Monday, August 31, 2009

Self Care



How does an 8 year old girl already, maybe instinctually, know about self-care when her 35 year old Mom tries desperately every day to put it into practice, succeeding only part of the time?

Could it be that we're all born knowing that we should take care of ourselves? Understanding how important it is? Then, as we grow up, we put other obligations, other things, ahead of our need for self-care?

Why? Is it because we think other things are more important than ourselves? Is it because we feel guilty when we take time for ourselves...guilty when we take the time to sit on the porch, enjoying the cool breeze, sunshine, and a good book? I hope that Abigail never forgets self-care...never forgets that she is as worthy of time and effort as any other person or thing.

My wish for you is that you always take time to take care of yourself with no feelings of guilt or selfishness. YOU are important. YOU are worth it.


Mindfulness

I saw Peter Mayer Sunday morning at an outdoor service for the UU Fellowship of La Crosse. He sang "Awake", and it was a good reminder to practice mindfulness. Below are some lyrics.

You can hear the song at:
http://www.petermayer.net/music/
It is on the album called "Earth Town Square".

"To perceive these wondrous things 
To count the beats of a blackbird’s wings 
To tell a story and dance and sing 

All the splendors 
Of creation 
Are very happy that you came 
Because they needed 
Someone to see them 
And you my child are awake"
~Peter Mayer

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Just Breathe

I need to take this advice myself today.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

From "Women Pray" edited by Monica Furlong

I will not die an unlived life,
I will not go in fear
Of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
To allow my living to open me,
To make me less afraid,
More accessible,
To loosen my heart
Until it becomes a wing,
A torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance:
To live.
So that which comes to me as seed,
Goes to the next as blossom,
And that which comes to me as blossom,
Goes on as fruit.
~Dawna Markova

Monday, August 17, 2009

Today's Nugget :)

The purpose of life is to live it,
to taste experience to the utmost,
to reach out eagerly and without fear
for newer and richer experience.
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Friday, August 14, 2009

Friday's Challenge

Get up and MOVE!

I'm heading to the gym or on a bike ride...depending on how hot it is. What are YOU going to do? It doesn't have to be a monumental thing. Baby steps is my mantra. So, get out there and exercise for at least 20 minutes today. And, don't forget to drink that water!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Challenge of the Day

Drink EIGHT glasses of water! 
This is SO HARD for me, and I know it's so important, so it's our first challenge. If you have suggestions for future challenges, post them here, and I'll add them to the list. Now, go get a glass of water.  :)  And, let us all know if you succeed!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Offer What You Want to Experience

Every day you help mold and develop people by what you offer them. If you offer a person patience, love, and forgiveness, they have a greater chance of growing into a patient, loving, and forgiving being. And you will live in gratitude if such a being touches your life or the life of your children. This being will in turn be grateful to you and your children, for he or she will remember that it was your patience, love, and forgiveness that allowed him or her to become who they are today. My friend, offer what you want to experience. Offer patience, love, and forgiveness, and you will manifest them in one way or another in your life.

Love this one

"Faith is believing that one of two things will happen," she said. "That there will be something solid for you to stand on--or that you will be taught to fly."  ~Curly Girl Design

Welcome!

Hello, everyone!

Lately I've noticed many of my friends talking about two things:
- the stresses, frustrations, and disappointments of life
- the desire to get back to the gym and start eating better (which might contribute to #1)

I think of these things often myself and am finding it hard to find the momentum to start doing something about it. I realize that being hundreds of miles away from my circle of friends in Colorado and many other friends all over the country is making me feel isolated and alone. I've been thinking about how to overcome this challenge, and I decided to start a blog!

The Inspiration Spot will be a place for you to visit as often as you like. A place where you will find inspirational quotes and stories. A place where you'll find delicious, healthy recipes. A place where you will find occasional "challenges" to help you find and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It's also a place where you can post comments about what you find in the blog or about what's going on in your life. A place where we can share information and wisdom, because you'll never know if you're "the only one going through [fill in the blank]" until you ask, and you might be surprised that someone else has been down the same road and has much to share about it.

I hope you find many good things here. Please share your ideas about how to make The Inspiration Spot even better. We're all in this together, ladies!