Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Lessons of life

1. You have to have your heart broken to open it.

2. You don’t have to get along with everyone, or make everyone like you.
3. When you decide to do something with kindness, you usually make the right decision

4. You always have at least 2 choices, even if you don’t like your choices.
5. When you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.


6. Most people operate out of selfish motivations.
7. It’s rarely about you.
8. Soda is evil. Apples are good.
9. It’s okay to break the rules, as long as you are good enough not to get caught, and you aren’t hurting anyone.
10. When you're in love, it shows.



11. Being kind is more important than being right.




12. Time doesn’t heal anything- it’s what you do with that time.
13.That you should never say "no" to a gift from a child.


14. Everything in your life is your responsibility.
15. You train people how to treat you.
16. There’s always hope.
17. You can always be grateful for something.
18. If you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t trying hard enough.
19. You never really become an adult. You just get more responsibility, and become wiser.

20. Showing emotion is not a sign of weakness. Knowing when it is appropriate is a skill.
21. Google can answer anything.
22. Being silly is one of my favorite qualities in a person.
23. Honesty is always the easiest route. Even if it’s not in the short term.
24. You should never stop learning, or trying to be a better person.
25. Worrying is useless, unless it motivates you to take action.
26. When people show you who they are, believe them.
27. There is only fear, and love. And one of them is way more fun.
28.That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
29.Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out. 
30.That when you harbour bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
31.That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
32.That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
33. Doing 30 minutes of exercise to start your day will make things a lot brighter.
34. Go with your gut - always.
35. Open your third eye by closing the other two.
36.Breathe - it is a miracle.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Yoga Butt-Kicking

So my hubby is on a new work schedule and I've decided to change my yoga work-out schedule so we can still drive together in the morning. You see I am a morning bird and I love working out in the morning so this evening thing is a challenge for me. I find yoga revs me up instead of chilling me out. It's 9:00 p.m. and I still need to shower and go to sleep. Yes, I will learn to adjust. One step is to start walking in the mornings for 30-45 minutes, just to wake me up and set the right tone to my day.

Well tonight my first evening yoga class took place at 7:30p.m. and it was a Hot Yoga flow. I thought, I am going to be fine, I do Moksha 5 mornings a week. Well, my wonderful teacher is a dominatrix, she royally kicked our butts in this yoga class! It was 60 minutes of trying to Keep It Together. I thought vomit might FLOW right out of my ears I was that queasy from the up, down, plank, right knee on top of right shoulder then back to plank and upward dog. Blahhhh. I did Ashtanga yoga, a Vinyasa flow yoga, for over 6 years years and I  have never felt that ill in my life. I was in Child's Pose more times than I can count and I am sure it was because Suzy Sunshine had the heat jacked up another 10 degrees just to make it extra special.

However, there were many things I was very thankful for during the class:
1. - I know how to breathe. What a blessing it is to know how to slow your breath and calm your thoughts along with your nerves. There were many times I thought I would go into panic mode and every time my mind would gently say.....BREATHE ....JUST breeeeaathe. I could believe how much that helped me finish the class.

2. - It's all about me. The class was full and I would say half of them were from our local dance theatre company because they twisted like elastics, but what I kept saying to myself was, "this is not a competition, it is all about you listening and finding YOUR edge, not theirs".  I forget that so often in real life but I am thankful it shows up in my yoga practice. Learning when to back off and when to test yourself a little more is all about following your intuition, which comes from messages your body sends to the brain. It can be a brilliant system if we just tap into it.

3. - Overcoming a challenge is rewarding. During the class I was repeating at times....okay I don't know if I am "enjoying" this enough to come back and "suffer" some more, but what is hilarious about the mind and body is that it loves a good challenge. I will only grow from doing that class and when I master it, I will be so proud of myself. Then I will have to find a new one because for me there is nothing more satisfying that ticking off that box that says DONE!

Because in the end, the practice of yoga is to lead you into the most important and HARDEST posture of them all SHA-VAH-SAH-NAH.
It is harder to be still and let go than to do. Opposite of what most of us think, I know, but one of the most rewarding postures and lessons around.

I hope you all find your Shavasana daily.

Namaste.

Robin

Friday, May 20, 2011

I can do It!


