Lessons on the Journey

June 18, 2010

I’ve been spending a lot of time journal writing as part of the 21.5.800 Challenge. I don’t know how much it has helped. As an active participant in my thoughts, journaling seems to excite it which I do not need. However, I suppose getting the thoughts out does just that. They don’t continue to circle . . . in my head. Plus, it seems writing is easier because of it. Words flow more freely.

As far as the challenge, I’ve missed the mark at 800 Words by two days, but I’m not beating myself up over it. Like everything else, life gets in the way. However, I have also noticed a few things about myself that sabotage me, so its good information I am using to move past the deficiency.

What has helped the most in the challenge is my new-found meditation practice, which in turn has led to even more mindfulness throughout my days. It is, in fact, a catalyst for making a change to how I plan to teach classes at OhioU this summer. Since we will have four hours together per week in a compressed 5 week quarter, here’s what I’m planning: a yoga class, meditation outside and then writing/creative time to finish. I am hopeful that students learn something about themselves through the process.

Today, my writing consisted of a new Associated Content article about the Eight Limbs of Yoga, an Examiner article about the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure and this blog post. (It may take the AC article a day or so to be available.) Other than that, it was a simple day, enjoying the sunshine and swimming. Next: a relaxing evening by the fire with my hubby, sipping on Chardonnay, relaxing.

Happy Friday! They sure aren’t what they used to be. They’re better!

3 Comments | blogging, life, mindfulness, writing, yoga | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

Trusting the Process

June 13, 2010

It’s interesting what yoga, meditation and writing can do for a person. Since starting the 21.5.800 Challenge on Tuesday, I’ve noticed a huge shift in my daily awareness. Focusing first on me, me, me, as evidenced by my last two posts, I had to stop. Sometimes its good to be introspective, but at what point do we focus our attentions outward? I think about others a lot, but I’m also a bit more introspective than necessary. I’m hoping meditation helps with this, inviting my presence within and examining my thoughts, instead of continuing to let them take over completely. Life isn’t complex; our egos make it so. I aspire to so much and I hope I continue to evolve into my fullness over the rest of the challenge. I am searching deeply to unite my negativity toward my neighbors into something positive, like yoga activism. There has to be an easier way to live harmoniously with people who are difficult, but obviously in need of someone reaching out to them. Life is always interesting, awesome and humbling.

I’ve been doing great with my yoga practice and have enjoyed it mainly outdoors. I also started a more regular, directed meditation practice. This is something I want to continue after the challenge, as I feel its already been so beneficial. I can see it creeping into the rest of my existence and I love that.

Yesterday, unfortunately, I was unable to write. M had a softball tournament for the end of her season and I was away from home from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. I decided that between today and tomorrow I would write 1200 words each day to make up for the loss. On the first day of the challenge, I discovered a website called 750 Words. Its been a wonderful tool. Instead of posting them, I’ve written freely, just letting it pour out. I guess it been more journal writing than anything, but I think its been helpful and healing. I didn’t think I needed to write in this way. It turns out I was wrong. I love the process of writing for an audience. For me, its writing, editing, re-reading, editing some more and posting. I guess I like to to look at what I’ve written analytically. However, too much of this isn’t helpful to my process. Free writing, or journal writing has allowed me to get some thoughts and feelings out in a meaningful, constructive way. Today I wrote 1216 words not counting this post.

How is everyone else doing with the challenge? Struggles? Insights?

Happy Sunday. :-) :-)

p.s. Notice the different font colors on my page?  A new friend, Willie, who is an Illustrator, is creating a completely unique header for me. I’m so excited. The new colors are in preparation for this. Coming soon!

