Lessons Learned These Past Months

Oh My Life!!!  You have been generous in teaching me what I am/have/suppose to (be) learn(ing).  It’s been a while since I’ve made these ‘lessons learned’ lists so let’s get back to why life is still good regardless of what is going on… because there will always be something to learn from.  Here’s 13 lucky lessons I’m grateful for:

1.  You are responsible for your own feelings.   

2.  You react because that’s how you choose to be.  It’s never what another person did, said, or didn’t do or say.

3.  Don’t react.  Just see things exactly the way they are. 

4.  Love people as higher beings no matter what they’ve done, said, didn’t do, didn’t say and especially if you hate their guts to pieces.  (Previous posts on what a higher being is:  I hate Vegetarians and Higher Beings)

5.  Someone out there is always watching out for you.

6.  Count your blessings… especially when it gets tougher. 

7.  Timing is everything.  And it’s always the right time.

8.  Apologies go a long way. 

9.  Don’t feel guilty for being happy.  It’s not selfish. 

10. Don’t assume anything. 

11.  If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way, if you don’t, you’ll find many excuses.

12.  Keep moving forward.

13.  Take risks.  It doesn’t take much courage to take risks.. just a willingness to be courageous. 

And this is a great reminder… thanks facebook

10 Things I Learned Last Week

I’ve been missing lately for good reason.  (1) I learned from the past to know when to slow down before the Universe has to punch me in the face to tell me to slow down.  So that’s exactly what I did.  During the time away,  (2) I discovered that sometimes I write this blog to resist my turning inward.   I use it as an excuse to not sit in meditation.   Sometimes I find myself being competitive in my posts and strive to write a bigger and better post than the previous… which is not all bad, but (3) competition kills the fun of expressing as I am.   (4) Bigger or more is not always better.

image credit: everystockphoto.com

During the no pressure of writing a post, I enjoyed long walks with my fur faced son, Marley.  It has been raining the last week here in the bay area and during our “hurry up let’s go for a walk before it pours harder” walks, I notice how I’m always in a rush.  I walk fast.  I rush the kids at whatever they’re doing.   I eat in a rush. I rush the dog to hurry up and no more sniffing, “you’ve smelled that bush already, let’s go.”  And no matter how much I rush, I’m still always late.

(5) Rushing ruins the present moment.   (6) Appreciate the present moment (especially when I’m walking the dog in the rain — it’s so refreshing!).   (7) Enjoy each moment as if it was the first time (and let the dog sniff that bush even if he’s sniffed it a million times).   (8) Creativity is maximized in the present moment — well said by lululemon.

(9) There is a time for rest so take rest when needed.  Rejuvenate.  But watch out for lazyiness.

(10) Stay connected.  To friends.  To family.  To breath.  To Self.

10 Things I Learned Last Week

1.  Burn out and burnt out are too different things… try not to be burnt.

2.  Injuries are the universe’s way of telling you to slow down, wake up, and be present.

3.  Tell your loved ones you love them everyday multiple times a day.

4.  The sweetest part of teaching is not getting a student into an advanced pose, but witnessing a room of yogis breathing and moving in sync.

5.  Beware of gossip.

6.  Let it go.

7.  Worrying just causes more worry.

8.  Appreciate a piece of mother nature everyday.

9.  It is possible for me to be on time and even a bit early

10.  I think I prefer to eat pumpkins than carve them.  This was my first ever pumpkin carving and it was hard!   or maybe I just made it harder than it should’ve been.  Freehand

Snoopy

Jazzy's design on the left and Niko's on the right

I love October!

