Phineas J. Memorial
“Race For The Paws”

 On Sunday, July 18th, I will be participating in my first ever sprint triathlon!  I have been training since mid-March and although, at times, it has not been easy, I am successfully completing the required distances of 1/2 mile swim, 10 mile bike ride, and 3 mile run. Now, I just have to do that with ...

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Small Bump?  Hardly…

So…. I got rear ended the other day at my daughter’s school while waiting in line for her to be taken out of the car for her morning of fun and play. Thankfully, the driver of the other car was moving extremely slowly so other than a dent in my bumper we are no worse for the wear. However, it ...

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Holiday “Lights”

    During this time of year, it is oh so very easy to get caught up in the chaos of the season. From the endless buying, decorating, wrapping to the checking of the Christmas list one more time, checking the budget in hopes of not going over. Sometimes I think the true spirit and magic of the season can be lost on all of this ... << MORE >>

At What Temperature Do You Approach Life?

I have recently started a training program to become a Yoga Teacher.  It is a nine month program that will be completed in May of 2010, which will make me eligible to begin teaching next summer.  Very exciting for me!  I’ve been practicing yoga for almost 10 years and it truly has been transformational for me, so for this reason I decided to share these gifts with others through the art of teaching.  At the beginning of my training, my teacher asked us what type of students we were, hot, medium or mild.  Hot meaning we jump into our teachings full force, with an all out effort, a sense of seriousness about us, intensity rising and a hint of perfection on the brim.  Medium, being well, a medium approach, effort with some surrender to not being so intense and perfect.  Mild, doing “okay,” not worrying about too much, if it gets there, it gets there.  I contemplated this for nearly 6 weeks, not really knowing where I fell until one much fated fall day in a swimming pool, of all places.

I had recently signed up for some private swimming instruction after years of wanting to learn different strokes and technique to add aquatics to my exercise routine.  I was practicing what I had learned thus far, one afternoon, gleefully supported by the water, wearing my new pink goggles, feeling free as a bird as I began to spread my water wings.  Up to this point, my swimming coach had directed me on air exchange (breathing in the water) and some very basic physical movements, such as kicking, floating and things of that nature.  I decided that day, however, that I was going “to show him” and put the whole thing together and attempt a front crawl.  I got about ½ way down the length of the pool before I began gasping, choking, feeling light-headed, experiencing foot cramps and looking like I was being eaten by a shark.  So, this went on for about 30 minutes while I was wondering, “why the heck can’t I do this, how hard can it be?” before it hit me like a ton of bricks that I am indeed a HOT learner.  Not only am I a hot learner, but my general approach to life is hot as well.

I don’t know if it was the support of the water, my recent yogic teachings, my increased state of mindfulness or all of the above, but what an unexpected lesson I received that day in the pool.  At what temperature do you approach life?  What type of a learner are you?  Are you happy being where you are?  Where could you make some space, changes, or soften? 

I have since taken several steps back and have enjoyed learning to swim in bits and pieces.  Systematically going through the steps intended to help me to become proficient enough to save my own life!  All the while coming to the realization that I would be a very happy MEDIUM!!!! 

        

Riding the Bumper Cars, Alone…

    As I was watching my 6 year old daughter, Grace, ride the bumper cars, alone, this year at the Skowhegan fair, I started to reflect on what this great feat of independence means. Think about it. You have to be at least 48 inches to ride this ride without an adult and she has, indeed, reached that milestone. Sure, she has reached many milestones in her life such as, eating with ...<< MORE >>

Summer Simplicity

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    With Memorial Day in our rear view mirrors, I ask, what that day means for you. It’s to kick-off the unofficial start of summer, right? Enjoying nice weather, boating, time outdoors, BBQ’s, time with family and friends, smearing sunscreen, spraying bug spray, hours of traffic, and getting some much needed rest and relaxation, right? All sounds quite lovely doesn’t it? Once again, my family and I attended a Memorial Day celebration, where the middle school ...<< MORE >>

The Power of Positive Self-Talk

Imagine having the power to create your “good” day, what would that feel like? Imagine having the power to be in-charge of your own success, what would that look like? Imagine having the power to have the highest level of self-esteem and accomplishment possible, how incredible to possess such a gift? Well, the good news is that you can. Want to know the secret? Be kind to yourself and be ...<< MORE >>

Creating Labels

Ah, labels, how they do serve us? What assistance do they provide us? What forms do they come in? Think of the many things that we put labels on and the consequences this practice can have. They can be quite beneficial at times, right? We put labels on food packaging to help educate consumers as to what they are putting into their bodies, the consequences are improved knowledge and informed decision ...<< MORE >>