BE YOU

People need to stop being like everyone else. I seriously dislike when people try to be like others. Why do people try to so hard to compete, to outdo, to be above the rest. Why not just be ourselves and leave it at that. Just because there's the latest fashion out in the world, it does not mean that we need to follow the crowd. Crowd-followers, stop what you are doing! Be your own person! Don't do things because you think you have to. Otherwise, what the heck are you living for? You don't live to impress other people, you live to make yourself happy. I live to be happy. So should we all. That does not say that I am encouraging you to go out and do terrible things because they make you happy. All I am saying is that we all need to learn to go out into the world and be the person you want to be. Not the person your parents want you to be, or the billboards, or the TV, or your friends, or boyfriend. Be who you are, and be comfortable with it. You are who you are. Follow the mantra "So Hum," Meaning "I am that." And seriously, that is all there is. There is no mask. There is you, and that is the person that people love.

The Lives We Lead are Our Own

I've been in a state of loss recently. That doesn't make any sense. But I'll just go on. I've been wondering why I have been letting so many people sway my decisions from one choice to the next. Instead of standing my ground, I tend to let people persuade me otherwise. Why is this? Isn't it said that only we ourselves can trully make us happy? We are our own future, therefore, shouldn't we trust in ourselves and the choices we make? I'm constantly worrying about what other people will think about a decision that I am making about my life. Why did I decide to go into nursing? Because my Dad persuaded me to. I'm not saying that I am regretting my decision, not in the slightest? But, honestly, when will I grow up and start thinking for myself? The time is now. In a biography about Steig Larsson, author of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," called "The Steig Larsson Story," John-Henri Holmberg says, "The idea that someone else should make decisions for you, or prevent you from making your own, was immoral in Steig's judgement." This biography is presented in a book that I am reading right now called "The Tattooed Girl." This particular part of the book struck a cord with me. I am constantly worrying about what others think. Well, I'm not going to disgree with Steig Larsson's judgment on that one. Steig Larsson is probably one of the most inspiring figures I have stumbled upon thus far. His views have altered my thought process a bit, have inspired me to think more deeply and to feel more fully. The power of books are inumerable. I will stand strong for my actions, feelings, and views.

Presence

Wow, it has been a while since I've written a post on this blog. Perhaps because I've been busy as well as a bit lazy. I haven't practiced Yoga in about 2 weeks besides a good bedtime stretch. Maybe it's because I feel so burnt out from a long semester full of difficult classes and stress. I have been reading. Not much, but it is some. So, you may be asking yourself, why am I writing today if I haven't been practicing my Yoga? Well, Yoga isn't always about the physical aspect. I want to remind everyone, especially myself, that it is so important and so helpful to stay in the present moment throughout the day. Enjoy life, experience joy, sorrow, pleasure, pain, all without the suffering. We agonize over things that have not happen and may never happen at all. Each and every one of us can recognize this within ourselves.
Namaste

My Foot Hurts

And that's because I haven't been very smart when I've been practicing Yoga. I've been attempting scorpion against the wall, well, my closet. I kicked up into a forearm stand and ended up falling sideways, slamming my foot into the closet doorknob. If you've never slammed your foot into a doorknow, which most people probably haven't, then let me tell you this, it hurts. I bruised my heel, and I have to walk on it all day today. It should heal up, if it doesn't, then I guess I have to go to the doctor. So, lesson on the day? Start slow before trying an extremely difficult pose. With scorpion, I'm going to prepare for about a month before even thinking about even getting my legs in the air, by doing dolphin pose every single day.
Namaste

Is yoga exercise or a spiritual practice?

I decided to sort of write this as a reply to the Yoga Journal blog YogaBuzz. They were talking about a southern Baptist Minister said that Christians should not practice Yoga.
So...
Is Yoga exercise or a spiritual practice?
It depends on the person. Many people go to yoga classes to get fit and to make their lifestyle a healthier one. Me, I find that it is both. Yoga is my regular exercise, but it is also my spiritual practice. Meditation is a part of yoga. Meditation is yoga. And although I call myself a Catholic, I don’t go to church. I’m not a very spiritual person. But Yoga has brought me closer to myself.
The debate between whether or not Yoga is an exercise or a spiritual practice really depends on the person. Does the person look to yoga for guidance? Yoga is not a religion. At least that’s not the way I look at it. Yoga is a spiritual practice, but it can be collaborated with different religions. Hindus and Buddhists alike practice yoga. So why can’t the Christians or the Catholics do the same? If anything, it will very likely bring them closer to God.
I do believe that yoga brings people in greater unity with themselves. People look for that unity all their lives. Maybe they are happy with what they have, and they don’t need yoga. That’s fine. But Yoga is for EVERYONE. Religions can be nitpicky and they say that there is only one way.
From the way I look at Yoga, it’s not only God that teaches us things. We don’t only learn from the bible. God is in everything. Therefore (drum roll please) we can learn from every experience we have in life. WOW. Is that even possible? OF COURSE IT IS! Excuse me for being a bit outspoken today, and I do understand that this subject is a bit touchy. But, I have a right to speak, and this is my opinion. Anyone can practice Yoga. It is universal.
There are so many sides to the practice. One could just use it for exercise, or they can dive into the practice, read the Sutras and live it.
So, is Yoga exercise or a spiritual practice? It’s both. It’s up to you to decide for yourself.
Namaste

Life is Not Necessarily a Series of Events

So, I realized that for at least a week, I'm going to have to be extra careful about my spending. At first I looked at this situation as if it was a curse, but actually it's a lesson. I'm not going to be going out at all this week, I'll be working my scheduled shifts, and on my days off I'm just going to pitch around and read. Sounds like quite a plan to me. I'm only working 24 hrs this week. So I can figure out what I can do with my other time. I can help my Mom around the house, finish "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Steig Larson, watch a movie, clean my room, listen to music, meditate. Today I went to a friend's house and studied with my little study group. It was fun. I am truely blessed to have such great friends that I met through school. I helped my dad do some stuff and later tonight I practice a bit of yoga. Tomorrow I'm going to work, but other than that I'll probably read. You know. Sometimes life just needs to be simple. Sure, the glamour and lights are fun, but just relaxing and taking in the world one breath at a time has a high of its own. Simplicity is what life is all about. Sure, it's fun to go out, but we can't spend money all the time. If we did, life would just get so dull. This week is about taking things one step at a time. Yes, I am a little panicked at the moment. But it's okay. I'll be able to pay for my school books hopefully by next week. For the meantime there is nothing I can do about it. And that is what being in the moment is about. Not feeling stressed about a situation that I have no control over. Live life the way you want, and enjoy it.
I guess what I am saying in my title, that life isn't really made up of a series of events, is that it's really based on what we choose to notice in out lives. Are we living, just to experience something bigger and better? Or are we living NOW? Experiencing each moment as it is? Because really, that's all we have. We can anticipate the things to come, but to be honest, that's not living. That's not happiness. So, life is not ONLY a series of events, life is simply each and every second that we breath.
Namaste