Gratitude Post

This post is inspired by Thanksgiving [I'm a little late...] and my friend, Alisa. She's a total badass, dealing with more than I can imagine. We're very similar and I can always learn a lot from her. She posted on GRATITUDE last week, challenging her friends at the end to make their own gratitude list.

So I'm a little late with my list, but that's because last week was crazy! I spent time with friends visiting from out of town, I spent Thanksgiving with my dad, and I've been juggling getting ready for the spring semester and starting a new job. Yikes. But here is my gratitude list!

FAMILY: I'm incredibly blessed to have such an understanding and supportive family in Idaho. My oldest brother and dad have pulled me through more muck than I like to think about it. They know me; they know I mean well. I guess that's why they're there for me when I'm being a putz. Thanks!

FRIENDS: Moving back to Idaho was scary. I didn't know what to expect. Most of my old friends have moved on and that's good! Lucky for me, I still have the most badass, down to earth girls to spend my time with. We talk, we yoga, we meditate, we look at crystals, we play the didjeridu, we drink coffee and tea and they are always there for me! Not to mention my other friends that are out of town. I love them, too :)

BOOKS: I'll admit I haven't been reading too much. I'm working through 4 books, none of which are too heavy but very enthralling. Books are something I'll always be grateful for. When my parents were getting divorced, books kept me sane. They still do. I love to read.

EARTHLY BEAUTY: I'm talking landscapes, sunsets, birds, the sky and clouds. I love driving in Idaho. It's bare. Nothing compared to the concrete and tar jungle of Orlando. Here, the sky is wide open, the fields lead to the sky, and the rivers flow through the fields. I love the colors, the sound of the wind over rocks and in the grass. I don't even care that it's getting colder, I just want to be outside, all the time!

I could list more things, but these things are what drive me right now. They might be obvious things but expressing gratitude, especially during stressful times, makes everything much more bearable. There is always something to be grateful for. I mean, we're alive :)

Thoughtful Thursday [wk.5]

This week's "Thoughtful Thursday" is being brought to you on a Friday. Why? Because I temporarily lost my mind yesterday. It was nothing serious; I was just extremely flustered and set back, and stressed out, and enduring some physical discomfort. But! I'm happy to say that this morning my achey pains have subsided, I'm chilled out, and have a weekend to look forward to!

"Tension is who you think you should be.

Relaxation is who you are."
-Chinese Proverb

Relaaaax. I need to tell myself that this week. With college deadlines hanging over my head, opening a new coffee shop, and the holidays quickly approaching I definitely need to snub the tensed little voice in the back of my head. I should listen to the calm, steady, soothing beating of my heart. That seems to be the pattern in my life: stressed/tensed thoughts but a warm, calm, relaxed heart.

It's so easy to get caught up in the constant chatter of the inner monkey-mind. But how often do we take a moment to listen to the rhythm of the heart? Probably not that often. It's silly, because we can't live without the function of the heart, and yet we disregard its role, and potential, in life so often.

I've been trying to cultivate my sense of compassion, joy, and wonder in an effort to alter my perception of and effect on the world. And guess what... It's working! I'm meeting new people who openly tell me I'm having a positive effect in their life. And I think, "Yes! Good! Because life is beautiful and should be happy. Life is so good and all it takes is taking a step back to slow down a little bit and listen to your own truth." I believe that inner truth comes from the heart; not the head or thoughts.

A relaxed disposition is far more beneficial, more fun, more illuminating than a dull, tense one. You and the people in your life will take note if there is even the slightest shift.

So, even though this week is going to be mad, you can catch me with my feet propped up, a book in hand, and enjoying a cup of hot tea.

May you be happy :)

my latest gripe

Congress has pissed me the hell off. I know, I know, Congress has a lot of problems. But this particular one struck a chord with me today. A deep, primal chord.

Click here and become outraged.

I read about 4 different articles this morning, all on the topic of how tomato paste on frozen pizza is counted as a serving of vegetables in public schools.

..........!

Okay... first of all, tomatoes are FRUITS. That's silly, considering the gravity of this proposal, but still a little, uhm, ignorant. Second of all, you need at least a half cup serving of anything for it to count as a serving! [the link above addresses this] Not 2 tablespoons of processed paste, ridden with sugar additives and sodium.  Really, how pathetic is that?! Third of all, I thought the goal was to make school lunches HEALTHIER, not bring them to a screeching halt!

