LOOKING FOR NEW INSPIRATION

It is time for me to regroup on all of my New Years Resolutions. Downward Dog For Cats was a month ago and I need to focus on some new projects. I am also still volunteering weekly with the cat rescue, but I need to find something else to do along with the cat rescue. I love the cats so I continue on with my obligation to them, they are my second animal family.

I have earned so many classes at City Yoga, and I am going to start taking the early morning classes. What a way to start the day. I have been writing a ton lately, so I am thrilled about that. My book will be done the autumn.

Time for me to watch the Olympics and get new inspiration. It was a hot day today, and I walked for miles in the scorching sun so I am wiped out. Signing off, love and light to all.
Namaste'
Rose

Correspondence and Classes

Good evening to all. It is January 18th and the first month is breezing by. I am doing my best to be  mindful in the moment. I did drop the ball on one thing, I forgot to send out some birthday cards to some very special people. This week I will send out some late cards, and also mail out Happy New Year cards to friends and family. One of my new year's resolutions is to stop neglecting correspondence, and get more organized and be a better friend and family member. Not everyone I am close with is on Facebook and it is nice to receive real mail every now and then. I need to remember those I love, especially since they are so far in distance.

This week I will buy some cards and go to a lovely coffee shop and write to the special people in my life. I also bought a beautiful calendar/day planner at the yoga studio.  I get 20% off since I volunteer and it will really be the key to help me remember important dates. It even has a lot of pockets, which gives me a place to store greeting cards until it is time to mail them. My goal is to mail birthday cards in the beginning of each month,and keep a list of every one's birthday in the calendar.


I am up to three hours each week volunteering at two different studios. That means I get 3 classes for my service each week, this week I earned four classes since I trained today. The classes never expire so I can take three classes a week if I so desire, or I can use them whenever I please. The one studio is an ongoing work exchange for classes program once a week. The other is just a substitution program. I am subbing for one of the volunteers who is out of town. By the time she returns I will have close to ten classes at the second studio. After she returns I will sub when they need me. This is great because each studio has different classes I would love to try. You give therefore you receive.


Of course I walked today, for an hour and I have been following my weight watchers points; drinking my water and taking my supplements. I feel like I am on the right path. It is a marathon and not a sprint so I am enjoying the process of improving myself inside and out. There is a new show on television called the Revolution which is really inspiring. It is about making over your life, kind of similar to what I am doing in this blog. Resolutions take time and perseverance. If you slip up or find yourself losing focus, just remember to pick back up where you left off. Do not give up on your belief in your dreams.

Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I am getting sleepy so it is time for me to sign off. Funny, when I lived in NYC I would stay up til 3 or 4 am and sleep all afternoon. Here in southern California I am up before the sun and ready for bed before 9 pm. I like to do some light inspirational reading before bed, with TCM on the tube.  Much love and light to all and goodnight. 

January 2nd, Day One

I made a delicious vegetarian lasagna for New Year's Day dinner. I used ground soy and it turned out amazing. Now it is time for me to get back on track, tomorrow I will be following weight watchers points with emphasis on less sugar/fats/sodiums and more whole grains, produce and tons of fresh water. If I eat bread it will only be ezekial bread, or grains with at least four grams a fiber.

I normally eat very healthy, and I was down twelve pounds before the holidays. Then Thanksgiving came along, and our  San Francisco trip and I went a little overboard. When we returned I was terribly ill with either stomach flu or food poisoning, and I am still not 100% yet. My body is craving clean eating since I have not felt well in weeks, it is telling me it is about time. I look forward to the challenge and the bonus of feeling better again, in body and in mind.


Tomorrow will also be the first day of my fitness plan, I will start with an hour long walk which I plan to do Monday through Friday, five days a week. My fitness plan also includes mind/body/beauty transformations. This week I am going to begin with dry skin brushing to my grooming routine.It is believed by Ayurvedic practictioners that dry skin brushing helps the body naturally cleanse itself of toxins and stimulate blood flow and the lymphatic system.
Brushing should be done once a day, on rising before you dress or before retiring at night. If you are taking a shower, skin brush before the shower so that the dead skin and other debris will be washed away. Use upward strokes avoiding the heart area. Not only a terrific way to detox but also exfoliate winter dry skin.


I look forward to beginning my brand new year tomorrow with my first changes for the month of January. Now these resolutions will be ongoing, a routine from month to month I plan to keep up with. They say it takes twenty one days to develop a new habit. I have a month to make this resolution my habit.

One of my best friends has a terrific blog, http://www.fitnessbender.com/ She helps keep me motivated; as well as my wonderful friend Tracy Gittens who teaches aerial yoga in San Diego CA, and her amazing sister Nadiah Gittens who is a terrific personal trainer. You can check them out at http://www.galaxylifestyle.com/. These woman all live health and fitness every day, they are an inspiration to me and role models to be the best you can be for you.
We are all unique creatures, shining our light and living our best life,  authentic and true.

Next month I will roll out new resolutions for February, as well as keeping up  with my new found health habits. Happy New Year's resolutions to all, may 2012 be the best year ever for everyone. Love, light, and good health to all.