If you think about it we treat life a lot like a blizzard warning,
spending time preparing and fearing the worst when so often all we get
is rain or a light dusting. Yet time after time the fearful voice
inside our minds convinces us that the worst possible outcome is the
only outcome. So we prepare. We devise a plan, stock up, complain, and
find all the reasons why this storm in particular is really going to
trap us. Like the forecasters (bless them), we so often create
scenarios in our minds that rarely, if ever, happen in reality. Yet our
fear of the anticipated blizzard can leave us paralyzed for days.
Sound familiar? Spending days, weeks, or months dreading something
that you have no control over is a total waste of time. Not to mention
that we are not even sure it will happen. Yet we seem to have already
decided that the storm will be the worst of the week, month, year and
end in the worst scenario possible. Living with these thoughts is
simply a waste of time and energy.
The stories we tell ourselves can become quite dramatic and more times
than not, they never pan out nearly as awful as the way we envision.
Yet these stories, can bring us to a place where we feel angry,
resentful, and scared, without the first flake even falling.
Sometimes blizzards do take our lives by storm. No matter if we can
prepare for them or not, ultimately the weather of our lives will not
always be sunny and warm. There will be cold, rainy, snowy days and
yes, possibly disastrous storms. However, it’s not just the storms we
wait for that deserve our attention but the days and hours in the
meantime that we call life.
So we can spend our time worrying about the “weather” or we can deal
with predicted blizzards by affirming a desired positive outcome. Then
we surrender that which is out of our control. This does not mean we
don’t prepare, but the preparation is so much less fear driven and in
that way much more enjoyable. So if the blizzard does come perhaps we
are able to more clearly see the size of the obstacle and maybe even
enjoy the beauty of the snow.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tripping in the Fall
With September comes change. The feeling of new beginnings sets in for many. This year I personally have decided to begin again by
going back to school. It will be a lot of work, and this I
knew, but I am very excited for this new endeavor. In the mindset of
changes and beginnings, I feel as though I want to jump at every
opportunity I see. Perhaps in the back of my mind I am longing for a
complete 180 in certain areas of my life.
Thoughts of changing jobs, moving apartments, amping up my wardrobe,
and planning fantastic nights out are all ways for me to escape my
current reality. “Escape” is my word of choice because that’s what
those activities offer me. In this state of mind I begin frantically
debating taking on yet another training and dropping it into my
already jam packed schedule. Before I can even contemplate what is it
I am about to take on my mind starts to race yet again. I am
ridiculously thinking ahead to November, scheduling my weeks and
weekends, asking myself how will I ever handle it all. I haven’t even
made the decision to move forward, and I’m already logistically stuck.
The push and pull of my mind leads me to the exact spot I need to be.
I am on my floor, CD playing with a crystal in my hand. I close my
eyes, breathe deep, and ask aloud what it is I am seeking the answer
to. I am specific when I ask. I know I will receive the answer. So I
listen.
Almost instantly I am guided to my
answer. Right now I am busy, and if I want to do more then the
activities I should engage in are more reading, cooking,
yoga, and rest. Regardless of what the details may be in how I am to
spend my time, the point is to spend more time on me, for me. Rather
than squeeze in yet another training, class or event, the one way to
spend my time that I will truly benefit from is to devote it to
myself.
I share this because I believe this is the case for all of us. No
matter how great for us the action, event, class is that we are
attending, sometimes too much of a great thing can be too much. We
fill our schedules from 7 AM to 11 PM, making sure to see everyone we
know, promising to go up, down, east and west to meet the needs of
others, support those we love, and hopefully to have fun. Yet when
does it become too much? What are we rushing to accomplish anyway? If
we look back in our lives, we have all met certain goals only to have
new ribbons and another finish line to cross in the distance. The
reality is the race will never end. However the faster we run through
it, the more we miss, the less enjoyable it becomes.
