Yoga Nuggets

Going to a funeral is a pretty stark reminder of the brevity of life. It does not matter if you make it to 100 years; in the scheme of things, it's quick. Take the time you have been given to truly live. Yes, we have bills to pay and responsibilities to others, but if you're not careful, you might lose sight of what life is really about. Time is an illusion. Things or circumstances can change almost quicker than you take a deep breath. Hearing and truly feeling the love and happiness that this special person shared with countless people reinforced truths that we all know...but, forget sometimes. Here are 7 truths to practice. And, yes, just like yoga, consider life a practice. You came here without training and continue to learn along the journey. Just like a yogi hits the mat for the first time, so do all us in this practice of living. 1. Love is the Light that brightens another. Share it, receive it, and keep it going. You won't lose anything...it only gets brighter. ...

Aging is a bittersweet journey. When you're young, you can't wait to get older; paradoxically, as you get older, you wish you were younger. One is either looking forward or back. The concept of simply enjoying the present has its fleeting moments; but easily fades in the background of the mind with distraction. If one does not make the conscious effort to make the most of their only moment...now, the see-saw of "should have, could have, would have" will always sway back and forth. Yoga helps you in the aging process. It certainly has helped me. I can only speak from my experiences; therefore, if I was to explain how yoga helps you before age 40, it would be an assumption. The anatomical benefits speak for themselves. You build strength, improve internal bodily functions, and enjoy more flexibility. From a mental standpoint, the gifts of yoga manifest when you're ready. Life has a way of throwing you a curve ball when least expected. Yoga has a way o...

It appears the major companies have caught on that the money is being spent on ways to be healthier, happier, and stronger. Flip through a magazine and you will see a slew of advertisements of products that have the solution for what you seek. The selection of vitamins appear to be expanding on the grocery shelves. It appears our food lacks what the pills provide. And, of course, the pharmacy industry is doing what it does best...influence the necessary minds to promote the latest and greatest medicine. It really has gone to the extreme. Tired...don't worry...grab a bottle of 5 hour energy or a triple espresso or any slew of "energy" drinks on the market. Interesting that a report hasn't made the press that visits to the ER have gone from 1,000 to 13,000 in just four years due to these beverages. It can be a hassle when your energy is low and the concept of getting a little more sleep is inconvenient. So much easier to take that "magic" juice (or, pill) a...

What you're about to read was written by Patsy Hart Bailey upon the death of her life-long friend. It could not express more beautifully one of the "facts of life". I re-read it from time to time to come back to what matters. "Ready or not, someday life as you know it will come to an end. There will be no more sunrises; no minutes, hours or days left. All of the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned, what you owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and 'to-do' lists will have expired. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter from where you came, or on which side of the tracks you lived. At the end of your road, it won't matter whether you were beautiful, or brilliant; even your gender and ...

Initially, the question the title asks may seem strange. Take a moment to detach from the random, unsolicited thoughts that constantly emerge in your mind. Ask yourself...what is my reality? It could be a long list of responsibilities and concerns to stay on top of; otherwise, left mishandled could lead to a perceived crash and unknown consequences. Or, your reality could be one that is less rigid and more of the present moment. The older you get, the less likely you are to be in the second bracket. I say, a balanced blend of both with a dash of taking steps into the unknown. The unknown is the things that occasionally cross the mind in the format of, "I wonder...". Better known as your dreams or undeveloped passions. To never step out of the boundaries of your "reality" is like a bird living in a cage. Always looking out through the bars...seeing only as far as it can...which is not far when in a cage. If your reality is primarily of negative influence, you can tak...

As human beings, we promote unity...or, at least, have tried to do so. "United, we stand, divided, we fall" is a quote of truth. Great changes have taken place over history when people united to ignite positive progression as a species. Paradoxically, conflict often arises as individual's differences emerge. Groups of collective similarities unite and utilize their "sameness" to strengthen their bond. It can be any type of group. Age, race, religion, political views or a same-like problem are just a few of the long list of groups that unite people. Thus, groups of diversity emerge. What makes them different from others makes them feel stronger. Here is where the problem comes...so much focus is put on "their" history, challenges, strengths, and gifts that they lose sight of other groups gifts. Dwelling on the past keeps it in the present. How can anyone or anything move forward if the rope to the past is never untied? Diversity is what helps us to lear...