I love a good mandala. Today, I colored a mandala at Bower’s museum with others in the senior program. I am so grateful to be old enough to finally color inside the lines.
Y5 – Day 200 – Mandalas
Reply
Author Archives: Cecilia Steger
Y5 – Day 199 – Back from Retreat
Amazing views from Rancho Palos Verdes retreat this weekend. Check out Los Angeles at the foot of the hills.
Extraordinary evening candlemaking last night, wonderful re-entry. The wolf, blood, super moon during a total eclipse, oh my!
Y5 – Day 198 – Spin It
Life is wonderful but it can be crappy sometimes. It feels like you’re being supported and then you feel like trouble just follows you everywhere.
You have to weigh the marvelous with the awful in life and spin it so you can move forward and grow or… you can wallow in despair.
When the rose-colored glasses come off, you become authentic because, without pain, you don’t transcend your narrow perceptions.
Be proud of learning from your mistakes, it transformed, informed and shaped you.
Y5 – Day 197 – Brenee Brown
She’s not my favorite writer but I do like to listen to her speak. She said, “Choose discomfort over resentment,” when she addressed setting up boundaries for ourselves. It is uncomfortable, but saying NO is actually a self-preservation tool for those who do or care too much for others.
Brown noticed in her research that the most compassionate, wholehearted people had the best and most boundaries. THAT MEANS YOU ARE NOT A BAD PERSON IF YOU SAY NO!!!!!!!
She also proclaims, “Comparison kills Creativity.” Or, as my good friend K says, “Compare, Despair.”
Y5 – Day 196 – Retreat Time
Off to a retreat in Rancho Palos Verdes today on 8 acres of gardens overlooking LA after four days of rain. Constant washing of leaves brings glitter and glam to the whole scenario. Dormant clay dirt comes alive and an emerald green sprouts. Days ago the hills were brown and tan, now, they seem otherworldly.
Y5 – Day 195 – Yoga Center/Cindi’s B-Day
Here is where I center. There is where I stand.
The scented sanctuary, a warm, moving embrace.
Relaxed in the glow of sound, loved by the peace of many colors.
Themes and Teas, come dance with me on Mondays.
Also, today is five (5) years we adopted Cindi. Our rescue pup is love incarnate.
Y5 – Day 194 – July Birth
OOOOOOh I was born in July and these four sentences fit me like a glove.
Mermaid spirited – intuitive, deep and wide. Fierce and passionate like the feline feminine. Open, colorfully centered, advocate for nature and social injustice. Not afraid to curse and hurl the truth at you.
Y5 – Day 193 – Night Table
Y5 – Day 192 – Discernment
Discerning what works and doesn’t work for you is crucial.
Less grumbling, complaining, criticizing and judging versus gratitude, seeing the lesson and the positive is healthy.
If you have fear, what’s motivating it? What drives you to anger? Deep and insightful self-inquiry is a form of discernment.
By being open, kind and giving with the love that wells up in us, dwelling in the soft part of our hearts, we become approachable, lovable and hopeful. That is the paradox. Hardened, hurt and bitter people do not want to appear vulnerable but it is that very same generosity and humility of spirit that attracts others to us.
Feeling ashamed for your sweet sentiments, thoughts or nature, you slowly dim your light. Of course, make sure you are discerning of whom and where you are before.
Y5 – Day 191 – Health
Intelligent Eating + Exercise = Health
And what does intelligent, smart or correct eating mean?
For me, I choose organic, vegan foods. If I was always on my game, all my foods would be whole. I like to eat processed vegan foods so I am not always so conscious. I know for me, I just can’t have sugar, wheat or peanut butter. They are triggers and lead me into the black hole of bingeing.
There are some obvious unhealthy choices like fries that could be considered treats. If you can have just one, then it has no power over you. I am not one of those people. So, it’s smart for me to know what my triggers are and then to stay away from them. Just one bite and I am off and running.
Exercise can mean a walk around the block, one hour on the elliptical or a game of tennis. Everyone needs to determine their start point and build upon it.
Whatever works for you WILL work for you but getting your head around it first and then planning it is best. You have to feel ready and balanced to begin or refresh your regimen. Or, you have to be fed up. If you feel sick and tired of being sick and tired, you must not give up. Just take it one step, one meal and one day at a time.