6 Comments | writing, yoga | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

Finding My Voice

June 11, 2010

It is now day three of the 21.5.800 Challenge and I can already feel a shift inside. Earlier this morning, I read a few of my favorite yoga blogs. Roseanne at it’s all yoga, baby posted her intentions for the challenge. It was inspiring. Exploring deeper, I questioned my own intentions. I thought I knew; to simply use the experience to continue to build my writing portfolio. (I write content online and for a small local company.) Is that enough? Should I go deeper? I headed over to visit Brooks at Yogic Muse who wrote a post titled, It’s okay to write crap, just don’t share it with me. My first thought? She was writing about me. I felt my fifth chakra tighten as I read on. Basically she continued expanding on the title itself. Write if you feel a need, but think about what you are writing before you publish it for the rest of the world. I sunk in my chair. What did I do yesterday? Unedited Thoughts. Crap? Maybe. Necessary? Yes. Further questioning my intentions, I realized why I did it. Because I needed to. I absolutely agree with Brooks sentiments. I want to read articles and posts with depth. Everything she writes, on her blog and at Elephant Journal, has wonderful insight. I envy her ability to write so eloquently about simple, yet profound concepts and experiences. I also realized that we are in two different places in our writing/blogging experiences. Instead of cowering in the corner, I decided to strengthen my throat chakra, my True voice. I left a comment on Brooks’ blog. She, in turn, left one on mine. The exchange was beautiful. Two souls connecting, in written form, acknowledging one another. Kindness and honesty. As I say so often, I feel blessed. It’s amazing how strangers can affect one another.

I used to journal and keep a blog that was for my eyes only. It was a way for me to record my life and thoughts. Sharing it with no-one protected me from rejection. I started Namaste-Heather in November 2009 as a way to get over this fear. I knew I wanted to write about yoga, but I also wanted to share pieces of myself along the way. I wanted to connect with people. It’s been an exciting journey exploring my feelings around it. There is an exchange. And like everything in life, it’s necessary to find balance. Once you get a comment, it’s addicting. But is that the most important thing? No. However, when I blog about anything important to me, and get validation via comment, it is rewarding.

Admittedly, when I started this blog, I didn’t know what I was doing. Do I know anymore now? It’s hard to separate myself from myself. Anyone else feel this way? I love to read and have been sucked into a variety of blogs since then. Most of them are about yoga and sustainability, but some are about other things. Random things. Interesting thoughts. Funny people. I read all of these blogs for different reasons. My tendency in reading, in general, is to learn something new. I can never know enough, and I love a plethora of perspectives and opinions.

Because I love research, its enjoyable to write about the things I learn. I write primarily content and informative articles for two websites. It gives little room for creativity, but does offer more general writing experience. In my previous job I wrote a lot; curriculum, grants, brochures, proposals, procedures, processes, reviews, news articles, web content and other such professional pieces. Editing others’ work helped me to grow my own writing. After leaving there to teach yoga nearly two years ago, I realized something was missing. I needed to write. My soul longed for it. So, I began writing for a small local company, online and started this blog.

Since starting the blog, however, I haven’t had any clear direction. Yes, a lot of my content here is about yoga and sustainability. These are two things I’m most interested in. However, I’ve thrown in pieces of myself and I’m not sure I want to continue to go in that direction. Well, let me rephrase. When writing about myself and my experiences, I’d like it to relate back to yoga (or sustainability) in a more meaningful way. I don’t want to write *fluff*. I want to dig deeper, to explore, and to write about topics that are both meaningful to me, while giving readers something to think about. The question is . . . how do I do that?

I’m hoping that through this 21.5.800 challenge, the answers will be revealed. My two primary goals for this challenge? (1.) to deepen my meditation practice and (2.) to pour it out through my writing, asking the bigger questions and hoping that answers emerge in the process. This either sounds simple or stupid. I’m not sure which.

I see Savasana as a way to allow my current self to die as I complete a yoga practice. Allowing this self to pass makes room for birthing the next phase of life. Meditation is much the same. I quiet my mind. New possibilities spring forth, and layers of self become deconstructed, revealing my True nature. I’m hoping that the challenge helps me to find my voice and not bore you in the process. Thank you for this allowing.

11 Comments | blogging, moments, writing | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

I Think I Can . . . I Think I Can

June 8, 2010

Yesterday I wrote about my challenges and adventures in greening my life. I got beautiful comments from many friends, all of which I’m most appreciative. Last night, as J and I were driving home from M’s softball game, we started talking about driving. Besides teaching yoga in a town I would have much difficulty biking to, I also work *very part time* for a small company in another town approximately 10 miles from my home. I was asking J about biking there last night, to which he replies, very casually,

“Yeah you can do it.”