10 Things I Learned Last Week

1.  Kindness is infectious.

2.  It’s hard to not say more than necessary.

3.  If it isn’t working, find a new way.

4.  I can sit and be patient or I can be patient in action.

5.  Only a loved one will tell you like it is with no sugar coating.

6.  Happiness is within arms reach.

7.  How I am speaks loudly even if I don’t say a word.

8.  Get inspired often and inspire more often.

9.  Don’t wait until the last minute to buy tickets for someone like His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

10.  “…And even with broken wings, sometimes you find your way to fly.”  Taio Cruz

I am so stuck on this song.
This remix makes me want to get up and go do something BIG

10 Things I Learned This Week And Name My Dog

1.  Just cause I want it doesn’t mean I need it.

2.  Have a back up plan.

3.  Self promoting is actually pretty challenging.  It feels weird to talk about me me me all the time.

4.  It’s flattering to receive a tip as a teacher, but accepting it feels awkward.  I don’t know why…

5.  It’s amazing what I can get done when I do it for others who are counting on me.

6.  Hmmm maybe I should start counting on myself for myself more often.

7.  It’s easy to get off track and believe it or not just as easy to get back on.  The challenge is to stop thinking about how hard it’s gonna be to get back on track.

8.  Practice makes improvements (love this from last week’s youtube on hooping)

9.  Just make it happen!!!

10.  I never thought naming a dog would be so challenging.

We decided that Diamond was not the right dog for our family.  Although she was the perfect dog, she was much too big for the kiddos to handle.  So she went back to her foster parents    I do miss her high energy, but I know I wouldn’t have had the time needed to train myself, the dog, and the kids (throw in the hubby too) in order to keep her growing into the good ambassador of the breed that she already is.

We did find another dog at the shelter this weekend that has been perfect so far.  He is a 3 year old Dachshund mix that came to the shelter as a stray.  A little shy and very mellow.  He did amazingly well his first night in the crate.  Haven’t heard him bark, whine, or had an accident once yet (knock on wood!).  He doesn’t pull on the leash and likes to snuggle up against legs.  The only problem we have is that we can’t decide on a name for him.

Name options:   Beamer, Barley, Marley (like Bob Marley), Koa, Smores  (Our previous dogs were named after cars, Boxster and Bentley, so that’s why Beamer.  Koa is a tree in Hawaii and it’s wood is brown and used in many applications.  Koa also means brave and fearless.. something that this dog needs to grow confidence in.)

Help name me

What would you call me?

10 Things I Learned This Week

1.  Channel your energy and thoughts into something you really want this week.

2.  When you have something to say, say it!  Don’t bottle it up and hope it will go away or worse yet hope the other person will know what you’re thinking.

3.  Be firm, confident, but compassionate.

4.  I don’t know how, but I need to start finding a way to remember people’s names.  Maybe take some Ginko? 

5.  Pent up energy needs a good kick in the asana!

6.  Keep reminding yourself that it’s just a practice.

7.  People usually have the best intentions even if it doesn’t seem like it to you at the moment.

8.  Nothing soothes a day gone wild than a big bowl of soup that warms the belly.

9.  “Animals are on this planet to not cause chaos, but to remind us humans how to be at peace.”  — Ceasar Chavez, Dog Whisperer

10.  No matter how cute they look, practice non-attachment when looking for a new dog.

I don’t know how our conversation started about owning a dog but all I remember is that we spent the entire dinner a couple weeks ago talking about dogs and the next thing I know I was at the Humane Society yesterday looking for a new family member.  The kiddos are just convinced that they want a dog.  It’s been almost 10 years since I had a 4 legged friend and I do miss having one.   Right now the pros and cons are weighing about the same right now (minus the cuteness factor) and I found myself thinking about these two mutts all night!

This is Ryan, a 1 year old Basset Hound and Dachshund mix we were drawn too at the shelter.  The kids are in favor of him.  He’s very playful and even tempered with a howl that will wake up the full moon

Ryan (photo by Human Society Silicon Valley)

This is Diamond, a 6 month Strafforshire Terrier and Cocker Spaniel Mix that was rescued from a shelter and currently fostered by the Hubby’s friend.  She was scheduled to be euthanized.   Very sweet, well mannered, calm, and the best part house broken and crate trained.

