Fall Transitions
On the 22nd of this month, the September equinox marked the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Different cultures worldwide have different ways of honoring and celebrating the changing of the seasons. We will explore a few of them and their traditions in the hopes of drawing on them to inspire our own imaginations about what fall traditions can be in our own lives.
In Honor of World Alzheimer’s Day
There are memories that we love to call up because they remind us of the good times and the people we care about. Then there are memories that we would rather forget because they may be traumatizing. Additionally, some memories may not elicit much feeling or reaction but exist because they touched us in some other way. While maybe not all our memories are pleasant, they exist because our bodies were designed to allow us to remember. Remembering is a gift that we often take for granted because memory formation happens so “easily.”
Know and Acknowledge Your Value
We are all born with unique gifts that only we can bring to this world. It’s true! What one person brings to this world, another person cannot
Stop Apologizing
Stop apologizing. Yes, that is correct. Stop apologizing. How often do we hear those words? Probably, not often. Now that everyone is taken off guard, it is time to explain. Stop apologizing for being you! This type of apologizing has an incredibly sneaky way of showing up, and when they do, and we give into them, we chip away at our belief in ourselves.
Success and Failure: What is Your View?
For most people, success and failure conjure up some pretty specific images of what each is to them. Chances are these images have many influences on how they were created over time. Family may have helped craft these definitions and images. Culture and society may have some strong influence. Life experiences may also have something to say. And this list could continue, as there are many potential influences on how we define success and failure. Once we internalize these influences, they feel like they become part of us. Some much so that more often than not, we can’t tell what is actually ours and what we internalized from other sources.
Are You Really Listening?
What are we generally taught? We are taught that listening is taking in what someone else says to us.
What if You Had___?
Today is going to look a little different. Today we are going to explore some questions in hopes of learning more about ourselves and areas that we may need to give a little tender loving care.
Risk Tasking is a ____ (You will have to read further to find the answer.)
What does it mean to say that risks are a privilege? Many people in this world don’t have the ability to take risks for safety reasons, for example. If they were to take a risk, it may jeopardize their life, their family, or their livelihood. We often take for granted that we can take risks and assume they will always be available to us even if we don’t take them.
Say No for Better Mental Health
How do we go about using the word ‘no’ more in our lives to potentially gain better mental health and the freedom to not always be busy? We change our perspective about using the word no.
Finding Your Roots and Wings
On the surface, roots and wings seem incongruent. However, together they give us the strength to be ourselves with the freedom to explore but a place to come home so that we are not blown around.
Self-Reflection
Reflection. What do you notice when you read that word? Reflection. What images, thoughts, stories, or memories come to mind? Reflection has so many different connotations. Reflection in the mirror. Reflection in water. Our behavior as a reflection of ourselves.
The Duality of Stability
There are many sources of inspiration when it comes to exploring stability. We can look in almost any direction and see stability around us.
The Beauty of the Beginner’s Mind
When we watch babies explore their world there is something so incredibly special. They see everything anew and bring curiosity that inspires. Wouldn’t it be nice if people, as adults, could capture some of that magic? How would our world be different? Instead of bringing previous experiences and judgments to our days, what if we did bring that spirit of openness?
Life as a Story
In the morning when the world wakes up, everyone is writing their story through their actions, choices, and interactions with others. This conjures up the image of a pile of beautiful books being written that vary in how they read and what they say.
Summer Solstice: Transitions and Tradition
Solstices and transitions have another sort of symbolism. They mark the end of something and the beginning of something. With the solstice, spring ends and summer begins and at this transition, we see the longest period of sunlight. There is something special and maybe even scary about transitions.
It’s Okay to Be Uncomfortable!
There is a reason we love our comfort zones. They are comfortable! There is a point and purpose to a comfort zone, and there is also a point to leaving the comfort zone.
Life as a Dance so Why Not Just Dance?
When one thinks of dance what comes to mind? Maybe a traditional type of dance. Maybe a structured form. Or maybe even something that you love or would never dream of trying. Or a variety of images may be conjured up. What about everyday movements as a dance? What about relationships as a dance?
This is Life Yoga Launches!
I not only decided to create this channel as a way to give back, but also because I want to encourage a culture change. There is always so much to do, and home and professional life already puts so many demands on us all. So what if we attempted to change the paradigm and make self-care part of the day, where it is an expected and treasured time. My hope and wish for you and all who engage with the channel is that this becomes a regular part of your day!
The Power of Mantras, Cue Words, or Power Words
There have been many names for the concept of a mantra and mantras have shown up in many different settings for the benefit of those who engage in a mantra. Sport is a good example of one place where the mantra has been used under the name of cue words or self-talk.
Acknowledging Mistakes (aka Taking Responsibility for Your Actions)
Perfection is an illusion. Nobody is perfect and yet many of us strive for perfection. Certain cultures even maintain the idea that we need to aim for perfection. However, we are human and we make mistakes. It happens!