Got Ready, Got Set and Today I Began

Today has been a beautiful day in more ways than one. First let me describe outside here in upstate New York on February 21st. The sky is crystal clear and the sun is brilliant. There is no wind and it feels warmer than the 32 degrees reported. A perfect day for a walk and to build a snowman.

I got up naturally at 7:00am did my meditation then went to the YMCA to run and do my yoga practice. It is great getting there so early on a Sunday. It is peaceful and relaxing. After I ran for 3 miles I went in to the studio and did my practice for 35 minutes. I felt great and it was such a pleasure to do savasana with no distractions. When I practice at home my dog Charlie loves to lay on top of me at that point which is sweet but very distracting, needless to say!

After getting home and having my decaf coffee I read another "Law of Transformation" and got ready for church. We all went to the 11:00am mass. I love it when the homily and life are in sync with one another.

What have I learned today? I have learned that life is all about choices. We can make up all sorts of excuses as to why we won't better ourselves or situations. The excuse that is used most frequently is "I don't have enough time." We choice not to have enough time by over scheduling ourselves, our children, prioritizing poorly and then wonder why we are so frazzled. We tend to put "things" in front of relationships and we choose to put God last if we even think of him at all. Is it really a wonder why the world is in such a state?

It would be great if we all could choose to take five to ten minutes each morning to just sit and be. When thoughts pop up and they will, acknowledge them and send them on their way and reconnect with the breath. It is easy, painless and doable. It will set your day up beautifully. Let's remember life happens but let's enjoy the ride while we can.

Namaste.

PS I found this photo, thought of the Olympics and thought it would be fun to share especially since the sky that is pictured looks exactly like the sky in NY right now!

Game Plan

Well tomorrow will start day 1 of 40 for my "40 Days to Personal Revolution". Since Wednesday when Lent started, I took time to read the beginning of the book, the laws of transformation which there are 12 of, and Week One so I know what to expect. I also have been meditating everyday for 5 minutes, doing a 20 minute practice above and beyond my normal yoga practice and I dusted off my journal. Now I can keep track of my progress and I will also have a place to answer the "Excavation Questions" which are at the end of each week.

Each week has 4 main elements to it. First the physical practice, second balancing your diet, third the meditation practice and forth the excavating questions. When done in combination I believe lots can be discovered.

There are many things I like about this book so far. One of my favorite things is all the quotes that Baron includes from the Bible, Jesus and Buddha to name a few of the sources. Here are some samples: From the Bible, "There are no riches greater than a sound body." "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew." Saint Francis.

I am excited and energized for this new beginning. Where it will take me only God knows.

Have a peaceful day!
Namaste.

Lent... Each Journey Must Start With One Step!

Lent just started this past Wednesday and I want to do something different and meaningful this year that I have never done before. I have been thinking about this for some time. Now in the past I have always been pretty good with giving something up that I truly enjoy but this year I want to add something rather than take away something. I thought how can I change the world, what can I add to it? I mean really I am just one person, then it hit me, it only takes one person.

I went and purchased Baron Baptiste's book "40 Days to Personal Revolution". To my surprise this book has beautiful insight into our souls and who we are and what we can do with effort. Sure there is a strong yoga element but it is presented as a means to an end. And that end is to create a better, kinder person, the person God wants us to be.

Of course in doing this program I will be doing yoga everyday for 40 days beginning with 20 minutes each day for the first week and then increasing it from there. Along with the the physical yoga practice I will be meditating for 5 minutes each day the first week and increasing it from there. There are other elements to this that I will continue to discover while I am on this journey.

My intention for Lent is to complete this program, grow towards the person I am meant to be and share the process with you. As I have heard it said before, "Anything worth doing is done better when shared." I will be posting my progress as it relates to this journey as often as possible with the hope that this journey I take will inspire at least one person and then I have changed the world for the better.

Oh yeah I still gave up chocolate!
Namaste.

Happy St. Valentine's Day

Happy St. Valentine's Day!!!!Even though today was filled with going to the boys basketball games (they had 4, 2 each) we all managed to have a relaxing and fun morning before all the chaos. I made a beautiful breakfast for everyone and we all opened our valentines that we made for each other. We had great laughs as we told each other why we loved each other. It was one of those moments you wish you could freeze. Then reality set in and off we went. We ended the day with my father and had dinner at his home. Truly a blessed day!

Namaste.

Authentic Self What does it Mean?

I have been struggling for some time now trying to figure out this question, "What is our authentic self?" Many times when I feel I have gotten it right, I find that I still have so much more to learn, which is a beautiful lesson in humility and good for my soul. I feel connected to who I am to be in this life during such moments of intense observation of myself.

