Our world moves quickly.  It is ever-changing and technology is a constant reminder of this.  As the world evolves, so do we.  As the pace of life quickens, so does our own pace as we strive to keep up with all the changes.  We may rush through our day and rush through meals, rush to get to work and rush to get deals!  Then we rush back home to have dinner and rush to settle in for the evening.  Wait!  Rush to settle down?  That doesn’t sound right!

Hurrying up to slow down seems like a paradox of our times.  It may be necessary though to create the right pace in life for ourselves.  Only when we are out of breath do we realize that we have taken on too much.   This is the lesson that I learned when I found myself running late for my weekly yoga class.

Time had escaped me during my morning activities and before I knew it, I was rushing out the door with my blue yoga mat sailing behind me.  Luckily the studio clock was a little slower than mine and I still had a few minutes to spare.  With my heart still palpitating, I found a spot to lay out my mat and prepare myself.  As the session began, the instructor guided us to focus on our breath.  No problem here!  Easy peasy!  My breath actually commanded attention!  My heart beat perfectly in synch with my rapid breathing!  With my racing mind, palpitating heart, and rapid breath work, I was perfectly out of synch with my yoga practice!  That was when I realized how silly it was to ‘rush to relax’.  It was a shameful violation of the practice on my part and I am sure that if there was such a thing as the Yoga police, I would have been arrested right then and there for improper breath work.  They would have slapped organically baked pretzel cuffs on my wrists and taken me away in a Rice Paddy wagon for months of serious meditation!  That might not have been a bad consequence but I still at the thought of being arrested.  Fortunately for me, the only police present were those in my imagination and even there, they were slowly receding as my mind settled down into my practice.

You will be glad to know that I no longer race to Yoga classes.  I have learned my lesson and intend to keep the police at bay for as long as possible.  Now, instead of losing track of time, I mindfully keep the hour before Yoga rather dull and uneventful.  I may putter with mindless tasks and arrive in plenty of time to begin my practice with a calm mind, peaceful heart and relaxed breathing.  The benefits of regular practice are far-reaching and the more I practice, the more it becomes a natural part of my wellness regime, regardless I am in a Yoga studio or not.  What activity do you commit to regularly in maintaining your own wellness?  I hope it is something that you really enjoy and always look forward to.  Your mind and body will love you for it and you may be rewarded with many extra years of vitality!

Ceremonies and special events are the beautiful memory makers of life.  Like threads of a tapestry, they add to the unique design of our life story.  The celebrations need not be big or lavish, but can be small and informal with one common element: something special.  Participating in events like these creates lasting memories in our minds, hence the rich tapestry of life.

My tapestry is of many shades, with vibrant splashes of  yellows and reds amidst deeper shades of blues and greens.  The colours reflect my emotional experiences, with brighter shades reflecting times of joy and revelry while deeper shades reflect times of sorrow.  In the past month, lustrous strands of the entire spectrum have been added to my tapestry.  Now, as I sit back and look upon my tapestry, I am in awe of the beautiful design that is unfolding before me.

Life is a journey filled with moments.  The richness of life is held in these moments.  As I reflect on the various events I recently attended, I revel in the joys of celebrating with others.  I marvel at the beauty of people of all ages and cultures coming together.  Young and old united, with babies and toddlers seemingly getting all of the attention.  They are the precious little ones that remind us of the miracle of human life.  In all of their innocence, they bring joy through their infectious giggles and antics, regardless they have odd scraps of food on their clothing or unusual aromas wafting from their bottoms!  Perhaps this is the lessons that babies and toddlers remind us of:  to love unconditionally.  Babies remind us that human life is a miracle with all of its’ complexities.  Remember to find humour in life’s moments and consciously add to your own tapestry of memories.

Human nature is a funny thing.  With our own built-in radar system, we are naturally drawn to certain things and prone to particular temptations.  Humans can be lured by anything and everything under the sun, whether it be tangible or intangible, edible or inedible.  In fact, temptations can be so strong that we humans are rendered powerless before them.

Sweet desserts, engaging shows and amazing technology can all capture us to the point of losing ourselves.  Fulfilling temptations such as these are a common part of the human experience that can add joy to our daily life.  Fulfilling these urges is perfectly fine, as long as they do not take precedence over our health and overall wellbeing.  Too much of a good thing can be certainly be problematic.