It's been a great week at work. I am really finding that my attitude is affecting the outcome of my efforts. Lately I have made a concerted effort to tell myself repeatedly that things are marvellous for me, that things are working in my favour and the Universe only wants the best for me so I should let the best in, and you know what? It works!

There is a fine balance between listening to your inner voice and that of the Universe. Maybe it is my inner ear listening to the Universe's voice and then relaying it's message to me.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, the intuition exercises are working well too. I imagine I am more content and accepting because I know all will happen according to the Greater Plan. There is no need to worry as worry only wastes precious time and energy and gets you nowhere fast.

This photo was taken in Amsterdam last year at this time. It reminds me of a wonderful day spent with a friend who knew how to listen to his inner voice as well. Off we set on a great adventure in one of the most amazing cities in the world. We left behind two uncertain cast mates and made our own adventure flick to live by. We really took Opportunity by the hand and let our hearts' desires guide the way. What a great day!

Listening, following and being thankful for the awareness of the Universe is going to be a daily routine to create.

Namaste all!
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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Intuition

"The only real valuable thing is intuition." - Albert Einstein


So I've been trying to use my intuition more lately. It is a great device we humans have been given and like all the other bells and whistles at our disposal -like a fully functioning body with the ability to see, hear, taste, touch and speak, and we don't use these 'extras' to their full potential.


Wikipedia describes  it: The  term intuition is used to describe "thoughts and preferences that come to mind quickly and without much reflection".[1] "The word 'intuition' comes from the Latin word 'intueri', which is often roughly translated as meaning 'to look inside'’ or 'to contemplate'."[2] Intuition provides us with beliefs that we cannot necessarily justify. 


I am learning to tap into my intuition  through my daily yoga practice. I find by getting up at 5:45 in the morning to go to my 6:15 yoga class, I am more in touch with my thoughts, body and spiritual well being. Yoga is a system that teaches me to peacefully unite body, mind and spirit. In yoga, your mind is as important as your body.


Here are some other ways to tune into your intuition:

Just let go.
If you are considering any issue that you are not sure about then take a quiet moment. Think about the decision you have to make and then feel inside yourself how you feel. It is this feeling, your intuition that will provide you with the answer to your decision. Its all about trusting your intuition.
Hypnosis
Perform self-hypnosis and source self hypnosis tapes as this is one exercise that can develop your power of intuition remarkably.
Meditation
When you meditate you have the ability to look inside yourself and recognize your thoughts and feelings. This way you can recognize any feeling you may have whether it is good or bad and deal rationally with that thought..
Think positive!
When you think positively you are exuding confidence and happiness with the way your life is at that moment. The power of positive thinking also attracts the good and stays away the bad.
Stay happy!
Sometimes we need to fake  it to make it but when you are happy you are at peace with yourself. Everything is open to you and your mind will be at it most receptive best.
Never expect.
That’s right, you cannot turn your intuition on and off like a light switch. Think about what it is that you would like guidance on and wait for your intuition to tell you. It will not come straight away but will be like a light bulb lighting inside your mind.
Believe in your first impressions.
Developing your intuition can be a powerful resource to you. You have tested your intuition on many occasions and you trust it. When you meet some person on the first occasion then believe your impressions you have of that person. You will rarely be wrong.
Having intuition as a gift empowers you with a remarkable psychic talent that most other people have but do not develop. When you listen to your intuition and learn to trust it, you will find on most occasions your intuitive power was right.

Here is an exercise to try:

Before walking into a building, stop to mentally scan the self for sensations for a few seconds. Mentally affirming that intuitive insight is wanted can help. Statements like, "I am open to intuitive information that is important for me to know," can help. Enter the room, and focus on any changes in the body. Is there a sensation of warmth, cold, heaviness, well-being, or unease? Mentally note those feelings.

Mentally thanking the self for any information or sensations received can reaffirm and reward the self for a job well done and can encourage more development of intuitive awareness.






Monday, May 16, 2011

Giving is Getting

Whatever you want to bring into your life, you must GIVE it. Do you want love? Then give it. Do you want appreciation? Then give it. Do you want understanding? Then give it. Do you want joy and happiness? Then give it to others.You have the ability to give so much love, appreciation, understanding, and happiness to so many people every single day! The Secret


Okay, so I have never read the book, The Secret, but I get the e-mails from the website and I love the message. It is who I am at heart - an optimist with great faith in the Universe.


