Today was one of "those" days... and not just one of them, but a whole week jammed into 24 hours of "It can't get any worse than this. Oh wait, it just did."
Start by not getting enough sleep and waking up late for yoga class. Nothing like being in a mad rush to get to yoga. Uncooperative cats threaten their own mortality, because if I have to try one more time to get them out of my bedroom before I leave, one or both are going out the window. I don't feel one bit guilty for tempting them out by shaking the bag of treats, and then not giving them any. I'm not in the mood for games this morning.
Typically speeding to work when BLAM! Car stops working. Just stops. Push the gas and... nothing. Turn the key and... nothing. Great. Freakin' great. At least I got the car onto an exit ramp and mostly off to the shoulder. Well now I am late.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Walking in Balance
I've come to know that in order to live a long, happy, healthy life one must live in a balanced state of being. But really... what does that mean? What does it look like? Walking in balance is a Native American expression used to explain the concept of living in harmony with nature, but it can also mean achieving a balance between mind, body, spirit and emotions.
I can't say that I live a life of perfect balance... or much balance at all sometimes. I feel like I sometimes easily get out of whack and are about to topple over, both literally and figuratively. It's the reason I never really learned to skate. Well, that and my complete inability to STOP once I get moving forward. Great concept for career and life goals, but a disaster when you're actually on wheels.
We all know it's important to eat a "balanced diet." Isn't that what the food pyramid and "my plate" non-sense is all about? Well that and corporate lobbying, but I digress...
If asked, I would tell people a balanced diet is full of meat and veggies, and other nutrient-dense foods (like nuts and berries.) What that looks like is up to the individual. Does that mean you have to have a perfectly divided plate covering all of the important food groups? Nope. It's perfectly OK to eat just a big salad full of veggies sometimes, and it's perfectly OK to eat just a rotisserie chicken.
I was reminded of how important balance is this weekend, in a few ways. First, I finally got a couple hours to go out and enjoy some nature. Pretty shameful that The Wilderness Childe hasn't been out in nature in weeks. Yes, weeks. I didn't realize how unbalanced, and how much like a zoo animal I'd been feeling lately, until I got back outside and reconnected with the source. A real breath of fresh air. No pun intended.
It's important for people to be IN nature, touch it and feel it, every once in a while. You have to do more than drive down the highway with your windows down. You need to walk barefoot in the grass! I wore my FiveFinger Sprints through the woods and thoroughly enjoyed feeling every pebble and twig under foot. Eat some wild fruit (but know what you're eating!) and feel the warm sun on your skin. It'll bring you back down to earth where you belong. You can't be just a zoo person. Maybe that's what's wrong with all those people that live in cities, surrounded perpetually by concrete.
I also found an appreciation for my personal space. I had a friend visit for the weekend, and as much as I love my friends... I learned I definitely need my own down time. Being social is fun, and I certainly enjoy it, but maybe I sort of take for granted having time and space to think, and just be in my own mind. Not to mention physical space and having a balance between bonding and being able to breathe. Even the cats get to be too much. They're very cuddly, snugly creatures and there are times I find myself screaming "Gah! Move!" and having to break free from being smothered by felines. Down the road when I am married and have kids, that private time will nearly cease to exist. I better enjoy it now.
It's also quite apparent that a break from work and school, and all adult responsibility in general is going to be required...
Hopefully very soon.
I can't say that I live a life of perfect balance... or much balance at all sometimes. I feel like I sometimes easily get out of whack and are about to topple over, both literally and figuratively. It's the reason I never really learned to skate. Well, that and my complete inability to STOP once I get moving forward. Great concept for career and life goals, but a disaster when you're actually on wheels.
We all know it's important to eat a "balanced diet." Isn't that what the food pyramid and "my plate" non-sense is all about? Well that and corporate lobbying, but I digress...
If asked, I would tell people a balanced diet is full of meat and veggies, and other nutrient-dense foods (like nuts and berries.) What that looks like is up to the individual. Does that mean you have to have a perfectly divided plate covering all of the important food groups? Nope. It's perfectly OK to eat just a big salad full of veggies sometimes, and it's perfectly OK to eat just a rotisserie chicken.
