Entries For: April 2008

My dear friend Licia Berry and I have finally done it! After months of talking about it (mostly Licia bugging me saying 'c'mon, Elizabeth - it's fun!' - she has 2 successful radio shows already on the air), we have launched The Celebration Station on Blog Talk Radio.

Our first episode is called "Much Ado About Mamas" and we spend 30 minutes talking about the mother figures in our lives - both the external real live women in our lives and the internal mothering we give to ourselves.

We chose this as our first topic because of the upcoming Mother's Day holiday and our Loving Your Inner Feminine retreat in New Mexico on Saturday, May 10th.

Whether you can join us in New Mexico or simply want to take time reflecting on the mothers in your life and the mothering you give to yourself, I encourage you to click here to listen, learn and be inspired to celebrate all that you've learned from the mothers in your life and be reminded that even once you're grown, you can still mother yourself!

This is the e-mail message I received from TUT today.

"Kindness always wins, Elizabeth.

Always, always, always.

-- The Universe"

I really needed to hear that. In the past two weeks, I've noticed myself getting angry and agitated a lot - mostly at other people. I'm not easily upset so I've been looking for the gift in these situations. What am I to learn from these experiences?

"Do I know the whole story?" 

Eric and I received poor customer service a few weeks ago when renting a condo down at the beach. I got really angry that the employee was rude to us, that they messed up our reservation, etc. But after taking time to reflect as I walked the beach (always a great place to contemplate life!) I realized that I didn't know the whole story.

Maybe that employee had a horrible morning and was late to work. Maybe someone important to her had hurt her or was sick or had died. Maybe she felt trapped in a job she didn't enjoy. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

By considering all the possible options, I was able to realize that her treatment of us wasn't because we had done something wrong but was a symptom of something happening in her life. Something I wasn't aware of. Something that had nothing to do with me/us.

Making this discovery allowed me to have more compassion for her. I had initially filled out the guest comment survey and wanted her manager to know of my dissatisfaction. But I decided not to mail it afterall. That would only service my ego and give it the illusion of being powerful and "right". Instead, my authentic self, my spirit self just wants to send that employee my good thoughts and compassion and hope that she was just having a bad day.

Acting with kindness and releasing that anger and negativity feels very freeing. I am once again reminded that stepping back, asking "Do I know the whole story?" and not making assumptions or judgements is a very loving, authentic and powerful place from which to live your life.

Where have you had a similar experience in your life?

Yoga has been such a gift in my life since I moved to Florida last summer. I had done yoga on and off over the years but with no real "practice" to speak of. Now I attend classes twice a week at Namaste in Tallahassee - Mondays with Kathy and Geralyn and Thursdays with Charlene - and feel dynamite as a result!

If you are seeking:

- Clarity of mind

- Connection to Source

- A strong and fit body (relieve tension, improve flexibility, strengthen your core)

- Community of like minded people

then I highly recommend yoga - no matter where you live or what you do or who you are. It's important to find a style that works for you and a teacher that you can trust. I like the non-competitive style of classes at Namaste... my teachers emphasize over and over again "do what's right for you!"

Yesterday Kathy and Geralyn taught us the three A's and as I've been contemplating them for 24 hours, I realize that the three A's can be applied in all areas of your life - not just in yoga class!

1. Awareness - Notice how you're feeling. Notice your body. Notice your environment. Simply pay attention and listen for messages.

2. Acceptance - Don't judge yourself! Stop worrying about "do I look funny?" or "he's doing it better than I am" or "I'm not good enough". Start acknowledging that you're perfect exactly as you are and with what you're doing.

3. Adjustment - Move toward what feels good. Making subtle changes can give you great rewards. And sometimes, stopping what you're doing and trying something completely different is  the answer. Experiment and see what fits for you.