Does Your Mind Ever Get in the Way?

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Isn’t this a good question? Made you think, huh?

My mind never shuts off, but I try to ignore it (sometimes) when I can. My favorite times are when I get lost in laughter and am not thinking about how to solve problems or to coordinate schedules. Some of the ways I turn my mind off are playing cards and mindless games, where you don’t have to really think and the games start and end quickly. Tennis isn’t a mindless game, so that doesn’t really count, and I must admit my mind does wander on the tennis court when I’m supposed to be strategizing and planning and being focused. Maybe I could mix some yoga into my tennis – like the breathing part to stay focused. Do you think that would work?

Speaking of yoga, yoga is the other place I can turn my mind off after a few minutes of practice. I love vinyasa/ flow yoga that keeps my body moving and my breathe flowing with my movements. When I’m in the groove, and I focus on my breathing, I can turn my mind off and find inner peace too. Does this work for you? I never leave a practice wishing I wasn’t there or wishing I was someplace else and I leave feeling good.

Today in yoga class I was able to hold an arm balance move that I’ve been trying to nail for weeks. I was so excited because I’ve been so close and not able to do until today. It’s the little things that bring joy. I wouldn’t say I’m good at it yet, but I did balance on my hands and held the position for a few seconds, longer than I have before and it made me really happy and wanting to try it again.

The third place that I love is the beach. I love the vastness of the ocean, the crashing and ebbing and flowing of the waves, the sunshine, and water and just being there. I haven’t taken my paddle board out since I’ve returned to California, but this is another way I like to turn my mind off.

Yesterday I was feeling stressed and my mind wouldn’t shut off. Typically I am happy, but some days my mind tends to stay in that negative space longer than I would like or feel is reasonable and it agitates me. I want to have an arsenal of ideas and strategies to use when I start to feel down and I so I’m creating a list. Yesterday, I decided to hop on the StairMaster and sweat it out. That worked! I was much happier and cleared my mind by focusing on climbing 4 miles!

I have a running To DO list on my phone, and at the top of my list I’ve listed seven reminders and thoughts that are important to me to consider before I start actually doing anything. I’m hoping this list helps me to prioritize my thoughts and keep my mind focused on my personal priorities. But first, I have to remember to even look at it! That would help. I’ll let you know if it works. What would be on your list?

That’s enough to think about for one night. It’s time to rest. And as I was writing this, an alert popped up wishing me a happy 2nd anniversary. I’ve been blogging daily for 2 years today! Thanks for sharing the journey – I’m glad you’re here with me. 😉

22Oct2013

Not Busy and the SLO Life

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I’m living the SLO Life… that’s my new motto… to slow down and not be so busy.

I used to live in SLO town – San Luis Obispo, California and it truly felt like that. There weren’t any drive through restaurants. They wanted people to not be in such a hurry. Stores closed early and it was a sleepy college town. On Thursdays, the downtown turned into a Farmers Market and the students and families and townspeople would gather and stroll and visit and socialize. It was so much fun. There was a sense of calm to the city that I love and miss.

But I’m bringing the feeling back to Sunnyvale. I’m living the SLO life and slowing down, if that’s even possible. I just don’t want to be busy just to be busy. I don’t want to be bored and I also don’t want to be running around from task to task, responsibility to responsibility, from practice to practice, from meeting to meeting. It’s kinda like the feeling you get with clutter, where you need to free some open space because every nook and cranny is stuffed… that’s how I feel with life. I need some more open minutes to breathe and rest and to have more meaningful time without the rush.

I’m still busy and don’t think I can ever sit really still, but I’m slowing down my way, by not trying to do 101 things at once. For example, today I went to yoga and then to the Asian market to gather special ingredients to cook some new Thai dishes that I’ve never made before. I wanted to learn something new and make Rad Na, a dish that my kids love. I wanted to spoil them and make a family meal.

This brings me joy. That was it. That was all I really had to do today. I cooked a couple new dishes and cleaned up all the mess. I had a list that had several other items on it, but nothing else was really a priority.

By having open space on my calendar and by being home, I had time to talk with my mom on the phone for an hour. I wasn’t busy. I could cook and wash dishes and chat. It was an unexpected gift.

This afternoon when I picked the kids up from school, the house was orderly and I had time to sit and listen about their day. I was able to help Charlie focus on his homework and sit next to him and read. When he was tired and feeling sick and not wanting to go to soccer practice, I let him be. And we sat longer on the couch and read and snuggled. Because he said I liked doing that. I wasn’t busy. I wasn’t rushed. I wasn’t pushing him. And the space created peace and rest.

