March 13, 2010

fasting, day twelve

(Alternate entry title: "not fasting, day three")

I am STILL sick! My nose is running like a faucet today. Bleh! Double bleh! Enough, already.

I have had a productive day, though, as far as sick days go. I made some broccoli cheddar soup for Steve and the family (all of whom also are not feeling well) and a delicious-looking almond cherry macaroon pie. It’s cooling on the counter, but we shall dig into it shortly! I think I might have to put some chocolate Coconut Bliss ice cream on top. And HAVE IT FOR DINNER! Because, as my mother-in-law just pointed out, that is the SENSIBLE way to eat pie! HA HA! So true, so true.

I'll post a photo of the pie after the Fast. In case it isn't self-evident (which it might not be), the images I have been posting during the Fast are all from Pilgrimage. I thought it was a fitting visual theme for this time of year. Enjoy!

a perfect fit

For today, I am reflecting on this quote:

Cause me to taste, O my Lord, the divine sweetness of Thy remembrance and praise. I swear by Thy might! Whosoever tasteth of its sweetness will rid himself of all attachment to the world and all that is therein, and will set his face towards Thee, cleansed from the remembrance of anyone except Thee. (Bahá'u'lláh, Bahá'í Prayers [US, 1991 Ed], p256)

March 12, 2010

fasting, day eleven

I still feel sick today. Boooooo! Boo on viruses! My throat hurts less than it did yesterday, but there is a lot of other stuff going on, especially congestion. Bleh.

I took it easy and just read a lot, watched Ponyo on DVD, mailed a couple of things to friends, and made good food for myself, like lemony salmon and dill rice w. lima beans (baghalee polo). YUM! I think tomorrow I'm going to make an almond cherry macaroon pie. WOW! We'll see if I have the energy to do that.

There was something deep I was thinking about earlier, but because I am so low on energy, I can't remember what it was! I guess I don't have a lot to share today other than a short list of gratitude--something I try to do when I feel sick because it SO challenges me to be feeling yucky. So, the list is a way to focus on the positive. That's good, right?

I feel grateful for:

my friends (i have the best friends in the whole world!)

good food (keep it coming!)

scarves (help me feel warm and cozy when I'm sick!)

my cameras (i have so many images that comfort me)

the humidifier (maybe it will help my sore throat)

let us inhale the perfume of the rose

For today, I am reflecting on this quote:

In short, it behooves us all to be lovers of truth. Let us seek her in every season and in every country, being careful never to attach ourselves to personalities. Let us see the light wherever it shines, and may we be enabled to recognize the light of truth no matter where it may arise. Let us inhale the perfume of the rose from the midst of thorns which surround it; let us drink the running water from every pure spring. ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p133-4)

March 11, 2010

fasting, day ten

WARNING: Graphic illustration of bodily functions -- turn back now if you are grossed out by poop talk!

I'm not fasting today, and I'm not happy about that. It's a good way to encourage detachment in me, though, which, after all, is the point of fasting. Ironic.

I went to bed last night with a horrendous sore throat and muscle aches, and I woke up in the middle of the night with severe abdominal cramps leading to the complete (I hope) and rapid (unfortunately) expulsion of whatever was in my bowels at that time. Bleh. The upside is that I woke up with clean insides! The downside is that I'm actually sore from the cramping. Crazy.

So, yeah. I have a cold. I blame Steve (who has been sick since last Thursday) even though it's more likely I picked up a virus from a little person. Between Sam (the boy with whom I work) and nephews and nieces and other kids who are just around, it is quite likely in any given week that I'll pick up a bug from a little person. Darn children. (Kidding!!)

Moving on now.

As you may or may not know, I teach yoga classes. I love it! In many ways, I feel I was designed to do this kind of work in life -- healing, spiritual and physical work. Did I mention I love it? Next month, I begin a four-week teacher-training program through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and I am SO EXCITED! I can barely contain myself on most days. Seriously.

Anyway, to prepare for the training, we are reading Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat. Even though the book is mostly about yoga, it is really about paths toward general health and wellness. I highly recommend it even if you are not into yoga, per se. Today, I turned to a section called "Navigating the Journey of Change" -- SO appropriate for the Fast, no? What I read resonated VERY strongly for me, so I thought I would share:

Awareness is the first step in lifestyle change. Feelings and insights that arise during yoga practice are important signposts, but life provides constant opportunities to see yourself and grow in self-awareness. As you attune to where you are right now, you often have a strong sense of the direction you want to move.

Acceptance is being at peace with however you are showing up in the moment. Acceptance frees up the energy required to change. Judging yourself for not being better only undermines self-esteem and drains energy. Without acceptance, there is little possibility for true change and absolutely none for enjoying the process.

Adjustment is making a desired lifestyle change to enhance well-being. Start with easy-to-accomplish adjustments you find pleasant. Inspired by success, you will naturally move on to areas of greater challenge. Avoid the trap of wanting to change everything overnight, or feeling that the changes required are so great, that it is not even worth starting. The secret to long lasting change is gradual adjustments over time. (p187 -- emphasis in bold typeface is mine -- italics were included in the original text)

WOW! Really, wow! You know? I often say in my classes, "Honor where your body is today -- it is simply one point along a continuum of growth and flexibility. In time and with gradual efforts, your postures deepen and you move ever closer toward proper alignment in the asanas. Give yourself some grace, though, if your body isn't where your mind imagines it 'ought' to be. Focus on the little steps." In the context of yoga practice, letting change happen naturally and gradually makes complete sense to me; it is very obvious to me, in fact. However, there is an UTTER LACK of application of these principles in my personal life! How did that happen? Wow.

I am totally that person who wants everything to change overnight! Especially in my relationships. It affected my first marriage, and I realize that it is affecting my life now, despite the fact that I am aware of it. Sometimes it feels like a runaway train, though--no matter how hard I try NOT to expect change RIGHT NOW, that expectation just takes over.

So, I am reflecting DEEPLY on these principles: Awareness, Acceptance and Adjustment. Wow.

awareness acceptance adjustment

For today, I am reflecting on these quotes:

Yesterday is dead. Tomorrow is not yet born. We can only live in the present. (Yogi Amrit Desai)

Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. (Bahá'u'lláh, Tablet of Wisdom - Lawh-i-Hikmat)

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