Musings on Patience and Fullness

As I was indulging in a challenging and sweaty Power Vinyasa Flow class at Yoga Ananda, my instructor prompted us to set an intention and challenged us to think about PATIENCE. Ugh... It really resonated with me because stillness used to be and still is a challenge for me. I forget that we are put in situations today for a reason and I get restless and bored at times. But, the sad thing is if you don't live in the presence you can oftentimes miss out on life and it will just start to whiz right by.

I've been trying to challenge myself professionally and I'm at a loss with next steps. I'm not necessarily worried, but I am getting restless. As I was meditating and praying, I realize that patience (eagerly waiting and taking your time to work through today) is very related to living a full life. The best thing I can provide myself and others is my presence and really being in the moment fully. I started to think about things and experiences that I might have missed out on because I was so focused on moving on. And, that can be really tragic.

So, this maybe a bit weird, but cooking also really made me think about patience and fullness. When I was cooking my risotto recipe again, I thought about how much time, attention, and patience you really need to have to make it work. You have to pay close attention to each step: looking vigilantly for the right amount of broth in the pan, observing the "dancing waves" of rice, and the particular starchy liquid that the little rice grains produce. You can't make it too dry or too wet. It's a balance that you have to feel. But, suddenly almost like magic, the dry rice grains eventually puff up and become creamy, tasty risotto. So, with the right amount of stirring, patience, and nurturing, life experiences eventually bloom! During this time of the year, I think this is the appropriate time to really work on patience and fullness.

* How can I be fully present in my work, social life, and on my own? How do I give my best and do my all in this area?
* How can I make my holiday experience more meaningful? I am really excited about doing my cards, creating some fun gifts by hand, and learning how to craft more.
* How can I really be there for the people who matter most in my life?
* How can I give to others who really need it?

Week In Review

So, I thought that I would do a little weekly check-in for December. (Our last month of 2010 - sniff, sniff!)

- Great visit with my cousin Sheila. She is still sick, and the prognosis is up in the air. We just decided to just chill out and Glee it up. We watched the latest episode of Glee, enjoyed some chik-fil-a, and bonded over the new iPad she just received. The frustation of being sick is disheartening, but I continue to pray that she will have courage and keep her spirits up.

- Hooray! Last week, I did a pretty good job on my cardio. I went to TAC class twice, spin class twice, ran three miles, and even played some tennis with my buddies. (Unfortunately, I was unable to get much exercise due to travel and work these past few days. But, I have a feeling I'll get back to it!)

- I had a fun time with my latest projects: going to Sew Crafty, writing articles for my two new blogs, http://tastelivecreate.blogspot.com/ and http://artfullyluxe.blogspot.com/. I've really enjoyed findnig fun and creative things to write about lately.

- CASE Conference: I just returned from Austin from a pretty cool conference where we were able to exchange ideas about programs. It provided me some fresh perspectives on my job that I think would be interesting to try.

- Fun times: I enjoyed doing workouts with the beau, playing a few tennis matches with Albert, Yushan, Thuan and Jacob, and catching up with peeps at Cadillac Bar and Byzantio.

- I'm proud of my latest foodie work: asparagus risotto and homemade veggie pizza! yum-o! I am looking forward to my class at Central Market next week.

- Spiritual: I enjoyed supporting Living Water at the Taft Street Market (so many cute things - biscotti, handmade cards, lovely magnets and soap!), attending Advent service, and practicing my creative prayer card. I look forward to more church, meditation, and yoga next week!

I'm so excited about the weekend. And, I hope your days are meaningful and joyful, too!

Simple Pick-Me-Ups

One of the silly things that we can do on a regular basis is build in a little pick-me-up in our weeks. It can be basically anything that doesn't cost very much, but has an impact in making yourself a little more cheery, warm, and excited. Sometimes, we have to manage our self-care practices in order for us to be able to care for otheres. As mentioned before, I like getting pedicures, grabbing a cup of coffee, reading a book in ped. Those are all nice self-care indulgences. This is a chance to go creative. It could be anything from a new lip gloss, finding a cute piece of jewelry at an art fair, or baking a batch of cookies.

My latest pick-me-up is this adorable duck tea infuser that I found on my latest trip to Austin. I like how sipping tea takes time and it can be very relaxing. A cup of tea is long enough to take a few deep breathes, slow down, think or read a magazine article. Ever since my visit to Path of Tea, I've been interested in trying out some new teas. Hopefully, I can find some loose leaf teas soon. And, the cool part is I can try it out in my french coffee press at home.

I'm looking forward to having a cup of tea by my bed, tons of books surrounding me, and a journal. Ahhh!

Creative Prayer

"Prayer is not just asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to havea heart without words than words without a heart." - Ghandi

Spirituality is one of the big themes I touch on wanting to participate in throughout the months. One evening I was feeling a little bummed out and I decided to stay in bed and do some reading. I read Kimberly Wilson's excerpt in Tranquilista about prayer and it gave me the inspiration to make my own creative prayer booklet.

I decided I wanted something that was cute and small that would help me prompt through some important elements in my meditation and prayer time.

Starting Point: Snapshot, Moment, Music, Quote of His Beauty
I like starting off with something that reminds me of the Divine. It could be something little like a great moment you had with a family member or a beautiful flower you saw or just a really good song that you like listening to. It's just basically a way to start of connecting with God.

Quiet the Mind: I like getting still and sitting cross-legged. Getting in tune with the present moment and breathing. I like reflecting on the verse, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Call Out to God: At this part of the prayer, I just like focusing on how amazing the Creator is and putting aside my ego and selfishness to clear out a space for prayer and connecting to God.

Intention: Why are you calling out God? What is your purpose for connecting on a spiritual level?

Gratitude: What are the incredible things that you have at present? What are you thankful for having? Reflect on the limitless grace that God always continues to bring to us.

Courage: What are areas in your life that you would like to lean on God's courage? There is usually a situation, action or a talk that needs to be had in your circumstance. Where do you wish God could give you strength in ?

Final step: Prayers and Blessings Who needs blessings? What circumstances in your life need prayer?

This morning, I've started working on my sacred space. I lit my cassia candle, turned on a good song on my iPhone (I heart Stevie Wonder!), and put on some nice aromatic lotion on. My sacred space also had a cross and my vision board. I sat on a comfortable pillow so cross-legged seated would be delightful. It was definately a nice way to feel more grounded and centered. I also think it is a nice way to start the day with intention instead of just running through the day-to-day routine.

November Highlights/December Dreams

Wow, where is 2010 going? Soon it will just be whizzing by me and everyone else.

November Reflections
Though the weather hasn't cooled down much, I do pull on my black tights and cute sweater dresses any chance I get. And, when the weather is cool, running is just so much more bearable for me.

So, here are my November Reflections!

1. More art studio/creativity time- Just like last month, I'd like to continue doing more art work. This month is Art is Everyday month. I want to visit Texas Art Supply. Go to the art studio once a week. And, perhaps, I'll host a girls' afternoon in the studio. - Made it to the studio: twice! Did Jacob's Birthday present, did a few Art is Everyday projects, and finished a couple of vision boards

2. Finish Crucial Conversations training - We are more than halfway through with the training. I think it will be nice to have a new toolkit of options when I communicate with others! - DONE! Oh goodness, I have the new skills, but let's hope I'll be able to use them when it's needed.

3. Continue my workouts with a side of spirituality- We finished boot camp and Melissa and I earned our BON Running Club shirts. I'd like to do cardio 3x times a week, yoga 2x a week, and athletic conditioning 2x a week. - Hmmm! Partly done: This month, I did yoga 4x this month, went to Brian O'Neills 4x, did spin class 5x, athletic conditioning class 5x, and a handful of sessions with Jacob and a Thanksgiving Day run/strength workout.