“So will you bike there with me tomorrow?” I ask.

*Sideways glance*

“Please . . .” in my sweetest, most loving tone.

“I’ll think about it.”

10 miles doesn’t sound like much. That’s one way. Heck 20 miles isn’t all that far on a bike. But, and this is a BIG but, the hills are intimidating. As I wrote yesterday, I live in a rural area. All towns within 25 miles of me are small. Many are not even towns but incorporations and municipalities. We’re at the northernmost tip of Appalachia and there are many hills. Big, steep, rolling, long . . . one after another, after another.

I am proud to say that WE did it. We biked to S-Town this morning beginning at 7:45 a.m. I arrived to work promptly at 9 a.m. I am beyond grateful for my wonderful husband, who saw me through it safely. I don’t think I could have faced my fear and done it alone. He is my rock. He always believes in me even when I waver. He doesn’t realize how much his stability helps to center me. I tell him, but I still don’t think he quite understands it.

Last night was nearly sleepless as I woke to several unpleasant envisioned scenarios. Early this morning, I showered, meditated and set my mind straight. We biked on a State Route to get there – two lanes, heavy traffic, semi-trucks, farm machinery. I thought I would pass out a few times. My face was the shade of ripe strawberries I recently picked. I had difficulty breathing and couldn’t catch my breath on a few occasions. About one quarter of the way there I almost asked him to call someone to pick us up. No, I thought to myself. You can do this. You are a strong, empowered woman, Heather. I thought of a funny comment Suburban Yogini left on my Crazy Minds post. “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.” Just keep biking. Just keep breathing, I thought to myself. So, I pushed through it. Typically I am not a “no pain, no gain” kinda girl. But when I set my mind to something, it would likely take an earthquake or other equal disaster to stop me. I was exhausted yet exhilarated when we arrived.

“There ya go.” He says to me as we arrive at my work’s front door.

I give him a kiss and tell him I love him. Blessed, I think to myself.

Here’s a pic of J just before heading out of our little town. Yep, he’s always this serious ;-)

And here I am, smiling all over myself . . . No, we didn’t eat at DQ before we left.

I only had to work until 12 noon *very part time*. J rode back by himself and called me half way home.

“Take Old S-Town Road instead on the way back. It has much less traffic.”

“What about the hills?” I say. “Old S-Town Road has more hills and is longer, isn’t it?”

“You may have to push your bike up a few, but it’s not bad. Try it.”

So, I took Old S-Town Road home too. It was harder, and admittedly I pushed the bike up more than one hill, but again I made it home. Here were some of my vistas on the ride back. It was nice not to be pressed for time.

One rather long hill. Why do pictures never do the scenery justice?

Some docile friends I made. They just stared and ate grass as I talked to them. I love cows.

Beautiful home and barn. The sites are beautiful on Old S-Town Road . . . old farms, new ones, wildlife, farm animals, rolling meadows and fields, blue skies. Quite a blessing.

My ride, and J’s in the back. I was even able to bring my recycling home thanks to the basket J got for me a few years ago.

Was it worth it? Maybe. My muscles aren’t sore yet, but my seat is. Will I do it again? Probably, but not every day I work there. The traffic caused me some concern. Many of the vehicles didn’t leave us a lot of room and after hearing about *driving and texting* statistics, that scares me even more, especially among semi-trucks.  While Old S-Town Road was much safer in the way of traffic, I was apprehensive by myself, on a country road. Houses were within a mile of one another, but being as winded as I was put a bit of a scare in me. Paranoid? Whatever.

I decided to do this adventure primarily for myself, to prove a point that I could. While it was nice not to drive this morning for green reasons, it was also a lovely day and great adventure. I’m proud to say I did it. However, I will do other things to ease my carbon footprint before endangering myself on a regular basis in this way. It is, after all, my choice, and I am doing so many things to be proud of.

I did it too, partly, as kick-off of the 21.5.800 Challenge. I know that I can do anything if I set my mind to it and this put it all in motion for me.

Day 1 :  Yoga – check. Writing – check.

