I spent last weekend at my second of three yoga immersions. In addition to diving deeper into our physical practice, we began to study and talk more about yoga philosophy. This is something I know very little about, but am very interested in gaining greater knowledge. We learned about the seven chakras (pronounced with a hard "ch" sound, not a "sh" sound) and had a lesson about one of the most famous yogic texts called the Bhagavad Gita.
In the midst of our lessons, my amazingly wonderful and wise teacher said this:
"Our greatest asset is also our greatest liability."
Wait, WHAT?!?!? Pull the emergency break because I need to stop for a second! WOW! That statement completely blew me away. What an incredibly insightful and profound sentence that is. We got to thinking and discussing what that sentence meant to each one of us.
So I thought I'd take a few minutes to tell you what I think the greatest asset/liability is in my life.
I'm a giver, a doer, a pleaser. I am the friend that you want to have because I will always be there for you. I will stick up for you and defend you no matter what. I'll also help you if you are in need and go out of my way to make sure that you are OK. Sounds great, right? Who wouldn't want to be my friend? Here's the thing though, because I'm that way, I kind of expect my friends to be that way too. Which is a lot to expect of people. And most of the time I'm let down. Now that's not to say that I don't have friends who I feel like I can trust and know would have my back if I needed. I do. I really do. But there are also people that have been a bit of a let down.
So in my journey to be a good friend (not that it's an effort, I'm just that way), I've begun to realize that just because I am a pleaser, doesn't mean that everyone else is. And that's on me. I can't control how other people treat me and I can't expect everyone to like me. And that's OK.
But when I come back to the statement, "our greatest asset is our greatest liability," I get it. It's pretty eye-opening and has made me reflect on myself and who I consider my friends, really truly my friends.
Take a moment. Ask yourself that question. Really think about it. You may surprise yourself with your answer. It may shed a little light into your heart. And open your eyes just a little wider.
Peace and love.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Where Did The Time Go?
As I sit here and write this, I'm in the process of ordering all the necessary things that Primo needs for sleep away camp this summer. In between the sleeping bags, water bottles, head lamps and backpacks, I just can't help thinking...where did the time go? How is it that my first born is old enough to go to sleep away camp? And why is it me that's going to be so sad to wave him goodbye when he will go running off and not even look back.
We've all heard the saying, the days go slow but the years fly by, when we think about our children. It seems like yesterday that Primo came into this world weighing a whopping 9lbs./1oz. And now he's off to camp! When did this happen?
Primo is the type of kid that is fiercely independent. He's not afraid of walking into a classroom where he knows no one. He's able to figure it out. He may be a little quiet at first until he feels comfortable but once he does, he shines. He's very smart (aren't they all??) and is wise beyond his years. He thinks he's already in high school (he's in 2nd). He knows how to use the computer and every Apple device better than me. I go to him when something isn't working on my iPhone! He's very current with music and pop culture. Though admittedly, his taste could be better. He would prefer to watch Access Hollywood than Power Rangers. He is truly a unique child. And he is the love of my life.
Don't get me wrong, Segundo is pretty awesome too, but Segundo is your average 6 year old. He has the attention span of a gnat, would wear his pajamas to school if I didn't remind him (a thousand times!) and would prefer to sit on my lap and snuggle than do anything else. (Which is a mother's dream really.) Segundo is kind, sweet, thoughtful and silly. He's a six year old. But I'll be lucky if I can ever get him out of the house! He doesn't like team sports, he's too shy. If I sign him up for a class, the first thing he says is "will I know anybody there?" And when I told him that Primo would be away for 3 1/2 weeks this summer, he said, "then I get you all to myself"! He really is a love.
I know there will come a time in the not too distant future when they'll stop giving me so many hugs and think I'm totally embarrassing. There's a time when they'll want me to drop them a block away and walk to where they're going so they don't have to be seen with me. But I hope that time doesn't come too soon.
These boys are growing up so fast. I wish I could slow down the clock just a little. Keep them 8 and 6 for a few more years. They are amazing. They are wonderful. And they are mine.
Happy Mother's Day everyone.
Peace and love.
We've all heard the saying, the days go slow but the years fly by, when we think about our children. It seems like yesterday that Primo came into this world weighing a whopping 9lbs./1oz. And now he's off to camp! When did this happen?