Giving your attention to someone is perhaps the best way to get it back attention and respect. Being present is often a hard thing to do because we are always formulating our next response. I am guilty of this at times as I think my sub-conscience thinks it knows everything. Lately I've been really trying to listen to those around me. It's definitely had an amazing impact on my life. 


Being truly heard is one of the greatest forms of reassurance, love and release we can experience.


Forgiveness - one of the toughest for many to give but the most valuable and stress releasing to receive.


Lately, for me, this involves the way I speak about someone. I do not help them or myself by speaking, feeling or thinking badly about them. All that negative energy just brings about pain and suffering for all.


Encouragement and reassurance - I am trying to give this honestly and thoughtfully,


I know it will all come back to me in the end -so be careful out there:)


Namaste
Robin

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fresh Attitude


The only thing you really have control over is your attitude.
This may seem small, but you see your ATTITUDE determines everything. Einstein said that the most important question we can ask ourselves is: “Do I live in a friendly or a hostile Uni-verse?” The answer to this question determines everything.
Your attitude determines how you interact with the world, the choices you make, the actions you take and eventually the results you live.
The above quote came from a fantastic website I was introduced to this week. It started out as a friendly e-mail and has now turned into a moderate obsession.  There are so many pluses to this site.

Check it out: www.dailylove.com for some great inspiration and motivation.
Namaste

Robin

Monday, May 9, 2011

Some of My Favourite Things


I thought - why not share some simple products that bring me great joy. Here are a few of my favourites:

Tea Tree Oil 
Native to Australia, the tea tree plant produces a powerful astringent oil. Strong smelling tea tree oil should always be diluted in water, as a few drops goes a long way. It can be used to cleanse scratches and abrasions, to clean the face and in a neti pot to clean the sinuses. Drop a few drops in water and swish in your mouth like mouthwash if you are out of toothpaste. I also add it to my laundry and it's great for washing floors too.
Emer-gen-C
While not a herb or homeopathic, Emer-gen-C is one of God’s gifts to travellers as well as those who catch every cold and flu going around. Found in most  natural health and vitamin stores, it is a powdered, super-concentrated dose of Vitamin C. It is fabulous for those times you know you can't get sick.  Better yet, Emer-gen-C is packed with electrolytes, which your body loses steadily when you sweat, especially in hot places, like a Moksha Yoga classes or on an awesome Cuban resort. Pouring a packet into you water bottle is an easy way to replenish your body’s reserves of these essential nutrients and stave off dehydration. As a bonus, it also comes in many flavors, which can be nice when your  water tastes like warm plastic. I recommend the “orange” variety.
Bach’s Rescue Remedy
Alright, so nobody really knows how flower essences work. It may all be in your head, but they are so effective, who cares? Bach’s remedies are sold in  specialty health stores and at some grocery stores that carry natural food and health products in Canada . Rescue Remedy is useful for just about every bad moment life throws you. It helps you to stay calm during stressful situations at  work, home and abroad. It can ease the shock of transitions into a new culture and time zone too. I discovered this little bonus on a trip to New Zealand.
Baking Soda
Baking soda was one of the few products many years ago on the market for cleaning your teeth or settling an upset stomach but you can also use it for shaving and washing your face, for minor burns and cuts, or for relaxation in the bath. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo bottle to help remove build-up from conditioners, mousses, and sprays, and to improve manageability. In emergencies, you can use it as a dry shampoo on oily hair. Sprinkle on your hair and comb through, then fluff with a blow dryer. Baking soda has so many uses it is a little frightening. My favourite use is for acne, I mix a little bit with some coconut oil in the palm of my had and put it on effected areas. Works like a charm.

Coconut Oil

My obsession with coconut oil started two years ago when we adopted a sweet kitty from the human society. Daisy came with the gift of ringworm. It is a terrible fungal disease that is a challenge to get rid of and spreads like wildfire if not treated properly. I took both my cats to the Vet and there we were given a terrible anti-fungal medicine that turned my sweet boy Amigo into a vicious cat. I found the cure of coconut oil online and haven't looked back since. I use it on my dry skin, acne, split ends and lips of course. Don't tell anyone, but I also continue to feed it to my cats because it keeps their coats shiny and mouths halitosis-free.


