February 2012 #1

February 2012 #2

February 2012 #3

[Instructions: Click the image of the wallpaper you'd like (only doing one size this year). A larger version will open in a new window. Place your mouse over the image, right click on your mouse, then select “Set As Background.” Voila! A great new wallpaper for your computer screen!]

PS: I even incorporated it into one of our wallpapers this month!

January 2012 #1 (Click here to see why I chose this quote)

January 2012 #2

January 2012 #3

[Instructions: Click the image of the wallpaper you'd like (only doing one size this year). A larger version will open in a new window. Place your mouse over the image, right click on your mouse, then select “Set As Background.” Voila! A great new wallpaper for your computer screen!]

[Instructions: Click the image of the wallpaper you'd like (only doing one size this year). A larger version will open in a new window. Place your mouse over the image, right click on your mouse, then select “Set As Background.” Voila! A great new wallpaper for your computer screen!]

December 2011 #1

December 2011 #2

December 2011 #3

First, I saw this video on The Today Show about two women who opened an ice cream shop in New York City and — in Rwanda. As I watched the video of the Rwandan women dancing and singing about this new ice cream shop, it took me back to my trip to Uganda 10 years ago (where we experienced similar singing and dancing, constantly, in every village we visited).  I thought to myself “Wow, Africans seriously sing and dance about every little thing.”  (I realize that this is a major generalization, but I’ve seen and experienced it enough to happily take inspiration from it.)

{I decided that I would be on the lookout
for something special (big or small)
that I could sing and dance about.}

Then, I saw this video posted today by the Happiness Project which talks about things like keeping a gratitude journal (or not) and looking for cues in everyday life that will remind you to be thankful.

At this, it really seemed like a theme for the day that was worth sharing.

So, not likely a coincidence, it looks like the rest of November will be spent contemplating celebration and gratitude. I haven’t burst into song and dance yet (though I did experience joy and gratitude when the autumn leaves fell and swirled around me on my walk this morning), but I’m keeping my eye out for an opportunity to celebrate.

On a side note: Join me this weekend for my Gratitude Flow Yoga if you’re up for a little gratitude and celebration too!

[Instructions: Click the image of the wallpaper you'd like (only doing one size this year). A larger version will open in a new window. Place your mouse over the image, right click on your mouse, then select “Set As Background.” Voila! A great new wallpaper for your computer screen!]

November 2011 #1

November 2011 #2

November 2011 #3

This weekend I tried a new (to me) Hot Power Yoga class at Atlanta Hot Yoga.  It was an hour and a half of flowing from pose to pose in lots-o-heat, with a teacher who clearly knows her stuff.  Overall, a great way to get in a good workout, burn a few calories, loosen up tight muscles, and get some balance — sorta.

As most any yoga teacher will tell you, it is actually a sign of an experienced yogi to take a break, when needed. “Regain your breath in Child’s Pose and rejoin the practice when you’re ready,” is what we tell you.  So, when I got a little light-headed about an hour in, I did just that.  (Kristen, your humble yoga wisdom is so inspiring! Um…NO.)

So, today my glutes are S-O-R-E. Well, half of them are, anyway. Since one of my highest goals in life is to find balance, the muscles screaming at me from only half of my tush have me thinking . . . How did this happen?

Here’s how:  I stopped in the middle of a fairly challenging sequence, only completing it on one side, and rested while the class did the other side.

While this might seem like a wise thing to do when feeling light-headed, my imbalanced booty tells me otherwise.  I actually felt light-headed at the BEGINNING of the first side, but — deciding that I would “push through” until the end of the sequence — I flowed on.  However, it was more challenging than I expected, so once I finished the first side, I knew I had to pause – um . . . NOW . . . or I’d be paying an unexpected visit to a neighboring yogi.

So, while at first blush, stopping seemed like the wise thing to do, it turns out it was a little late.  And now my insensitivity and arrogance are literally a pain in my butt. As I move through my day today, I’m reminded that there is a difference between pushing your edge (like holding a pose a little longer when you’re feeling tired) and ignoring important signs from within (Yo, Kristen, you’re gonna pass out, if you don’t take a moment to get your breath back on track!).

I hope this helps you move a little more mindfully, today, too. (I know I am!)

[Instructions: Click the image of the wallpaper you'd like (only doing one size this year). A larger version will open in a new window. Place your mouse over the image, right click on your mouse, then select “Set As Background.” Voila! A great new wallpaper for your computer screen!]

October 2011 #1

October 2011 #2

October 2011 #3

See Marie’s full post at: marieforleo.com/2011/09/are-you-too-old/