4. Try out Yoga Ananda studio- I bought a first timer's drop in pass, and I would like to try out their unlimited studio pass this month. I visited the studio the other day, and I love the cozy and refreshing vibe. - Yoga Ananda is an aweseome place. I tried out two classes which were very nice.

5. Plan and go on some Artist Dates- I snagged some $2 Mr. Bubble. So, I will plan on getting at least one hot bath a week. I still haven't been to a movie yet! I'd also like to hang out in a cafe and read, do some journaling, and bookstore browsing. This Saturday, I plan to go to a Vision Board class at the yoga studio. Hooray! - I did go on a few of Artist Dates (first one was a manicure, another was sipping tea at Path of Tea and hanging out in the studio with Melissa and the last one was bookstore browsing). I will definately have to schedule in a few more next month!

5. More blogging and reflecting- I am definitely in need of some morning pages this month. And, I have three blogs now. This one, one on food (http://tastelivecreate.blogspot.com), and a brand new one on arts (http://artfullyluxe.blogspot.com/). Whew! I know a little insane, but I just have so many fun projects and it's nice to finally be able to pin my ideas and thoughts down. - I worked on ten blog articles. Yay! I haven't done many morning pages, but I hope that will change this month.

6. Spiritual/ Alone Time- I have been really wanting to get some alone time and read James. I think some time at a cafe is keeps coming up in my future. We are also coming up towards the holidays and craziness. So, it is good to have some time on my own. Meditate and read scripture x1 a week. - I've been doing a better job at attending church these past few weeks. And, I do really need some cafe time to myself. I probably spent one bed day contemplating things which was not enough for me.

7. Plan and do some meaningful and fun events at my job- I have a handful of events this month, and I would like to keep the momentum going from October. Hopefully, they will all go well. - Let's see... I think things went really well at work. We had Bernard Amadei come in and I planned a couple events with his visit. He was pretty inspiring. And, the Seniors did their first fundraising event in Midtown. So, overall pretty good.

8. Work on skill development and my career- I really want to make more headway in yoga training, SEED, and Sacred Commerce. I have also made a commitment to continue looking towards my next step in my career. - I've started exploring options, but things aren't that solid yet in this area.

December Dreams

1. Simplicity - What matters most this Christmas? Family, friends, fun, and festivity. It's hard not to get carried away with the craziness. I just hope to have spent some time with people I love dearly. My cousin Sheila is very sick right now, and I hope to spend some time with her before her surgery. Please keep her in your prayers.

2. Crafty - I've scheduled in a couple of artist dates for the this month. One will be a sewing class and the other one is my truffle making class. I hope to put in some art studio and yoga studio time, too. At least yoga twice this month and art studio time twice this month as well.

3. Spiritual - I made this really neat "Creative Prayer" booklet. I'll probably blog about it in a future post. It helped me to stay centered and remember how important it is to connect with God and spirit. I'd like to create an altar space, continue going to church, and have better quality alone time in scripture, prayer or meditiation.

4. Cardio - I'd like to continue to keep up with my workouts. I really enjoy spin class and running. And, we only have three more Athletic Conditioning classes before the end of the semester. (sniff! sniff!) So, I will need to continue to stay motivated through the holidays with some creative workouts.

5. Foodie - I'm so excited about my Food Network magazine issue. I'd like to try and cook something at least once a week this month. With potlucks and parties coming up, I don't think that will be hard.

homemade holly daze

So in order to make this upcoming month more meaningful and fabulous for myself, I decided to invest in a couple of classes in December. Sometimes, when my schedule is erratic and I don't have a good routine, the holidays can make me a bit sad. Plus, the craziness with dealing with stores, too many parties, and ridiculous antics, can also put me in a mood. For the holly daze, I'm going homemade just because I love to be crafty.

The first class I signed up for is the Truffles, Truffles, Truffles Class at Central Market. I've been going through a big cooking phase since the summer. I've gotten hooked on those cooking shows, and I've really enjoyed experimenting with new recipes. Reading Julia Child's book,"My Life in France," has also got me very inspired. So, I'll be taking a class on how to make truffles which I'm really excited about (especially since I heard making chocolate can be challenging). Plus, I'll be able to hopefully learn how to do them well enough to give them as gifts for the holidays.

The other class I have signed up for is the Quick Gifts Workshop at Sew Crafty. I haven't taken a sewing class in years, and I'm excited to get over to the studio and give it a whirl. I am hoping that I get inspired with some ideas for holiday gifts for family and friends.

Plus I think the classes will help me stay a little motivated to keep up with my creativity throughout the holidays, and it will also be a way for me to provide more homemade and meaningful gifts in the coming weeks.

vision: change-dream-journaling-rest-travel

What is it about vision boards that I love so much? I think it's the time that we take to let our minds wander, to be playful, and to dream. A couple weekends ago I was able to check out a vision board workshop at Yoga Ananda, and it was so fun. It was a great way to get together with a few like-minded women, talk, dig through magazines, cool paper, and just be arty. Plus, there was some awesome hot tea to sip on while we were creating. The leader of the group says that a girlfriend of hers hosts a party similar to this towards the end of the year. So, people can start looking forward to their goals and dreams and get re-focused.

I would like to host a similar thing sometime in the coming weeks. It just sounds a lot more meaningful than the typical holiday gatherings. I need to display my vision board somewhere that I can see it more often to help me be surrounded with more encouragement and wishes.

The biggest themes I noticed in this most recent one were:

"Change" - I am so ready for a change, and I often struggle with what that honestly means in my life. I need to start with little dips in the pond so I can eventually just take a big plunge!

"Dream" - I also need to continue working towards my dreams: my art, my continued search for culinary adventure, my passion for health and exercise, and a peaceful/happy life.

"Journaling" - I honestly feel that journaling is essential to my sanity and balance. There are always these fleeting thoughts that collect and if I don't do my morning pages things seem to float up when I'm supposed to be present in my daily activities.

"Rest" - In order to be in tune with what we dream about, we have to always carve out that space. Thanks to my candlelit sessions in a bubble bath, a walk with a good friend, or even sipping a cup of hot tea can be considered rest. I woke up with a very, very sore neck this week, and I had to give my body the rest and care it craved. I also thought that if I had just scheduled in the monthly massage or more rest, I wouldn't have put myself in such a situation.

"Travel" - I am getting that travel bug again. It's been too long since my summer trip, and I really want to go to Paris, France. I have a map of Paris on my bulletin board and reading Julia Child's autobiography is very enticing and inspiring. Oh la la!

November Dreams

November Dreams
I love the cooler weather. I think it always inspires a new change in me: cute socks, fun boots, and sassy cold weather clothes. Running outside is much more bearable. And, there is a certain coziness that you look forward to when you come home on a cold day.

So, here are my November Dreams!

1. More art studio/creativity time- Just like last month, I'd like to continue doing more art work. This month is Art is Everyday month. I want to visit Texas Art Supply. Go to the art studio once a week. And, perhaps, I'll host a girls' afternoon in the studio.

2. Finish Crucial Conversations training - We are more than halfway through with the training. I think it will be nice to have a new toolkit of options when I communicate with others!

3. Continue my workouts with a side of spirituality- We finished boot camp and Melissa and I earned our BON Running Club shirts. I'd like to do cardio 3x times a week, yoga 2x a week, and athletic conditioning 2x a week.