Juliana and I had time to work together on a project because dinner was already prepared and no one else needed anything. I didn’t have to say no, I’m busy. I got to proactively say yes. I got to be present and helpful and had unexpected time shared with my daughter.

I chose to skip my meeting tonight because there were too many conflicts. It was hard to say no and to cancel, but it was what was best for my family tonight. And because there was no conflict, we all got to sit down to a candle lit dinner and enjoy hearing about Juliana’s trip, Christian’s cross country meet, and Charlie’s math songs. Tonight there was time to focus on the important things in life. We did it. We created it and made it our own. Living the SLO life… today until tomorrow?!?

Namaste.

28Aug2013

The Best Part of The Day

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What was the best part of your day? Isn’t that a good question? Even if you’re having a crappy day, more than likely something was good. I like to dwell there vs. in the s&$/!!

I had a challenging day and am exhausted. This too shall pass. Growing pains are not always fun, but enough about that.

The best part of my day was doing yoga right after my chores were done. It was a power yoga flow class and I was so glad to be back again. Melissa was teaching and she is great! Michele and Susanne were there so it was nice to see friends and workout too. And I felt strong and able today to get into some new poses. I want to do yoga every day. Is that possible? I feel so energized after completing my work. I have so many interests and I never have enough time to do them all. Maybe 3 days a week would be good!

The other favorite part of my day was being on the playground after school and receiving unsolicited big hugs from my little friends. I love those two girls!!

Life is good, despite the lows. Have a good one!

27Apr2013

Day 275: Change is Good

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“One who wants to always stay happy has to change often.”

Do you believe this to be true? Well, at least my tea bag says so.

I feel like this is my path… I like change and I hate it at the same time. I like routine and then I like to shake things up. I like to move to another country and then move back again. And when I move back, I don’t expect things to be the same. I don’t expect to do the same things and I’m already dreaming of what I’ll try and learn and do next. That’s exciting to me. I’m excited for the friends that will be there when I get back. And I’m excited to explore, play, laugh, eat, hike, run, kiss, hug, paddle, and just be together.

And if you’re not happy right now, just focus on your breathe. Close your eyes and feel the air filling your lungs and feel it exiting slowly out. It keeps changing without you even thinking about it. Keep focused on your breathe until you feel calm and ready to change your thoughts to bring you back to your happy place, wherever that may be. We get to change every minute! Make it a good one. 🙂

15Mar2013

Day 233: Namaste – Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

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When I close my posts with Namaste – it’s a way for me to close, like saying goodbye, or Amen, or thanking you for reading and sharing our journey together. It’s a way for me to say my soul recognizes your soul and we are connected, so I thank you.

Namaste.

This paper is posted on the door at my yoga studio in Amstelveen. I loved seeing it today and remembering what it means and wanted to share it with you.

We are all following our own yellow brick road, dreaming our own dreams of happiness and success and finding our way. I love hearing your stories of how you’re living your best life! Kimmy followed her YBR on a flight to Boston, celebrating spring break meeting a new friend. Tricia found her way to nursing school and is on her way to a new profession. Apryl is creating a program for youth fitness to help fight obesity and is being recognized by the US government for her thought leadership. Jessica is building an amazing and profitable company to support women entrepreneurs. Danielle is a working mom with a stay at home husband living abroad. Barbara loves to ski and plans regular trips away with her husband and girlfriends and just glows. All of these women are living their dreams and are creating happiness. Y’all inspire me and I am so proud of you. And these are just a handful of stories… What does your YBR look like?

We all have the ability to create love, truth, light and peace and I’m inspired by all of you who continue down your path, despite the struggles, to make this world a better place.

Namaste.

7Mar2013

Day 225: Water + Yoga + SUP + Friends = Joy

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I look like a frog, but I’m a happy frog. This is what savasna looks like when you’re trying not to touch the freezing cold water.

Can you imagine doing yoga on the water? It’s the coolest feeling.

Imagine your gaze looking softly in front of you and a beautiful white swan is dancing on the water. Imagine looking up at the sky instead of a ceiling.
Imagine breathing in fresh air while focusing on one thing, your breathe.
And when you’re focused on your breathe, you’re not really worried about falling in.
And while you’re stretching and practicing, you get to enjoy the sounds of the water lapping at your board.

Mixing water play with yoga practice is awesome. I hope if this sounds interesting to you, that you will try it one day. You won’t be able to stop smiling.

After we were done doing yoga, we took that relaxed feeling out for a paddle together. I was in the moment, loving life, thankful to Morene for loving SUP and sharing her passion across Amsterdam. I was thankful to Deborah for teaching SUP yoga, and to Jeff for supporting my passion and letting me buy a new Boga board for Holland touring. I can’t wait to put my own in the water!

