Day 127: Loving What Is

This is the first Valentine’s Day that my fiance and I have been able to spend together and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the day.  Life always has a way of throwing curveballs when they are least expected and this morning, I got hit with a few big ones.  I think most women would agree that if they could choose one day a year to feel smokin’ hot, they would probably choose Valentines’ Day or an anniversary.  Now I am going to give you way too much information, but I would like to let it be known that life isn’t perfect…it never is, it’s how we handle the imperfections that make us who we are. 

This morning I woke up with horrible cramps, a pimple that could be mistaken for part of the Rockies and a feeling of sadness for a day meant to be romantic.  How can I turn on the romance when I feel like womanly induced crapola?  Oy, I had to get aboard the thought work train and FAST!  I chose to do everything today with intention.   By thinking through every small thing that I did, I made myself happy…even while putting clean sheets on a bed and scrubbing the floors.  After I cleaned the house, I spent some well deserved time on myself, including; an hour of yoga in my living room, a home manicure and pedicure, a facial mask made with honey and tea to calm my cramps.

Tonight I will make lobster and chocolate lava cake while I bask in happiness of just being with the one that I love.  Although it’s not the night I had planned, it’s quickly becoming what it is meant to be.   It’s not just about how smokin’ I can make myself appear.  It’s a day about love and companionship.  For that I am one happy, fulfilled, lucky woman.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!  I hope your day is cramp free and filled with an abundance of love, smiles and chocolate!

Days 124-126: One Step at a Time

Day 124:  On day 124 I went to CPY for a hot yoga fusion class.  I had no idea what a hot power fusion class was but I figured I’d be able to figure it out.  It’s a combination of bikram and vinyasa yoga for 75 minutes.  Although I do not love bikram style, this was a nice way to combine the two.

The instructor had us all put a piece of paper with a dot in the middle of it by the top of our mats.  The purpose was to learn how to concentrate on one thing.  At first I thought it was a silly concept, “how could a dot hold my concentration?”  Thirty minutes into class and I realized that my concentration was at an all time high.

I am not sure if it was the dot, the day or the people around me that helped me hone in on my own practice.  No matter what the reason was, I’d take it.  Concentration rocks my socks!

Day 125:  Yesterday I walked 40 minutes.  Primarily because it was late in the day and I realized I completely forgot to workout, so that was the only option left with a belly full of wine and a few thin mints.  Thank you walking for remaining a steady friend and a great last-minute option.

Day 126:  I think it’s been over two weeks since I have gone on a long run outside and my body missed it so much.  As the reasons for the running hiatus were stacking up, my fwinter running fears were starting to cave in on me.   It might seem strange that I still have running fears after being a runner for seven years, but they fears always find a way to come back.  This time around I was scared for my knees on the ice, the cold in my lungs and my health taking another turn towards sick-city.   The fears were enabling me to get back out there and do the thing I love the most.

Today the warm sun was shining and I told myself I could go as slow as I needed on the icy paths to get my goal of 6 miles.   Although my body was incredibly happy to receive some cardio, my mind reaped the benefits even more.  I got over my mental block of running in the winter and took my first ever strides on snowy paths.  My sore ankles might be upset tomorrow, but my shackle-free mind is grateful.