Your Temple

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What if we loved ourselves so much that we treated US like WE were really important and a priority? If we, ourselves, were a temple, would we change what we do and eat and practice each day? Would we develop and practice rituals that celebrate our bodies? I think some of us might already and more of us should.

This is my friend, Pili. She was wearing this shirt today that sparkled and caught my attention and made me think. If you can’t see the picture, her shirt reads: “Love your body. Respect your temple.”

Isn’t she smart? She’s also very fit and focused and loving and giving and faithful. I admire her in so many ways.

She has been on the Paleo food system for quite awhile now and works out regularly. She balances raising 4 kids, volunteering at our school and at her church and always has a smile on her face. I’m sure she does a 101 other things too, but I’ll let her share more on those things. Oh, and she just got a dog. Is that a sign? I hope not. Pili has a beautiful soul and I think her eyes shine. Don’t they say the eyes are the windows to your soul? Take a look at hers. She’s got it going on!

So back to her shirt. I told her I loved her shirt and asked her if I could take a picture of it, and her in it, and of course, she humbly said yes. And then I asked if I could write about her tonight, and she kindly and quickly obliged with another, happy “Sure!”

I think if more of us loved our bodies and ourselves for just being who we are, where we are right now, we could create a lot more happiness in this world. I think this is so doable.

How do you treat your body as a temple? How do you treat your skin? How do you treat your face? How do you treat your stomach and muscles? How do you care for your brain and your heart? Do you drink enough water? How about sleep? Are your hands and feet rested?

What if we had a whole body workout routine that cared for our entire temple? Would you sign up? I know I would.

Maybe we can frame all that we do everyday with our temple in mind and make us a priority. Kind of a cool thought, right?

If I were to set up rituals and make my body a temple, I would:

– Wash my face and moisturize every day and night.

– Eat whole foods and skip sugar

– Drink more water and less alcohol

– Exercise daily for 2 hours – one hour of strength and one hour of fitness

– Stop biting my nails

– Do yoga every day

– Go to the beach and put my feet in the water. Sometimes paddle. Sometimes swim. Sometimes sit.

– Read

– Wear comfortable clothes

– Get massages

– Put my feet up

– Get manicures and pedicures and facials weekly

– Keep good posture

– Call my mom

– Call my sisters

– Love on my friends and family near and far

– Reach out in love – connect – touch – chat – help others

– Write

– Play and laugh

– Think and learn something new everyday

– Meditate and sit still and quiet my mind

– Stay organized and clutter free

– Practice and repeat

What would be on your list? What’s already on your list? We should make our lists!! What are we waiting for?
My list is so doable. I just have to set up the habits and practices and make my temple a priority. Who’s with me?

Celebrate this wonderful thing called life – bruises and pain and struggles included and acknowledged for what they are. And go on warrior. Keep moving. We’ve got this.

namaste

24Feb2015

Take it In

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I slowed down today and went outside to eat my favorite homemade salad that contained arugula, beets, goat cheese, toasted pine nuts and balsamic vinegar. I love these flavors mixed together so much. It tastes like heaven! I noticed that the flowers in my yard are all starting to bloom and little buds are forming. What initially called me out there were the little birds singing. ML asked me if I noticed the birds singing recently, which I hadn’t but today, the sliding glass door was open letting in fresh air and I heard their songs. Instead of eating quickly inside, I slowed down and went outside and took it all in. It was good.

Afterwards, I continued on with my work and soon picked up kids from school. Later in the day, my sister called and the sunlight was calling my name again. Instead of sitting on the porch, I decided to chat and walk around the block for some exercise and uninterrupted time while I watched the sun begin to fall. I love this type of lighting and the feeling of it’s warmth on my body. I picked some snippets of my favorite fragrances along the way and made myself a little bouquet. The jasmine and lavender smell so good and are very calming. Lavender is my favorite scent, followed by vanilla. What are your favorites? What did you take in today? Did anything slow you down today to help you enjoy the little things? I know we all have our big things and worries, but don’t forget… we just need to open our eyes to enjoy the little moments like birds chirping or a hug from a child despite it all. It’s all good.

I wish you well. xo

21Feb2015

Are You Happy?

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Happiness is “simple.” We just have to follow this little flow chart. I don’t think we should always expect to be happy though. Sometimes we need to wait until we’re ready to change again. I think being aware that we are unhappy is healthy too. We just have to decide how long we want to stay where we are.