Witnessing our world from my corner, I see so many wonderful aspects but I also see where we can all improve. That is what I struggle with, the lack of effort, faith and respect that I witness. I see it often in adults and then witness the trickle down effect to children. I struggle with not judging others since I do not walk in their shoes. This is hard for me.

When describing myself I would say I am an optimist and extremely grateful for the many blessing in life. I work on seeing the good in people and it is there for certain!

But answer me this, please, how does one teach a child not to fall prey to peer pressure when adults do constantly, and not pass judgement? As a parent I have been called upon to explain this to my children when they have witnessed it in the adults around them. This is hard especially when the adult behavior does effect them.

Life is so different from when I grew up. I am not sure about you all, but my parents didn't over schedule me, or try to fit me into groups that were not for me, when they said no they meant it for our own good and they always had strong moral courage and that was that. Where has that way of life gone? Is it still out there? Is it out there and hiding? Where has courage to do the right thing gone? Why aren't parents doing their job? If we all stick together we could get through this easier I believe.

This reminds me of a line in a reading that I often read in my yoga classes. It reads like this, "I want to know if you can disappoint another and still be true to yourself."

What is our authentic self and how do we find her?
Namaste.

ONE

How many people does it take to make a difference? One.
One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake a dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame a goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start a prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what’s true
One life can make a difference
That difference starts with you!
- Author Unknown
Namaste

Custom Order

I just created this custom "Treasured Locket" for a friend's sister-in-law. I had great fun creating it. I was given her sister-in-law grandmother's writing from an old Christmas gift tag that had both of their names on it and started from there. Her favorite flower is a daisy and I found one on a postcard dated 1909, so I used that along with the 1 cent stamp. They call each other "Bum" which I thought was cute so I added that word by cutting out letters from old postcards. Additional ingredients include my signature chocolate wrapper, hidden house, page from a 1885 prayer book and hearts. It is such an honor to be trusted with someones "Treasures"!

*Special Note: The word "Love" that you see is my grandmother's handwriting. I am paying it forward as best as I can!
Namaste.

New Work in Time For Valentine's Day

New Item for 2010

These 17 inch necklaces on black Greek leather were created with original collages that I made from all sort of cool stuff including my grandmother's writing, letter from vintage magazines and postcards dating from 1910-1920. These necklaces sell for $52-56 at Craft Co. #6 in Rochester, NY www.craftcomapny.com


This "Treasured Locket" pin was created using a letter from my grandmother describing the first snow fall in 1965. I added foil from a Hershey kiss, roses from a 1910 postcard and of course hearts and a hidden house. This pin sells for $59.00 at Craft Co. #6 in Rochester, NY www.craftcomapny.com



These "Treasured Locket" heart necklace include an original collage, gemstones, trade beads from the late 1800's, pearls and the clasps are either real Indian head nickles, mercury head dimes or vintage clip on earrings. The price range is $198-218, and can be purchased at the Craft Co. #6 in Rochester, NY www.craftcompany.com

I hope you enjoyed looking at my new creations for St. Valentine's Day. Have a peaceful evening.
Namaste.

Happy New Year

Once again we have the opportunity to focus on goals, growth and where we want to go throughout 2010. It is that fresh start we have all been craving.

I am putting together ideas of how I would like to shape this new year for myself, family and how I can impact the world positively.

This year I am going to start by simplifing and organizing my home. This will help me create the balance I need. I believe once that is accomplished and maintained the burden of "keeping house" will lessen to a certain degree. And as it does, it will provide me the peace of mind that I and my family need, producing fruits of its own.

Secondly I am going to devote time, energy and effort to grow both of my businesses. As you may or may not be aware I am both an artist and yoga instructor.

My plan for my art is to brand myself and gain a few more national clients and perhaps even create a line of inspirational t-shirts with some of the proceeds going to a worthy cause. As part of this effort a group of women artists that I have been blessed to meet and call friends, have agreed to help each other set and meet goals. We meet on Sundays at various coffee houses. This group will help market and critique each others artwork.

As for my yoga I am going to grow it with more corporate clients and bring yoga to them at their workplace. I teach children and I hope to reach more children this year through yoga too. Last but not least, I am a firm believer that the best teachers are those that commit to being life long students themselves. My prayer is that I get into Baron Baptist's teacher training and continue towards my 500 hour level. (I am already at the 200 hour level).

So here is to the New Year, fresh starts, dreams and practice!!!!!!!
Namaste.