That they get bored with childhood and rush to grow up. Then they long to be children again.”
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time,” I answered.
God smiled. “My time is eternity. What questions do you have in mind for me?”
“What surprises you most about humankind?” I asked.
God answered, “That they get bored with childhood and rush to grow up. Then they long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money trying to restore their health.”
“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.”
“That they live as if they will never die, and die as if they had never lived.”
God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while, and then I asked, “As a parent what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”
God answered, “To learn they cannot make anyone love them, all they can do is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wound in those we love and it can take a lifetime to heal them.”
“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that there are people who love us dearly but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another but they must also forgive themselves.”
“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly, “is there anything else you would like your children to know?”
God smiled and said,” Just know that I am here – Always!”
My friend Maureen sent this to me today and I thought it was so beautiful that I wanted to share it.
Namaste.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Life is Good, and People are Amazing
In a world where we are feed negative news 99.99% of the time it is good to be reminded of the true goodness of people. This week’s “Miracle on the Hudson” is a beautiful example of that, strangers helping strangers with no alternative motive. What can we take away from such a story? Well the obvious, life is short, people are good, and God is present.
“Live Life to the Fullest” is a saying that does not mean be reckless and wild; rather it means be helpful, kind and present. Remember in the end life is short and we need to be sure we don’t waste such a precious gift. Smile often and watch it spread.
I am sure we all have been cut off in traffic, or on the receiving end of stinging comments just to mention a few situations life can throw at us daily, but still people are genuinely good. Think about the times you have been in need. It could be as simple as your arms were full when you approached a door and someone took the time to hold it for you. It could be the time you were visually sad and someone asked “Are you Ok?” If we open our eyes we will see the kindness people spread to each other. And as we open our eyes we should be asking ourselves “How often was I the one who held the door?” Food for thought.
God is present in everything. Take a moment to look outside and breathe in what you see. Look at the sky, the clouds, the sun, the snow the list can go on and on. Look at yourself in the mirror, breathe in what you see. Life is not perfect, there is sorrow but there is also great beauty, love and joy. We have been given a choice, we can see the glass half full or half empty. What will you choose? I know what choose everyday and believe me some days it takes me greater effort than others to see the glass half full but that is still the way I see life.
If we look around everyday, we can see all sorts of miracles and random acts of kindness right in front of us. Sure they may not be as grand as the “Miracle on the Hudson” but they are still there.
Remember, “Give People enough time and they will surprise and delight you!
Namaste.
“Live Life to the Fullest” is a saying that does not mean be reckless and wild; rather it means be helpful, kind and present. Remember in the end life is short and we need to be sure we don’t waste such a precious gift. Smile often and watch it spread.
I am sure we all have been cut off in traffic, or on the receiving end of stinging comments just to mention a few situations life can throw at us daily, but still people are genuinely good. Think about the times you have been in need. It could be as simple as your arms were full when you approached a door and someone took the time to hold it for you. It could be the time you were visually sad and someone asked “Are you Ok?” If we open our eyes we will see the kindness people spread to each other. And as we open our eyes we should be asking ourselves “How often was I the one who held the door?” Food for thought.
God is present in everything. Take a moment to look outside and breathe in what you see. Look at the sky, the clouds, the sun, the snow the list can go on and on. Look at yourself in the mirror, breathe in what you see. Life is not perfect, there is sorrow but there is also great beauty, love and joy. We have been given a choice, we can see the glass half full or half empty. What will you choose? I know what choose everyday and believe me some days it takes me greater effort than others to see the glass half full but that is still the way I see life.
If we look around everyday, we can see all sorts of miracles and random acts of kindness right in front of us. Sure they may not be as grand as the “Miracle on the Hudson” but they are still there.
Remember, “Give People enough time and they will surprise and delight you!
Namaste.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tidbits About My Blog
Good Morning! As I write this Sunday morning my home is silent, the snow is softly falling and I am enjoying a hot cup of coffee – truly heaven! This is my favorite time of day as I get to greet the sun or in this case the lightening of the sky with true appreciation and awe.
My purpose in writing today is to let you know some “Tidbits” about my blog. Please see below:
I update the main posting at least once a week. Subject matter can be anything that is inspiring to me at the moment. I also hope to include more photos with my postings this year. Please check out my archives from 2008 for an idea of my subject matters and writing style.
The right hand column will be updated at least once a month. In that column you will find information about yoga, music, books, movies, gem lore, quotes, links to other sites I enjoy, and miscellaneous things I find fun.
The bottom of my blog is a photo gallery of my artwork, family activities and photos that I take that I like. This will get updated from time to time. I am going to try to update this or add to monthly.
If you click on my photos of my jewelry they will route you to my “Etsy” site where I sell my work. Etsy is a website for artists to display and sell their work. Everything is handmade and I highly recommend checking it out. If you go to my site, under my “Favorites” you will be able to view a variety of artists that inspire me. Also I get all my cards, note paper and business cards through this site as part of my commitment to buy USA and handmade products that help individuals.
