Scholar

This week flew by and I'm behind in posting....here's a catch up of the last few....

December 15 – Acharya (Scholar)

What did you study this year? What did you learn? 

"Persistent questioning and healthy inquisitiveness are the first requisite for acquiring learning of any kind." - Gandhi

December 16 –  Viaje (Trip)

Where did you travel this year? What was your best trip?

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

December 17 – Bhakti (Devotion)

What did you devote yourself to in 2011? How will you devote your energy in the coming year?

True strength lies in submission which permits one to dedicate his life, through devotion, to something beyond himself. ~Henry Miller

Self-knowledge

December 14 – Jnana (Self-knowledge)

Name something you did that was completely out of character. How did it feel?

The beginning of self-knowledge: recognizing that your motives are the same as other people's. ~Mason Cooley

When I think back to all the activities I've fearlessly added into my life this year, I would have to say becoming a Yoga As Muse facilitator is most out of character and at the same time so aligned with my character. When I said, "what the heck, let's do this thing" it was so out of my normal realm of planing and organizing and having all the right credentials already lined up that I'm sure friends and family may have thought I've gone off my rocker.

But sometimes that's what life needs; a little derailment, shake things up a bit. Doing something out of character changes the perspective, shows life in a different light, and if like me, you're feeling trapped and in a rut, it can offer a new direction.

As you reflect back on 2011, do something different today. Especially if you haven't done anything out of character....and tell me about it....

Today's prompt brought to you by Dawn Curtis, fellow Yoga As Muse facilitator and writer.

Wisdom

December 13 – Sabio (Wisdom)

What lesson or piece of wisdom did you learn from a child this year? Did it surprise you?

The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. ~Albert Einstein

Book

December 12 – Libro (Book)

What book did you read in 2011 that was most inspirational? Why?

I cannot live without books. ~Thomas Jefferson

In the beginning of the year it was The Gifts of Imperfections by Brene Brown. Writing about the hard stuff, shame, she was instrumental in teaching me to let go of my strangle hold on perfection. Her writing is backed by years of research, it's practical, it altering and it's applicable on a personal level as well as a professional level. It changed the way I craft and create (sewing a straight, perfect line is over rated) and it's changing the way I speak with patient's (staying away from shaming sentence structure when discussing compliance). Highly recommend.

In the waning of the year, it was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Writing about the easy stuff, happiness, or supposed easy stuff, she was instrumental in reminding me that happiness is a habit. Again, very practical and applicable...hmmmm....seeing a pattern here....I happened to be reading it at a time where huge life changing decisions were about to be made and certainly our decision to move to Colorado and improve our quality of life was influenced by thinking about what makes me happy. As an individual and as a couple.

What turned your page in 2011?

Thanks

December 11 – Gracias (Thanks)

Appreciation and acknowledgement are corner stones to building trust and deepening relationships. Write a thank you note or poem to someone who impacted your life in 2011.

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." ~William James

There are many people I am thankful for in 2011, but the man I am most thankful to died in Aug 2010. I can't write and tell him how he impacted and influenced my life in the last 12 months, in fact if he was still alive the incredible changes I've experienced wouldn't have been...well...experienced. His death was sad, sadder still that there were so many regrets, unfulfilled desires and missed opportunities crowding around the hospital bed as he breath his last breathe. And in his death, I learned that if I let my fear guide my path in life I will also be carrying around those same regrets, unfulfilled desires and missed opportunities. And that's not an option.

Fearless is the spirit I took into 2011, and I thank you, for letting those of us living, learn from your dying.

Joy

December 10 – Ananda (Joy)

A positive frame of mind is a habit. How have you silenced the propaganda factory of negativity with positive thought and behavior in your life in 2011? How has this changed your day-to-day being? 

Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Happiness is a choice.

And it's hard to clear the mind to negativity, it's often easier to be negative and pessimistic.

Happiness is a habit.

And with all habits, it takes time and awareness. You might find yourself having a Homer Simpson moment "D-oh!" when you realize you could have responded to something more positively, but at least you're aware now...

Here's how I've worked at shutting down the propaganda factory in 2011:

• Something funny every day....every single day. You Tube videos, books, my husband...
• Less screen time...this is hard, but my mornings where I start out reading a book, magazine, something tangible, are calmer and more positive.
• Constant diet of positivity: here, here, here...but after I've started my day with something tangible!
• Positive Friends. Ones you can honestly go to and say, I'm scared, I'm sad, I'm in a raging bad mood and want to poke someones eye out...
• Crafting/Making. When you make something, anything, you access a different part of your brain, you get into a rhythm, endorphins flow, it feels good. Even if you have a pile "prototypes" that in no way resemble what you saw in the minds eye, you still did something more productive, more positive, more fulfilling than sitting and stewing in negative thought.

That said, if you're in the Boston area Jan 7th and want to Craft Your Intention for 2012, $50 will get you a mighty fine day with all the crafting supplies and positive attitude you could possible want...plus I'll feed you....Email (heidicrafts@gmail.com) or message me on Face Book and I'll hold your spot...

Resourcefulness

December 9 – Listo (Resourcefulness)

How resourceful were you in 2011? What new ways could you incorporate resourcefulness into 2012?

“What you seek, exists within you. Every resource you need is available to you.” ~Marcia Wieder

For us, resourceful meant using what we already had around the house or in our community as well as trying to create an environment that used less resources...We...