Namaste.

4Mar2013

Day 222: Sunshine, Coffee & Yoga

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Three things made me happy right at the beginning of the day.

First thing this morning, I woke up to find the guest room filled with bright light and the sun was beginning to rise.

Seeing and feeling the sun shine fills me up.

The second thing that made me smile, was a morning ritual. Jeff makes me a cappuccino every morning, so while I’m waking up the kids and starting a load of laundry, I can smell the coffee from upstairs and its ready for me when I come down. I think this is one of the greatest things ever and I am always so thankful that he does this for me. It’s the little things that create huge amounts of joy for me and make me feel loved.

The third thing that started my day off positively after dropping the kids off at school, was my yoga class. I absolutely love yoga and don’t know why I don’t do it everyday. Its especially a great way to start a Monday. When I arrived, I was the only one not speaking (and understanding) Dutch and I felt a little sad to not understand what everyone was saying and sharing with one another. It was only chit chat before class started, but I so desperately wanted to be part of a conversation, yet I couldn’t share anything. I let that feeling go and just focused on relaxing and stretching before class started and had a great practice. Afterwards, during tea with the classmates, a few new friends spoke with me in English and I no longer felt alone. And as I was getting ready to leave, my teacher gave me a hug when saying goodbye, and told me she was glad I came again and that she enjoys having me in her class. She made my day too…another simple and free joy.

I hope your day was filled with peace, love and joy…sunshine, coffee and yoga!

Namaste.

29Jan2013

Day 187: Yoga and Tea

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Who knew that yoga and tea went together?

I’ve had 3 cups of tea today and each one made me smile.

The first cup was served after my yoga practice. We all sat on the ground and enjoyed a warm cup of tea together. I loved this and think its a great way to rehydrate and start your day.

The next cup I had while working on the computer before picking up the kids from school. I received a box of tea for Christmas from Karina and just realized it’s called Yogi Tea! How appropriate. Each tea bag has a saying attached to the string, and I feel like I’m opening a fortune cookie. I love the little messages!

I just sat down to relax after dinner, cleanup, homework help, and finishing the baskets and baskets full of laundry, and tucked the kids into bed. Aaahhhh…cuddled up on the couch with my flurry blanket from California, with time for one last cup of relaxation before bed. Here’s the last little tidbit of Yogi Tea knowledge to share with you…

I hope you had a good day and found some time to exercise and relax and enjoy a quiet moment!

Namaste.

7Jan2013

Day 166: Back in the FLOW

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Went to a new yoga class today – life is good.

It was the most, wonderful day of the YEAR!! Not really, but you get the gist… kids were back in school and I got a little break, so it must have been somewhat wonderful! It’s amazing how much I can get done when it’s just me around without any distractions or competing needs.

I went to try a new Yoga class today and really loved being there. I LOVE yoga and for some reason, I forget. Do you ever do that? Where you really love doing something or eating something and then you just don’t do it or eat it for a long time and then you remember how much you loved it?? Duh…like Magic Bars – have you ever had one of those? I just remembered how much I love those too, but I didn’t have one today.

When I’m doing yoga, I am so relaxed and then really enjoy the workout and stretching and breathing. Breathing is really important and you don’t usually think about your breathe, but it sure feels good when you do. When I’m there, I think of all my friends that also love yoga and who I’ve done yoga with before. It’s an individual practice, but sharing the practice creates connections that I think about when I’m on my own. Today’s class was taught in Dutch, in a small studio with candles and incense, soft lighting and soft music in a heated room with no mirrors and a few windows. It was very peaceful. The teacher would sometimes speak in English for me, but it was easy to follow along. It’s possible that I might even learn some Dutch along the way. Afterwards, she served everyone who wanted to stay a cup of warm tea. It was a nice way to end the practice and rehydrate.

I’m definitely going to go back again, as long as I don’t forget! 😉

How was your day, honey?

Namaste

11Oct2012

Day 78: Bikram Yoga and Tennis

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I took a 90 minute Bikram yoga class today with my friend Jen, in Amsterdam. It was exhilarating and exhausting and hotter than I expected and hotter than Texas heated yoga. Twice I felt like I wanted to run out of the room to catch a cold breath. But I didn’t run and sweated right through the anxiety. At the end I was happy to have finished, even if I did have to rest in a few poses while everyone else was working so hard.

I came home drenched, and took a shower before making a pot roast and baked veggies dinner and rushing off to my tennis lesson.

Life is good! I’m happy and the kids are happy!