Happy Earth Day!

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity...” 
― John Muir

You are hard pressed to walk anywhere today and find someone without a smart phone.  Though these technologies have allowed us to "simplify processes", they may actually have only made other systems more complex. A lot of social anxiety and depression is propelled by the ability to live life through a screen. People become attached to material things, and their true purpose of being gets blurred. Clarity and serenity are only available when we are able to practice gratitude. What better a place to practice gratitude than towards our earth- the endless supply of water, oxygen and food that we have been so graciously provided with. Slowing down and spending time outdoors is the invaluable solution to most of the stresses that we endure. 

There are many things that we can do for our health, but I believe the physical falls after the spiritual. For me the spiritual begins with the outdoors. There is no denying that there is a greater purpose, after taking in the intricate beauty and magnificence of the outdoors. The very best thing that we can do for our health and happiness is to have an intimate relationship with nature.  

I was recently told by a friend that I was a conduit for mother earth, that she was going to use me to deliver messages. It sounds far fetched, but regardless of whether or not it is true, me believing this only contributes to the greater good. Mostly, for this reason, I began writing in my blog again. Teaching yoga and spreading word about my passion for the outdoors is allowing these messages to come to fruition. I wouldn't really have anything good to say if it weren't for this strong connection that I feel. I am able to grow the connection by spending as much time as possible outside. 

I am inspired by teachers like Eoin Finn from the Blissology Project (http://www.blissology.com/), I know that I echo his sentiments after reading his most recent blog post. I want to share the love we (and many others) have found with everyone! Being submerged in nature allows doors to open and closes doors that we want to stay shut.

Cliche- but being one with the universe, allowing yourself to be supported and acknowledging our earth for that support is one of the most powerful things that we can bring awareness to. As soon as we begin to practice this gratitude, the "how lucky am I to be alive amidst this beauty?!" attitude begins to seep into the other areas of your life. You will find balance, energy and peace from within. You will learn that you don't need anything else to satisfy the ego, you are as you are on this earth and that is awesome. 

Namaste! 

Grounding yourself

Hate wearing shoes? Me too. We have come to think of footwear as a vital part of our lives, but only 20 percent of the world's population wears shoes. In our Western society, shoes are necessary for most public settings but we can start to create a practice that might pull us back a little closer to our roots. 

Mostly, I like being barefoot because I enjoy the feeling of wet grass or gravely earth beneath my feet. If I am forced to wear shoes, it is usually a pair of flip-flops or mocassins. After a WillPower and Grace class (where you are barefoot and work on your connection to your feet and the earth) I began exploring the notion of more. There had to be more behind the simple want of sensation experienced through my feet. There was! Being barefoot allows me to feel connected to the earth, not just temporary vehicle for shit to happen to. 

Turns out that going barefoot is exactly what your body needs.  Sound less than desirable? Well let that go, because although you are turned off by the idea of dirt on your feet, or tracking it into your home, the reality is that we have been desensitized. We eat and drink chemical laden substitutions. We waste time in front of computers, on cell-phones or watching TV. We wonder why we get sick, have no energy and harbor depression. As you well know, human beings were created for much more than these sad realities. Majority of people do not take time to return back to the beginning, rooted in the earth. 

We all need to continually recharge our delicate internal ecosystem. While sleep is one of the most beneficial means to recalibrating our hormones, it is not the only way to for your body to rebalance itself. The earth is a giant charging pad for our bodies. By connecting to the earth (literally standing barefoot in the dirt), we are able to ground our complex electrical system with the earth’s natural balance. When we do this it helps to optimize our own physiology, circulation and immune system. 

Scientists and researchers are making the case that earthing (direct contact with the ground outside), for 20 minutes per day creates a significant difference in blood thickness and hormonal balance, particularly in the adrenals. Theoretically, by going barefoot on the grass, we can lower inflammation in our bodies, improve our sleep and reduce chronic pain. 

It is very easy to get quickly excited by these facts, but turn on the news and you are overwhelmed by the statistics about the current rate of destruction on our planet. By taking a stand for your personal health, well-being and preservation, you will influence others to begin. Your efforts and care, encourage others to do the same. Start by trying barefoot for a bit, it is the simplest way to re-connect to our earth. Consider it a humbling of oneself, gratitude. 

There are some simple ways that you can start, try gardening without your clogs.  Take time to make contact with earth. Take your lunch break outside and sit on the grass while you eat. Walk through the woods and touch (or hug!) a tree, go to the waters edge and walk the shore. Make a commitment to yourself and our earth, to optimize your health and our planet's health through practicing this at least one day per week.

People who regularly spend barefoot time outside report having more energy, feel better rested and less stressed. They are more likely to take positive action and act with environmental awareness. Take a walk with your family after dinner to the park, kick of your shoes and run around in the grass. This practice will teach you to slow down, to connect to your foundation and to feel grounded (literally). 

“Going barefoot is the gentlest way of walking and can symbolise a way of living — being authentic, vulnerable, sensitive to our surroundings. It’s the feeling of enjoying warm sand beneath our toes, or carefully making our way over sharp rocks in the darkness. It’s a way of living that has the lightest impact, removing the barrier between us and nature.”

