I had to blog this real quick. So, I don't normally dream, but I have been dreaming for the last few days about cleaning house... and last night- I had a super long WEIRD dream that I was cleaning a friend's house and organizing it.... I had to google the interpretation! This is what I found:
To dream that you are cleaning, implies that you are removing some negativity in your life and overcoming major obstacles. You are moving ahead toward a new stage in your life. In particular, if you are cleaning your house, then it means that you need to clear out your thoughts and get rid of your old ways and habits. You are seeking self-improvement. Alternatively, the dream may be a metaphor that you need to "come clean" or tell the whole truth about some situation or matter.
To dream that you are cleaning an object, represents an aspect of yourself that is not working or functioning as well as it should. If you are cleaning the refrigerator or oven, then it indicates that you are getting to root of a matter or situation. It may also indicate feeling so negativity and inferiority. You feel stuck in some area of your life.
To dream that you are cleaning out a desk, suggests that you are getting rid of the burdens that has been weighing you down. You are acknowledging your new choices, decisions, and a new sense of freedom.
Between life distractions and sickness, my yoga practice has slipped over the last 8 weeks or so. One of my promises to myself for the new year, was to really re-focus on yoga as a lifestyle. Yoga has so many wonderful physical, mental and spiritual benefits and has proven itself to be consistently therapeutic. Regardless of your religious preference, yoga can assist with meditation, relaxation, discipline, and even catharsis. I still consider myself a novice, but I am dedicated to practicing what I know and challenging myself to learn more as a yogi.
I am fortunate to have access to a phenomenal class here on the island. It's taught by Camden Hock, who is also a life coach. She integrates meditation and even education along with the fitness aspect. UN-fortunately, she only teaches about 2 days a week. I am one of those people who likes to practice with a group, and led by a teacher. That being said, I realize that yoga should be a daily practice, so I must develop a home practice. As you can see in my picture, I set up my mat right in the middle of my living room, open all the windows for light. I begin the morning in lotus for about 15 minutes. There is so much to be said for just sitting. Grounded. Rooting yourself.
I think the easiest way to start the home practice, is with simple sun salutations. It's the easiest, fastest way to breathe, stretch, and energize- especially if you are practicing first thing in the morning, like me. I do ten. If I feel like throwing in some different poses, but if not- saluting the sun is my go-to.
Here is an article on how to do the series from www.yogajournal.com:
Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, are traditionally performed in the morning to greet the new day. The sequence of 8 postures can be a complete practice in itself, or can prepare you for a longer asana routine. Sun Salutes are often performed in sets of 5, but if you are new to the practice it's wise to begin with 2 or 3. Each time you flow through this sequence, synchronize your breath with the movements of your body.
1. To begin, stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Distribute your weight evenly over both feet. Establish a slow, steady rhythm for your breath. Find your center.
2. Next, inhale and stretch your arms out to the side and overhead into Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Hand Pose). Reach your heart and arms to the heavens, sending your greeting to the sun.
3. As you exhale, hollow out your belly and fold into Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), connecting down into the earth. Keep your legs firmly engaged.
4. Inhale and lengthen your spine forward into Ardha Uttanasana (Half Standing Forward Bend). In this pose, the gaze is lifted, the spine is extended, and the fingertips can stay on the floor or rise to the shins.
5. Exhale and step or lightly hop your feet back behind you into Plank Pose. Your wrists should be flat on the floor, shoulder-distance apart, and your feet should be at hip distance. Take a full breath in as you lengthen through your spine.
6. Exhale and lower into Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose), keeping your legs straight and pushing back into your heels or bringing your knees to the floor. Build heat in the center of your body as you hold this challenging posture.
7. Inhale and carve your chest forward into Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog), directing that energy out from your heart. Pull your shoulders back and open your collarbones. Engage your legs but relax your gluteal muscles.
8. Exhale and roll over the toes, coming into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose). Ground down through your hands and feet as you lengthen your spine. Remain here for five breaths.
9. On your fifth exhale, bend your knees and look between your hands. Then inhale and step or lightly hop your feet between your hands, returning to Ardha Uttanasana.
10. Exhale back to Uttanasana, surrendering into the fold.
11. Inhale, reaching your arms out wide to your sides and coming to stand through a flat back. Feel a renewed sense of energy as you draw your arms overhead into Urdhva Hastasana.
12. Exhale and return to Tadasana, your home base. Remain here for a few breaths, feeling the movement of energy through your body, or continue on to your next salute.
Good Morning! I love this song. The Wailin' Jennys are a Canadian blues group, and I love them. Their sound is awesome, and the lyrics to this song are perfect...
Take me to the breaking of a beautiful dawn
Take me to the place where we come from
Take me to the end so I can see the start
There's only one way to mend a broken heart
Take me to the place where I don't feel so small
Take me where I don't need to stand so tall
Take me to the edge so I can fall apart
There's only one way to mend a broken heart
Take me where love isn't up for sale
Take me where our hearts are not so frail
Take me where the fire still owns its spark
There's only one way to mend a broken heart
Teach me how to see when I close my eyes
Teach me to forgive and to apologize
Show me how to love in the darkest dark
There's only one way to mend a broken heart
Take me where the angels are close at hand
Take me where the ocean meets the sky and the land
I just realized that it is the 5th of the month! That means... little GPH is 15 months old. Unreal.