4. Try out Yoga Ananda studio- I bought a first timer's drop in pass, and I would like to try out their unlimited studio pass this month. I visited the studio the other day, and I love the cozy and refreshing vibe.

5. Plan and go on some Artist Dates- I snagged some $2 Mr. Bubble. So, I will plan on getting at least one hot bath a week. I still haven't been to a movie yet! I'd also like to hang out in a cafe and read, do some journaling, and bookstore browsing. This Saturday, I plan to go to a Vision Board class at the yoga studio. Hooray!

5. More blogging and reflecting- I am definitely in need of some morning pages this month. And, I have three blogs now. This one, one on food (http://tastelivecreate.blogspot.com), and a brand new one on arts (http://artfullyluxe.blogspot.com/). Whew! I know a little insane, but I just have so many fun projects and it's nice to finally be able to pin my ideas and thoughts down.

6. Spiritual/ Alone Time- I have been really wanting to get some alone time and read James. I think some time at a cafe is keeps coming up in my future. We are also coming up towards the holidays and craziness. So, it is good to have some time on my own. Meditate and read scripture x1 a week.

7. Plan and do some meaningful and fun events at my job- I have a handful of events this month, and I would like to keep the momentum going from October. Hopefully, they will all go well.

8. Work on skill development and my career- I really want to make more headway in yoga training, SEED, and Sacred Commerce. I have also made a commitment to continue looking towards my next step in my career.

Treating Myself

So, in Artist's Way, my first assignment in this week's chapter was to create a sign which stated, "Treating myself like a precious object with make me stronger." I think this is an interesting statement because I think many people are eager to treat others nicely and often neglect to nurture themselves. Another assignment was to buy something nice for yourself. I believe the theory behind treating yourself nicely is that it will create an attractive force for others to treat you nice as well.

What are the things that you do to treat yourself well?

1. After making our 10 run goal at BON, I purchased a new sports bra and a pair of Lululemon shorts. The purchase didn't come cheap, but it was nice to delay my gratification and work towards a personal goal.

2. My $2 bottle of Mr. Bubble is a luxury. It is so nice to sit in a warm bath, and it doesn't even take much to be content in this activity. Play your iPhone, burn a candle, and bring in a nice cold beverage. Ahhh!

3. Go for a walk. Sometimes we get worked up about sitting at a desk all day. It's just nice to meander around campus and people watch for a bit.

4. Bookstore browsing - Lately, I've been reading magazines at the bookstore. I love flipping through artsy projects and reading up on fitness ideas. So fun!

5. Get a massage! Especially if you've been running and spinning or you've been stressed out on the job, this is a great luxury to have. Having a professional work out the kinks in your body is a great way to relax.

6. Buy some fresh flowers. I just love the way a vase of flowers can make a room fun, colorful, and bright.

7. Get dressed up and see a show. Invite some friends and buy some tickets to the symphony. It is so nice to get in a cocktail dress, have some wine, and then watch a show.

8. Find something nice to relax in. Sometimes just a pair of comfy pajama pants or a new pair of bed sheets is all you really need. With stores like Ross and TJ Maxx, it's not even that expensive to indulge in this luxury.

9. Cute boots and tights! With the fall weather here, it is nice to dress up in new things and try out cute winter clothes.

10. Read a book! It is nice to curl up in bed and just stay in and read. This is a great way to treat yourself- just stay in bed, have some tea nearby, and read in bed for a couple of hours!

Pleasure in Planning

There is something special about opening up a blank page in my planner pad. After browsing through a craft magazine, I was inspired to follow suit and recycle some old paper and cardstock. For the month of October, I had cut out some fun paper: some from an upcoming wedding invitation, old stationary, and fancy paper that my friend Esther Seo gave me from her old graphic design job. Instead of looking at your life as a bunch of to-dos, I was able to lay out some colored paper on days that I was looking forward to. It's an inspirational way to take into account your plans for the upcoming month.

October Highlights

So, I never did pen down my october goals until a few days ago. heheheh

My monthly goals with comments as follows:

1. More art studio time- As you may have read in a previous post, I made a couple of pieces of art for two friends. One watercolor painting went towards Rica's fundraising for Team in Training and another mixed media painting for my roommate and good friend Jennifer. What was remarkable about it was I had a pretty work schedule, but I found the value in taking time for my art and knowing how much it re-energizes me.

2. Read Seed/ Sacred Commerce/ Crucial Conversations- I've done a couple of sessions of Crucial Conversations training through work. Unfortunately, I have read just a few pages of Sacred Commerce and no pages on Seed.

3. Run Monster Mash, go to Total Athletic Conditioning Classes and Brian O'Neills Running Club- I have been doing well on the fitness side of things this month. Thus far, I have tried out Lululemon's boot camp, have achieved 8 runs towards my goal of 10 runs at the BON running club, and I have made some positive improvements at the Athletic Conditioning Class at the Rice Rec Center. I plan on running the Halloween running hosted by Lululemon on Wednesday. I plan on dressing up as Minnie Mouse if I can find my tail and ears. ;)

4. Plan and go on some Artist Dates- Now that I have some epsom salts and a cassia candle, I plan on getting in more hot baths. Most of my artist dates have been bookstore browsing and taking some time to create in the studio. Since it's a Monday and I'm off, I think a $4 matinee is in my very near future. There is something luxurious about going to movie by yourself.

5. More blogging and reflecting- I've done four blog entries on this blog and my other blog at http://tastelivecreate.blogspot.com/. I want to say I've done a few morning pages, but this could definitely be an area for more growth.

6. Spiritual/ Alone Time- Being cranky and anxious are definite indicators that I need some alone time just to clear my head and rediscover what I want out of life. Thus the much needed four day weekend that I am enjoying right now.

7. Plan and do some meaningful and fun events at my job- Success! I had a great homecoming weekend of events. We did a great beer tasting with the founder of St. Arnold's Brewery. I launched a frequent flyer card program for attendees which earned them a Young Alumni Beer Mug if they attended three events. I also had a great caterer who did a couple of my events. Thanks Frankie Mandola! I heard a lot of positive feedback from the crazy six events in three days. I am so proud of my volunteers and colleagues for pitching in and making it a great success.

8. Work on skill development and my career- I am working on Crucial Conversations training and I have signed up for a Student/Young Alumni Programs training in Austin for December. I really want to make more headway in yoga training, SEED, and Sacred Commerce. I have also made a commitment to continue looking towards my next step in my career.

How do you continue to manage your time? Are you familiar with Laura Vanderkam's 168 Hours concept? For a couple of weeks, I tracked my time. It will be interesting to take into account how I spent my time. The key things that inspired me were that we all have the same amount of time, what do we find as our priorities, and does our time reflect on those values. I will create a future blog posting on this in the coming weeks.

Weekend in the Country

Jacob and I joined our friends for a much needed long weekend. Both of us have been pretty busy with work, and we were able to get some rest from the craziness of the city. After packing up our bags and snacks (banh mi sandwiches and coconut water), we headed out for Flatonia, Shiner and Moulton. We were in town for Flatonia's annual Czhilispiel Festival which is when the town gets together for live music, carnival rides, games, fried foods, and a chili and bbq cook-off.

Our first stop on our adventure was Shiner, Texas. We stopped at the Spoetzel Brewery where they make Shiner Bock. I likened the experience to the time I was riding on a tour bus in the Tuscan countryside where we found the quaint little city that made Monelpuciano d'Abruzzo. We unfortunately missed the tour of the facilities, but we were given four tokens so we could sample various brews: Black, 101, Bock, Cheer, and Blonde. Mmmm! It was a nice reward for our 2 hour drive to the country. It was nice catching up with our friends under a large oak tree while we felt the nice breeze and sipped on our brews. Ahhh!