I love sharing these favourite things with you all. I will be back with another instalment in the coming weeks.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Soul Food Weekend

It has been a soul-filled weekend for me. I seem to be very connected with my feminine energy lately and had the opportunity to catch-up with some of my "sisters" . Two suppers, and a brunch date were on my plate, so to speak, this weekend. All of the women I've dined with are so interesting and come from such varied backgrounds. They have all taught me so much in such a short time. I thought it would be nice to share some of the lessons I picked up during my dine time with them:


1. Take your time.  We live in a society that likes to rush things and this is not healthy. We need to live in the moment and be present, especially with our friends, who are often our best teachers. Savour the food, the conversation, the atmosphere. Sit back, look around, laugh, make eye contact, think for a few minutes about what is being discussed and most importantly, smile:). These are the moments of our lives...as corny as they may sound, it is supremely true.


2. It's okay to break down. One commonality between these three magnificent women is that they all had emotional breakdowns this week. They are all moms and are all at different stages of their motherhood, and interestingly enough, romantic relationships. It was fascinating to hear their struggles, views, and feelings about their breakdowns. Each looked at them differently - one worried about the perceptions of others, another was more self-concerned about her mental stability and the other was extremely very positive that it brought about a breakthrough in her life. It is so necessary to have emotional breakdowns  now and then because their cracks provide new openings for light to shine through.


3. Having Faith in Vision. I am a firm believer in setting goals, visualizing them, and speaking about their results in the present tense. All of my dining mates have visions for their lives too, but each approaches their faith in the fruition of the visions differently. One is very religious and has deep faith in God and the Saints to help her achieve her dreams. Another is connected to her  physical and mental energies and their abilities to draw or push away things in her life.The last is open to both spiritual guides (however, not in a Christian sense) as well as the metaphysical energy that our minds and bodies project.All three women have achieved many of their goals, leading me to realize that the destination can be obtained via various routes.




My weekend passed too quickly for my taste, but I know I would not trade  a single second for the sacred time  I spent with my wise sisters and all the wise teachings they gave me to start my week ahead.


Namaste and Om!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Oh What a Night!

You ever have those times in your life when you realize how lucky you are to live where you live and be surrounded by those who are committed to  being happy. I had one of those evenings on Saturday.

A group of girlfriends from work decided to buy tickets to a local hospital charity that purchases equipment to detecting breast cancer. The evening is for women only and consists of dancing, partying, prizes and lots of silly costumes.

I was tired that evening. I had been going all day with my parents and then out to supper with my husband and his family and truly just wanted to crawl into bed and go to sleep for the night. I wasn't sure I was up to the cold wind, dark night and uncertainty of the evening. The only thing that kept me walking out the door in my dark jeans and sparkly top were my friends.

They are the best women. I know they share the same values and interests in self-improvement and motivation  that I do so being in their presence is uplifting and energizing. They are creative, funny, open, encouraging and supportive.

I have lots of different types of friends, but I am not sure they are all of this caliber. Many I know need me more as a support system but offer little in return and that is okay, I am more than happy to help people out. To be honest, I am not a person who seeks a assistance or reassurance from others anyway. I am pretty happy with my life and believe I have a lot of control over it. I also believe you choose your mood. It may be a lot of work to pick it, but you can choose your thoughts if you are aware of them.

Back to these incredible ladies....

These girls are from all walks of life but have found each others friendship through a Women's Empowerment  workshop at work. We communicate through a private group on Facebook. This way we make sure our positive and motivating thoughts are not interrupted by the negatives out there. Each month we choose a place to meet to share new books, music, videos, Web sites and other information that we find helpful on our journey to Enlightenment.

It is lovely having that sacred time to share. Funny, but in a way I feel as though we are a coven of witches sharing, mixing and brewing our own magical recipes for happiness and health. I love that vision.

If we really are a coven of witches then Saturday night was the Witches Ball. It was fantastic being surrounded by all that creative, liberating, fanciful feminine energy. Women of all ages coming together to support an illness that affects women. An illness that can be caused by  the overwhelming stress society places on women. All the expectations, abuse and pain we expect women to endure. Those stressors are cancers themselves.

I think back on that night - the talking, the laughing, the sharing, the inclusion, the silliness, the dancing, the drinking, and the love. I think it is our little coven's way of creating a brew to fight those evil cancers surrounding us everywhere.

I am thankful for the medicine of friendship that is so nourishing and healing. It is my Universal Health Care Plan.

Amen and also Namaste