Spring

Aside from allergies, there is something incredibly soothing and refreshing about the abundant green outside, the fresh, new life with delicate, intricate leaf and flower buds unveiling themselves, and the Earth saying, "I'm still here for you."

Spring is also a very messy period with all of the rain. As Parker Palmer said, we have similar seasons in our lives, and it's the messy tearful periods that lead to growth and new life. The pollen, rain, and mud remind us that some of the most beautiful happenings would not exist but for the messiness which came before it.

Farmers right now are grateful for the rain and pray that it penetrates the earth reaching down to the sprouting seeds beneath the surface and feeding what will hopefully be a bountiful harvest next season. The fresh abundance of spring feeds us as well in a reaffirming, cleansing, and soothing way, penetrating us to the core - if we pay attention - as does the spring of our lives: the new, delicate, and tearful moments, those where you can tell something is coming up, something is about to sprout but you can't tell exactly what it is... 

Feed and water those moments, be gentle with the unknown and delicate new chapters of your life, and see what blooms! - Crystal 

Meditation and Resistance

Lent is generally a time to start a diet. It was originally adopted by society to promote the salted fish industry. Nevertheless, despite its roots in food, Lent can be a time to reconnect with ourSelves and to deeply ponder the Christian belief of Jesus' sacrifice and, more broadly, the presence of the Divine in our lives. (Technically, dieting is a physical manifestation of reconnecting to yourself and paying more attention, but I challenge you to delve slightly deeper.)

 God simply asks that we surrender and give of ourselves; everything else is done for us as the Universe is here to support us.  Nevertheless, when we preoccupy ourselves with worry and negativity, we are not open to receive. We are resisting our gifts including those we strongly desire. In yoga postures and stretches, we may experience a physical manifestation of resistance. When we tense up at new openings in our body, we can create something worse than the congestion and restriction previously present.

Meditation and taking some quiet time allow us to remove ourselves from mental and spiritual resistance, worry, and negativity. Furthermore, the practice makes us receptive to the peace, clarity, contentment, and love that are sitting there in piles waiting on us. If we do not take a moment to meditate or simply breath, then we are passively or directly refusing to stop and accept possession of them which is quite reckless. It is navigating without being at the metaphorical helm or driving with mud covering the windshield which are both stress and chaos producing. Secondly, when we do not take a moment to regroup internally, we are ignoring the Divine who is standing there waiting for our attention, waiting to give us the very love, wholeness, peace, and understanding for which we run around in circles on this Earth. Besides being inefficient, it's pretty unappreciative, disrespectful, and down right mean to our Higher Power.

Most of us would like to take a luxurious 15 minutes for God and ourselves but, due to life - children, work, relationships, and a combination thereof, we cannot. Some of us (myself included) could swing it and simply do not make an effort on a regular basis which raises further questions about self love and other topics that I may cover one day. Either way, in the harried moments of life, there are always spaces in between, and your breath is always there for you - to feed you and return you to the helm.

So, when you are overwhelmed with stress, fear, negativity, or just the nuances of the day-to-day or when you encounter physical or mental resistance, first, be cognizant of that which you are personally creating (trust me, there is already enough.) Then, replace what you can with openness, breath, and appreciation thereby allowing yourself to be receptive to the ripples of support, love, divinity, peace, and clarity that await you in the midst of life's tsunamis. Wipe clear the window or windshield so that you can see and possess the gifts of the Universe and the traces of positivity in humanity. This may sound idealistic, but, in this day and age, what else is there to do?

Namaste,
Crystal

Take Care

Over the past two weeks, I have struggled with the most stubborn, gruesome sinus infection ever. On the second week, I was done being sick and threw myself into work… for about five minutes when my body stopped me in my tracks. I felt lazy, guilty, and depressed, but I realized that I was not going to get better unless I basically slept the week away. Despite my pre-existing obligations, I had an obligation to myself.

Three reasons to truly take care of yourself: 1) it’s practical, 2) you cannot sufficiently take care of someone else without first nourishing yourself, and 3) no other person can take care of you the way that you can. Two additional reasons for the hard-headed: when we tend to ourselves, others will step up to do the same when we are not there to enable them, and, in a relationship, people are less likely to deem you worthy of care or respect if you do not tend to yourself first.  

This may sound like I’m stating the obvious, but it’s harder than it sounds. For instance, I recently met a woman who suffered a miscarriage because her employer refused to let her take sick leave during her prescribed bed rest. My lawyerly reaction was that “she had a right” (under the Fair Labor Standards Act,) but she knew that she and the baby would need the money coming in, and so the woman pushed herself too far. Now, she is without child, and her employer hasn’t skipped a beat. Life is often not so dramatic, but if we fail to take care of ourselves, such neglect will take its toll subtly at first, then louder and louder.

Self-care takes different forms at different times. However, the basics are adequate nutrition (does not include Ramen noodles or, much to my dismay, diet Dr. Pepper,) rest, exercise, clothing, hygiene, and medical care. Yoga philosophy refers to “saucha,” cleanliness. The word encompasses the very basics of self-care going beyond hygiene to purity of mind, body, and what we put into them.

If you took a moment to take an inventory, what are you missing? Most of us are either missing rest OR exercise and are probably shy a teeth cleaning.

Nourishing yourself goes beyond the basics to include pure fun, comfort, and time to be alone and quiet with your higher Self. Knowing what you need requires listening within. I’ve always heard, “HALT if you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired."  I promise that afterwards you’ll be much more helpful and better company!

If you are a saintly vegetarian and feel like you are floating in space, eat some protein for heaven’s sake. If you are overwhelmed, then Blue Bell ice cream or very cheesy mashed potatoes is completely necessary. If you are burning the candle at both ends, take a nap before you blow out. However, if you are lethargic and tired for no reason, then it’s time for some cardio my friend. Last but not least, none of the food, drink, or clothing on this earth will maintain you unless you feed yourself spiritually.

So, show some “maitri,” loving-kindness, to yourself today.

Take Care,

Crystal