Afterwards, we explored downtown Shiner. We checked out Antiques, Art, and Beer which had an interesting melange of "country" items like koozies in sequins or camo, wind chimes, and jewelry made out of bottle caps. We all imbibed in another drink at their bar which had a very extensive collection of beer. I decided to try out the Shiner Oktoberfest.

Since our bellies were full of beer, we decided to get an early dinner at the Shiner Restaurant and Bar. Jacob filled the jukebox up with some good tunes ranging from Willy Nelson, ZZ Top, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, and Journey. We tasted some refreshingly sweet sangria, and enjoyed our gastropub fare. We really enjoyed trying Alex's sandwich which is titled The Best Sandwich in the World on the menu. It is a blt with a chicken fried steak place in between three pieces of bread with white gravy. Jacob and I shared the bacon and cheese stuffed avocados and had the shrimp penno with pecan pesto. We were impressed by the adventurous menu.

Afterwards, we drove into Moulton to check into our accomodations at The Rehmet Bed and Breakfast owned by Cindy McIntosh, the Mayor of Moulton! We stayed in the Century Oaks Suite, and the best thing about this room was the bathtub. The bathroom was bigger than my kitchen back home. As you may already know, I am a big fan of baths. So, Jacob and I came prepared. We brought a cassia candle, epsom salts, bath fizzy, mint mask, and exfoliating cream. I think I ended up taking FOUR baths this past weekend. It was so refreshing and relaxing.

The next morning we decided to do a little workout to help balance out our countryside drinking/eating fest from the day before. We decided to go for a run and explore the neighborhood- we ran up a very long gravel driveway taking in some beautiful wildflowers, cactus, cows and a rising sun. Then we ran up and down some various streets. The houses reminded me of the old cottage homes that still exist in the Old Sixth Ward of Houston. We ended our workout with sit-ups, push-ups and planks. Yeah, we're hard core.

Cindy and Mac served us breakfast in their dining room. It was probably one of the nicest breakfasts I've had in a long time. Time for breakfast is such a luxury, and Cindy does a great job. And, I loved all the details she put into our meal: beautiful place settings with gold-colored chargers, dainty clear and green napkin rings, green glasses with coordinating glass coasters, and classical music playing in the background. We ate fruit, egg and sausage casserole, apple dessert, and toast. It was a good start to our day.

While Jacob did some work (the work of a teacher is endless) on the porch, I played some chess, read, and enjoyed a bath. I sat on the porch working on a drawing of the Pearl Beer sign. The warehouse across the street from the B&B used to serve as a storage unit for the Pearl Brewery. We spend a little bit of time catching the end of the UT/Iowa State game. (boo!) Then headed to the festival in Flatonia.

We took a walk around to check things out, and traded in our currency for beer and food tokens. We were fascinated by the egg toss. Just a contest where two people toss a raw egg between each other as they further their distance after each try. Yeah, this is the country. I loved it. We caught up with our friend Yushan who was sampling one of the fair's shrimp poboys. We decided to take some silly pictures on top of a giant chili pepper and watched Jacob win a stuffed monkey at the balloon pop booth. We enjoyed live polk music and some cheap beers with funnel cake under the beer tent.

I volunteered to be a chili judge which was an interesting experience. They take judging very seriously! No making faces, no commenting about the chilis, and no sunglasses are allowed. We were asked to judge from a scale of 1-10 on five criteria: red color, aroma, taste, after taste and consistency. Unfortunately, I didn't give any of the 11 samples a 10, but I did get pretty full on some free chili. They even had beer, crackers and cheese, and encouraged us to clear our palettes with the brew. LOL.

After chili judging, Jacob and I nerded out and played chess then went for a walk. Alas, we were full of beer and food again. We took some more silly pictures with our friends. Afterwards, we decided to hang out at the Hackeberry House for a while. We watched the ending of the OU/Mizzou game. Hooray for the Mizzou wine! While the rest of the crew went back to Flatonia, we turned in early. If you had an awesome bathtub in your room, you wouldn't want to stay out late either. heheheh

The next morning, we had breakfast again with Cindy and Mac and we checked out. We caught up with our friends for a bit, and headed back on the I-10. It was a super weekend! And, it was nice to slow down the pace a bit and just enjoy some time with friends. If you have the chance, you should plan a road trip some time and get in some much needed downtime, too.

Celebrate::Love

Above is my latest creation from the art studio. Today is my roommate Jennifer's birthday. And, I wanted to make her a piece of art for her birthday which was inspiring, beautiful, and fun. Hopefully, the artwork will add a little happiness to her day. Even though I had a really busy week (I had two meetings and managed 6 special events), I managed to squeeze out a few creative sessions in my art studio and do a bit of creative browsing at the bookstore. I don't consider time in the studio as hard work. I look at it as "me time." Time where I look for creative ideas from other artists, revisit old pieces of art work or images I have collected, and pull together something new and beautiful. It is also a time for me to feel re-energized, rested, and renewed. I get to put aside my work grind and just be present in something fun.

I found the above picture during my bookstore browsing last week! The magazine Somerset Workshop Magazine has some really great ideas, and they even have step-by-step explanations for how to do their projects. The magazine issue focused on creative lettering, fabric art, old paper and brushes. The above photo used old sheet music as the background for the artwork and used antique paper for the dress. It got my mind jogging, and it reminded me of a project I did last fall for my 2D class at the Glassell.

I had an old class assignment where my teacher told us to take some rubbings of various textures and layer them to recreate a photo from a magazine. I decided to use my textured rubbings to create a woman's dress. My classmate and instructor liked the idea I used. I decided to combine the ideas from the magazine and my class to create Jennifer's artwork.

Lately, I love using words in my artwork and the words "celebrate" and "love" came to mind. In Ecclesia, we have been going through James in the Bible. James is a very humbling chapter because it talks about how we are to live in relationship and community. And so even though being in the studio is my "me time," I was inspired to use my artwork as a way to connect and share with others. I think ultimately that's why God creates in us gifts. Yeah, it's great to see what you are able to do with God's help, but ultimately, how will you share and seek others out?

I think it gives more intention to my artwork when I think about giving it to others. Perhaps I wouldn't be inspired to do a good job or have the motivation to create if it was all about myself. Are there talents and gifts that you are hiding? Do you ever think how your gifts could really affect others? It's an interesting thing to think about and I hope this post helps you celebrate love and seek out others more bringing the gifts that are already present in your life.

Monthly Musings & Hooray for Fall!

Goodness! The weather is getting cooler and crisper like a delicious salad. (heheheh) Have you been able to enjoy the temperatures and take a look outside? Above are my photos from the decadent and peaceful women's retreat I went to a couple of weekends ago. Cat Spring is always so beautiful. The downtime was much, much needed and refreshing. A few of my workouts have been outside too. Thanks to Lululemon, Jacob and I were able to do a bootcamp in this lovely weather.

So, I am here to check in with my monthly musings and reflections. Hmmm... let's see. In my next post, I will place my October Dreams. Oooh la la!

September Dreams Reflection

* Continue working in the art studio creating, scheming, planning potential small business ideas and research: Sad to say, but I have not really fulfilled this goal this past month. I checked into my art studio ONCE this past month. And, I have not really done much planning and scheming. BUT... two good things have come out of this. I am working with my friend Kathy to do an Artist's Way book club with craft AND I led a couple of yoga sessions. I did get some very positive feedback on these two projects. Must create manageable goals for this month. sigh.... Be patient and continue moving.

