They Say it's My Birthday!!!

Timmy, Nick and I on my Birthday! What a beautiful day! I started my day out at 5:00 as usual for a Friday. Today I actually broke the 10 minute mile. I did 1 mile is 9minutes and 50 seconds, I was thrilled! Now I will need to work on sustaining it! Maybe that will be next year goal! After I ran I taught yoga, got the kids off to school, walked the dog then I took a heated yoga class at my favorite studio - "Breathe" here in Pittsford, NY. After cleaning up I volunteered at Timmy's class for their "Write-O-Thon", what a blast!!!! after grocery shopping, I started to watch "Leap Year" my favorite movie at the moment but I fell asleep. When I woke up we all decided to go to "Aladin's" for dinner then when we got home the boys put on a "French Horn" concert for Mike and I. It was wonderful! All in all a beautiful day.
Namaste.

Let the Beauty of What You Love Be What You Do

My morning started out at 5am as usual on a Friday. I ran 3 miles on the "ProCor" machine which should be named "The Kick you Butt" machine, then I taught yoga for an hour, and all along I was thinking "How lucky am I?", and I mean that sincerely.

Fast forward...I got my boys off to school, kissed my husband as he went off to work, walked the dog, chatted with some neighbors I saw along the way and am now enjoying a steamy cup of coffee. As I was writing my "To Do List" which includes errands that need to get done and artwork I have to finish for clients, I had a small "Aha" moment as I got side tracked - daydreaming - about what I'd love to do today.

My "Aha" moment was pure gratitude - I am doing what I love. Then I saw this quote and thought I need to share it with you, "Let the Beauty of What You Love Be What You Do" by Jalal ad-Din Rumi.

"Aha" moments for me are small and tend to build upon each other. Nothing major by themselves but added together can make quite an impression on the soul. Some people may have huge life changing "Aha" moments but that is not me so far. I used to be saddened that I hadn't experienced that but now I am glad they come when they do and keep me appreciating all that I have.

As we all head into this "Mother's Day" weekend let me wish you all joy, happiness and to remember, "You're only limited by your imagination" - Marcia Ceppos. So dream BIG and remember that the small things in life bring great comfort.

Namaste.

Opening Day!

Opening Day in Penfield, NY was this past Saturday. We had so much fun! The weather was amazing, the kids were electric and the friendships awesome! All in all a blessed day!
Namaste.

Need Your Help

Happy Monday everyone. I have a huge favor to ask-here it goes. As you may know I have been organizing "Donation Yoga" classes with the hope of helping Haiti. 100% of the money raised has been given to the Red Cross here in Rochester for this cause. This Saturday I will be hosting another donation class and need your help. Please come and also pass this information on to all your friends. Together we can make a difference.

Date: Saturday May 8th.
Time: 11:15am-12:30pm
Where: Eastside YMCA here in Penfiled, NY - 341-4000
Donation: $10
Teacher: Me!!!
Reason: Because I care
Who can attend?: Everyone - members and non-members
Please pay it forward!!!!!!!

Let's be the change we wish to see in the world.
Namaste.

Gearing Up For Mother's Day

As I continue to create new work in time for Mother's Day I wanted to put out a quick reminder of where you may find and purchase my work.

In Rochester, NY: "Craft Company #6" has a large selection. They are located at 785 University Ave.; Phone number is 473-3413; Website is http://shop-handmade.craftcompany.com/Joan-Nichols-Jewelry.html

In Penfield, NY: "Wendy at Work" also has a great selection. They are located at 1867 Penfield Road; Phone number is 249-9777; Website is http://www.wendyatwork.com/

Feel free to contact me through my blog by commenting or you may go to my ETSY site which is www.nicholsforpennies.etsy.com

Thank you for stopping by and more new creations will be posted early this week, along with the next of the "Four Agreements".

Make it a peaceful day - it is your choice!
Namaste.

The Mastery of Love

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.