I love hearing from my readers. Your comments inspire me. Please write often either in the comment section or through email. If you become a follower the beauty of that is when I do a new posting it will automatically notify you. Please keep in contact!
Well the house is stirring now so I best be on my way.
Let me leave you with a beautiful quote by Helen Keller, “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart!”
Namate.
My purpose in writing today is to let you know some “Tidbits” about my blog. Please see below:
I update the main posting at least once a week. Subject matter can be anything that is inspiring to me at the moment. I also hope to include more photos with my postings this year. Please check out my archives from 2008 for an idea of my subject matters and writing style.
The right hand column will be updated at least once a month. In that column you will find information about yoga, music, books, movies, gem lore, quotes, links to other sites I enjoy, and miscellaneous things I find fun.
The bottom of my blog is a photo gallery of my artwork, family activities and photos that I take that I like. This will get updated from time to time. I am going to try to update this or add to monthly.
If you click on my photos of my jewelry they will route you to my “Etsy” site where I sell my work. Etsy is a website for artists to display and sell their work. Everything is handmade and I highly recommend checking it out. If you go to my site, under my “Favorites” you will be able to view a variety of artists that inspire me. Also I get all my cards, note paper and business cards through this site as part of my commitment to buy USA and handmade products that help individuals.
I love hearing from my readers. Your comments inspire me. Please write often either in the comment section or through email. If you become a follower the beauty of that is when I do a new posting it will automatically notify you. Please keep in contact!
Well the house is stirring now so I best be on my way.
Let me leave you with a beautiful quote by Helen Keller, “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart!”
Namate.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I was Updating my Bio and It Was To Long...
Since it is a new year I was updating my blog including my Bio file but of course I wrote to much and it didn't fit (not surprising for me you should hear me talk!). So I decided to post it instead with the hopes of readers getting to know me and feeling comfortable with writing back so I can get to know you. So sit back and get comfy!
Hello! I am Joan Nichols and I am from Rochester New York. I am a wife, mother of 2 great boys and a local artist and yoga instructor.
My family is my number one love hands down! My next two loves would be yoga and art. I have been classically trained as a graphic designer and studied in London. After leaving the graphic industry to have my boys I began to teach myself the art of jewelry design and then began to take classes. I started out by learning how to string and hand knot pearls the old fashioned way. Next I took some forging metal classes, enameling classes and eventually found my way to PMC (Precious Metals Clay) which is my favorite material at the moment.
Most of my work could be classified as “Modern Victorian meets casual classics,” and of course each piece has a story. My creativity is guided by various words of wisdom, which inspire my work, and translates into color schemes, unique compositions and meaningful charms.
My love of typography from my graphic designing days is included in some form in many of my pieces. This has led me to develop my “Treasured Lockets” line of charms, which I first saw the technique by artist Sally Jean Alexander. My “Treasured Lockets” allow me to express myself and help me bridge the gap between my art and yoga since most of the sayings I use in my work come from my passion of life that yoga brings to me. A charm I recently created says “Where there is love, there is faith” and another one that I created says “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Speaking of yoga it has transformed my life. I fell into it quite by accident – literally since a serious fall left me with quite a back injury that was eventually healed through yoga. That was 15 years ago and thank God I have been pain free most of the time. I decided to learn to teach about 10 years ago and have been teaching for the last 8 years. I am an ERYT through the Yoga Alliance which is an international governing body of yoga teachers. You must complete over 200 hour of class room study to get to this level.
Yoga heals the body, mind and spirit. It allows us to find our true selves and in discovering who we are, we can better help those around us.
My hope for my blog is to build a community of like minded people in which we can share our passions and stay connected with friends and family and create new friends.
Last but not least remember the shortest distance between two people is laughter so laugh often.
Namaste.
Hello! I am Joan Nichols and I am from Rochester New York. I am a wife, mother of 2 great boys and a local artist and yoga instructor.
My family is my number one love hands down! My next two loves would be yoga and art. I have been classically trained as a graphic designer and studied in London. After leaving the graphic industry to have my boys I began to teach myself the art of jewelry design and then began to take classes. I started out by learning how to string and hand knot pearls the old fashioned way. Next I took some forging metal classes, enameling classes and eventually found my way to PMC (Precious Metals Clay) which is my favorite material at the moment.
Most of my work could be classified as “Modern Victorian meets casual classics,” and of course each piece has a story. My creativity is guided by various words of wisdom, which inspire my work, and translates into color schemes, unique compositions and meaningful charms.
