Wednesday, March 27, 2013

sending sun.

"how can i make your day better?" i asked. "make it sunny," he replied.

i may not have power over the natural elements, but you do what you can to bring joy to those you love. so, with a little help from technology, i sent him sun. a little bit every hour or so, to carry him through a long, wintery monday. and if you don't think a quote from the kimkierkegaardashian twitter feed is sunny, well then - it's a good thing i have him and he has me.



p.s. there was follow-up today. pretty sure my e-efforts were instrumental in producing real life results. right? right ;)



Monday, March 25, 2013

nurture love.

we've got this gift of love,
but love is like a precious plant.
you can't just accept it and
leave it in the cupboard
or just think it's going to get on by itself.
you've got to keep watering it.
you've got to really look after it and nurture it.
{john lennon}


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

spirit.

people travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass themselves by without wondering.
{st. augustine}

this quote got me thinking {as any good quote is likely to do}. i've said before, and will say again {mostly to remind myself, honestly} that health isn't just about the physical. it isn't just about weight or muscle tone or how many kale leaves were on today's menu. health is about the whole - the sum of the parts - being cared for and nourished. because as human beings, we are more than just physical. i read recently that we have four selves: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. maybe that seems like too many, or maybe it seems too simplistic, but regardless- the acknowledgement that we are multifaceted, and more than just a body, is the foundation. that foundation is a concept i can get behind. and years of watching other people live their lives, and of looking at how i live mine, has made so clear - sometimes painfully so - that the emotional/spiritual self should never, ever be forgotten or muted. it should be respected, nurtured even.

i believe that investing the time to begin knowing your self is an integral part of overall health. that you can learn big things, but also little things that make a big difference. like whether you are someone who must have a few hours alone a week to recharge, or whether you recharge best by soaking up the energy of a crowded party/restaurant/amusement park. whether you need a quiet half hour with your coffee every morning before you can face the day, or an hour of tv to turn off your brain before bed. personally, i prefer my interaction with others to be in smaller doses - less people at a time rather than more - but i also struggle when i have very little interaction with others at all, like in my last job. i enjoy the quiet of a saturday morning {and by morning i prefer that to mean sometime around noon...} with a nice mocha and a book or my favorite blogs. when i'm feeling inadequate or unsettled, i turn to craft projects, sewing projects or baking as a coping mechanism to help me feel more productive or in control. these are just a few of the things i've learned about myself over time...what about you?

Monday, March 18, 2013

grounding.

those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.
{rachel carson}

i was reminded recently of a natural marvel i discovered during bar prep...grounding. from the connect2happiness project, a quick blurb on grounding:

"direct contact with the ground connects us with the natural electrical energy of the earth's surface. recharge and replenish your body by getting barefoot! stand tall in the grass, the sand, the snow, or wherever you are...wiggle your toes, and feel the solid foundation of your feet on the earth. physically, mentally and emotionally gauge how you're feeling before and afterward; the difference will surprise you." {more resources on grounding: 123}

the last few weeks before the exam, i made sure to spend 45-60 minutes a day at the beach, feet in the sand, sun on my skin (and outline in my lap). despite the fact that i was smack in the middle of one of the most stressful experiences of my life, i felt calm[er], slept better and honestly? i think i retained more information from those few weeks than the rest of the two months. i was a believer in grounding almost instantly, and only wish i could remember to sink my feet in the sand more often.

Monday, March 11, 2013

quote: paramahansa yogananda.

happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes.
{paramahansa yogananda}


Monday, March 4, 2013

i pray you enough.

this prayer is often found as part of a story. the message of this prayer, of hoping for enough - for yourself and for others - matches well with my desire to balance the desire to change, and the need to accept.

"i pray you enough"
a prayer for a life filled with just enough good things to sustain you.

i pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
i pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
i pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
i pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
i pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
i pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
i pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

i pray you enough.