I was reminded of how important balance is this weekend, in a few ways. First, I finally got a couple hours to go out and enjoy some nature. Pretty shameful that The Wilderness Childe hasn't been out in nature in weeks. Yes, weeks. I didn't realize how unbalanced, and how much like a zoo animal I'd been feeling lately, until I got back outside and reconnected with the source. A real breath of fresh air. No pun intended.
It's important for people to be IN nature, touch it and feel it, every once in a while. You have to do more than drive down the highway with your windows down. You need to walk barefoot in the grass! I wore my FiveFinger Sprints through the woods and thoroughly enjoyed feeling every pebble and twig under foot. Eat some wild fruit (but know what you're eating!) and feel the warm sun on your skin. It'll bring you back down to earth where you belong. You can't be just a zoo person. Maybe that's what's wrong with all those people that live in cities, surrounded perpetually by concrete.
I also found an appreciation for my personal space. I had a friend visit for the weekend, and as much as I love my friends... I learned I definitely need my own down time. Being social is fun, and I certainly enjoy it, but maybe I sort of take for granted having time and space to think, and just be in my own mind. Not to mention physical space and having a balance between bonding and being able to breathe. Even the cats get to be too much. They're very cuddly, snugly creatures and there are times I find myself screaming "Gah! Move!" and having to break free from being smothered by felines. Down the road when I am married and have kids, that private time will nearly cease to exist. I better enjoy it now.
It's also quite apparent that a break from work and school, and all adult responsibility in general is going to be required...
Hopefully very soon.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Eat the Frog
Ratatouille is one of my all-time favorite movies. So many wonderful quotes, and a fantastic lesson- something often missed in movies anymore.
Today I have an Anton Ego line running through my head. "After reading a lot of overheated puffery about your new cook, you know what I'm craving? A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?" Well, maybe not the whole quote, but the phrase "A little perspective." Over and over again in my brain.
I've gotten a good dose of perspective over the last months, with juggling work and school, finding time to cook and eat healthfully, my body image issues, weight gain, dating, friendships, family drama, the new Hell-kitten and just trying to keep up with life in general. When you have more obligations than you do time, it really makes you re-evaluate, and you come to realize that some things matter and some things just... don't. It's up to the individual what's most important to them.
Steve Jobs passed away yesterday, and Glenn Beck was playing clips of some of his more inspirational comments. Many were about dying and living without regrets. That's something we all strive to do, but how many of us actually do it? Jobs seems to have. All the successful people do.
I'm filling in as supervisor this week while my boss is away with his family, soaking up sunshine in Disney World. I made a conscious decision about two days ago, nearly halfway through the week, to take a more Zen approach to the whole ordeal. Typically I am of the perfectionist sort, where I have to do the job just as masterfully as my supervisordoes seems to. Naturally that tends to cause a fair amount of anxiety and stress- especially with uncooperative co-workers and kicking myself over ridiculous mistakes (that sometimes cost the company money. But stress is bad for my waistline, and I need to minimize both whenever possible. My adrenals will surely be thankful.
This week. This week is Zen. I'm doing the best that I can, and I know it. Mistakes happen, but odds are they won't be the end of the company, or my job. So why stress? And if they are... well, life goes on.
My yoga instructor put us through a very helpful (and silly) exercise last week and asked us to do our worst possible Sun Salutations- because then you've made all the mistakes you can possibly make. The worst has happened so you don't have to dwell on what could go wrong. It already has. That leaves you open to achieve complete success! "Eat the Frog" she called it. If the worst thing ever was to eat a frog, do it first thing and get it over with. That way the rest of your day looks up. It's all about perspective.
In Hitting the Reset Button I discussed my current weight/size situation and my plan (or lack of a plan) to (not) deal with it. I know how counter-intuitive that sounds, but trust me, it's not. I've taken inspiration from one of my favorite bloggers over at CHEESESLAVE with her recent post on cortisol and it's all finally fitting together. It was about that same day I noticed a photo being passed around Facebook of a gorgeous plus-size nude model, posted as a response to a gym advertizement that asked "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?" EXCUSE ME!? The photo caption was superb and only served to reaffirm my recent conclusions on my own diet and living a Primal lifestyle. It was a message of enjoying life rather than beating your body into submission or depriving it of pleasure. If that means wearing a size 9 instead of a size 6, so be it. Ladies, our self worth is not determined by our waist size!