If this was my own creation, I’d add another arrow leading from “Change Something” back up to the continuos happiness cycle, asking the question again after you change something to determine if that leads to happiness or not. Just because you change something does not necessarily lead to happiness again. I think we have to always be asking the questions and making decisions, every day. We’re never done.

The only thing that is constant is change.

Today I was happy having a mother daughter date with my teenager. I love that she wants to be with me and that I want to be with her. I love her company and watching her grow up, although today I wanted to slow down time. We both went to get haircuts together. Her hair is curlier than mine and we both had ours blown out and smoothed, the way only a hairdresser can make it shiny and sleek. Seeing her look so beautiful and grown up made me proud and awe struck again. She looked older and I think I looked a little younger, somehow. It’s weird to see me in her and her in me.

Celia made me think of parenthood this week with her FB post that said: “When you become a parent, you stop being the picture and become the frame.” Looking at Juliana today, I saw the picture developing and love my role as the loving boundary and frame.

I am happy.

20Feb2015

Friendvestments

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I am rich!!

I just got home from visiting one of my BFFs and my daughter said to me on the late car ride home, “Boy, you must really love her to drive an hour and a half to meet her.”

I acknowledged her wisdom and agreed with her. I told her that I was lucky enough to have friends that I love just being with and don’t care what we do. For example, as we were driving to go see my friend, she called me to say she had to stop at the car shop. I told her no worries and that I would meet her there. And so we did. Her kids all jumped in my car and I got to play with them while she finished her work. When she came back to my car, she gave me a hug and said she knew we were best friends when we could have fun just hanging out in the parking lot. I love that she was comfortable enough to go to the car dealer when she knew I was on my way to come see her and that she knew I would be perfectly fine with that.

This is life at its best. Friends helping friends. Friends sharing the journey. I love this life.

The rest of the day we enjoyed watching the kids play and catching up together like old friends do.

My favorite part of the day was when the mothers and daughters and furry babies sat on the couch together sharing stories. None of us wanted to leave.

Friendvestments. Jeff came up with this cool term when I was telling him about my wonderful day. It means time spent investing in building friendships, which provides the greatest returns of all.

I am rich!!

Thank you for my gifts, M!! xoxo

19Feb2015

Togetherness in Full Tilt

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I love my crazy family.

We have been together in hotel rooms for the past 4 nights and have had messed up schedules and are still going strong. We’ve had our woes of togetherness but are still in love and ready to keep on exploring.

Today we moseyed on home and stopped at places we wanted to see along the way. We enjoyed the journey and didn’t focus on the final destination.

Our first stop off the beaten highway was Santa Margarita. We wanted to see where the Pozo Saloon was located. The drive out here was gorgeous.

It was fun to drive down roads we’ve never been on before and to imagine what it would be like to live in a remote part of a town.

From here we continued on and stopped to tour the Firestone Walker Brewery. Again, this is a place we always want to visit, but we are typically focused on the destination and don’t want to stop and slow down. Today we slowed and enjoyed a tasty lunch and brewery tastings.

As we drove, we were invited to celebrate Chinese New Year with April’s family. We were then excited to be home, but weren’t done just being on the road, as we had one more curiosity to explore.

ML and her family were camping at the beach and we decided to stop in for a quick happy hour and to wrap up our vacation with friends. This happy hour did not include food nor drink – just an hour of togetherness walking and talking and watching the sunset.

I loved that my family rallied to stop at the beach one more time and to visit with friends! I am lucky!!

And finally, we hurried up to make it home in time to enjoy dinner with April. She had prepared dumpling fixins’ and we arrived in time to help with the assembly. We all had a blast!

And now, even I am tired and am so happy to be back in my own nest again with all my little chickens in their coops. We are fully baked! Time to rest.

Life is good, living it up every day, every way I can. Hope you’re doing the same. xoxo

18Feb2015

Central Coast – Avila Beach

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We felt like we had the beach to ourselves today. The sun was shining and there wasn’t any wind. We were lucky to have nothing to do. I love this sleepy little town.

We dipped our toes in the ocean and walked along the sandy shore. We loved the feeling of the million little rocks under our feet and seeing how the high tide created a mini-pool higher up on the beach.

Some of us built rock art and others played three flies up. We walked in the little shops and admired creative sand sculptures.