Primo is the type of kid that is fiercely independent. He's not afraid of walking into a classroom where he knows no one. He's able to figure it out. He may be a little quiet at first until he feels comfortable but once he does, he shines. He's very smart (aren't they all??) and is wise beyond his years. He thinks he's already in high school (he's in 2nd). He knows how to use the computer and every Apple device better than me. I go to him when something isn't working on my iPhone! He's very current with music and pop culture. Though admittedly, his taste could be better. He would prefer to watch Access Hollywood than Power Rangers. He is truly a unique child. And he is the love of my life.
Don't get me wrong, Segundo is pretty awesome too, but Segundo is your average 6 year old. He has the attention span of a gnat, would wear his pajamas to school if I didn't remind him (a thousand times!) and would prefer to sit on my lap and snuggle than do anything else. (Which is a mother's dream really.) Segundo is kind, sweet, thoughtful and silly. He's a six year old. But I'll be lucky if I can ever get him out of the house! He doesn't like team sports, he's too shy. If I sign him up for a class, the first thing he says is "will I know anybody there?" And when I told him that Primo would be away for 3 1/2 weeks this summer, he said, "then I get you all to myself"! He really is a love.
I know there will come a time in the not too distant future when they'll stop giving me so many hugs and think I'm totally embarrassing. There's a time when they'll want me to drop them a block away and walk to where they're going so they don't have to be seen with me. But I hope that time doesn't come too soon.
These boys are growing up so fast. I wish I could slow down the clock just a little. Keep them 8 and 6 for a few more years. They are amazing. They are wonderful. And they are mine.
Happy Mother's Day everyone.
Peace and love.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Uninspired
For the last few weeks I've been completely uninspired by everything. Cooking, friends, workouts, the works. I think part of it is the weather. I am not a gray, rainy weathered type of girl. I'd shrivel up and die in Seattle. I love the sun, it makes me happy, puts me in a good mood and makes me want to go out and get things done. But for some reason, for the last two weeks, Anytown has been under a big, gray rain cloud. Blah.
I've been getting by on my usual boring meals, veggie burgers, hummus, salads, boring. So today I pulled out a recipe that I love and haven't made in a while. It's a bright sunny dish filled with lots of colorful veggies and is quite delicious to boot. So I thought I'd share because I haven't posted a recipe in a while and this one will brighten up your plate. For you meat lovers, you could add chicken or chorizo, but it is really great just the way it is. Enjoy!
Vegetarian Paella
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
1/4 tsp. saffron strands
1 (140z) can of diced tomatoes, drained
2 small peppers, any color you like
1 cup lima beans (I use edamame instead)
2 cups veggie broth
1 cup frozen peas
Lemon wedges for garnish
Method
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook for three minutes. Add rice and saffron and continue to cook, stirring constantly for one minute. Add tomatoes and stir. Add peppers and edamame and cook for a minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Check and see if you need more liquid, if so, add some more broth. Then cover and cook another 5 minutes.
Stir in peas and cook until just tender and liquid is absorbed. Don't overcook the rice. Serve with a lemon wedge for garnish.
YUMMY!!
Peace and love.
I've been getting by on my usual boring meals, veggie burgers, hummus, salads, boring. So today I pulled out a recipe that I love and haven't made in a while. It's a bright sunny dish filled with lots of colorful veggies and is quite delicious to boot. So I thought I'd share because I haven't posted a recipe in a while and this one will brighten up your plate. For you meat lovers, you could add chicken or chorizo, but it is really great just the way it is. Enjoy!
Vegetarian Paella
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
1/4 tsp. saffron strands
1 (140z) can of diced tomatoes, drained
2 small peppers, any color you like
1 cup lima beans (I use edamame instead)
2 cups veggie broth
1 cup frozen peas
Lemon wedges for garnish
Method
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook for three minutes. Add rice and saffron and continue to cook, stirring constantly for one minute. Add tomatoes and stir. Add peppers and edamame and cook for a minute. Add broth and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Check and see if you need more liquid, if so, add some more broth. Then cover and cook another 5 minutes.
Stir in peas and cook until just tender and liquid is absorbed. Don't overcook the rice. Serve with a lemon wedge for garnish.
YUMMY!!
Peace and love.
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