Consider our beloved computers.  Sometimes we might spend way too much time on our computers.  I have a name for this.  It is called ‘computer-itis’, close cousin to arthritis, with similar symptoms including stiff muscles, sore joints, cramped legs, and gnarled fingers.  No one is immune to ‘computeritis’ and as far as I know, there is no known pill to cure this problem.  However, there is a simple remedy which involves awareness and a common tool we all have in our home: a timer.  I suggest that you set the timer for a reasonable time period, ideally before you anticipate rigor mortis setting in and once the timer sounds, you can rise from the computer and skip all the way to the kitchen for a slice of your favourite dessert!

Knowing your limits is key to healthy living.  What healthy choices have you made for yourself this week?  Was it going to bed at a reasonable hour, joining an exercise club, or simply giving yourself a break in the middle of each day?   There are many ways that you can care for yourself and it is important to make self-care a regular habit.  You will not regret it.  For me, I have committed to quiet activities one hour before bedtime.  It is special time reserved for myself to relax and unwind after a busy day.  Now doesn’t that sound tempting?!

Love is a human conquest.  In my last post, I wrote about the bewildering array of choices for finding love, whether it is of the human kind or cocoa infused kind.  Although selecting chocolate is a simpler process, it is not as enduring as relationships are.  Obtaining love through on-line dating and cyberspace offers all the potential for excitement that a real mission in outer space offers.

Once the galaxies have brought forth a potential suitor, deciphering messages through Internet visuals and wording becomes the next challenge.  If the stars align, phone calls and meeting places, skyping, hyping and lots more typing come into play!  One’s life could potentially be turned into a gripping novel with page-by-page suspense unraveling each unknown.  Intrigue and mystery draws you away from the earthly plane.

The first meeting can be heavenly.  One might feel like they are actually levitating, defying gravity, and floating in space.  Your head may feel light; your thinking may be foggy and you may gasp for more oxygen.  You might even see stars even though it is the middle of the day.  Just as if you had ingested an intoxicating drug, bliss and weightlessness may overcome you.  But if the mission feels far from heavenly and more ‘appaul-ing’ than like a real ‘Apollo’ mission, bail out!  Hitch a ride back to mother earth as quick as you can and head back to the drawing board!

Life is a mission and the journey can be just as riveting as the destination.  Ensure you have enough oxygen to endure the ride.  Remember to breathe deep when the ride becomes too exhilarating.  Relax and catch your breath when needed.  The quest for love is an on-going journey and even when we have it, it is a continual process where we must work to maintain the life and energy of it.  Whether you are partnered or not, love is abound in this world.  We need to look no further than ourselves to find it.  Indulge in yourself today by doing something that you love!

In my last post, I pondered the many ways a single person could find a sweetheart.  Amongst them, I discussed on-line dating sites that offer a selection based on specific preferences.  Since we are still in the month of love and hearts, I am continuing on with that theme, pondering further the various approaches one could take to narrow down their options.  Even if you are happily coupled, you may find this amusing to read if only for the entertainment value.

Finding the perfect match is a little like going on a safari hunt.  Imagine yourself in an African jungle.  What animal would you likely mimic to reach your prey?  Would it be a giraffe, cheetah, or an elephant?  Depending on your nature, you might want to take the lofty vantage of a giraffe and survey the medley of choices from afar, before casting your looming shadow overtop it.  Or perhaps you prefer to be low down and sneaky like a cheetah and lurk invisibly out of sight before pouncing upon your target!  But if ambling or pouncing are not your style, perhaps the subtler and more direct approach of a playful young elephant appeals more to you. Maybe you will act a little flirtatious and sashay up to your target, flash your big wide elephant grin as you flutter your left ear casually, wave your nose nonchalantly to the right and then coyly introduce yourself:  “Hello, my name is Elly …  Elly Gant!”

Another strategy you might want to employ is arming yourself with some sort of sighting apparatus.  Would you choose a tiny monocular that you could discreetly hide in your vest pocket, or a full-blown telescope on wheels to zoom in on the particular features you fancy?  Perhaps you would employ none of the above and mimic no animal at all.  Perhaps you would prefer to remain as human-like as possible and swing in on a vine, scoop up your prize by surprise, and triumphantly swing back out with a call that echoes your victory!  Anything goes!

The methods for landing a catch are truly limitless and whether one chooses to rely on their instincts, apply thoughtful strategy or a bit of both, adventure is sure to unfold.  If the notion of safari hunting and cyber-dating still frightens you, perhaps you just might want to stick to more simple choices like milk chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate … chocolates with nuts or ooey-gooey creams that ooze sweetness with every bite.  Indulge in your senses this month and revel in all the gifts that heart brings!