* Lots of reading, reading, and reading: all about connecting to compassion, love and spirit. Crucial Conversations, Sacred Commerce and Artist's Way I am about four chapters into "Crucial Conversations". And, Lauren and I will be taking the Crucial Conversations training (for FREE!) at our work starting this month. I am a little nervous about it, but I do recognize that communicating when the stakes are high is a crucial skill any professional must hone. "Sacred Commerce" is a very inspiring read. I am about halfway done with the book, and it speaks about enlightenment in the work place. I would like to delve into more reviews this month. "Artist's Way" is moving along. It is always an inspiring read. And, coincidentally, I found an article by the author Julia Cameron in this month's SELF magazine. Plus, I will be doing a book club soon! So excited!

* Women's Community - exercising, yoga, sharing, connecting with other women (book club, retreat) I really got to indulge in this. Super kudos. I have been doing the Athletic Conditioning classes, checking out free classes at Lululemon, and running with Brian O'Neills. I am trying to earn my 10 runs to get my free shirt from BON. I have five more to go. I have two lady workout partners, my co-worker Lauren and my friend Melissa. Yoga at the retreat was awesome. I am inspired to continue looking into yoga training because it has been quite enjoyable. Meeting with women at the retreat was energizing, and I look forward to the Artist's Way.

* Artist Dates - ideas and schedule in the time (Art! Foodie Trips! Movies! Museums!) One evening in the studio, watched the delightful chick flick "Eat, Pray, Love" (such a cute movie), took a walk to see the D-17 installation art at the Rice Art Gallery, spent a couple of sessions flipping through magazines in the book store (I can spend hours doing that!), did a little bit of doodling from walking through the Menil, and went to the Texas Art Supply and bought a new journal. It's bright canary yellow.

* Continue blogging and reflecting (4 articles : food, spirit, and art) WOW! I really did well for this goal! I made 11 blog posts. Four on my food blog at http://tastelivecreate.blogspot.com/ and seven on this blog. Writing and sharing is such a fun way for me to share my stories and experiences.

* Meaningful events and programs planned and created inspired with doses of community and energy I am continuing to grow in this way. We SOLD OUT of our block of tickets twice at the Rice/ UT game. I think we also had fun at the fabulous and swanky lounge, Lucky Strike, for our young alumni and athletics event. It was a little challenging to get people to come, but in the end, I thought it was a nice event. We are rolling out a series of events for homecoming. We'll be trying out this frequent flyer card which will be really cute. If you attend three parties, you get a beer glass. I will have to eat my Wheaties that week!

* Financial Goals - fall planning and decluttering Now that I have paid off my car, I would like to focus on continuing to save. Two goals are to follow a budget and get $1000 in my emergency savings.

* Further development - cooking, french, art, and gmat Cooking has been good. I have been working through a couple of Jamie Oliver recipes on our date nights. But, as far as French, art, and gmat, I would say I lacked in growth in these areas. Should be more specific and manageable on my goals in this development bit.

* Get spiritual - Continue morning pages (2x a week) and 5 artist date trips I feel like my morning pages are one of the most consistent things about me. I do start to feel like I am missing something if I DON'T write them. I feel like it is synchronous with the "clearing" concept in Sacred Commerce. We can't be present and compassionate in our experiences if we are holding onto deep pain and distractions. From my mention about, I did do 7 artist date trips. Plus, I have been reconnecting with church this past month: 3 visits on Sundays, the retreat, meeting up with a couple of people from church, and volunteering a little bit.

* Career - find good ideas, trends, and keep things fresh Again, I must have more specific goals in this area. I was really inspired by Stephanie Bradshaw in August. She had some great tips for keeping things fresh and innovative. I feel like my work needs to continue to be creative and new. I like her work- http://www.fashionforthehome.com/

"Sacred Commerce": Business as a Path of Awakening

I have started reading a book called "Sacred Commerce" after hearing the authors Matthew and Terces Englehart in an interview. I was really captured by their positive and compassionate perspectives especially when it came down to their work. They are very motivated by love and have written a book which challenges our thoughts on business.

They base their business on four standards, PASS.

P= profit=love of enterprise

A= awakening=love of transformation

S= sustainable=love of Earth or the whole

S= service=love of community

I was also captured by their clearing process. Clearing in the text is defined as "a basic technique for distinguishing how the past is impacting the present and then presenting an opportunity to create something new and shift one's attention to something more empowering." Clearing is used in their business Cafe Gratitude, and it works on investing in the employees. They spend time communicating with each other in order to have workers who can be more present, feel part of a community which listens, and ultimately feel empowered.

The keys to clearing are to be present, listen, and create something new. You begin by asking the person, "What are you present to?" Then, you listen! Don't fix. Just listen. You may want to reassure them by that you are listening by re-telling back to them what the person said. Don't come up with solutions. Just sit there and listen. Finally, shift the experience by asking them something new. For example, "What are you grateful for?"You end the clearing session by acknowledging the person for being honest.

Most recently, I have read another chapter on "The Art of Sacred Service." The author recounts a time he had a dream that he was asked by Jesus to serve at The Last Supper. Coincidentally, this was at a time when he was stuck in a rut and tired of of serving people day after day. He wondered when people were going to serve him.

But, when presented with the opportunity to serve, the author realized that "the highest calling and the mark of a true leader [is] to be the servant of all." So when employees are cleared from their personal crisis and emotions, they are able to serve in their jobs better. They can pay attention to their clients and be present. The present is the only place people can take action, and service is an expression of love.

Wow! It's hard to think about work in that way sometimes, especially when people feel bogged down with drama, dysfunction, and stress. Can you imagine what it would be like if you and your colleagues that of themselves as servants who were extensions of love? How do you convert your negative feelings (overwhelming obligations, being stuck, or feeling unappreciated) into feelings of love? How can we start to think about our workplace as opportunities to present love to others?

Fall Fitness Goals

Last week, my colleague took me to her lunch time athletic conditioning class. It is really fun to have a mid-day break and be physically challenged. Our trainer asked us to create a list of goals for ourselves. Something we can focus on as to why we are going to her class, and hopefully what we want to get out of coming. So, I gave it a little bit of thought and decided to have some creative fun with it. So, I decided to make a tiny accordian book on my goals and went a little crazy gluing fun paper on some leftover cards.

I decided on five fitness goals:

1. Be challenged: I often fall into doing the same old thing, and my body gets bored. With all the burpees, push-ups, intervals, and sprints, I know that my body is having to move in new ways. Sore muscles the next morning also show that my body is being challenged in a variety of exercises.

2. Have a positive way to manage stress: I think this is very key. Sometimes we harbor a lot of resentment, frustration, and worry. I think working out on a regular basis puts our minds at ease and takes the edge off of our concerns. It definitely puts me in a better mood to face life's challenges.

3. Have a stronger core: I know that I have made improvements in this area in the past, but I'd like to get stronger abdomimal muscles. Anything that will challenge this part of my body is definitely a good thing. Plus, it makes swimsuit season more enjoyable.

4. Have a stronger upper body: We have been doing so many different kinds of push-ups. And, since I am in my thrities, I know it is important to start strength training and building muscle because women begin to lose muscle mass at my age. I also think it will be nice to have toned arms when I wear sleevless tops.

5. Have fun! It is so much fun discovering how much stronger and energetic I can be. Working out with a group of good-natured women all striving to stay fit and have little fun is very motivating. If your workouts aren't fun, there is no way you can sustain the discipline to do them. So, I hope these workouts help me feel good.

Gearing up for the Fall

So the fall weather hasn't really caught up down here in Texas, but as I wait for cooler temperatures, I am anticipating upcoming frivolity, resting and connecting at our church's annual women's retreat.