Now, that's not to say I don't believe in eating healthfully, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. I certainly do, but it has to come in balance. What good is eating perfectly and mastering your workouts, pushing your body to its physical limits if you're stressed out over it or obsessing? Is that bikini worth passing up wine with the girls? Does that morning workout really do any good if you're neglecting your sleep just to squeeze it in? Quite possibly freaking out over eating an ice cream sundae is more damaging to your body than the ice cream itself. Primal wisdom (a la Mark Sisson) states... Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
I don't claim to have all the answers- or even any of them for that matter. For me it's a HUGE success to not be counting or tracking something- calories, carbs, protein. Nope. Zilch, zero, nada, nothing. I consider it a victory that I've come to a point (perhaps in spite of myself) that I am able to completely trust my body and finally eat only according to my hunger cues. I'm starting to believe that is one issue that is actually fixed now that I've given up trying to bend my body to my (and society's) will.
It's all about perspective.
You can either look at the worst of a situation, or you can appreciate life for what it is and have gratitude. If you have to eat a frog, it's only one frog. And once it's done it's over with and you can get on with the rest of your day knowing you did it. You ate the frog.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." - Steve Jobs
Today I have an Anton Ego line running through my head. "After reading a lot of overheated puffery about your new cook, you know what I'm craving? A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?" Well, maybe not the whole quote, but the phrase "A little perspective." Over and over again in my brain.
I've gotten a good dose of perspective over the last months, with juggling work and school, finding time to cook and eat healthfully, my body image issues, weight gain, dating, friendships, family drama, the new Hell-kitten and just trying to keep up with life in general. When you have more obligations than you do time, it really makes you re-evaluate, and you come to realize that some things matter and some things just... don't. It's up to the individual what's most important to them.
Steve Jobs passed away yesterday, and Glenn Beck was playing clips of some of his more inspirational comments. Many were about dying and living without regrets. That's something we all strive to do, but how many of us actually do it? Jobs seems to have. All the successful people do.
I'm filling in as supervisor this week while my boss is away with his family, soaking up sunshine in Disney World. I made a conscious decision about two days ago, nearly halfway through the week, to take a more Zen approach to the whole ordeal. Typically I am of the perfectionist sort, where I have to do the job just as masterfully as my supervisor
This week. This week is Zen. I'm doing the best that I can, and I know it. Mistakes happen, but odds are they won't be the end of the company, or my job. So why stress? And if they are... well, life goes on.
My yoga instructor put us through a very helpful (and silly) exercise last week and asked us to do our worst possible Sun Salutations- because then you've made all the mistakes you can possibly make. The worst has happened so you don't have to dwell on what could go wrong. It already has. That leaves you open to achieve complete success! "Eat the Frog" she called it. If the worst thing ever was to eat a frog, do it first thing and get it over with. That way the rest of your day looks up. It's all about perspective.
In Hitting the Reset Button I discussed my current weight/size situation and my plan (or lack of a plan) to (not) deal with it. I know how counter-intuitive that sounds, but trust me, it's not. I've taken inspiration from one of my favorite bloggers over at CHEESESLAVE with her recent post on cortisol and it's all finally fitting together. It was about that same day I noticed a photo being passed around Facebook of a gorgeous plus-size nude model, posted as a response to a gym advertizement that asked "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?" EXCUSE ME!? The photo caption was superb and only served to reaffirm my recent conclusions on my own diet and living a Primal lifestyle. It was a message of enjoying life rather than beating your body into submission or depriving it of pleasure. If that means wearing a size 9 instead of a size 6, so be it. Ladies, our self worth is not determined by our waist size!
Now, that's not to say I don't believe in eating healthfully, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. I certainly do, but it has to come in balance. What good is eating perfectly and mastering your workouts, pushing your body to its physical limits if you're stressed out over it or obsessing? Is that bikini worth passing up wine with the girls? Does that morning workout really do any good if you're neglecting your sleep just to squeeze it in? Quite possibly freaking out over eating an ice cream sundae is more damaging to your body than the ice cream itself. Primal wisdom (a la Mark Sisson) states... Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
I don't claim to have all the answers- or even any of them for that matter. For me it's a HUGE success to not be counting or tracking something- calories, carbs, protein. Nope. Zilch, zero, nada, nothing. I consider it a victory that I've come to a point (perhaps in spite of myself) that I am able to completely trust my body and finally eat only according to my hunger cues. I'm starting to believe that is one issue that is actually fixed now that I've given up trying to bend my body to my (and society's) will.
