In every autumn there is a spring. All you need to do is look around and see what’s blossoming around you. Yes, autumn is a time where leaves change, the weather gets colder and things start to fall. We see leaves change colors, we watch them fall and we step are feet onto them and hear them crunch.
Don’t let the changes of seasons bring you down when all you can think of is spring. Yes, in the spring we watch the flowers bloom, we smell the aroma in the air and life begins again after the cold dead feeling of winter.
Truthfully, we can find that same bloom in the midst of any season. I have learned to find this through my yoga practice.
In the ancient practice of yoga, yogis practice mudras. A mudra is a hand gesture that activates energy from within. There are several different mudras and the one people are most familiar with is Anjali mudra or hands in prayer position.
When you want to open your heart or find spring in the midst of fall, try using Lotus Mudra. Lotus mudra is my favorite. I use it in many poses. I mostly use it in seated lotus or tree pose. Lotus Mudra awakens the heart. This mudra is perfect when you need to practice metta or loving kindness.

How to do Lotus Mudra:
Bring the heels of the palms together, thumb tips and pinky fingertips touching. Keep your knuckles separate and let your fingers blossom like the petals of a flower.

Below is a picture of me practicing Lotus Mudra in the midst of autumn.

“If you’re having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up — to know that there’s life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can’t find it anywhere else.”

–Natalie Goldberg

So many people don’t understand what all the #’s are that they see on some of their friends Facebook and Instagram posts. To some eyes it looks sloppy and messy. Almost like an unedited piece that needs grammar corrections. Or it may appear that the word is misspelled.

It took me some time to figure out all of the hype with #’s everywhere on social media. Every persons post seemed to #hashtageverything from #kittens to #hashtagcrazy to #saturdaynightisthefunnestnightoftheweek
Long hashtags. Hashtag #whatdoesthismean.

I slowly started to figure it out and it made sense. On sites like Instagram or Facebook a person can #hashtag a word or phrase related to something either on their mind or in their work.
I noticed businesses using this system and then I noticed the #hashtags were written in bold print. When my intuition lead me to click on the word, it lead me to others who had posted the same hashtag.
It fascinates me now as a marketing wannabe. I like #hashtagging my posts because it helps to market my work. When I hashtag #kidsyoga it then leads me to others in the world who are doing the same thing.
I feel like its a modern way to relate to others through technology and social media. One can connect with others and learn from their ideas and the innovations of their work.
Makes sense to me. I like it. Thumbs up (like a Facebook like).
So if you like kittens or just want to go #hashtagcrazy then start trying this trend.
Trend. That’s the right word for this.
It’s like the bell bottom jeans of the internet. It’s likely to be a trend that will be misunderstood and then eventually it will be technologies hottest fashion. It may go out of style, but there will always be room for its come back.

I’ve been really evaluating my self-care process this past week. I think I have a pretty good routine that works for me and that keeps me healthy. I’ve always enjoyed working out, yoga, contemplative thinking and eating well. I’ve studied Reiki, had lots of energy work done, studied and practiced flower essences. I am not afraid to go deep and work on myself. I don’t always enjoy the ride and sometimes I feel like I am flying with angel wings around the universe and other times I feel like I am on one of those spinning kiddie rides that make me nauseous. To see the light, you’ve got to live in the dark. The mud, the pit, the underworld or the boogy mans house.

Self care is so important. It’s more than getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth and washing your hair. It requires more discipline than that. You don’t have to follow anyone’s rules on how you structure your self-care, but you’ve got to have a practice.

http://www.bloomlifedesign.com

I’ve been evaluating my process a lot these past two weeks while road tripping back to the ‘Heartland’ where I grew up. I drove 8 hours round-trip from Charlotte, NC to Cincinnati, OH. I saw family, stood in a dear friends wedding, partied and rambled on. I was able to maintain a good solid routine while away for 6 days. I managed to do yoga at least 3 days, meditate regularly, hike, walk, swim, dance, and eat at an Earth Fare. I didn’t have my juicer, so I drank green juice every morning from the Kroger nearby. I ate more processed foods than normal, which I think hurried up my moon cycle and brought it days earlier than expected. Between the driving and the cramps, I was zoned. I still had to return home and wake up the next day to teach 3 yoga classes all over the city of Charlotte. I was reminded how much maintaining a self-care practice is important in creating less stressful and chaotic responses.

I happened to re-read a section in Sara Avant Stover’s book The Way of the Happy Woman that reminded me of self-care acts that I was either doing well or lacking in. I felt so inspired to strengthen my self-care and commit to the things I am lacking in.

Check out this list on how to be a happy woman.

Create a Sacred Space

Set up an altar in your home. A sacred place where you can go to and pray or find peace. Don’t let any dirt or crumbs come in this space. Smudge the space every week or so to clear the spaces energy.

Your Absolute Yes and Absolute No Lists by Sara Avant Stover

Say YES!

* Sleep at least eight hours a night

* Take a candlelit bath a few times a week

* Do yoga six days per week, even if you only practice for 10 minutes

* Go for walks outside at least a few times a week

* Spend mornings in silence

* Meditate a minimum  of ten minutes per day

* Eat simple, wholesome foods that agree with me

* Get a pedicure every month and a massage every other week

* Dance at least once per week

* Write in a journal daily. Write gratitude lists or just write your thoughts on paper. Try at least 3 pages or just doodle.

*Go on at least one meditation retreat and one beach vacation a year

* Meet with friends at least twice a week

* Go to Farmers Market every week

* Rest after travel before going back into daily routines

* Unplug from the phone and computer one day a week

Where to Say NO!!!

* No checking email first thing in the morning or before bed

* No laptop in bed unless watching a movie

* No working on Sundays

* No strenuous activity or work on the first day of my moon time

* No red-eye flights

* No letting things slide or not speaking up for what I want or need

* No call waiting. Disable the function on my phone so that conversations don’t get interrupted

* No competing with or comparing myself to others

* No checking email more than a few times per day and don’t zone out while looking at the internet

* No excuses for not letting my body move or get outside every day, unless I’m sick.

* No eating when I’m angry, upset, or having a stressful conversation

Believe me, it’s not easy to maintain ALL of the above. However, to practice practicing these acts, will create a better understanding and relationship with  self-care. I find that in the morning upon my awakening and stepping my feet onto the floor, I say to myself or out loud, all the things that I need to do first before doing anything else that is important. It’s usually the same conversation everyday and it beefs up my self-care muscles each time I acknowledge its importance.

So take a moment, to once again re-read the above lists and then go and strengthen your self-care routine.

enjoy!

Mary Breath

I took myself on a date today. I told myself when I got in the car, ‘take me where I need to go.’
As I continued to drive I found myself on a fun adventure.
The picture above was taken at one of the places that I ended up.
this is how it made me feel.
Sometimes you’ve got to go to a French bakery and eat a croissant and two macaroons followed by a glass of water. Boring I know. That is the refreshing water that tastes good after all those sweets. But then heading over to the hip mini market for a beet juice followed by a stroll through vintage shops where inspiration and creativity are sought.

Now!! That was a fun Sunday date!

Smiles