We all know I'm a health nut. Nutrition is vital to a happy, healthy life. We wouldn't survive without food; eat REAL, WHOLESOME FOOD!! As adults, we know this. We've read enough, we've eaten enough junk to make us feel like shit, we've seen what can happen when diets lack essential nutrients. Kids have a different perspective entirely. They are vulnerable and 100% subject to the effects of negligence. IT'S NOT FAIR! It's cruel to dupe kids into believing that frozen, cheese pizza is healthy for them. What sort of adults is that mindset going to breed? I'm terrified.

Since I don't have kids of my own, I'm very protective over my nephews and niece. I told my nephews today how incredibly lucky they are to have a mother that makes them meals, from scratch, every single day. They get to snack on dehydrated apples and homemade fruit roll ups and apple sauce. Being home schooled, they're not forced to eat the processed, frozen, high sugar, high sodium foods that are pushed on public school kids.

This issue really, truly makes me very sad. Children are the light and future of this world. To see their needs and rights being bought out by Congress and Big Money lobbyists is cruel, terrifying, and rage inducing.

A Slacker's Saturday

I worked really hard this week. But now, oh Saturday, you've arrived and I plan on taking full advantage of my [most likely] last Saturday before I start working. The thing is, it's nasty outside! The trees are howling in the wind, crumpling leaves billow up into the air, and I'm pretty sure it's like 20 degrees F outside. Yeah. Cold.

And that is why this slacker is thankful for a few cozy comforts this morning:
1: Tazo's Zen Green Tea. I not only love this tea because of the marvelous implication of the name, I love it for its hints of lemon and mint. This has been a comfort tea of mine for some time now. NOTHING beats it in the morning when I want something warm, but light, flavorful but not too sweet or overbearing. ZEN. It's magical.
2: Over-the-knee knitted socks. I think I would die this winter without these puppies. I own various pairs of thigh-high socks in various colors and textures and they all feel awesome underneath jeans in the cold. I recommend them. Plus they're cozy to lounge around in. Super cute.
3: This song. Another comfort of mine for years, but it holds extra weight this weekend. I've loved the Gorillaz forever. Really. Forever. So yesterday when someone told me that they heard this Gorillaz song and it reminded them of me, it made my day. I'm a happy clam because of it. I mean, how could you not be happy if someone says a song called "Feel Good Inc" reminds them of you? That's pretty much my ultimate goal in life, to spread goodness and joy. It's awesome to hear I'm reaching that!
4: Labradorite. According to this website, Labradorite encourages prophetic dreams and guidance. It's true. Last night I slept with Labradorite by my head and had a dream I was asking my sister-in-law how much banana bread she had left in the freezer, because I really, really wanted to eat some. This morning when I woke up, she had pulled out a loaf! The Labradorite showed me breakfast in my dream!! I'm sorry, I don't mean to make light of the qualities of Labradorite; I really do appreciate its healing powers and beauty. But I'm a goofball and thought that bread dream was funny. And I love my new Labradorite slab. It sort of has the shape of mountains and I really like that. It called to me. [I went to a store with my friend yesterday, and we spent an hour looking at crystals, stones, jewelry, tapestries, and a bunch of other hippie stuff. I love it. It's nice to have a friend that's into that stuff! I was starting to think I was all alone.]
5: Citrine: The Stone of Manifestation. It converts negative energy into positive energy. It helps attract and keep money. It aids in meditation and connecting with the higher Self. It encourages happiness, laughter, and good sleep. Read more about it here. Overall, citrine is a valuable crystal to have. Again, it called to me. Once I picked up the little chunk that was eyeing me, I knew we'd never be apart. I placed it in my palm and immediately felt a light calm come over me. I'm so glad I picked up the healing stones. I think it was time. The Universe has been screaming at me a lot lately, actually, and I'm trying really hard to listen well.

And that's what I'll be doing today. I may get some coffee from the shop a little later with a friend. But for the most part I'll be hanging out with music, warm socks, and crystals.

How do you like to spend lazy Saturdays?

Thoughtful Thursday [wk.4]

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit

to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Letting go of the past. It's essential to enjoy the present. I know from [too much experience] that constantly worrying about the past, or how things "could have been", takes away from the beauty of the moment. Certainly it's important to acknowledge our mistakes, habits that don't serve us, so we can move away from them, but for the most part the past should stay in the past.