It's all about perspective.
You can either look at the worst of a situation, or you can appreciate life for what it is and have gratitude. If you have to eat a frog, it's only one frog. And once it's done it's over with and you can get on with the rest of your day knowing you did it. You ate the frog.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." - Steve Jobs
Monday, October 3, 2011
Nothing to Say
This is a little surprising. I have nothing to really write about.
...
Try as I might... I can't think of a single darn thing. Life has been a constant cycle of work, eat, sleep, class, homework, work, eat, sleep, class, homework...
Finally I'm all caught up on homework. Fort Disaster is in its usual state of, well... disaster.
I burned up my food processor attempting to do something useful with my 4 bushels of ugly apples.
I got into a fight with my sister who is acting childish and using Facebook as a tool for manipulating people.
But really... nothing of substance. No cool kitchen experiments, foraging finds, spiritual experiences or health news. I'm supposed to write 2 journal entries per week and I find myself without content. I'm simply in a state of being where I just "am" and there's really no mental power left for reflection.
Is that bad? Or is it a good sign?
This week I'm attempting to sleep more (by not pulling ANY overtime at work) and I'm continuing to eat freely (yet Primally.) All good things happening there.
I did take note that it may be time to resume vitamin D supplementation however. It's cold and dark, and winter's coming.
And since I feel a certain responsibility to provide at least some content to my readers (because this is more than just an online journal)... In the spirit of what has become my life lately...
Team Gorilla Monday Update: Find a Way or Make One
If nothing else, I hope you're at least inspired a little. :)
...
Try as I might... I can't think of a single darn thing. Life has been a constant cycle of work, eat, sleep, class, homework, work, eat, sleep, class, homework...
Finally I'm all caught up on homework. Fort Disaster is in its usual state of, well... disaster.
I burned up my food processor attempting to do something useful with my 4 bushels of ugly apples.
I got into a fight with my sister who is acting childish and using Facebook as a tool for manipulating people.
But really... nothing of substance. No cool kitchen experiments, foraging finds, spiritual experiences or health news. I'm supposed to write 2 journal entries per week and I find myself without content. I'm simply in a state of being where I just "am" and there's really no mental power left for reflection.
Is that bad? Or is it a good sign?
This week I'm attempting to sleep more (by not pulling ANY overtime at work) and I'm continuing to eat freely (yet Primally.) All good things happening there.
I did take note that it may be time to resume vitamin D supplementation however. It's cold and dark, and winter's coming.
And since I feel a certain responsibility to provide at least some content to my readers (because this is more than just an online journal)... In the spirit of what has become my life lately...
Team Gorilla Monday Update: Find a Way or Make One
If nothing else, I hope you're at least inspired a little. :)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Lord Rama
Ahh, good ol' October. It came in with a chill, much to my dread. I love October- really my favorite month of the year. Hello!? Halloween!
It was about this time last year that I adopted Luna and Hex, a pair of older Oriental Shorthair rescues, and my first cats. It was quite a learning experience, getting used to sharing my home with not one, but two cats. Hex passed earlier this year at the end of June, which left Luna quite lonely, having never been without her brother. Finally, I decided it was time to bring another cat into the house.
Enter, little Lord Rama. Terror of Fort Disaster, Home of the Wilderness Childe.
Rama is my first kitten, and like Luna and Hex, this is something of a learning experience. Rama is a 3-month-old American Wirehair that is bubbling over with energy. He seems to find mischief everywhere. I've come to realize my house is definitely not kittenproof!
With Rama I am learning that I don't handle chaos well. Personal chaos, sure. My life is a bit of a roller-coaster most of the time between work and school. I often refer to situations as "misadventures" in an attempt to keep my sense of humor. Likewise, my home has been informally dubbed "Fort Disaster" - for a very good reason. But this. This kitten. He's another story.
He is uncontrollable chaos. He's like a child, with his own independent attitude and free will. I can't control him or his actions. At best I can influence them to a degree but with limited effect. He either chews my algebra folder, or my hairbrush. I can't stop him from chewing, so I must pick my battle, decide what is more important, and let the rest slide. He's determined to climb on my wine rack, so the bottles all get moved to the smaller rack, allowing the big one to be used as Rama's own personal jungle gym- at least until he's too big to enjoy it.