5 Comments | adventures, writing | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

Challenge and Adventure

June 7, 2010

I spend time, naturally, each Monday examining my life. Where am I? Where do I want to go? I have an introspective nature and Monday seems to be the day that calls for new beginnings. Over the last few days, I read a lot.  Much of this tends to be via internet vs. a book. I am struggling with balance there as I feel that books are still important. Luckily I do stay focused on learning new things while surfing the net. A few blogs helped me to question my life in it’s current state.

Y at AGreenspell wrote about her current biking adventures, challenges and successes. EcoYogini has a new yoga/eco challenge for June. After reading both of these  beautiful ladies’ words, I became depressed. I am nowhere near to their level of greening my life. It is almost completely impossible for me to bike to the place I teach yoga due to distance and timing in getting M from school. I have to drive an hour for a decent co-op or natural food market, and making these food choices for my family are important to me. I live in a rural area. The only groceries close to me are Kroger and Walmart, which I am trying to avoid entirely for a variety of reasons. So, I started to think about these challenges and the things I am doing to offset them.

I love this time of year ~ fresh produce from our garden and farmers markets makes my soul come alive. I adore my kitchen with the beautiful morning sun cascading through the new window. For the last three years, I’ve been telling myself that I will learn to can fruits and vegetables. This year is absolutely the year. We always have too many tomatoes, peppers, onions than we know what to do with. Every year, I make salsa, bruschetta, jalapeno poppers, cabbage rolls, but excess abounds. Canning will be the one way I can eliminate unnecessary driving. We will have fresh produce that we grew ourselves, without chemicals and additives.

In my mind, its a lost art. 100 years ago, every family had a garden and nearly every woman knew how to can. I remember watching my grandmother make use of every ounce of food they harvested. J & I are trying to grow everything we can in the little space we own. This year, we plan to do a second harvest midway through the growing season for more root vegetables that will store easily. Hopefully, we’ll also build a small greenhouse for use early in the season next year. I am committed and doing the best I can considering the things I actually have control over.

I feel empowered and excited. We started a strawberry patch about 3 years ago. This is the first year it really took off. I had strawberries that I knew we’d never eat. My grandma died 17 years ago this week, and I said to J, “I really wish I would’ve gotten her recipe before she passed.”  Two days later, I talked to my mom she had the recipe.  The next day, I was making strawberry preserves.  Yummy!  It brings back memories of my grandma.  I used to stay with her for weeks at a time.  For breakfast, she’d make me coffee ~ yes coffee for me, as a kid ~ and toast with her homemade strawberry jam.  J & I ate some for dessert after our wonderful meal from the garden last night.

I am beyond proud of myself and it turned out just like gramma’s!

For dinner we had steamed broccoli freshly picked from our neighbor’s garden,

along with a salad from fresh lettuce picked from our own garden,

plus Risotto with onions, red pepper and sun-dried tomatoes and fried potatoes.  This year, I am also growing a variety of herbs.

The larger raised bed garden is M’s, with flowers and an assortment of plants.  The containers hold basil, chives, cilantro, lemon verbena, sage and thyme.

My next step is to buy a book about canning. For each vegetable, there is a different technique. I am excited and hopeful that it cuts down on my gasoline consumption throughout the year. This weekend, I found a store that sells dry goods in bulk. It took me an hour to get there, but if I only do this every few months, I won’t feel so badly. I got rice (short and long grain), black-eyed peas (for salsa) and mung beans (which I plan to sprout). Anyone else have trouble eating the amount of sprouts that come in a container before they go bad?  Hopefully sprouting my own in smaller quantities will help.

Moving right along. . . Thanks to R at it’s all yoga, baby, I’ve decided to take on another challenge starting tomorrow.  Titled 21.5.800, the challenge is this:  for 21 days, I’ll practice yoga 5 days per week and write 800 words per day.  The challenge was created by Bindu Wiles and almost 200 people have signed up. I am a mixture of excited and scared. Check out this link to learn more. Yoga and writing make sense to me. They compliment each other naturally. I typically do both each day, but too free to set a schedule around it. I’m more of an in-the-moment kinda girl. This will be good for me. Expect to hear more as time elapses, or take the challenge yourself!

Happy Monday!

Peace, love and light . . .

10 Comments | green, yoga | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by namaste*heather

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.