I am looking forward to:

1. Solo road tripping: So technically this isn't a very long drive from the inner loop, but I like loading up podcasts and songs on my radio and driving down I-10. Here are a couple of my favorite podcasts: tranquility du jour and working class foodies.

2. Yoga: I'll get to share my yoga practice with others. I'm excited that we'll be carving out time to go into downward dog, practice grounding exercises and work on our breathing. It should be fun to do yoga in the morning instead of having the rushed pace of getting ready for work this weekend.

3. Connecting with Like-Minded Women: I am always amazed by the women that I meet at this retreat. A few of the retreaters are ladies I still hang out with on a regular basis. A lot of them have done some really inspiring things (trained for the MS 150, gone on the grad school, creatively inclined) and are very humble, grounded people. I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people. I heard once that you should always be aware of the new people you meet in your life. It is often a sign of inspiration and fresh new perspectives that God wants to give you in your life.

4. Nature: With weather permitting, it will be nice to have a change of scenery. It is nice to get out of the city and actually see the night sky. I also enjoy just sitting and resting outside on the grass with a good book or catching up with an old friend. I also look forward to lacing up my sneakers and running down a country road. Very, very energizing - and sure as heck, beats running on a treadmill.

5. Delicious Food: Unlike a lot of cafeterias, the food at this retreat center is always so delicious. Retreats should have wholesome, good-tasting foods. It's a must while you work on feeding your soul and body.

6. Most importantly retreating = resting: I like how retreats get you out of your usual zone of work, home, and social life. Changing environments and mixing up the people you normally hang out with are crucial steps when you are ready to do some thinking. You may find a new idea or you may get the nap you were begging for this whole week. You can relax without worrying about the chores that have to get done or the social outing you want to cram into your weekend. Stepping out of our environment helps us get a deeper connection to God and our true authentic selves.

Cardio! Cardio! Cardio!

One of the quotes on Lululemon's manifesto is "SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin." I firmly believe that exercise should be a daily thing. Sometimes it can't be daily, but I try to get at least 3-5 sweat sessions in. This fall I have been transitioning back to doing more intense workouts, and I am happy to say that I have logged in about 14 workouts thus far in September. Not bad for being the 20th day of the month.

September Highlights
1. Make it a workout date. Sometimes the only quality time that my beau and I have during the work week is fitting in a workout. We've tried out spinning, running around campus, lifting weights at home, and swimming at the gym. I think it's good because we get to see each other and vent out our frustrations through a workout.

2. Checking out events at Lululemon and Yoga One: I enjoy stopping by Lululemon and the studio at Yoga One to see what they have to offer. Many times Lululemon has free events you can check out during the week. I've tried out capoeira, a margarita fun run, yoga, and muscle strengthening. Yoga One has great teachers, and they often have specific workshops you can try out for belly dancing, yoga for athletes, or yoga with a dj - just to name a few.

3. Schedule in a mid-day workout or a mini 15 minute break. I've read somewhere that the biggest opportunity for people to push your buttons can be at the office. If you are fortunate enough to have a gym at work, try it out. Get a colleague with you and try a group fitness class, jump on a treadmill or lift some weights. Sometimes that mid-day workout just helps ease tension and give you the energy you need to face the rest of your day.

4. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Don't forget to use your water bottle. Take with you on your workouts especially during spin class or athletic conditioning. Water will help you avoid cramps and flush out toxins in your body. Plus, it makes your skin look great.

5. Food - protein, nuts, fruits and veggies! I try to know myself. I don't like eating or drinking too much before a strenuous workout. It is however important to put protein back into your system post workout. I've also noticed the more I workout, the more in tune I am to my body's needs. I am less likely to eat over-sized portions, and I don't feel bad if I have a beer on occasion. I think honing in on what foods are tasty and rewarding yourself along the way is crucial.

Reflections from Free Day of Yoga

Last Labor Day was the official free day of yoga. Jacob and I decided to check out the free class at YogaOne Studio in midtown. This was our first time to try forrest yoga, so I dug up a little bit of information on what it was. According to the Forrest Yoga website:

"The pillars of Forrest Yoga are Breath, Strength, Integrity and Spirit. Our mission is to create in each of us a sense of freedom, a connection to our spirit and the courage to walk as our spirit dictates; thus, doing our part in "Mending the Hoop of the People". Forrest Yoga will teach you to Go Deeper, find your Truth and encourage you to take these gifts you have earned Beyond the Mat into the rest of your life."

For many people unfamilar to yoga, the philosophies of yoga can seem a bit new age, goofy, or maybe even granola. Don't let the smooth taste fool you. Practicing authentic yoga takes a lot of dedication, time, and patience. And, like a lot of experiences in life, yoga is what you make of it.

Intention: In our crazy, hyped-up worlds filled with so much stuff coming at us, it is often hard to find focus. We are fulled in so many different directions. The beautiful thing about yoga is starting off with an intention - a meaningful reason for taking the time to go to your mat. Is there something that has been bothering you? Release your concerns on the mat and let go. Is there a blessing you would like to send forth into the world? Let your hope for a good day and new experiences be your focus for your practice.

Breathing: Once you've set an intention, your breathe-work is what will push you through your yoga practice. Deep breathes have a way of moving us away from fight or flight reactions. Breathing can slow down your thoughts, heartrate, and clear your mind. When you are trying to stand in a challenging pose or trying to rest in savasana, breathing can put your mind into focus and help you work through difficulties. I sometimes think of breathing as that awkwardness that we go through during lifes' transitions and challenges.

Stretching: There is a lot of stretching involved in yoga. Your aim in yoga is to have flexibility and space in your limbs, chest, back, and ultimately in your heart and mind. Partnering with your breath can help lengthen the tight spots in your body as you stretch. The stretchs should never be painful, but it should have a dose of challenge in the pose.

Strengthening: As you continue trying out new sequences and poses, you will be amazed at how strong and confident your body can become. You'll start to find stability in your legs as you do a tree pose. And, you'll start to feel strength in core as you slowly move your legs up for a headstand. With patience and time, you can really see your body grow and change.

Prayer: The purpose of yoga has always been for us to relax our bodies and minds in order for us to pray and meditate. Running off after doing all the hard physical sequences and not doing your savasana/resting pose completely defeats that purpose. Your body is stretched and challenged and your ending prayer and meditation in resting pose is where you reap all the benefits of your practice. Sometimes, your mind will be racing around like a monkey. It will be difficult to let your mind stay clear. But, kindly and gently always try to re-focus and let go during your meditation. With humble beginnings, you will eventually start to build more compassion and patience for yourself and ultimately for others and for God.

Beyond the Mat: I honestly believe that having a regular yoga practice can work wonders in your life outside of the studio. When you're in a long meeting, you can practice doing long deep breathes. While your waiting in line at the grocery store, slow down your focus and stand on one foot. Your mind will also be more relaxed and focused when facing difficulty. When you are having a rough day, maybe you'll consider pampering yourself and doing a yoga sequence, journaling, meditating and a hot bath.

We all need that time for ourselves. Yoga can be an long hour or yoga can also be a few deep breathes. Yoga is about resting, stretching, and balancing not only in body and spirit, but in our lives.

Longing to Bloom

Sometimes I feel like my growth is not moving at the pace I want it to, and it can be so, so frustrating at times. You are hoping for signs, indicators - anything to show you that you are on the right path. Sometimes it can be emotionally frustrating during the waiting period, but these pauses are so crucial in your time of maturation.