I think this is the most challenging age for me, so far. He is at the point where he clearly knows WHAT he wants, but can't quite communicate it fully. This frustrates him to no end, which results in tantrums. On the other hand, his personality gets more and more hilarious. He tries to be funny, and he loves to laugh.
He had to go to the doctor last week, where he weighed in at 28 pounds. I'm not sure exactly how tall he is, but I know he has grown a lot in the last couple of months based on the high-water britches he's rocking now. He's growing and changing so fast. He finally has a pretty respectable mullet too...
He had a great time opening presents at Christmas. His two most exciting gifts were a wagon, and a tunnel to play in. I am anxiously awaiting warmer weather and more play time outside. He's my little hero!
Yesterday, I spent a large part of the morning in the all-too-familiar emergency room. You may know that I have been sick for 6 weeks or so, with no apparent immunity to anything. I have had recurrent respiratory infections, kidney infections, kidney stones and other minor things. The newest addition was a bizarre rash that showed up on New Years Day. It didn't look common, and it was spreading pretty quickly over the course of a couple of days. By yesterday, the rash was still progressing and my sinus/respiratory infection was getting worse- so I went to get checked out. First of all, I will express my repeated dismay with not having health insurance and our healthcare system. I am a single mom who lives paycheck to paycheck. When I don't have $200 extra to pay urgent care up front, I have to go to the ER. Not only that, but they recommend that I see a specialist to get worked up for autoimmune diseases like Lupus and Sarcoidosis, which you can't. do. without. insurance. SUCKS.
Any-WAY.
While I was in the waiting room drinking my coffee and NOT Facebooking, I was re-reading the old classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie (originally written in 1936). I wanted to share some interesting things he says in the first chapter. He speaks about criticism, saying "Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him strive to justify himself. Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person's precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment." This subject has been on my mind, because it is applicable everywhere. With our kids, in our jobs, and in all relationships. Time after time, psychologists have proven that positive reinforcement and rewards for good behavior result in better results both in animals, and humans. Hans Selye said "As much as we thirst for approval, we dread condemnation."
This is my favorite excerpt from this chapter:
"When dealing with people, let us remember that we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity..... Any fool can criticize and complain, and most fools do. But it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving."
I am challenging myself, and maybe you if you are reading- to not condemn, criticize or complain. Instead, try understanding and explore objectivity. Consider positive reinforcement. Consider mercy. We are all on some kind of journey, and we are all fighting our own battles. Judgment will never prove to be productive. Where would we be without having been shown grace at one point or another?
Today was day 'o guitar.
I learned lots of new songs. Daddy (the master) came over and showed me some nifty new chords, which was fun! I am excited to start writing a song.
Happy New Year.
Wow. What can I say? 2010 was a huge whirlwind of stress. I moved multiple times, got divorced, started a new job, and countless other minor things in between- and all with a baby/toddler in tow. As a whole, I am happy to be able to release last year to the history books.
I start the new year with goals, resolutions and a renewed sense of self worth. If I learned anything last year, it would simply be that "all that you have, is yourself". I have one body, one mind, one soul. I have one life, and one chance to make it count. I have had moments of incredible strength, and moments of debilitating weakness. However, at the end of the day (or, end of the year)- I'm confident in myself as an individual. Although the way I conduct my day to day life may sometimes appear substandard, today I am secure with my direction, my decisions, and even my mistakes.
Last year was the first year I made 5 resolutions, and I followed through. To share, they were:
1. Run a Race
2. Get back to pre-pregnancy weight
3. Cultivate my photography hobby/education/business
4. Get involved in a Church that I love
5. Give to a charity
By February, I had lost all 60 pounds that I had gained during my pregnancy. In May, I ran my first race on Jekyll Island. I bought a DSLR in January, began portfolio building, and in June- I was blessed to have found my job as Studio Manager for 3181 Photography, where I learn more about my craft every day while making a living. I was able to contribute to the relief in Haiti in January, and in 2010 I re-found my home at St. Simons Community Church, where I have also made some amazing connections with some phenomenal people.
With that said, I am comfortable feeling like resolutions aren't necessarily something that can't be achieved. Even at the end of a tumultuous year, it feels empowering to have at least conquered five goals that I set for myself on 1/1/10.
This year I have endless short and long term goals to better my lifestyle and my physical and mental health. As far as resolutions go, I have seven for 2011...
1. Write my first song
2. Cultivate my musical gifts (guitar, and singing)
3. Run a 10k or +
4. Build and maintain a savings account
5. Go on a mission trip, even if it's local
6. Photograph Grayson at least weekly
7. TRAVEL when able. Even alone.
So, that was my New Years post. I have deleted Facebook for now, as it was becoming too distracting and too controlling. Because of that, I will be keeping my blog updated better and more often for family and friends.