My love of typography from my graphic designing days is included in some form in many of my pieces. This has led me to develop my “Treasured Lockets” line of charms, which I first saw the technique by artist Sally Jean Alexander. My “Treasured Lockets” allow me to express myself and help me bridge the gap between my art and yoga since most of the sayings I use in my work come from my passion of life that yoga brings to me. A charm I recently created says “Where there is love, there is faith” and another one that I created says “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Speaking of yoga it has transformed my life. I fell into it quite by accident – literally since a serious fall left me with quite a back injury that was eventually healed through yoga. That was 15 years ago and thank God I have been pain free most of the time. I decided to learn to teach about 10 years ago and have been teaching for the last 8 years. I am an ERYT through the Yoga Alliance which is an international governing body of yoga teachers. You must complete over 200 hour of class room study to get to this level.
Yoga heals the body, mind and spirit. It allows us to find our true selves and in discovering who we are, we can better help those around us.
My hope for my blog is to build a community of like minded people in which we can share our passions and stay connected with friends and family and create new friends.
Last but not least remember the shortest distance between two people is laughter so laugh often.
Namaste.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Effort
Every year we ask ourselves the same thing around the New Year, what will I do different this year – what should my New Year’s resolution be? This year for me my New Year’s resolution can be summed up in one word – “Effort!”
Sure the same topics come up, be a better parent and wife, pray more, be more patient, volunteer more in the community, do more artwork, try marketing myself, loss weight etc…But the fires dies too quickly and by February I am back to the same old habits.
This year will be different because instead of putting a list together of things I need or want to do that can be overwhelming, I will simply remember this single word “Effort” and work it into my everyday conversations with myself. (Yes – I talk to myself constantly – another area where “Effort” will be applied, to quiet the chatter.) Meanwhile the question I will ask is “Is this my best effort at this moment?” If it is great, if it is not then I will be aware and with awareness I can change it. Then I can continue on life’s journey knowing I am trying and that good things will come out of this effort.
This idea of “Effort” has grown out of my yoga practice where I amaze myself with the things I can do. Trust me this has not been an easy journey for me to say the least but it has clearly illustrated the results effort can make in your life!
Think about it, it is a powerful concept. If we all applied this idea positive things will come out of it. Example: When grocery shopping take a moment and look in your cart and ask “Did I make effort to select the best foods for my family?” If not, change it. What would be the result of this action? A healthier body and a happier mind. Perhaps more energy that can be the nudge we are looking for to exercise more.
Here is another example: When someone is really annoying you that can be a perfect time to ask “How much effort am I putting in to help this situation, or to truly hear this person?” If we are truly putting forth the best effort then maybe we need to step away from them and give ourselves the benefit of a timeout. If we are not putting forth the effort it would be a good time to try, start by looking in their eyes and listen, and remember listening is done with the mouth closed! What would be the result of this action? Hopefully a peaceful resolution or at least understanding and respecting another point of view. Think how often you could use this – friends, family even strangers, maybe this could be the path to world peace or at least peace in our corner of the world.
With a little more positive “Effort” 2009 could be the best year ever! Happy New Year and may God bless you and yours! Let me leave you with a few wonderful quotes I have recently come across.
“Our attitude towards life determines life’s attitude towards us.”
“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”
“You are only limited by your imagination.”
Namaste.
Sure the same topics come up, be a better parent and wife, pray more, be more patient, volunteer more in the community, do more artwork, try marketing myself, loss weight etc…But the fires dies too quickly and by February I am back to the same old habits.
This year will be different because instead of putting a list together of things I need or want to do that can be overwhelming, I will simply remember this single word “Effort” and work it into my everyday conversations with myself. (Yes – I talk to myself constantly – another area where “Effort” will be applied, to quiet the chatter.) Meanwhile the question I will ask is “Is this my best effort at this moment?” If it is great, if it is not then I will be aware and with awareness I can change it. Then I can continue on life’s journey knowing I am trying and that good things will come out of this effort.
This idea of “Effort” has grown out of my yoga practice where I amaze myself with the things I can do. Trust me this has not been an easy journey for me to say the least but it has clearly illustrated the results effort can make in your life!
Think about it, it is a powerful concept. If we all applied this idea positive things will come out of it. Example: When grocery shopping take a moment and look in your cart and ask “Did I make effort to select the best foods for my family?” If not, change it. What would be the result of this action? A healthier body and a happier mind. Perhaps more energy that can be the nudge we are looking for to exercise more.
Here is another example: When someone is really annoying you that can be a perfect time to ask “How much effort am I putting in to help this situation, or to truly hear this person?” If we are truly putting forth the best effort then maybe we need to step away from them and give ourselves the benefit of a timeout. If we are not putting forth the effort it would be a good time to try, start by looking in their eyes and listen, and remember listening is done with the mouth closed! What would be the result of this action? Hopefully a peaceful resolution or at least understanding and respecting another point of view. Think how often you could use this – friends, family even strangers, maybe this could be the path to world peace or at least peace in our corner of the world.
With a little more positive “Effort” 2009 could be the best year ever! Happy New Year and may God bless you and yours! Let me leave you with a few wonderful quotes I have recently come across.
“Our attitude towards life determines life’s attitude towards us.”
“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”
“You are only limited by your imagination.”
Namaste.
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