I am not saying don’t do something that you want to do, but if your
desire becomes more about filling your time rather than taking time to
really enjoy what it is your doing, I suggest you sit down, relax, and
ask.
going back to school. It will be a lot of work, and this I
knew, but I am very excited for this new endeavor. In the mindset of
changes and beginnings, I feel as though I want to jump at every
opportunity I see. Perhaps in the back of my mind I am longing for a
complete 180 in certain areas of my life.
Thoughts of changing jobs, moving apartments, amping up my wardrobe,
and planning fantastic nights out are all ways for me to escape my
current reality. “Escape” is my word of choice because that’s what
those activities offer me. In this state of mind I begin frantically
debating taking on yet another training and dropping it into my
already jam packed schedule. Before I can even contemplate what is it
I am about to take on my mind starts to race yet again. I am
ridiculously thinking ahead to November, scheduling my weeks and
weekends, asking myself how will I ever handle it all. I haven’t even
made the decision to move forward, and I’m already logistically stuck.
The push and pull of my mind leads me to the exact spot I need to be.
I am on my floor, CD playing with a crystal in my hand. I close my
eyes, breathe deep, and ask aloud what it is I am seeking the answer
to. I am specific when I ask. I know I will receive the answer. So I
listen.
Almost instantly I am guided to my
answer. Right now I am busy, and if I want to do more then the
activities I should engage in are more reading, cooking,
yoga, and rest. Regardless of what the details may be in how I am to
spend my time, the point is to spend more time on me, for me. Rather
than squeeze in yet another training, class or event, the one way to
spend my time that I will truly benefit from is to devote it to
myself.
I share this because I believe this is the case for all of us. No
matter how great for us the action, event, class is that we are
attending, sometimes too much of a great thing can be too much. We
fill our schedules from 7 AM to 11 PM, making sure to see everyone we
know, promising to go up, down, east and west to meet the needs of
others, support those we love, and hopefully to have fun. Yet when
does it become too much? What are we rushing to accomplish anyway? If
we look back in our lives, we have all met certain goals only to have
new ribbons and another finish line to cross in the distance. The
reality is the race will never end. However the faster we run through
it, the more we miss, the less enjoyable it becomes.
I am not saying don’t do something that you want to do, but if your
desire becomes more about filling your time rather than taking time to
really enjoy what it is your doing, I suggest you sit down, relax, and
ask.
Monday, September 21, 2009
My blog- on http://bevinreilly.blogspot.com/
SO. I have such an amazing guest blog this week. My awesome friend, mentor, sponsor, and role-model has allowed me to get my hands on a blog entry she wrote in which she faces an addiction she has. To sugar. Addictions can come in all forms. People can be addicted to drugs, alcohol, food, shopping, relationships, sex, TV, facebook, exercise.... you name it. It doesn't have to mean that the person isn't absolutely incredible, approachable, and pretty much normal. This is why I love Kelsea's entry. She lets us see that having an addiction of some kind (and most people have one to something) is super understandable--- even relatable. Read on below:
I am an addict...
to sugar that is... something I have been denying for quite some time. But after reading only a few chapters of Sugar Blues by William Duffy, I feel almost a weird sense of relief when he compares sugar addiction to that of hardcore drugs. It was last night with my life coach (www.gabriellebernstein.com), that she asked I make a commitment to abstinence for 90 days! I was at the point of needing to be told what to do, lost in my direction, but so ready to be over the insane cravings that turned into binges on boxes of cereal, ice cream, cookies and any other sweet you can name (except fruit of course). Could i do it? Yes of course I could, and better yet I would blog about my experience, write down all my meals and be a warrior of my addiction!I would incorporate all my knowledge as a Weight Watchers member over the last three years, my new knowledge of food combining from Natalia Rose's Detox 4 Women, and my general sense of nutrition to combat the addiction that would soon harm my body and mind in perhaps ways I would never consider. I felt good, empowered, a little nervous, but excited because today I counted day one no sugar.