But this also has to do with giving yourself enough credit. It's sad that an accomplishment can get thrown under the bus because some other small part of the day didn't go exactly as planned. Oh well. You're still alive; you didn't screw up so badly as to ruin that. Tomorrow always has the potential to be greater than the day before. What Emerson is reminding of us here is that crap happens, and it's important not to let it sting you; tomorrow holds the possibility of great moments. And they should be celebrated. That's what fuels the flame for the next day. You wake up after a less than ideal day and say "Yesterday was okay, but today is going to KICK ASS! Why? Because I'm alive and life is worth a celebration every single day! So now I'm going to celebrate it with an awesome Chai tea and a book!" Talk about having a high spirit! Passion, enthusiasm, excitement can be applied to little things and they pump out tons, and tons of Seratonin.

At least that's what I try to do-- be excited over the little things. Perfectly brewed tea, a touching story, the perfect music for the moment, the wind in my hair, they joy I experience when I have fulfilling conversations with my friends... those things make my days, and my spirit, absurdly happy.

Thoughtful Thursday [wk.3]

It's still Thursday in Idaho for a couple more hours; I can make it!

"While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, 

we can control what happens inside us." 

-Benjamin Franklin

Ah, Mr. Franklin, how wise you are. As with other negative habits in my life, I've been working on not letting little things get to me, and especially, not taking things personally. Individuals are completely in control of their reactions. Simple. If someone says something that leads to anger, it only got there because people make the connections they want to make. They see, feel, hear what they want to. I've been guilty of this. I think everyone has. But it's just a habit, like any other, that can be broken. 

Now, whenever I find myself in an undesirable situation, I think about all the other areas in my life that are spectacular. I get to practice yoga and drink tea in the morning, I have an amazing family, fun friends, good food to eat, a comfortable bed (usually with a kitty or two curled up), and it makes everything else bearable. I mean, that horrendous situation won't last forever; I have something better to get back to. I like to call it the "Bright Side" syndrome. But it works for me. It makes the muck of society so much better. And after all, everyone is fighting their own battle. Everyone is doing what they can.

Help I'm Alive

come take my pulse

the pace is on a runaway train

I've been listening to this song, and the album as a whole, practically on repeat the past couple of days.

It fits my mood. My mind. My heart...

keeps beating like a hammer.

One Thousand!

Woo-hoo! I'm happy to say my page views have passed the 1,000 mark. What a surprise for a flighty blogger such as me!

Thanks to my followers and to anyone else who checks up on me ;)

Shoshone

The Snake River Canyon

A few weekends ago I went to visit my father in Southern Idaho. He lives right by the impressively massive Snake River Canyon. For the past 6 years, since my dad has lived there, I can remember being sucked into that place like a magnet. The beauty of the canyon captivates me. I'll never forget the first time I ever saw the canyon; I was in a bit of a panic. We were crossing the Hansen Bridge, I was driving on my learner's permit, ahead of me, coming in the opposite direction, were two large semis, and behind me was another. I have this bad habit of imagining, very vividly, worst case scenarios while driving. So that set in and I broke into a cold sweat. My dad just kept telling me to stay calm. "The bridge isn't that long, you'll be fine!" he kept saying. Ah, I credit my dad for my cool-head in situations.

So, this canyon instills a sense of freedom and beauty in me. It's like instantly being transported to the 1700s, before the dams were built, before the houses, before white man. There was nothing in Idaho's country except nature and the Native tribes. In my simple, nature-loving mind that's perfection. "To live in harmony with the spirit of the mountain called Monkey was enough."

My dad took me to see The Niagara of the West; Shoshone Falls. It was my first time there, and I was beyond myself with excitement. Waterfalls don't exist in Florida. It's horrible!

Meditative Rock

I spotted the massive, inviting rock in the above photo while my father and I were strolling around. And I thought to myself, "I could sit there all day long, reading a book or weaving a basket." Then the thought never left my head. If it weren't illegal, you'd better believe I would've crawled my ass up there to enjoy the sight and sun! My dad and I walked as far as we could, we watched little birds fly by the steep rock walls and land gracefully on little pinnacles. We talked about the sounds the thundering water makes. He showed me Juniper trees (new favorite) and we even participated in a little green cleaning by picking up plastic sacks and beer cans. By the way, never let me catch you litter. It will instantly ignite a very pissed off fire!

Not many people understand why I love Idaho so much. Thankfully, my dad does. All I have to say is, "I love rocks" and he's on the same page with me. Yeah. We're rock people. But in all seriousness, the shapes the rocks create, the vegetation that grows between the crevices, the hills, the animals, the trees... I love it all. Yes, even the wind. Idaho is painted in rich, nutty brown tones and vibrant greens; it's bathed in gold and sage. Nothing can replace Idaho's place in my heart.