Just Something to Think About

When was the last time you tried something new?

What was it?

How did it make you feel?

Would you do it again?

What did you learn?

Feel free to let me know! I will write mine in my next posting, meanwhile I will look forward to hearing from you!

Namaste,
Joan

While I was reading...

When I was reading yesterday, I was reminded how much I enjoy the following quote; “Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt and live like it’s heaven on earth!” – Mark Twain

Have a beautiful day.
Namaste.

Gratitude

As you know I have been sick with a respiratory infection for 3 weeks now. I am getting better slowly and I began to train a little last week for the triathlon in September. I am bummed that I lost so much endurance and that I have to start from square one. I feel a bit overwhelmed at the task ahead of me and I am practicing positive thinking as I tell myself, “with patience I can do it!” It is humbling.

I told you what I lost now here is what I gained. This is an exercise in gratitude that I do to keep me in a positive frame of mind.

I found a lot of time to create in my studio and my artwork is really growing in both volume and quality. I have had more time to practice my skills and experiment with new ones. I love the direction that my work is taking.

Next I have developed a deeper yoga practice, truly focusing on my breath and the healing qualities that it has. I have found new strength and peace in the same asanas I have been practicing for years.

Last but not least my family has pitched in beautifully knowing that “Mom” needs the extra help. That effort they have put forth has put a big smile on my face and I am grateful.

I hope this week we can all see the glass half full.

Namaste.

Bump in the road

I was just reminded of something that I needed to remember. First that we do live in a beautiful universe and there are bumps in the road.

This past week I have been sick with a respiratory infection that has truly interrupted my flow of life. I ache, I am tired and I have no voice but I still see how lucky I am. First I have been concentrating on the fact that I am blessed with good health 99.99% of the time and this “bump in the road” made me slow down to see that and to understand what a gift I have!

This “bump in the road” also slowed me down and allowed me to get the rest my body needs – naps are good.

This “bump in the road” has helped me listen to my family better since I have no real voice to speak of at the moment and in forcing me to listen I have given the gift of time to those who are most important to me.

This “bump in the road” has brought me to tears and I felt cleansed afterward. I released my sadness and have moved on lighter.

This “bump in the road” gave me the time to be more creative. I have been drawing new ideas for my upcoming art show this fall and getting my artwork done peacefully, and unhurried.

I could go on and on about how this “bump in the road” has effected my life positively but it all comes down to this, it was put there by God to help me slow down and smell the roses. And for this I am grateful. Also a special thanks goes out to Dr. Rob and his brother Ray for helping me put it all into words.
Namaste.

Summer Reading

This summer as part of my New Years resolution of "Effort", my summer reading will include some classics that I read long ago. One that I will be starting next is "To Kill a Mockingbird". I remember bits and pieces of the story and I remember it changed me.

A book that was given to me by a student of mine - Sue, was "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". I finished it last week and simply loved it and would recommend it to all. I believe it is on the New York Times best sellers again this week.

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" is written in letter form and the characters are from England in 1946 after WWII. When Sue gave me this book I had just become traditional "Pen pals" with Ali from England. I thought that was interesting timing.

The book I am currently reading is called "March" recommended by my dear friend since I was one years old! - Maureen. It is about the journey of the father from the book "Little Women" during his years in the Civil War.

This book has some graphic descriptions and I can only read it during the day. I am very sensitive to certain types of material and if I read them right before bed, I have trouble sleeping. So right before bed I usually read "Yoga Journal", or different art books, sketch my latest ideas or journal. That seems to keep me in a positive mind set for sleep.

Think about it. If you are feeling negative become mindful of how you start your day and how you end it. If we begin and end our day listening or watching the news and we are feeling negative change that behavior. We can get the news during the day so we can stay current and it gives us a chance to talk about it and move on from it. This is just a thought that I find helpful and keeps me starting and ending my days peacefully.
Namaste.

Well here I go again

Well here I go again! Today I start my training for my second triathlon. My friend Marcela asked if I would do it with her the day after we finished our first one. I was on such a high I said "Yes!"

Over the past three weeks I waivered a little bit while I have been healing a torn calf muscle, but I am thrilled to try again. My goal is the same - finish standing up! This triathlon will differ from the first since the swimming portion will be in open water not a pool. I figure I got to try that way too. This triathlon is called the "Finger Lakes Triathlon" held on September 20th (burr - I better get a wet suit) in Canandaigua.

This time around Marcela and I have added to our "Team". We now get the pleasure of training with 4 additional women who all have the same goal - finish standing up! I know we will have a wonderful time as we work hard. "Anything worth while is hard work!" I believe this to the core.

Tonight we start our swimming lessons to prepare us for the half mile swim. Once our endurance is up again we will start training in the lake. What an adventure. Keep sending positive thoughts our way and if you live in the area and what to train with us let us know!

Have a wonderful evening.
Namaste.

The Fourth of July

Koda is dressed as a Yankee Doodle!
(She's a golden doodle - get it?)




And we are off to show everyone our spirit!






Our neighbor Mike all set for our parade!




My sons Timmy and Nick on the move.




Nick and his friend Jake (in the gorilla suit).






Isabelle (my niece) and Timmy getting ready to go.

We are fortunate to live in the neighborhood that we do. People are kind and helpful. There are about 75 kids ranging in age from Seniors in high school to all the way down to preschoolers. Our "Helmsford Way" family has a lot of spirit which we showed yesterday on the 4th of July. Our fourth of July Parade down our street was a big success and boy did we all have fun.

Thank God for freedom - we truly are lucky!
Namaste