No sugar that is until.. after a home made meal of salads with a friend, we went for a walk. On this walk on New York City's Highline park, at the bottom of the stairs on 20th St and 9th Ave we spotted.. ICE CREAM!! All natural creamy delicious- MINT Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. I mean are you kidding me!!! So we split a small one scoop.. not bad right?Of course after we finish, my mouth still watering and my body CRAVING more, I reveal to her my 90 day plan. "I will start tomorrow, I forgive myself and move on" I tell myself. However once we part ways and I am on my trek back to my apartment around 9 pm, I want more!! I think about Tasti Delight, or Pinkberry.. cold creaminess with a sugary topping.. and I want it, I want it so badly! I manage to make it to my apartment safely only to end up in the shower composing in my mind the email I will send to Gabby tomorrow, telling her I didn’t think the sugar detox necessary, 90 days is a very long time, and it is, but I was scared. Scared at the thought, the similarity of self talk between myself and perhaps that of an alcoholic, or drug addict.. thinking that I could control this, I can just dabble once in a while, and it's ok.
But it's not ok! Eating the sugar, yes its ok, do I eat it way too much? Yes! as it is not good for my body and mind. But what isn’t ok , what really isn’t ok , is allowing something outside myself to control me, to turn me into a mad woman. A woman who self-sabotages, makes herself physically ill from eating and ruins hours, days, weekend, vacations in the guilt and pain beginning with the first bite of that sweet something that starts a downward spiral to sug-ell (sugar hell)
The guilt, the pains, the bloat. Feeling tired and cranky and even worse knowing that I was doing it all to myself. A sugar addict I was indeed.. And so today I begin Day one, today, NOW - no Sugar.
Kelsea's voice is clear, familiar, and honest. Everyone bargains with themselves from time to time.... it is part of who we are. (Just today I bargained with myself to run a shorter run than planned because I really didn't want to go. But once I was out there, a few miles in, I felt good. I decided to take the run longer... something I NEVER do... and wound up running 6 miles, and the last three in less than 21 minutes!! So bargaining CAN be reversed...) Kelsea's willingness to share this with us and let her private and true thoughts be heard is just shows how completely common these thoughts are. We all think them sometimes. But she is right. To allow anything or anyone to control you is completely unacceptable. YOU control your actions, beliefs, and thoughts. You are a PRODUCT of your thoughts. And if you want a kick butt life, you better have kick butt thoughts. Use this awesome post as a power of example. Don't let those thoughts that bog you down creep in. And if they do, find out their source, and clean them UP. I can post about how to do that later. Until then, THANK YOU SO MUCH KELSEA!!
PS--- Kels is also the voice behind Her Future's Daily Light! Daily Light is a group on the site that you join and you get an inspirational quote EVERY morning. Kelsea finds them, sends them out to us in the morning, and sets us up to win. Because she is a winner too!
Today's was... "Again and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made." Robert H. Schuller
I am an addict...
to sugar that is... something I have been denying for quite some time. But after reading only a few chapters of Sugar Blues by William Duffy, I feel almost a weird sense of relief when he compares sugar addiction to that of hardcore drugs. It was last night with my life coach (www.gabriellebernstein.com), that she asked I make a commitment to abstinence for 90 days! I was at the point of needing to be told what to do, lost in my direction, but so ready to be over the insane cravings that turned into binges on boxes of cereal, ice cream, cookies and any other sweet you can name (except fruit of course). Could i do it? Yes of course I could, and better yet I would blog about my experience, write down all my meals and be a warrior of my addiction!I would incorporate all my knowledge as a Weight Watchers member over the last three years, my new knowledge of food combining from Natalia Rose's Detox 4 Women, and my general sense of nutrition to combat the addiction that would soon harm my body and mind in perhaps ways I would never consider. I felt good, empowered, a little nervous, but excited because today I counted day one no sugar.
