Colorful Challenges Ahead in Everyday Ramblings
- July 4, 2014, 3:41 p.m.
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- Public
It is warm and dry. Both unusual for the 4th of July holiday here in Portland.
It was lovely early and that is even more rare. I enjoyed my time out on the track. It will be hazy for the biggest fireworks display of the year. And this year our waterfront Blues Festival is huge! Attracting well-known musicians and therefore more folks. I’ll be walking through there is a few hours to wend my way to the yoga studio for the next to the last weekend of classes there.
Actually it is probably my last weekend of classes because my private student is going out of town next weekend. So I’ll go over, am planning on riding my bike over and back, but I don’t expect any students. But you never know…
St. Joe clocked in from Southern Oregon yesterday morning and really wanted to be useful so with encouragement from both him and my manager I logged off at noon and took a long nap. Slowly but surely my energy levels are returning but it takes time and I think I mentioned that the surgery Wednesday was intense.
I am taking it pretty easy today. No long hikes or bike rides or inversions or… The icing seems to have worked and although I looked like I had a stroke on Wednesday there is practically no swelling today.
Very carefully I had a little festive picnic with Brie and fresh multi-grain baguette and cantaloupe and fresh cherries this afternoon…. Ah.
It is the 100th anniversary of my mother’s birth today. My genes are that old. :) Wow.
I put something about that up on Facebook and now am worried about dating myself. Only from a hiring perspective, in case my position gets eliminated in the next reorg and for yoga teacher positions (my retirement career is what they call it) and with umm, guys. Oh well.
It is silly to worry about stuff like this. I know that. Clearly I haven’t reached enlightenment yet.
But I am indulging in Svadhyaya today. Which is part of the bigger yoga package. Contemplation and study of the scriptures. One definition I like is …refinement of the intellect through introspection and the acquisition of knowledge.
My coordinator, the child life specialist on the cancer unit I am volunteering on called to talk to me yesterday a little about my approach to the families on the unit. We are having trouble getting some of the caregivers to actually come to class. (Which, of course brings out all my insecurities) I am low key about the whole thing… if you can come great, if you can’t…
But for her it is something the families need. That is why they offer it. So she wants me to spend more time with them. This is very scary for the introvert in me. I need to get that this is a skill and I can learn it. I do feel strongly that the caregivers will benefit from quiet time with me. I am trained for that.
This is not about me and my fears and insecurities. This is about the child with cancer and the family that supports the child. I need to ask my nurse friends to help with my approach. I need to nudge and empower and cajole and support and get them into the room.
I can do this. I lost 40 pounds I didn’t think I could lose and I stick a big old needle in Sammy every darn day to give him fluids. If I can do that, I can do this. Yes.
Hope those of you here in The States are enjoying your holiday.
seedys ⋅ July 04, 2014
The introvert in me exits when I am doing tour selling. For me, it isn't about selling, money, or anything like that. For me, it is about making sure that the people I encounter understand that what I am informing them about is the BEST possible way for them to have a great experience while they are in my town.
I BELIEVE in what I am promoting will benefit them in ways they don't even think about when they are looking for a tour. Like great drivers, great stories, great interaction with the other people along for the ride. Laughter and entertainment are in there too, not just spectacular view.
So, my dear noko exit the introvert zone and enter the extrovert zone, act like it is a role you are playing if need be (I did fostered by the fact that I was in costume). Soon it will not be a role or acting, it will be a sincere desire to enhance the lives of those you are offering your expertise to.
I KNOW you believe in what you do. I know you know what you are offering is going to help these people spiritually, emotionally and physically do the difficult things that lie before them.
Isn't yoga about opening your being to the Universe and all that is in it? Well, open your heart, let these people in, I promise you your world will open up, you will feel joy mixed in with the sorrow of the situation they are in. And theirs will open up as well, a perfect circle of peace and joy which only YOU can begin to provide.
I am absolutely convinced that once you operate from love, compassion and a realization that what you are offering will bring healing and peace to the parents and relatives there in the hospital. As well, why not the children if they are mobile and have permission from their physicians?
OH, my mind just exploded with you developing yoga and meditation that can be done from a hospital bed, or chair, tailored to each patient's various physical restrictions. Even just a crossing of the legs into a yoga position with hands at Namaste, breathing in and out and visualizing health and well-being.
I'll stop now, enough from me. It is all in your hands, GO FOR IT. What's the worse that could happen? Okay, now what's the best??? Sending you love,
gypsy spirit ⋅ July 04, 2014
that pink hydrangea is simply lovely. as far as energy levels, just continue listening to your body and all will be well. hugs p
woman in the moon ⋅ July 04, 2014
seedys has inspired me. Certainly good advice for you. I mean you can do it. I would think success would breed success - as it does in other areas of life.
About aging, making age public,etc. I keep telling people I'm 68. I think being old but not being old is an advantage. I could be wrong. I probably am wrong, but I refuse to believe it.
Most of the time anyway.
Ragdolls ⋅ July 09, 2014
edna million ⋅ July 15, 2014
What a gorgeous hydrangea -- I have two of them that for years have been huge and bloomed like crazy, but this year I don't even see any buds and the bushes are very small still. I'm not sure what's going on, but I miss them.
Seedys' advice is great. I would have serious problems with that too, but it is a wonderful thing you are offering that will help them enormously.