Category Archives: Practices

the weekend nurture menu: how to handle the complicated

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ponderHumans tend to make things more complicated. Talk about not nurturing! When we mire ourselves in analyzing every aspect of the issue, trying to figure a situation out mentally, we become entrenched in the situation, unable to see real solutions.

Wouldn’t it be so much easier to distill everything into a simple truth? Well, duh. The fact is, however, when you are buried in a situation, any truth is impossible to see.

knowledge vs. perception

Knowledge is truth. Truth is objective, real, unalterable. Truth is not based in the world of time and space. It is eternal. Perception, on the other hand, is subjective, learned and constantly changing. It is based on interpretation in time and space, not facts. Obviously, we need perception to function in the material world. It is how we process and communicate. Yet, it is not fundamentally real.

For example, I can’t tell you what truth is, because it would be filtered through my perception. I could say it is love, God, religion, the universe, kindness, but you would give each of those terms meaning different than my meaning–not truth.

Bottom line: simply knowing that your perception is not real and the way you’re interpreting a situation is not real frees you from those trenches. Then how do we ever figure out the truth, the solution? Check out the uncomplicated, the stuff underneath the thoughts and meanings we give to things.

Three steps to see the uncomplicated:

  1. Look around at the objects in your space. Notice each thing (especially things you’ve identified as “valuable”) and say, “Nothing I see in this space means anything. This [table, chair, necklace, video game] does not mean anything.” Without thoughts, memories, and perceptions, objects do not have meaning.
  2. Again, look around at the same objects and say, “I have given everything I see in this space all the meaning it has for me.” Make sure not to exclude anything. Notice each thing, regardless of size, weight, or color.
  3. Then close your eyes and watch your thoughts. Say, “Like the objects in my space, these thoughts do not mean anything.” Go through each thought, without preference to the “good” or “bad” thoughts.

This is about clearing out the mental complications, travelling away from the unreal thoughts and judgments we place on the real. Another piece to that puzzle is clearing out the crud in your body. How can you simplify things if your body is frantically trying to digest the unhealthy? Try more greens.

photosimple green smoothie
1-2 servings

  • 1-2 cups greens (I use kale and spinach)
  • half of a carrot
  • half of a frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup juice or tea (I often use guava kombucha–yum!)
  • 2 tbsp seeds, optional (I use 1 tbsp hemp and 1 tbsp sunflower)

Blend, simplify, relish.

xo, S

get your glow on

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ibibleverses-matthew-5-14-follow-us-atWho doesn’t want a radiant glow? Male or female, you know this je ne sais quoi is what attracts miracles.

On a Southwest flight back to Chicago, I happily took the first row window seat, put my headphones in, and started a playlist for that evening’s yoga class. A glowing woman took the aisle seat and then a very tall gentleman sat in the middle. The woman kindly switched seats with the man to accommodate his long legs. This small gesture was no accident.

With my headphones still on, I sensed the glow. I was now sitting next to Beverly, author and motivational speaker, more importantly, an earthly goddess. I proceeded to connect with the Beverly until we parted ways. Our light created fireworks–we felt inspired and everyone around us felt it. (The gentleman said the seat change was a crucial event, not only to accommodate his legs.)

Alone, your light exposes a lot of darkness. Brought together with ignited beings, magic happens.

what is this “glow”?

When you glow it is more than just a make-up for the outer appearance. It’s an internal vibration that radiates out. When you glow you don’t have to smile to communicate joy. Your energy communicates radiance. You’re alive. Your vitality is almost palpable.

When you glow you have a feeling of detachment, feeling so connected to yourself that nothing can penetrate that energy. Detachment is not apathy, carelessness, or passivity–quite the opposite actually. Detachment is breathing with the flow, not being married to outcomes, feeling invested in life without expectations.

When you’re truly plugged-in, toxic thoughts, people, and past experiences can’t stay alive in the glow. The light is powerful enough to illuminate all that comes into its periphery.

Don't ask what the world needsit’s “what you be” 

Ask not “What do I do to get the glow?,” ask “What do I be?”

Beverly and I attracted each other, not by doing anything, but profoundly being.

When Beverly and I discussed life coaching and teaching yoga, I explained what I do: the sequencing, language, questions, etc. She stopped me–”Sweetheart, it’s not about what you do, it’s about what you be.”

In other words, people aren’t attracted to me and my work for the things I do. People are attracted because of the gestalt–the whole–the energy.

why must you glow?

Simply, because your life and the lives around you depend on it. The world, the market, your cat need you to be remarkable. You have a unique light that that we need.

Let’s get glowing!

xo, S

 

trail-blazing contradictions: when you should stop suppressing and appreciate the whole

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I feel schizophrenic sometimes. I embody multiple voices. One extra loud voice passionately screams, “GO LIVE YOUR DREAMS!” Another one mutters in judgment, “Don’t be ridiculous. Work harder and pay the bills.”

I’ve always attributed this duality to my parents: my practical, introverted, uber-successful father, named one of the “Best Dermatologists in Pittsburgh,” VERSUS my extroverted, spirited and inquisitive mother, deeply loved not only for what she does, but who she is. I’m proud to say that I’m well trained to be and live both frames of mind.

danyeela prompt #3Somewhere along the line, however, I was convinced that I could only be one, i.e. I can’t be business minded and spiritually in-tune, I can’t be a lawyer and a yoga teacher, I can’t make money and live the beauty of my dreams. I have to choose one path and stick with it.

THE RESULT: an inauthentic life. 

First, I went the full-on dreamer route–struggling actor, struggling activist, struggling yoga teacher–with the intention of spirit and joy. Yet, there were lots of struggles to pay the bills, save money, give to others when I didn’t have enough for myself. My passion diminished.

Then, I tried the practical route–lawyerdom. My intention was to apply that struggling activist thing to this practical route, but I came up short. So much of me was missing. The spirituality was nowhere in the equation.

Here is what I didn’t say about my parents: they’re still together, there is no “versus.” Their incredible, contradicting selves have complimented, pushed, and expanded one another for over thirty years. In other words, their contradictions are what makes them powerful, trail-blazing and influential.

Passion and dreaming is the fuel for wildly-successful fulfillment. Practicality and strategy is the how to get from point A to point Z. 

If you’re not fully living these trail-blazing contractions, waking up with joy and passion and still able to pay the bills, then it is time to re-evaluate what magical voice in your head is muffled.

Be large. Be your dynamic self.

“If wisdom comes from integrating the highs and lows of life, then fulfillment is the result of bringing your whole self to the game. All of you. Not just the politically correct and the well-behaved bits. Not just your master’s degree and certifications. And not only your unbounded passion–because putting your passion into form will take all of the mental muscle that you can flex.”  -Danielle LaPorte