No sugar that is until.. after a home made meal of salads with a friend, we went for a walk. On this walk on New York City's Highline park, at the bottom of the stairs on 20th St and 9th Ave we spotted.. ICE CREAM!! All natural creamy delicious- MINT Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. I mean are you kidding me!!! So we split a small one scoop.. not bad right?Of course after we finish, my mouth still watering and my body CRAVING more, I reveal to her my 90 day plan. "I will start tomorrow, I forgive myself and move on" I tell myself. However once we part ways and I am on my trek back to my apartment around 9 pm, I want more!! I think about Tasti Delight, or Pinkberry.. cold creaminess with a sugary topping.. and I want it, I want it so badly! I manage to make it to my apartment safely only to end up in the shower composing in my mind the email I will send to Gabby tomorrow, telling her I didn’t think the sugar detox necessary, 90 days is a very long time, and it is, but I was scared. Scared at the thought, the similarity of self talk between myself and perhaps that of an alcoholic, or drug addict.. thinking that I could control this, I can just dabble once in a while, and it's ok.
But it's not ok! Eating the sugar, yes its ok, do I eat it way too much? Yes! as it is not good for my body and mind. But what isn’t ok , what really isn’t ok , is allowing something outside myself to control me, to turn me into a mad woman. A woman who self-sabotages, makes herself physically ill from eating and ruins hours, days, weekend, vacations in the guilt and pain beginning with the first bite of that sweet something that starts a downward spiral to sug-ell (sugar hell)
The guilt, the pains, the bloat. Feeling tired and cranky and even worse knowing that I was doing it all to myself. A sugar addict I was indeed.. And so today I begin Day one, today, NOW - no Sugar.
Kelsea's voice is clear, familiar, and honest. Everyone bargains with themselves from time to time.... it is part of who we are. (Just today I bargained with myself to run a shorter run than planned because I really didn't want to go. But once I was out there, a few miles in, I felt good. I decided to take the run longer... something I NEVER do... and wound up running 6 miles, and the last three in less than 21 minutes!! So bargaining CAN be reversed...) Kelsea's willingness to share this with us and let her private and true thoughts be heard is just shows how completely common these thoughts are. We all think them sometimes. But she is right. To allow anything or anyone to control you is completely unacceptable. YOU control your actions, beliefs, and thoughts. You are a PRODUCT of your thoughts. And if you want a kick butt life, you better have kick butt thoughts. Use this awesome post as a power of example. Don't let those thoughts that bog you down creep in. And if they do, find out their source, and clean them UP. I can post about how to do that later. Until then, THANK YOU SO MUCH KELSEA!!
PS--- Kels is also the voice behind Her Future's Daily Light! Daily Light is a group on the site that you join and you get an inspirational quote EVERY morning. Kelsea finds them, sends them out to us in the morning, and sets us up to win. Because she is a winner too!
Today's was... "Again and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made." Robert H. Schuller
Shine A Light Entry
In this life time whether it be in our own lives or someone else’s, we are all miracle workers. And where do nearly 2000 of us reside? On HerFuture.com . No matter the day your having, amazing or horrific, a la FaceBook sans the updates, newsfeeds and, oh yeah, men; HerFuture.com has become the go to get happy Gen X, Gen Y haven for women. Quotes, stories and articles about love, life and all the good in the world, makes this online networking community a truly safe and beautiful place. Where genuine authentic women can have their voices heard, friends made and perceptions shifted, HerFuture.com upholds values like no other site. Women can connect through Power Posses (think FaceBook groups) to hundreds of other like minded women seeking career connections, books to read and places to go. With message board like updates we share relevant and beautiful info to light up days, or simply provide a virtual shoulder to lean on. Supporting all that we want in life the Believe Power Posse has become one of the most popular. Where members are able to write out to their community, all that they believe and desire in life so often getting cheers of belief in return. Never in my life and especially in the past 5 years have I connected with and made friends so easily. HerFuture.com has been the launching ground for not only new friends but new interests. It is on this site that I have learned about new workouts, connected with gurus of nutrition and built up my own skills as a miracle worker, sending daily morning messages to a group of women determined to see the light, the best in every moment of every day. Really what is cooler than a bunch of young and talented women coming together with one common theme and goal, to simply make life the best possible, seeking happiness in all things, and sharing it with each other. It is with this site that I have literally been able to help change my life. I have met women who perhaps I would have never otherwise, who have helped me get through the tiny stresses of the day that we make mountains of, as well as the truly egotistic thoughts that send us spiraling down. There is no room for doubt and despair on HerFuture.com , sign up with the desire to have your thoughts shifted.