Diamond

Non-attachment is quite the challenge for this week as I am a sucker for those eyes.   Are we ready for a new family member?

10 Things I Learned This Week

1.  Being alone is different than feeling lonely.

2.  Keep it simple and when all else fails, come back to basics.

3.  Stay grounded wherever you go.

4.  Be a YES!

5.  Don’t try to change your way of being to please others.

6.  There’s always at least one thing you can give up each day.

7.   It is a small world. (I think I said this before, but I am constantly reminded of this when someone I just met knows someone I know who knows someone else I know.)

8.   So the world is small, but it’s really one big community.

9.   Even if you make a difference for just one person, it’s still someone.

10. Love sees no borders and we are really just separated by our limiting thoughts.

I did a google search on “world” and found this which was so appropriate for what I learned about community over the weekend with Baron:

The Project for A Better World

So cool, huh?

10 Things I Learned This Week

1.  Don’t be so hard on myself for not getting this post out yesterday

2.  Being still does take a lot more effort than you’d think.  (so the next time you want to yell at the kids for not staying still, please reconsider)

3.  Sometimes to advance in yoga or anything else, it’s necessary to come back to the basics.

4.  If you want something done your way, do it your self.  Otherwise if you want help, ask for it and then let the other person do it their way.

5.  Forced time off is so necessary.

6.  Learn from the best teachers and then tell yourself that you are your own best teacher.

7.  You never know who you’re gonna see walking down the street, so be on your best behavior your best self always

8.  Watch how easily your ego inflates then open the release valve slowly.

9.  Savor time alone often.

10. Get to bed early!!! (What is this the 3rd or 4th week this has been on this list?)  Grrrr…

10 Things I Learned This Week

I stepped on this coral shaped heart at Ke Iki beach after our ceremony. Photo by Adam A. Palmer Photography

1.   Let love be the force behind all intentions and doings.

2.  Dream all the time… even if it doesn’t seem realistic (at the moment) and especially if others think your dreams are ridiculous.

3.  Early to bed and early to rise is something I’m gonna have to nail down… especially if I wanna live on Kauai.  Can you believe the town shuts down at 8-9pm???  What a great idea to strengthen family bonds though!  Love it!

4.  Know when to quit.

5.  Quitting is never a sign of weakness.  Staying and suffering is.

6.  Never say never.

7.   Do what makes you happy.  Always!

8.   Contribute to other’s happiness.  Always!

9.   Although memories are good to muse about… they are in the past.. keep them there.

10.  Stick together… no matter what.

Just got our pictures from our 10 year vow renewal ceremony on Ke Iki Beach!  Yay!  Can’t wait to go thru all 700+ of them.  So grateful for Adam for capturing our special event.

Photo by Adam A. Palmer Photography

10 Things I Learned This Week

Monster Art credit by Kate Barnett: http://www.lostateminor.com/2008/06/19/monster-monsters

1.   Don’t react.

2.  Don’t react.

3.   Don’t react.

4.  Don’t react.

5.   Don’t react.

6.  Don’t react.

7.   Don’t react.

8.  Don’t react.

9.   Don’t react.

10. DON’T REACT!

As you can see, I am stubborn.  The Universe has been challenging me these past few weeks and especially the last several days.  Plans changing and falling through the cracks.  Annoying people.  Obnoxious kids.  A literal pain in my right bum.  Lack of sleep. Bill collectors.  Escrow officer.  Title company.  UGH!!!!   At one point, I EXPLODED and REACTED.

IT. FELT. GOOD.

Lesson #11:  give yourself permission to let the steam out. It’s ok.  But it’s not ok to dwell.

A quote I saw today yesterday while having lunch at a deli cafe by a monster artist whose name I’ve forgotten:

“Sometimes in the race of life, people lose their sensitivity, even becoming monstrous in nature. They should be fortunate to experience an innocent moment if they can appreciate life like they did as children.”