I have to take a deep breathe and remember to be nice to myself. I have to reflect on:

Surrendering- Give up on my ideas and plans, especially the unrealistic ones where I am moving at lightening pace and am perfect. I must also learn to surrender my selfish ideas of where I should be. Let it go. So there is space to grow and expand in the way I was meant to.

Trusting- I have to trust and belief in the divine nature of life. I am not isolated in my problems, but I must trust that with my support system of people I am a part of that I will grow, mature, and change. When I'm not fighting the diving plan, it's when I honestly believe that God is there working in me, building patience, and confidence in me.

Accepting- I must be able to honestly look at my skills and weaknesses. Use whatever I have and accept that it is enough in life. I must accept that whatever my day's challenge is - is good enough and perhaps more than enough for me to handle.

and

Receiving- And, ultimately, I must be open to receiving. Once the space in my heart is more open, I have to realize that life has more possibilities. That I don't need to go at anything alone. Many people go through frustrating growth patterns, and others out there are willing to help and give, as well.

I honestly wish I knew what my next step in life will be. The frustration on not knowing where to go and not know sure of my path can be a mixed bag: exciting because you know that there is something around the corner and yet heartbreaking when you feel like you aren't making traction.

I long to bloom and grow. My mind is filled with so many ideas and things that I could be doing. I am hoping that one comes up to the surface and I get the confidence to dive in. And, I know I am at a holding pattern where I don't see the growth. I continue to focus on: surrender, trust, accept and receive.

Labor Day Weekend - reflecting and dreaming

 

I enjoyed a decadent and relaxing four day weekend here at home recently. Labor Day marks the end of summer (despite the warmish, light days still lingering in September). The above photo is a reminder of the sweet memories of the free pool

August Dreams Reflection
* as a I return to my work, I hope I put in the creativity and energy I need to do well in my transition time. Done! - I started incorporation walks around campus, working out of the cafe just to have a change in scenery, slowed down my pace in order to have more meaningful contact and projects instead of doing a harried and rushed high volume of tasks, and have focused more on intention and purpose.

* may my heart be open to new opportunities - teaching, cooking, yoga, running, and any sort of challenge, luxury, and rest Done! - I have moved my art supplies into a studio, done some sketching in the museum of fine arts, done yoga at the museum, lulu, and yoga one, started running at the BON Club, did the hot undies run, and fought in a 100 gallons of chocolate pudding!


* searching for a spiritual and lifestyle mentor In progress! Met Kim Wilson (author, entrepreneur and yogi) about starting my small business and other small business owners to get their ideas for inspiration.

* crafting a creative and spiritual community In progress! Started going back to services on Sunday, listen to inspiring podcasts, morning page reflecting, and reading. Also, I will be involved with the women's group at my church this fall.

* continuing Artist's Way and doing more small business research for my creative talents In progress! Slowly but surely. I have been reading Artist's Way, Sacred Commerce, and Crucial Conversations. Very inspiring reads.

* continuing French class and sign up for art and cooking classes Not done- I have to research some ideas and see where the best place is to invest time and money in this growth area. I am thinking about a trip to New York this fall and Paris in the spring.

* start seriously studying for the GMAT - Not done! Need to plan out study dates.

* celebrate the return of my beautiful tattooed banjo-playing mathematician boyfriend and get inspired by his recent call to serve the homeless in Guatamala - Done! We have been able to spend some quality time together. And, I have enjoyed a bountiful abundance of thoughtful gifts from my beau. We enjoyed a weekend up in Dallas a few weekends ago and went to our first fall football game together.

September Dreams

* Continue working in the art studio creating, scheming, planning potential small business ideas and research

* Lots of reading, reading, and reading: all about connecting to compassion, love and spirit. Crucial Conversations, Sacred Commerce and Artist's Way

* Women's Community - exercising, yoga, sharing, connecting with other women (book club, retreat)

* Artist Dates - ideas and schedule in the time (Art! Foodie Trips! Movies! Museums!)

* Continue blogging and reflecting (4 articles : food, spirit, and art)

* Meaningful events and programs planned and created inspired with doses of community and energy

* Financial Goals - fall planning and decluttering

* Further development - cooking, french, art, and gmat

* Get spiritual - Continue morning pages (2x a day) and 5 artist date trips

* Career - find good ideas, trends, and keep things fresh

Incorporating Little Doses of Art

Very recently, I signed a lease for a little tiny space in an art studio. I've had boxes and boxes of markers, paper, glue, scissors, and random scraps of paper from museums I have visisted taking up space in my bedroom. It was starting to overflow and take over. I guess you could call it my inner artist's hope chest. We have these inner longings that we often ignore just because of life's to-do lists: work, bills, obligations, etc. And, we never get connected to what our spirit really wants from us.


When the Highlights magazine would come in the mailbox when I was in elementary school, my favorite section was the arts and crafts spread. I just loved the seasonal activities: making something out of pine cones for fall or creating a handmade Mother's Day card in the spring. I could spend hours gluing, drawing, and coloring.


As we get older, we are told to give up on those things. Perhaps it's a little antiquated to be a fan of crafts when you get older. Maybe your friends don't enjoy it or maybe you just don't have the time.


Actually, that's just a myth. Don't wait for great amounts of time anymore. Get a pencil (any old pencil) or a Sharpie and a piece of scrap paper. Better yet, have a small notepad and a pen in your bag. While you're waiting for your friend at a restaurant or have a spare 5 minutes, start doodling. Draw what you see right now. Be inspired by the photos in the fall magazines. Look at how the light hits the street after a rainy, warm Indian summer night. Have your knitting supplies sitting on your bedstand.


Little doses of art can uplift your spirit, take your mind off things, and nourish a part of you that is often neglected as adults. Art is an amazing agent in slowing things down. An art teacher told me to slow my pace down. I really didn't understand what she meant. I always created in a harried existence: print deadlines, budgets, and organizing words and images under someone else's vision. I didn't know what my style was and I had never slowed down long enough to really, really be present in what was going on around me.


How we create can really have an effect on our spirit... Is there a project you have been aching to do for months? Why do you buy so much scrapbook paper and markers? Is there an exhibit you missed because you forgot to make it a priority to go? Those are little signs that our life needs a little creativity, shape, color, design, and art.


Create now. Appreciate art now. Live in the moment now.

Summer's Simple Luxuries

 

I was inspired by a posting from Leo Babauta's "simple guide to life" article.

less tv, more reading.
less shopping, more outdoors.
less rush, more slowness.
less consuming, more creating.
less noise, more solitude.
less on future, more in present.
less junk, more real food.
less busywork, more impact.
less driving, more walking.
less work, more play.
less worry, more smiles.

I left the office very annoyed and harried because I spent an afternoon trying my best to do a project when after a couple hours of hard work... the file disappeared. And, I had to basically start all over again. Pretty lame. And, I was frustrated and pretty pissed.

I think it's easy to find luxury and simplicity when you have free time and you can do whatever you want. I think the biggest challenges in American life is to find joy in suffering, annoyances, and to-do lists. We are at work more hours than we care to admit. We spend more time with our colleagues, prepping for meetings, and staying late to finish one more thing than any other activity out there.

What I am challenging myself to learn is to take care of me, believe in spirit, find inspiration that goes beyond my own power, and to be open to receiving love and encouragement. You'll have to invest in some doses of simple luxuries throughout your day and plan for a couple of hours somewhere in your week. It's a must. If you don't devote to the basics and taking care of you, your soul, and your health, what's really left to do.