I didn't write this but it's divine
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” Martha Graham
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Daily Light on herfuture.com
I created Daily Light as a way to share with others the beautiful words that inspire me so much on a daily basis.
All ANYONE really wants is to be happy. And any other who tells you differently is either lying, or doesn’t know what they are talking about. This is my truth and what I firmly believe. However many of us aren’t happy, and we don’t know why. I like consider myself one of the lucky ones who has hopped on the path to discovering what I know has always lived inside. The internal feeling of bliss, that in glimpses, at random times in a day or week, arises letting me know that everything at that moment is perfectly as it should be.
However, because these moments are fleeting, and can sometimes be far and few between, I make it a CONSTANT effort to surround myself with positive reminders, that this life right now, is amazing. With my new best friend Pandora.com Amos Lee tells me to “Keep it loose, keep it tight” while Josh Radin reminds me of “Simple Times. The Universe sends me daily-personalized notes of inspiration about my greatness, in case I forget, and Oprah cheers my mood with amazing articles related to health, spirituality, and sometimes my wardrobe. Quotes are posted all over my cube and at any given moment Ill send up to 10 people an inspiring quote
“I look forward to Daily Light every morning :)” – Jessica Bernstein
“This group is becoming like an obsession to me! I adore having those quotes daily.” Valerie Merut
Who doesn’t love a good quote? It’s amazing the way some people have with words. I love the feeling of reading something so inspiring and just thinking to myself “oh yeah I knew that, but thanks for reminding me.” I am also grateful for those quotes that happen to show up just when I need them to give a gentle shift in perception to perhaps help me see things differently than I may not have other wise.
And that is why I created the simple daily reminder Daily Light on herfutre.com. Five times a week, sent directly to your inbox are inspirational, motivational, positive quotes to start your day.
I personally have made a conscious effort to live every day as happily as I can. With my new best friend pandora.com Amos Lee tells me to “Keep it loose, keep it tight” while Josh Radin reminds me of “Simple Times.” The Universe sends me daily-personalized notes of inspiration about my greatness, in case I forget, and Oprah cheers my mood with amazing articles related to spirituality, health, and sometimes my wardrobe.
Quotes are posted all over my cube at work and I send at least a few emails a day to friends, family and coworkers to share the wise words I read, that often touch me so deeply.
I literally surround myself, and my ibox with love.
All ANYONE really wants is to be happy. And any other who tells you differently is either lying, or doesn’t know what they are talking about. This is my truth and what I firmly believe. However many of us aren’t happy, and we don’t know why. I like consider myself one of the lucky ones who has hopped on the path to discovering what I know has always lived inside. The internal feeling of bliss, that in glimpses, at random times in a day or week, arises letting me know that everything at that moment is perfectly as it should be.
However, because these moments are fleeting, and can sometimes be far and few between, I make it a CONSTANT effort to surround myself with positive reminders, that this life right now, is amazing. With my new best friend Pandora.com Amos Lee tells me to “Keep it loose, keep it tight” while Josh Radin reminds me of “Simple Times. The Universe sends me daily-personalized notes of inspiration about my greatness, in case I forget, and Oprah cheers my mood with amazing articles related to health, spirituality, and sometimes my wardrobe. Quotes are posted all over my cube and at any given moment Ill send up to 10 people an inspiring quote
“I look forward to Daily Light every morning :)” – Jessica Bernstein
“This group is becoming like an obsession to me! I adore having those quotes daily.” Valerie Merut
Who doesn’t love a good quote? It’s amazing the way some people have with words. I love the feeling of reading something so inspiring and just thinking to myself “oh yeah I knew that, but thanks for reminding me.” I am also grateful for those quotes that happen to show up just when I need them to give a gentle shift in perception to perhaps help me see things differently than I may not have other wise.
