As I am reading "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz I am also enjoying the "Mastery of Love" cards that he has published. Love and self respect are key components to sticking with the "The Four Agreements". The first agreement is to speak impeccably and understand that your word is like a sword and has two sides. It can be used to create drama, chaos, and a living hell. Or it can be used to create love, beauty and life! We choose our words depending on how we are feeling at a particular moment. Practice responding after a few breaths rather than reacting automatically. This will take time to master but is truly worth the effort.
Here are two quotes by Don Miguel Ruiz that I find help me with my mind set to speak impeccably:
"Love and accept yourself just the way you are. You are what you are; you don't need to pretend to be something else. When you pretend to be what you are not, you are always going to fail."
"Accept others the way they are. You cannot change other people. To try to change them to fit what you want them to be is like trying to change a dog into a cat or a cat into a horse. They are what they are; you are what you are."
I find when I read and reread these words I find comfort and understanding of myself and those around me. It also helps me stay on track and helps me to choose my "words" better.
Namaste.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Spring=New Life and My Annual Reading of the Four Agreements
When I think of spring I think of a time of new life, new beginnings and rebirth. I have many rituals that I do during the spring that seems to help me get back on track. My rituals are few and simple. Number one is spring cleaning the house and purging things that we no longer use. Number two is spring cleaning the body I will usually start this with a simple fast and eating foods that clean and keep the body feeling alive, mainly a vegan diet. And last but not least I will spring clean my mind. This sounds like the easiest but for me it is the hardest.
Since I have recently rediscovered the power of meditation and its place in my life, I will continue to use that tool to help me keep my mind open and calm. A few years ago I read, for the first time, "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz and had a life changing experience. Ever since then I reread that book every spring. It is funny how I need to be reminded of those simple yet powerful agreements at this time of year.
In my next few posting I will write about the each of the four agreements and how my spring cleaning for my body, mind, soul and home are going. Meanwhile start your own "Spring Cleaning" and look upon this time as a rebirth and discover the person you are truly meant to be.
Make it a peaceful day!
Namaste.
*The photo above way taken on my way to work in the morning 5:15am by the vineyards near my home.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My New Work - "Wearable Shabby Chic!"
As usual things have been busy around here as I have been burning the midnight oil creating my Spring line of "Wearable Shabby Chic". I have been up late creating new molds, and new fine silver pendants and charms from some great new antiques that I have found. Then I have been collaging for my "Treasured Lockets" and soldering away!! The final step in this processes is assembly. I have been taking the fine silver pieces that I created and wiring them with my "Treasured Lockets" to 1890-1900's antiques and chains to finish the look. The "Bling" comes from 1950's vintage earrings that I have been refurbishing and giving new life - and let's face it, that is what spring is all about - new life.
Namaste.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Christ has Risen, Truly He Has Risen!!!!
Yeah!!!! I successfully finished my journey of "40 Days to a Personal Revolution" with Baron Baptiste. Wow!!!! The last few weeks were time consuming that is why I didn't post as often as I would have liked to, so I am making it all up now!
Let me start by being honest about the last week. I was to do an hour and a half practice each day, along with a half an hour meditation. The truth of it was I did an hour practice each day and 20 minute meditation each day.
Since I am being honest let me fully spill the beans. You may or may have not wondered why I did this journey. Yes as stated before I wanted to try something new that I have never tried before plus I knew I need to find some way of changing deep inside, since I wasn't liking the person I was becoming. This journey did both.
I have many qualities that I am grateful for and others that I know I needed to change. Being judgemental was the major one along with finding purpose to life. I have now learned that every person has their own history which makes them the person they are today. I believe the majority of people are truly good in this world even though we may not see eye to eye 100% of the time. That is when patience, understanding and compassion are needed. We may have friends that like to "One up" us or people/friends who like to purposely leave us out.
It is hard some days to remain positive and friendly under those circumstances. However as we grow we realize it truly is them and their need for some kind of power and/or acceptance of themselves that drives that behavior. Even though my feelings have been hurt from time to time, and I get pissed, I have learned during these 40 days to just let it go and change my thought patterns.
Did you know that we think the same thoughts every day? I never really thought about it but as I was reading the books by Baron Baptiste I had that "Aha" moment - for often than not! And if we are truly going to break through to the next level that those thought patterns need to change. That is where my meditation helped. By the way I still am meditating everyday, 15 minutes every morning seems to fit me perfectly at this stage, and I can commit to that and not feel burdened or as if I am neglecting my responsibilities.
I also learned that we can pretty much explain and justify all our behaviors even the negative ones quite convincingly. We do this through our need to be right at any cost. When we practice humility then the need to be right isn't as important any longer. Interesting huh?
Well I have learned a tremendous amount and lit the fires to discover more about who I am. I can tell you quite honestly that I truly love the person I am and becoming through practice. More about my journey to come in the next few days.
Have a peaceful evening.
Namaste.
Let me start by being honest about the last week. I was to do an hour and a half practice each day, along with a half an hour meditation. The truth of it was I did an hour practice each day and 20 minute meditation each day.
Since I am being honest let me fully spill the beans. You may or may have not wondered why I did this journey. Yes as stated before I wanted to try something new that I have never tried before plus I knew I need to find some way of changing deep inside, since I wasn't liking the person I was becoming. This journey did both.
I have many qualities that I am grateful for and others that I know I needed to change. Being judgemental was the major one along with finding purpose to life. I have now learned that every person has their own history which makes them the person they are today. I believe the majority of people are truly good in this world even though we may not see eye to eye 100% of the time. That is when patience, understanding and compassion are needed. We may have friends that like to "One up" us or people/friends who like to purposely leave us out.
It is hard some days to remain positive and friendly under those circumstances. However as we grow we realize it truly is them and their need for some kind of power and/or acceptance of themselves that drives that behavior. Even though my feelings have been hurt from time to time, and I get pissed, I have learned during these 40 days to just let it go and change my thought patterns.
Did you know that we think the same thoughts every day? I never really thought about it but as I was reading the books by Baron Baptiste I had that "Aha" moment - for often than not! And if we are truly going to break through to the next level that those thought patterns need to change. That is where my meditation helped. By the way I still am meditating everyday, 15 minutes every morning seems to fit me perfectly at this stage, and I can commit to that and not feel burdened or as if I am neglecting my responsibilities.
I also learned that we can pretty much explain and justify all our behaviors even the negative ones quite convincingly. We do this through our need to be right at any cost. When we practice humility then the need to be right isn't as important any longer. Interesting huh?
Well I have learned a tremendous amount and lit the fires to discover more about who I am. I can tell you quite honestly that I truly love the person I am and becoming through practice. More about my journey to come in the next few days.
Have a peaceful evening.
Namaste.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Yoga for Hait
Here are the photos that Paloma Capanna so kindly took of our class on Saturday March 20th, 2010 at the Eastside YMCA on rt. 250 in Penfield, NY. Please see more of Paloma's work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/palomas35mm/4454570960/in/set-72157623670950352.
Thank you all for your support. Our next class will be Saturday April 10th from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Suggested donation is $10. Hope to see you there!
Namaste.
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