APRIL: It's never too late, right? ;)

Considering today is April 29th and I have yet to post anything about my April journey I figured today is just as good of a day as any to share what this month has been about for me.  Originally this month was going to be::::: NO COMPLAINING:::::: but let's be honest I just wasn't ready to take on this challenge just yet <<<<stay tuned on this one>>>>

I was honestly a bit too distracted away from my goal of no complainig on the actual day and realized at that point that I had no idea how much I had been complaining.  So then I changed my goal to writing every day.... and although I have kept with this there wasn't much interest in sharing it.... I think the most interesting part of my 30 day challenge this month has been staring in the mirror and saying I love you <Joey> several times and then continue to look into the mirror at ME for a couple of minutes.

I know it might sound a little 'odd' or maybe too familiar to the Saturday night live skit back in the day where he would look in the mirror and say "I’m smart enough, I’m strong enough, and gosh darn it … people like me!" you can watch it here-----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY....  I will say this though... don't knock this exercise until you try it.

It's actually quite an unusual and at times awkward experiment.  This is really interesting to me because it's me that I'm looking at in the mirror and yet something about looking at me and saying I love you brings out a discomfort in me.  What is it that I am so afraid to see? What is it that I am so afraid to hear?

I live with me... all the time.... but yet to acknowledge me while actually looking at me...sheesh now that stirs something up.... to truly be 'seen' by ME

In doing this little exercise the truth is each day I noticed a subtle difference...  I began to become more comfortable at looking at myself and truly seeing the the person behind the reflection.  Not only did I become comfortable but I began to notice me more...and with that noticing how compassion and acceptance began to seep in.

So I leave you with this....  GO... try it... stare in the mirror at yourSELF and say "I love you .........."(your name) and then just look for several minutes at the person staring back at you.  You might just be surprised at the stranger staring back or maybe you'll start to fall in love with the extraordinary creation you are... either way it's worth it to have a look and simply "see".

March: All about Nature

 

“If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were not worth knowing, life would not be worth living”

 

March is the month of connecting with nature. 

I absolutely love the outdoors and have always been moved by water...the woods... the moon...the sun... the trees.... I find that this is how I connect the most.  I believe there is so much to be felt in life...  and too often it's easy to get stuck in a routine or stuck inside instead of venturing out and enjoying the beauty that is simply right in my backyard.

My intent is to spend at least 30 minutes in nature every day... whether this be simply reading outside in my backyard, venturing for some walks/hikes in the back bay, trips to the beach, or simply walks outside enjoying the fresh air.  In this time I want to be intentional to take it all in... to really listen to what's being communicated... to me.. to life... and what in me has something to share back.

What would happen if you just gave 30 minutes today and went outside?? I wonder what is waiting for you??? I wonder what truths are waiting to be shared with you??  

Reflecting on February

February has come and gone....  but the impacts of this month have carried on into March for me.  It was the month to meditate and drink green smoothies and that's exactly what I did.  I even bought books on meditation as well as cd's with meditative visualizations.

Over the past two years I've started to open up more and more to meditations... in fact last September I went on a three day vision quest out in Montana... where talk about meditation:::sheesh... the connection I felt to the trees, the wind, the ground, the sky, the moon::: absolutely beautiful....  granted I was in a very deep meditative state for hours upon end... but this type of meditation I believe can be experienced on a day to day on various different levels.  

In this month I think what I learned the most was how my natural inclination is to resist and in that resisting I am going against the natural flow of life... to the stillness that rests in those quiet places.  I think I often fear that the stillness will allow me to feel the chaos, but in actual fact the stillness and quietness brings connection.... once I allow the spinning of my mind to just spin .... therein in opens another part of me that is truly able to 'see'.  This is the place I want to live from.... this is the place where my aliveness resides. 

I experimented with so many different ways of meditation
* repeating one word over and over for 15 min
* using a cd for a guided visualization
* focusing on my breathing
* just sitting and seeing what comes up
* walking meditation in the back bay
* naming my thoughts
* focusing on just one word
* sitting in different places
* mantra meditation
* Being mindful of the moment

These are just a few of the different methods and ways I entered into the stillness.

 In regards to the green smoothies:::  I truly recommend this to anyone that is looking to simply make a small change in their regular eating habits.  The rewards to this small change are GREAT!  I could feel myself having more energy throughout the day and I really liked knowing what I was putting in my body was sooooo healthy for me.

There are so many different recipes to try...
My favorite is actually:::
1 coconut :: water and meat
2 bananas
1 cup of strawberries
2 cups of spinach
and a lil bit of parsley

I think my least favorite
was a mix of lemon, parsley, apple, avocado, and kale...... bananas were added to try and save the taste::: didn't work too well

I started by saying that even though my goal for February was to complete 30 days of meditation and green smoothies... I'm really happy that this is also being carried into March with a slight variation.  I have actually entered into a 10 day master cleanse... and am currently on day 5.  Once I finish the 10 days I am going to continue on with the green smoothies.  I have also continued with the meditations and am finding a greater sense of clarity within self... and LIFE!