A few weeks ago I found myself re-reading my copy of The Nordic Guide to Living 10 Years Longer, by Bertil Marklund. I got through it in a matter of a few hours. It is about as succinct and compact a self-help book as you will find, with practical strategies and behavioural changes that will … Continue reading Be a gracious guest, of life
In one of my journals, from one of the workshops or retreats I’ve attended, I found a note I made about the importance of maintaining good posture. I’m not clear if it was something said by the facilitator or by another participant, or maybe an insight that I jotted down, but I do know it … Continue reading Mind Your “Posture”
"Are you adding something to the silence by speaking?" ~ Caroline Shola Arewa ~ I am a Yoga Alliance™ Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and throughout this COVID time the Alliance has been supporting their members with a wealth of online learning opportunities. Back in the autumn I took a seven-part series on exploring the chakras, … Continue reading When saying nothing says more
"It’s good to prepare. But also prepare for things not to go as prepared."~ LELAND SURETTE ~ Leland Surette I’m sure many people have spoken many variations of this phrase but the first time I heard it used in that succinct form was at a mindfulness and the labyrinth retreat by the beautiful western sea … Continue reading Preparing for the unexpected
I had one of those 2+2 moments yesterday when something simple yet powerful, that should have been so obvious, came together. But first, a quick bit of context. When guests stay over here, whether airbnb renters or friends visiting, they often ask if they will see wildlife on the property. My usual answer is to … Continue reading Reality Emerges from Stillness
"To love is to recognize yourself in another."~ ECKHART TOLLE ~ Brief as it is, this is such an intriguing quote—that can be interpreted from several perspectives and on different levels. The one that speaks to me at this time is that to recognize yourself in another is also to recognize the underlying connection between … Continue reading Can the ego allow true love?
I have been using airplane mode on my phone more frequently over the past few months. Airplane (or flight) mode, which is a simple on-off tap on most phones, essentially disables data transmission and reception (including phone calls, since all communication is digital now) but leaves the phone’s internal processes and apps functioning. (As an … Continue reading Activate Your Personal Airplane Mode
"You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the ocean in one drop."~ RUMI ~ According to my A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings , yesterday (September 30th) was the birthday of the renowned Sufi mystic poet back in 1207. That's over 800 years ago, and his work endures perhaps more than ever … Continue reading A pearl by Rumi
My best friend’s partner is a lifelong activist. Her activist work career is in the environmental field but she is also an activist for important matters like urban cycling and transit, and various manifestations of human rights, dignity & equality. She is an impressive human in her commitment to beliefs, in walking her talk, and … Continue reading Staying Positive: Separating Actions from Outcomes
One of my occasional pursuits since making the move to full-time rural living up here in northern Grey County has been making yoga blocks. I craft them from local White Cedar which I order from the Amish sawmill just a few minutes down the road. Blocks are a common type of yoga “prop” used for … Continue reading Removing Blocks by Making Blocks