— Adele Coombs, “Barefoot Dreaming''

For more information and references visit: http://www.barefooters.org/key-works/KeyArticles.html

Love like a child

Have you ever taken the time to watch the way a child loves and thanks – without filters or reservations? Do you love humans unconditionally? Or do you only show love when it feels safe or self-rewarding?

I am so blessed to have two amazing younger brothers. I was recently recalling one occasion when I was helping my mother out by putting the one of my brothers to sleep. I laid next to him in his race car bed and pretended to shut my eyes. He pulled the blanket over me and started to scratch my back.

I had just missed his birthday party and forgot his present at home. I felt like the shittiest big sister ever because I was so caught up in work and my own life, that I couldn't remember a very important date for him. Okay- yes it was adorable and I started to laugh but it got me thinking. He had already forgotten that I forgot. I was still holding on to my story that I was a shitty sister and he was just glad to have me there, he was grateful and loving. Something that I thought I should learn a lot from. 

How to practice love & gratitude:

It is difficult to love humanity unconditionally when someone cuts you off in the parking lot, I understand! In this moment of choice- I challenge you to shift your perspective and practice love and gratitude. Practicing thanks will relieve your stress and emotion, as well as open doors for new possibility. Where you once would be quick to roll your eyes at the woman who cuts you off at the coffee shop- you leave feeling grateful and enlightened. Imagine the last time that something like this happened to you. Did you take that interaction, interpret it as a negative and carry that load with you all day? It probably tainted your work day, then you were crabby when you came home and then you probably told a couple of friends or family members. Imagine what energy you could have saved and created, if you were to let it go, choosing love and kindness over reciprocation.

When a scenario like this takes place, take a deep breath, send a positive thought and move on. 

After consciously practicing this for a while (always still a work in progress). I think to myself in these sort of situations what could be going on in their life? Who am I to judge what has brought them to this action? Are they aware of the consequences their actions will have? People have circumstances that land them in these scenarios every day. One behavior is not a reflection of a person's true being. We have all been on the other side of the fence, would you want that to be the moment that your character was judged? 

The truth is that you get to decide what the outcome will be. You can either choose to be in reaction or choose love and gratitude. The universe will reward those that choose gratitude. Children often use it in a positive manner and realize that human interaction/relationship is our purpose in this world, we should be trying to make people happy and feel valued all of the time! For children there is no thought to prior experiences, no stories they create, just seeing emotion and resolving it for better.

Once, we were children too. Now, tainted by the values of our society we have layers and layers of crap that prevent us from truly showing our soul and intention to one another. Through the practice of gratitude, and choosing who you will be in every single moment, you can slowly start to peel back the layers. It will leave you feeling free, light and of limitless potential.

“Compassion crowns the soul with its truest victory.” 

― Aberjhani

Power of Your Word

I have been thinking a lot about our words and how we use them to create pain, joy, confusion, clarity... The list goes on and on. I have gathered the many words and thoughts in my head and narrowed it down to these laws that I have consciously put into my verbal practice. These rules are influenced by my encounters with religion, spirituality and philosophy. Have a read and word me what you think.

Less is more.

Our words are like a muscle, they must be maintained and exercised to function correctly. If we overwork them, we will exhaust them, if we do not use them enough they will be equally as weak. When we are speaking, we must speak with intention. The more words we use the less powerful our point becomes. It takes practice to be a concise speaker, but a practice well worth it. Being concise will make you a clear communicator and quickly elevate relationships in your life. 

Being concise does not mean hold back. Our words allow us to connect to one-another. Be generous with your words, sharing thoughts and asking questions.  We must learn the balance, when to speak and when to listen. Equally as important, we must learn when we are preventing people from listening because our communication is unclear, jumbled and past the listener's attention span. 

Honor your word.

Regardless of status, our word is all we truly have. When you do not honor your word it loses it's power. Example: you tell someone you will arrive at 7PM, continually you are 15 minutes late.

It seems like a minor detail, but eventually people begin to lose faith in your word. Your track record shows that you never do what you say you will, by when you say you will do it. You will likely notice that if you are this person, you show up late for most events and you are quick to call cancellations. Is it any wonder that you are not the first person they call when they need someone that they can rely on? You have not given them reason to believe you otherwise, creating more work to build trust and gain power back to their interpretation of your word. 

If you continually honor your word you will find that you are automatically trusted and respected by those close to you without having to fight for it. 

Speak power into your life.

In personal dialogue we have the ability to speak power into our lives.  It is possible to move the mountains in your life by commanding that they be removed. What does this mean? It means that you are taking back the control over situations that you have allowed to control you. You give them new meaning and look at it as an opportunity to shift towards a positive, happiness-based perspective.

For instance, you lose your job. You could do one of two things, throw a pity party, or say: GREAT! now I have the opportunity to search for a new career in something that truly interests me! You can turn any bad trial into triumph by speaking words of optimism and encouragement to yourself and to the ones around you. 

Takeaways:

In normal conversation, be clear in what you are trying to communicate. You could explain why you were late in 50 sentences or you could say I messed up I am late. Saving you time, energy and face... because you also took responsibility.

In relationships and career- be candid, clear and honest! Honor your word, do what you say you are going to do when you say you will do it!

Speak power into your life, set goals! Success is always the result of opportunity meeting preparation! Work towards your goals and speak about them out loud. Put it into to the universe and watch what will happen.