I’m so glad my parents came to spend some time with us, doing “nothing” together and being perfectly content.

Life is good.

17Feb2015

What is Your Love Story?

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We all have a love story.

What does yours look like? What does it feel like? Is it happy or sad? Fulfilling or tragic? Somewhere in the middle? Simple or complex? Beginning or ending? In transition? Filled with drama or peaceful?

I (mostly) write about love and happiness and joy because these are the things I want to feel and experience, despite the pain and chaos and conflict that also exists. My love story has those elements too… I just don’t like to focus my thoughts there for very long. I prefer (when I’m strong enough and able) to acknowledge them and find a solution or recognize that which is yucky and then move on to spending more time living and loving and laughing and singing. I do that too and embarrass my kids, but that’s ok because it usually makes them laugh. And that makes me happy, which is the path I choose to follow every day. It’s my life practice. Is there a Degree in happiness? Or can you teach love and happiness like you teach yoga? Hmm… That’s an interesting thought.

Today my love story involved my family and my parents. My parents are my best teachers of unconditional love and I am so thankful for their priceless gift. I am happy just being in the same room as them, watching them interact with my family and listening to them talk and laugh, holding hands, leaning my head on their shoulders and rubbing my foot on theirs as we just sit and chat and hang out together.

My family shared a new experience together riding ATVs in the Pismo / Oceano Dunes. At first I was a bit fearful and excited and nervous. Once we started cruising along the beach, I was content and a wee bit excited. I loved that we were cruising on the beach! As we entered the dunes, two ATVs got stuck and we struggled to learn how to get up the hill in loose sand and how to restart the engine. We supported one another, stopping to help each other out and waiting for one another as we road through the open sand dunes. We were so lucky as we had the dunes all to ourselves, which made our first time out feel a little safer. We learned something new together and this shared connection made me very happy, especially knowing that everyone had a good time and didn’t get hurt.

Life is good, and I hope you’re living your happily ever after. xo

16Feb2015

Fifty Shades of Grey

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Got your attention! But this is clean fun and family friendly. Geez!

Come see the (grey) Elephant Seals at San Simeon on the central coast of California for free!

Tonight I’ll share some pictures as my internet connection is weak and I’ve lost a copy of my first draft.

The elephant seals are quite entertaining and stinky! You’ll see mamas and their babies and papas trying to make more babies, being very dominating and competing with the other males in sight.

And for the tender hearted, here are a couple other cuties we saw on our walk.

Life is good.

15Feb2015

Big Sur

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I love California and feel refreshed and relaxed being outdoors and soaking in the sunshine and natural beauty, especially when we are near the ocean.

Today we explored the coast and the majesty of Big Sur. We stopped at Nepenthe to see what everyone was talking about and it didn’t disappoint.

I just thought I’d share some moments from the day.

We enjoyed watching the fog roll in and watching the sun set. It’s the simple things, really that make life great.

Life is good. Be well, BeLoveRs.

9Feb2015

Good Night. Be Well. You’re Welcome.

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These are some of my favorite simple sayings.

When you say “good night” to someone, do you mean it? What does it mean to you? “Good night” is a way of closing a conversation and wishing the other person a nice end to their day. It represents closure and peace and rest when I think of it literally. When I texted a good night message to L and she texted me back, saying “good night. hope you sleep well.” I felt like we exchanged hugs and good byes and we were done for the day.

“Be well” is another expression that I like, and may have mentioned this one before. Instead of saying “Have a nice day,” which is another way of saying “so long, farewell… as you leave me, I hope that you will be well and happy.” Simplified, we could just say “Be well.” I love this.

I love the simple gesture of recognizing someone’s gratitude by saying the more formal and simple, “You’re welcome.” By saying “You’re Welcome” to their “Thank you”, you close the gap between the two of you. I love this. It provides a closed connection that feels balanced. This is much better than the “Uh-huh” or “Sure. No problem.” I have to remember this little gift.

All of these expressions provide points of connection between two people. By communicating with these words, we are able to acknowledge one another in a way that says, “I see you.” and “I appreciate you.” and “I like you.”

Namaste, BeLoveRs. Good night. Be well. And thank you for sharing this wonderful life journey together. xo

p.s. Do you know what the opposite of a salutation is called? Neither did I. It is called a valediction. A valediction is the action of saying farewell. Ha! We or I learned something new today. We just practiced new valedictions. Goodbye. 🙂