And that is why I created the simple daily reminder Daily Light on herfutre.com. Five times a week, sent directly to your inbox are inspirational, motivational, positive quotes to start your day.
I personally have made a conscious effort to live every day as happily as I can. With my new best friend pandora.com Amos Lee tells me to “Keep it loose, keep it tight” while Josh Radin reminds me of “Simple Times.” The Universe sends me daily-personalized notes of inspiration about my greatness, in case I forget, and Oprah cheers my mood with amazing articles related to spirituality, health, and sometimes my wardrobe.
Quotes are posted all over my cube at work and I send at least a few emails a day to friends, family and coworkers to share the wise words I read, that often touch me so deeply.
I literally surround myself, and my ibox with love.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Two Ways
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." – Albert Einstein
During a run Saturday evening, while feeling great about life, but not so great about my run, I glanced down. Against my running coach's advice to look forward as the body follows the eyes; I nearly tripped over my own two feet when I saw on the pavement before me, in dull pink chalk “Great Job.” And within the next few steps “Keep Going” and “go go go” a few more later. It was literally like the Universe was cheering me along in my last mile back towards my apartment along the Hudson River.
Perhaps a year ago I would think nothing much of the dull chalked words, perhaps a year ago I wouldn’t have looked down and seen them, perhaps a year ago I wouldn’t have gone for a run after a long day of class on Saturday. Yet never the less here I am almost a year deep into my spiritual practice learning one day at a time, reminding myself one moment at a time that everything truly is a miracle. Those few words written below my steps made me so happy, so full of joy, so excited! And why not?
In making the decision, having a desire greater than myself to live a happy life I now choose to see all things, big and small, as miracles. Blessings in my life that I can look to, look for, that help remind me of a power greater than myself. A power that wants me to be happy, wants me to strive and succeed and to do what I love. And I love to run! I feel sexy when I do it, it gives me clarity and not to mention a great workout. I get outside my apartment and more importantly outside my head. Listening to music working with the energy of an amazing city. That’s what really gets me going. For others it may be dancing, walking, singing, writing, whatever it may be… do it!
We were all put here on this earth to do what we love, believe that, because when you do what you love, you feel soo good, don’t you? That good feeling should be confirmation enough that yes, this is right, this is exactly where you are supposed to be!!…and some times, miracles may appear up, down and around.. you just have to look.
During a run Saturday evening, while feeling great about life, but not so great about my run, I glanced down. Against my running coach's advice to look forward as the body follows the eyes; I nearly tripped over my own two feet when I saw on the pavement before me, in dull pink chalk “Great Job.” And within the next few steps “Keep Going” and “go go go” a few more later. It was literally like the Universe was cheering me along in my last mile back towards my apartment along the Hudson River.
Perhaps a year ago I would think nothing much of the dull chalked words, perhaps a year ago I wouldn’t have looked down and seen them, perhaps a year ago I wouldn’t have gone for a run after a long day of class on Saturday. Yet never the less here I am almost a year deep into my spiritual practice learning one day at a time, reminding myself one moment at a time that everything truly is a miracle. Those few words written below my steps made me so happy, so full of joy, so excited! And why not?
In making the decision, having a desire greater than myself to live a happy life I now choose to see all things, big and small, as miracles. Blessings in my life that I can look to, look for, that help remind me of a power greater than myself. A power that wants me to be happy, wants me to strive and succeed and to do what I love. And I love to run! I feel sexy when I do it, it gives me clarity and not to mention a great workout. I get outside my apartment and more importantly outside my head. Listening to music working with the energy of an amazing city. That’s what really gets me going. For others it may be dancing, walking, singing, writing, whatever it may be… do it!
We were all put here on this earth to do what we love, believe that, because when you do what you love, you feel soo good, don’t you? That good feeling should be confirmation enough that yes, this is right, this is exactly where you are supposed to be!!…and some times, miracles may appear up, down and around.. you just have to look.
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