Hello Vacation

So Vacation? Yes, but apparently a vacation from writing too. It has been a hectic February starting with vacation and then a very sick child, a sick self a sick husband, a week long yoga training and finally a sick child again.

It always amazes me how when I get out of a routine life goes haywire.  A need to stay connected and balanced goes out the window and I often find myself looking at a period of time (this time a month) and wondering what happened.  

After much chaos and conflict, I think we are all back on track.  All working to take care of ourselves and having an opportunity to grow.  For me part of my growth came on the Commuter Rail coming home from Boston one night after an almost 15 hour day of commuting and yoga, and talking about the principles of yoga when I was reflecting on the Yama and Niyama (Part of the 8 Limbs of Yoga).  I had been doing a lot or reading for this training and suddenly I realized that the grounding I needed had been starting me in the face for quite some time.  So I have decided that I will take a few weeks and reflect upon each individually during this journey I am currently on.

Yama - the ethical disciplines by which to live.  Our timeless moral code.

1.  Ahimsa- non- violence, or non-killing

Ahimsa means so much more than, though shall not kill.  It is referring to everyone and everything.  It is about living a non-violent life style. In thought, action and belief.  In yoga, not pushing past what your body can do, being non-violent in the way we care for ourselves and our family and those around us.  And often most importantly, it is about self criticism.  Letting go of the violent nature with which we think about the world and the people in it.  

During the next few weeks I will work to write about how I am following this, and will use the blog as my journal on my journey to growth.

As always I am open to any feed back you may have!

Namsate.

Fear.....

So in writing for the book, I have come across and have been writing about Barriers to balanced living and self care, barriers that contribute to Burnout and I have recently written about Fear.  So I ask, how has fear contributed to who you are, what you do and/or how you do things?

I like to believe that I am fearless, that when something "scary" presents itself, I simply see it as a challenge to over come, and not an obstacle blocking my path, but the reality is that we all have fears.  Including me, my fears change depending on the day.  

For most fear is a natural part of life, our ancestors lived among wild carnivorous and they were often the prey, so the bodies response for fear, the "fight or flight" response serves them well. But currently fear tends to get in our way of happiness. It causes us to not take risks, not live a full life and sit at home, worried something or other will happen.

Fear often causes us to avoid that which we find to be unfamiliar or challenging, opting instead for the known or safe path.  This often does not lead us to happiness, but rather an increase in stress.  The result of giving in to fear is we stay stuck in the same spot, not growing, not moving forward, but simply existing. 

I know for sure that I want my life to be more than just existing.  Fear may cause us to continue to set the same goals over and over and yet not move forward toward completion because of fear.  We may be really good at long term goals, my 10 year plan is......, but not as efficient at the 1 week goals, or due to fear not even make them.


Fear is an emotion that can be used to move us forward (like fight or flight) or hold us back.  Fear is powerful and think if you can harness that fear and use that to fuel the fire of growth how much success and happiness you will find.


How will you use your fear??


Namaste