Be Inspired By Summer's Simple Luxuries
:: fresh seasonal fruit - colorful blueberries, watermelon and peaches
:: sip some sparkling water and chai tea and take your time to relax while you drink
:: yoga, yoga, yoga - nothing cures a bad mood like breathing deeply and stretching
:: swim, swim, swim - this is a classic summertime activity! find your favorite local pool and enjoy the view of the park, the families, and pure joy
:: walking in nature - you don't have to go very far to admire beautiful summer flowers. your neighbors yard or the beautiful oak trees can provide a unique calmness
:: hang out with a dog - ever watched how some dogs find anything fascinating and or so happy to be outside? it's amazing how peaceful and delightful canine companionship can be
:: curl up to a good book - in the morning instead of thinking about all the craziness you will have to face in your day, start off with some inspiring words.
:: call a good friend - sometimes getting a good friend's perspective on things can calm the nerves, be an uplifting inspiration, or just a good laugh
:: cook a meal and share it - my friends have a weekly dinner every week and it's so much fun to see what kinds of meals people come up with
:: art museums - get out of the heat and enjoy the colors and shapes found in art.

July Reflections and August Dreams

My, my, my... it is so hottt outside! It can be quite a challenge to get moving and be inspired when the air conditioning and cool soft bedsheets keep calling your name. But perhaps, we should make the best of those moments when our body is begging us and sending us vital signals to take a tall glass of iced water, eat a juicy peach from the farmer's market, and relax in bed.

While I was sick, it was very, very difficult for me to understand the concept of rest. My mind had been on overdrive for over two years and the adrenaline was overflowing through my veins. It was no wonder I was told to give up coffee for a while since I didn't need the extra boosts of over-activity.

Chaos can happen when spirit, mind, and body become opposing forces. Remember to take a step back and live your life with some thoughts, purpose, and solitude. Realign your energy so you can be an effective, brilliant person.

July Reflections
* learning that self love, confidence, growth, and self care are necessities for my spirit, mind, and health - Thanks to the 40 Days of Self Love Practice!

* finished French II at L'Alliance Francaise - I was so surprised how much fun, challenging and renewing learning a new language can be. I am so grateful that Jacob took me to Montreal and inspired me to practice one of mes langues maternalle.

* got back into running and yoga and fitness - Thanks Melissa for reaching out and asking me to join you. I don't know if I would have been as inspired to do this on my own. It was hard to give up exercise while I was recovering and suffering. But, I am grateful for the slow, slow, slow return.

* a better perspective on life - As mentioned earlier, La Dolce Vita is a state of mind. Regardless of circumstance, we all determine how happy would want to be.

* signed up for my own sacred, creative art studio space! - I love the energy in the artist's community and I am really going to enjoy carving out and developing my creative side.

* crying and crying and crying out frustration - Sometimes, you need a good cry. Sometimes, you don't have anyone to turn to but your own self. But, the next day, you wake up and start over again. Your presence, your energy, and continued pursuit of creativity and truth are sometimes all you really have in life. May you cherish it and let it soothe you.

August Dreams
* as a I return to my work, I hope I put in the creativity and energy I need to do well in my transition time.

* may my heart be open to new opportunities - teaching, cooking, yoga, running, and any sort of challenge, luxury, and rest

* searching for a spiritual and lifestyle mentor

* crafting a creative and spiritual community

* continuing Artist's Way and doing more small business research for my creative talents

* continuing French class and sign up for art and cooking classes

* start seriously studying for the GMAT

* celebrate the return of my beautiful tattooed banjo-playing mathematician boyfriend - get inspired by his recent call to serve the homeless in Guatamala

Channeling in Some Coco Chanel

As I prepare for another day to face the craziness, the beauty, and everything else in between on another scorching day in Houston. I am inspired to think about Coco Chanel. She learned how to triumph from suffering, was independent, and had style. I often wonder when I walk into some of the local watering holes around town if women my age have given up hope or just lost a sense of style. Is it supposed to be sarcastic, funny, or ironic to wear a trucker hat slightly placed at an angle on your head, with a sundress, and uggs? I just don't get it. This is not appropriate for any age.

I've started studying the fine art of style. Mostly because my job requires me to look professional and age-appropriate, but also because I wanted to wear clothes that are comfortable in my own skin. I've also learned that obtaining a nice, wearable wardrobe is about a few quality pieces and details. You can be a frugalista and a fashionista at the same time.

Another reason why I started studying good design and fashion is because of my pursuit of art. Studying the effects that line, color, and shapes have in visual expression on canvas has started seeping over into my wardrobe. There are certain things I have started to become attracted to and I started to notice pieces in my wardrobe that I had to let go. The piling of useless articles of clothing can hold you back from having the look that you want to acquire. (This can also be said about friends you find to be boring, uninspiring time-wasters. But, alas, that is another upcoming article.)

And, ultimately, fashion shouldn't be something that one worries and frets about. Look at the natural beauty of the flowers in the field. Don't you think that God invests more time in you and making you look beautiful the way He crafted you? The way we look is a natural, effortless expression of our lifestyles. You can either purposely wear your clothes or your clothes can by default be a sloppy, unkempt result of not caring any more. Sometimes being sloppy is a cry for help or not giving a damn.

On the flip side, you can tell some thought has been invested when you see a confident and comfortable woman who looks pulled together and is adorned with uniquely picked out accessories, makeup, and groomed nails. It's a sign of self love and self respect which are both signs of true contentment, joy, and happiness.

When you wake up in the morning and take the time to dress yourself. I hope you are inspired by the words of Coco, "There is a time for work. And there is a time for love. That leaves no other time." May how you represent yourself to the outside world be a true reflection of the pride you take in your work, in your passion, and in your love.

La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita is not a place. La Dolce Vita is a state of mind in which I choose to beleive and trust that God will provide for me and that I deserve. La Dolce Vita is also something that you determine to experience wherever you are in life.

If you are having trouble finding la dolce vita, sometimes you may want to consider doing the following:

- You could be a little frazzled and stressed. Take a deep breath. Count to four in and four out.

- Take a long walk. Notice the sunlight. Walk in the shade. Look at the summer flowers.

- Go to Naked and pick up a pleasant smelling bath bomb. Put on a good podcast and rest.

- Yoga. Breathe. Legs up the wall and child's pose can do wonders.

- Put on a nice sundress and sip a sangria on a deck.

- Indulge in watching a movie alone. Smuggle in your favorite childhood candy and relish in the fact that you don't have to compromise what you would like to see.

- Go to the local pool and beat the heat. Sometimes it's amusing to see how children get so entertained by sprinklers. Honor how simple pleasures can make kids laugh. Swim your laps and relax.

- Go to a cafe. Sip your favorite beverage. Get out some magazines, books, pen and paper. Create. Think. And make goals.

- Call up an encouraging friend who motivates, inspires, and can criticize from a position of unconditional love and support.

- Experience nature. Change your environment. This could be as slight as buying new bed sheets, sitting on a swing, going on a hike, or riding your bike in the park.

Accept. Bless and get going.

 

::Acceptances::
Today.
My ability to run three miles.
Being without boyfriend for another few weeks.
Returning to an ugly place.
Living here.
A fresh start.

::Blessings::
Today.
Technology -- getting to communicate to my boyfriend and the magic of an iPhone.
A few sources of inspirations - good friends, flowers, cupcakes, pesto, and people kind of enough to respect and treat me well.
Money towards my Tokyo trip fund.
Discovering truth and happiness with less stuff, less drama, and less toxic people.

::Destinations::
More running, triathlons, and pools.
A good Danish designed couch, sunshine, and a book.
Japan.
Denver - again.
Tennessee.
Here in the present.
Truth in the heart and soul.
New opportunities.
The mystery and beauty of a life unfolding.