As the years roll by, I become increasingly convinced that spirituality isn't just about our personal relationship with an ethereal Divine. I believe it is also about learning to cultivate love for all life's creatures–especially when it’s challenging. Especially when our loved ones are being emotionally distant or crabby or are failing to actively listen to us and acknowledge our concerns. … [Read more...]
Ram Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung I invoke the vitality of the Sun: Let it purify and energize me. I call on the compassion of the Cosmos: Let it soothe, nurture and protect me. I embrace the infinite healing energy Of the abundant Universe: Let it guide my every action Toward harmony, balance and health. I AM THAT I AM: I am the healer, and I am healed. … [Read more...]
First, the good news: I was able to successfully get out of bed this morning! You may be wondering why I would bother to make a big deal out of this. Don’t the vast majority of humans roll out of bed every morning without a second thought? Well, on top of the pain and stiffness that often comes with dystonia, lupus and fibromyalgia upon waking, I should probably also tell you that after a marathon … [Read more...]
This post was made possible by Blogger Babes and contains affiliate links. I received a complimentary subscription of the Yoga Download service in exchange for my honest review. Thoughts and opinions are 100 percent my own. If you’re a yoga fanatic like myself, you can never have too many resources for learning more about this powerful mind-body practice. That’s why I was extremely excited to … [Read more...]
Dawn Lerman learned early on in life that cooking delicious meals was the secret to earning the affection of her emotionally distant father. Constantly battling high numbers on the bathroom scale and a voracious appetite for flavor-rich foods, her obese dad’s struggles inspire Dawn to positively support him in his endless experimentation with diets. Aided by the culinary genius of her grandmother, … [Read more...]
Ananda Hum I am limitless joy, A lotus blossom unfolding To the divine light of pure consciousness. My white petals openly fully To the infinite abundance That is the birthright of us all. Let me center myself in truth Of the ceaseless comfort and peace That the unbound and eternal Universe provides, Calling on the energy of Creativity and transformation That is Life. … [Read more...]
Even when it can seem like the vast majority of my dystonia symptoms are in a strong remission, there is no guarantee that that they will stay that way. Just because I am able to do a two-hour intermediate yoga practice one day does not mean I will be at all steady on my feet the next day—or even later that night. While this reality can be disappointing for friends and family who are counting on … [Read more...]
When I was a child, the carefree months of summer meant long, leisurely days of play with my brothers and my friends—and my siblings were the dearest of my friends. School vacations were also a time for sports camps, cultural excursions and, especially, family adventures. Both my parents were from North Carolina, so my brothers and I packed into the back of our Volkswagen Rabbit for long, road … [Read more...]
Over the years I’ve spent cooking and baking in the kitchen, I’ve discovered that the tastiest dishes often arise from creative, culinary experimentation. Like most, I’ve tinkered with numerous recipes to add my own flavor and consistency to certain dishes. I have also created unique meals by throwing together whatever ingredients I’ve scrounged up from the fridge or at the farmer’s … [Read more...]
Lately, I've been doing a lot of meditating on whether there comes a time in your life when it's too late to shift gears and move in another direction. While sometimes it can feel like we've gone too far down the wrong the path to turn back now, I have seen so much evidence of people being able to reinvent themselves, to learn and grow, to evolve toward a better version of self. I have long … [Read more...]