This must be what parenting is like. Minus poopy diapers.
I'm definitely learning to take things in stride, and you can't really stay mad at him when he nuzzles your face... until he bites your eyelid. (Yes, he JUST did that.) It's funny to think what a nuisance Luna has been, but now she's such a darling angel in comparison. I guess it helps that since Rama came into the house she hasn't been as noisy and complains much less. While she doesn't exactly like him yet, she does seem less lonely.
For me, it's a lesson in patience. He definitely brings a more lively energy into the house- something it desperately needed between my busy life and poor old Luna. Sure, it'll be a challenge having a kitten attacking my hands during downward dog pose, or batting at my head when doing my breathing practice, but such is life.
For now it's a lot of hoping and praying that he doesn't burn the house down or destroy something important- sort of like an actual child- enjoying the happy playful moments in between. And spraying everything with lemon and eucalyptus oil.
A few things cats can teach you- (according to Google...)
It was about this time last year that I adopted Luna and Hex, a pair of older Oriental Shorthair rescues, and my first cats. It was quite a learning experience, getting used to sharing my home with not one, but two cats. Hex passed earlier this year at the end of June, which left Luna quite lonely, having never been without her brother. Finally, I decided it was time to bring another cat into the house.
Enter, little Lord Rama. Terror of Fort Disaster, Home of the Wilderness Childe.Rama is my first kitten, and like Luna and Hex, this is something of a learning experience. Rama is a 3-month-old American Wirehair that is bubbling over with energy. He seems to find mischief everywhere. I've come to realize my house is definitely not kittenproof!
With Rama I am learning that I don't handle chaos well. Personal chaos, sure. My life is a bit of a roller-coaster most of the time between work and school. I often refer to situations as "misadventures" in an attempt to keep my sense of humor. Likewise, my home has been informally dubbed "Fort Disaster" - for a very good reason. But this. This kitten. He's another story.
He is uncontrollable chaos. He's like a child, with his own independent attitude and free will. I can't control him or his actions. At best I can influence them to a degree but with limited effect. He either chews my algebra folder, or my hairbrush. I can't stop him from chewing, so I must pick my battle, decide what is more important, and let the rest slide. He's determined to climb on my wine rack, so the bottles all get moved to the smaller rack, allowing the big one to be used as Rama's own personal jungle gym- at least until he's too big to enjoy it.
This must be what parenting is like. Minus poopy diapers.
I'm definitely learning to take things in stride, and you can't really stay mad at him when he nuzzles your face... until he bites your eyelid. (Yes, he JUST did that.) It's funny to think what a nuisance Luna has been, but now she's such a darling angel in comparison. I guess it helps that since Rama came into the house she hasn't been as noisy and complains much less. While she doesn't exactly like him yet, she does seem less lonely.
For me, it's a lesson in patience. He definitely brings a more lively energy into the house- something it desperately needed between my busy life and poor old Luna. Sure, it'll be a challenge having a kitten attacking my hands during downward dog pose, or batting at my head when doing my breathing practice, but such is life.
For now it's a lot of hoping and praying that he doesn't burn the house down or destroy something important- sort of like an actual child- enjoying the happy playful moments in between. And spraying everything with lemon and eucalyptus oil.
A few things cats can teach you- (according to Google...)
- Make the world your playground.
- Whenever you miss the sandbox, cover it up. Dragging a sock over it helps.
- If you can't get your way, lay across the keyboard until you do.
- When you are hungry, meow loudly so they feed you just to shut you up.
- Always find a good patch of sun to nap in.
- Nap often.
- When in trouble, just purr and look cute.
- Life is hard, and then you nap.
- Curiosity never killed anything except maybe a few hours.
- When in doubt, cop an attitude.
- Variety is the spice of Life. One day, ignore people; the next day, annoy them.
- Climb your way to the top, that's why the curtains are there.
- Make your mark in the world, or at least spray in each corner.
- Always give generously; a bird or rodent left on the bed tells them, "I care."
- When you have something important to say, try to say it in the dead of night when you're SURE everyone's sleeping. There's no better way to get the attention you deserve.
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