Made cheese

Roasted our own coffee

Milked an almond

Baked homemade crackers

Used the public library

Created a compost pile

Watered with a rain barrel

Lived with one car (and five bikes)

Built a veggie garden...

We pooled food resources with friends and had potluck dinners, we pooled brain resources with friends and developed workshops...

In 2012 we'll be moving to a new city and while resources may seem scarce when relocating, having friends and colleagues offer up their resources means a collaborative effort to help us settle in a new space.

Wander

December 8 – Dharma (The Path)

Wandering can be good for the over-focused creative. How did you wander well this year?

We have to do our best and at the same time give up all hope of fruition. -Pema Chödrön

To wander is to discover and wandering well is being open to those discoveries. Wandering wants you to be open to taking a left when you though you’d be taking a right...and being OK with that. Wandering wants you to be open to new experiences as they present themselves. 

Have you ever really listened to the small still voice in side your head, the one channeling the Nike ad, that says “do it, just do it.” and then your voice of reason pipes up, with fear making it quaver all jello mold like, and says “I don’t know, it doesn’t make sense to do this, it’s too much money, time, effort (fill in the blank).”

But then something magical happens, you do listen and you set out on that path, the one that makes a  left instead of right. Lo and behold, you’re wandering....

2010 was my year of thinking, standing still and contemplating. 2011 was my year of wandering, sometimes so far off the path and so far away from what I thought I should be doing that I had to sit a spell, hyperventilate, and then get back to my journey. But I’ve kept wandering, right into teaching and facilitating change through yoga and creative written expression, teaching yoga, building a business and helping people engage their creative spirit. 

Where have your journeys taken you this year? 

Calm

December 7 – Tranquilo (Calm)

Sometimes the most beautiful, memorable moments are also the quietest. What quiet, beautiful moment do you recall?

Live simply and take life more easily. Happiness lies in giving yourself time to think and to introspect. Be alone once in a while, and remain more in silence. ~Yogananda

Aug 7 2011 6:05 AM Sky Lake Retreat Center Rosendale, New York

Part of my Project 52::Sundays this was taken towards the end of my Yoga As Muse facilitator training, the day before my workshop presentation Writing to the Address Within: Exploring The Body Through Self-Compassion.


Where did you find calm this year?

Health

December 6 – Salud (Health)

What did you do for your body's benefit this year?

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” ~Buddha

The most powerful aspect of health I added into my life was breathing....funny how we forget to breath when we're stressed, worried, angry, scared or any other negative emotion you could insert here.....Yoga has helped with creating a structured time, but also, just stopping during my day and breathing, fully and deeply so the ribs expand, the chest is quiet and you can feel the racing mind start to slow to a nice cruising speed.

if you get a chance, sit for a spell today and really breath. Just focus on the in and out, let your belly rise and your chest stay quiet. Let the thoughts drift in, and out. Just breathe....

Teacher and Dream

:: Out of town this weekend - will be posting some responses on FB and here, hope to see yours as well!

December 4 - Guru (Teacher)

What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself in 2011? Was it a sudden epiphany or a gradual realization? "

At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." - Lao Tsu

December 5 – Sueño (Dream)
What was your dream come true in 2011? What is your wildest dream for 2012?

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. ~Walt Disney

Impermanence

December 3 – Anicca (Impermanence)


What did you let go of this year? Whom did you let go? 


When the heart truly understands, it lets go of everything. ~ Ajahn Chah

Community

December 2 - Sangha (Community)

Where have you discovered community in 2011? What are the essential qualities of this community?

Simply being with other people who are also seekers and who are involved in the same quest you are is very meaningful. ~Dan Wakefield

Just this morning Gwen Bell posed an interesting thought, community can't be built but rather gathered. And I have to say I like this concept. I've discovered community in gatherings with my fellow yogis at Yoga as Muse, my fellow journal facilitators at the Therapeutic Writing institute, my partner in all things mind/body, Beth at Relax Be Well.

And as a reluctant Facebook and internet interfacer, I have joyfully found a gathering of community and connection with family and friends across the world - we've created a tether to each other, an invisible joining that pulls, tugs, and reminds us that we're all integral parts of another's community. That we have the power to build up, collaborate, support, and bolster each of our community members hopes and dreams. I have sought out those that embrace life with the qualities of abundance; there is enough for all of us and no need for the scarcity mentality in my community, hope you'll join me!

Word

December 1 - Palabra (Word)
Encapsulate your 2011 in one word. Why that word? What would you like your word to be for 2012? Why?

Thanks to Michelle of Yoga Freedom for this lovely start and for pulling the Yoga as Muse tribe together for some quality reflection....

reverb '11

reverb 2011 starts today, a chance to reflect on the last year and embrace the coming year. Started by the lovely Gwen Bell in 2009, participation rose to 6,000 last year. While Gwen has stepped away, the project has gone free range and my wondrous Yoga as Muse partners and I have collected a month of reflective prompts.

There are no rules....

Seriously....

You can write as little or as much as you want...keep it private in your journal, post it in the comments section or let the whole world know on Facebook...no rules....

Those of you in the Boston area, we'll be cumulating the project on Jan 7, 2012 with an Intention Board workshop...more details to come...

Join us!