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In Celebration of the Birth Month

February 13, 2020

I love this time of year, because I get to celebrate my birth month.

While some shy away from birthdays, let alone birth months, I embrace it. The age is merely a number, and matters not.

The good stuff: family came to visit as a surprise, a beautiful bouquet of flowers showed up at my door, a gluten-free cake was baked to my specifications, and we enjoyed dinner at a favorite restaurant.

AND, when my friends realize they missed the day, they’re not late with their wishes, since I celebrate for a solid month.

That being said, Sunday was merely the kick-off to my birth month event.

Birth months give me plenty of time for reflection. I can look in the rearview mirror and realize all the opportunities that showed up and feel immense gratitude.

Of course, there are always those learning experiences that I refer to as “falling upward.” These are the events we would never voluntarily sign up for, yet they transform us into better human beings.

By the way, I highly recommend the book by the same name, “Falling Upward,” by Richard Rohr. Perhaps it’s time for me to read it again.

A month gives me plenty of time to accept celebratory breakfast/lunch invitations and thoroughly enjoy each one. Why rush? I can only eat so much in a day.

It’s also a great opportunity to determine what life changes I need to make. What stays, what disappears, and what new challenges shall I take on? This is important.

While many people reflect with each new calendar year, I find that this time feels more personal.

This is my year of possibility. As I map out what the next 12 months could look like, what I’ve experienced is that the year typically turns out more amazing than I ever dreamed.

And, there’s the “falling upward” stuff.

Thank you for reading my weekly blog posts. You tell me they make a difference in your life. My plan is to continue writing these, as they made the “stay” list.

I appreciate all your birthday greetings, whether on Facebook, in person, or otherwise. You are making my month even more special!

My birth month request: please pass my weekly blogs on to others who could use a bit of loving inspiration. It’s important that I reach as many people as possible with the birth months I have yet to celebrate.

With love and gratitude,
Carol

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”—Maya Angelou

age birth month birthday falling upward life Maya Angelou possibility

Stop Trying

February 6, 2020

Health, Personal Development

In the past week, I’ve heard about lots of folks trying to do lots of good things.

“I’m going to try to get back to the gym tomorrow.”

“I’m really trying to stick to this new diet.”

“This time, I’m trying really hard to change my habits.”

Even I admit to saying something like, “I’ll try to get to the grocery today.”

TRY (verb use): make an attempt or effort to do something.

Let’s be honest here; when we TRY to do something, we give ourselves the loophole to NOT get whatever it is done. We have an out.

As a kid, I recall one instance when “try” seemed really appropriate. Maybe you heard this when you were a kid too, and maybe you’ve said it to a youngster, or oldster. “Before we get in the car, you should try to go to the bathroom.”

That works. Just try.

In so many other instances, we must stop trying. It holds us back. We must simply DO.

DO: perform, accomplish, achieve, complete, finish, implement.

Practice saying the words out loud, about something you’d like to see happen in your life. See which version feels stronger and has the most positive impact on your psyche.

Here’s an example:

“I’m going to try to not eat snacks after dinner.” OR “After dinner, I’m done eating for the day.”

Speak the intention. Which version do you think is more likely to create the desired result?

Our words have great power, and it’s important to choose them wisely.

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”– The Empire Strikes Back

If any of you are Star Wars fans, you’ll recognize this as Yoda’s most memorable quote. This is a line from the X-wing sequence on Dagobah, and the last instructions the Jedi Master gives Luke before he attempts to raise his fighter from the swamp. Yoda had consistently tried to teach Luke to focus on the present, and essentially, to grow up. In this moment, with these words, he makes it clear.

This is our reminder to commit oneself to something completely, win or lose.

Be bold. Go do, and stop trying.

Cheers to you,
Carol

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”—Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

do Star Wars try trying Yoda

She Ate All the Chips

January 30, 2020

Food, Health, Personal Development

I ran into JJ (initials used to protect identity) at the gym the other morning. Upon seeing her, she confessed that she recently ate an entire bag of potato chips. At one time. (It’s interesting that people feel the need to confess their food and fitness blunders when they see me.)

“What kind were they?” I asked. “I need specifics.”

To which she replied, “Mesquite BBQ, crinkle cut. They’re seasonal, and I got them at Aldi. It was a family size bag.”

“You ate the entire bag?”

“Yes.”

Her conscience was clear. She could move on.

Turns out that JJ was emotionally satisfied after the chip incident, yet felt physically horrible. The chips caused bloating, then guilt. Ugh. She was a mess.

Does this scene resonate with you in any way? Maybe not with chips, but with cookies, ice cream, wine, candy, anything?

Here are some considerations when faced with your personal “chip” situation.

When you’re at the grocery, remember that whatever goes home will be eaten by someone. If that someone is you, and you tend to go into unconscious binging at times, don’t even put it in your buggy. Leave it at the store. You can always buy it another day. Oh, and beware of the story that it’s for another family member. Right.
Keep the mindset of abundance over deprivation. JJ could have had a handful of chips and enjoyed them immensely, then moved on to do something that brought her happiness: listen to favorite music, read scripture, eat more nutritionally sound food if truly hungry, get to the gym, phone a friend. She would have been fed emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Win.
Consider who’s in control. Although we really don’t have much control over what happens in life, we usually have control over what and how much we eat. The chips had control over JJ. Do you have control over the food, or does it have control over you?

We’ve all been where JJ was, at one time or another. It offers us an opportunity to do just a little bit better in the future.

If you keep getting stuck, email me and we’ll work through it together.

Live your life of abundance, and feel great doing it.

Much love,
Carol

“See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it. It always works, it works every time, with every person.” -Bob Proctor

abundance chips control deprivation JJ

Keep it Simple

January 23, 2020

Health, Personal Development

It’s that magical time of year.

According to Runner’s World, most resolutions concerning health and fitness were over and done last Sunday, January 19.

How about you? If you had any kind of New Year’s commitment to get fit, are you still in the game?

If so, congratulations! You are one of the few. You can stop reading and move on with your day.

If not, get back in the game. Today.

Getting and keeping fit does not take discipline. This is a business that takes patience, time, and keeping it simple. This is habit.

You don’t even have to give it 100%. In yoga, all that is asked is to give 2/3 effort. Any more than that, we’re working too hard, and that’s not the point.

The point is to show up as a beginner, curious to learn about oneself during those moments on the mat. The point is to be present to the present, and breathe.

Each and every time.

Yes, it’s that simple. It’s a habit that takes time to develop. Simple does not equal easy.

Let’s look at where you are in your journey with anything, today. How are you showing up? Is it possible to be a beginner who is curious to learn? Could you give it 2/3 effort?

Of course you can! I believe in you.

Let’s say you made a commitment to eat healthier. That’s pretty broad, and frankly, I’m not there 100% of the time. So, whatever it is that causes you to stumble, could you practice going for 2/3?

Cut back on the sugar or chips. Exercise 2/3 of the days you had originally intended. Drink a little more water than you did last year. Get 15 minutes more sleep in a night. You get the idea.

Keep it simple, go for 2/3, and practice until it becomes a habit. This is the way to stay in your game.

Send me an email. I’m happy to help you set simpler rules to your game—one that you can win.

Much love,
Carol

“The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go.” –Sally Kempton

commitment effort habit New Year's resolution Runner's World simple yoga

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