Some Lessons to be learned from Albert...

10 Amazing Lessons from Albert Einstein:

1. Follow Your Curiosity
   
   

   “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

   
   What piques your curiosity? I am curious as to what causes one person to succeed while another person fails; this is why I’ve spent years studying success. What are you most curious about? The pursuit of your curiosity is the secret to your success.
2. Perseverance is Priceless
   

   “It's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer.”

   
   Through perseverance the turtle reached the ark. Are you willing to persevere until you get to your intended destination? They say the entire value of the postage stamp consist in its ability to stick to something until it gets there. Be like the postage stamp; finish the race that you’ve started!
3. Focus on the Present
   
   

   “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

   
   My father always says you cannot ride two horses at the same time. I like to say, you can do anything, but not everything. Learn to be present where you are; give your all to whatever you’re currently doing.
   
   Focused energy is power, and it’s the difference between success and failure.
4. The Imagination is Powerful
   
   

   “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

   
   Are you using your imagination daily? Einstein said the imagination is more important than knowledge! Your imagination pre-plays your future. Einstein went on to say, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” Are you exercising your “imagination muscles” daily, don’t let something as powerful as your imagination lie dormant.
5. Make Mistakes
   
   

   “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

   
   Never be afraid of making a mistake. A mistake is not a failure. Mistakes can make you better, smarter and faster, if you utilize them properly. Discover the power of making mistakes. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, if you want to succeed, triple the amount of mistakes that you make.
6. Live in the Moment
   
   

   “I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.”

   
   The only way to properly address your future is to be as present as possible “in the present.”
   
   You cannot “presently” change yesterday or tomorrow, so it’s of supreme importance that you dedicate all of your efforts to “right now.” It’s the only time that matters, it’s the only time there is.
7. Create Value
   
   

   “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

   
   Don’t waste your time trying to be successful, spend your time creating value. If you’re valuable, then you will attract success.
   
   Discover the talents and gifts that you possess, learn how to offer those talents and gifts in a way that most benefits others.
   
   Labor to be valuable and success will chase you down.
8. Don’t Expect Different Results
   
   

   “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

   
   You can’t keep doing the same thing everyday and expect different results. In other words, you can’t keep doing the same workout routine and expect to look differently. In order for your life to change, you must change, to the degree that you change your actions and your thinking is to the degree that your life will change.
9. Knowledge Comes From Experience
   
   

   “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

   
   Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task, but discussion will only give you a philosophical understanding of it; you must experience the task first hand to “know it.” What’s the lesson? Get experience! Don’t spend your time hiding behind speculative information, go out there and do it, and you will have gained priceless knowledge.
10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better
    
    

    “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

    
    To put it all in simple terms, there are two things that you must do. The first thing you must do is to learn the rules of the game that you’re playing. It doesn’t sound exciting, but it’s vital. Secondly, you must commit to play the game better than anyone else. If you can do these two things, success will be yours!

Observations

Yoga IS for everybody, Yoga brings out the courage/strength in everybody, Yoga is a solid tool for improvement of the body, Yoga brings together people of all personalities, to serve as examples and to encourage personal growth.

QUOTE: IF SOMEONE LISTENS, OR STRECHES OUT A HAND, OR WHISPERS A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT, OR ATTEMPTS TO UNDERSTAND A LONLEY PERSON, EXTRAORDINARY THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN.

Fall Transition

This time of year always makes me acknowledge change. 

Here in my part of the country, the wind is coming more from the north and my southern winds are yielding to the transition of the fall season.  The leaves are starting to very quietly change color and then drift softly to the ground. There is more noticeable fog to be found in the mornings, and my squirrels are scurrying around more to prepare for the winter cold.

For myself, this time in nature, reminds me of quiet changes that occurs in life. This transition of nature reflects to myself and my life, and all those that are in it, that they are also transitioning. We are all changing, getting older, growing tall and for some wide, transitioning of thoughts and knowledge. When I was younger, I was nervous and somewhat frightened of this transitions of change. I liked things how they were. My daughter speaks of change and how she is really noticing how people she loves are changing....without saying, I feel her heartbeat increase, I see her breath quicken, I grab her hand and tell her that once upon a time....I felt the same.
But....

I suggest to her to look around and see how transitions are also beautiful and very exciting. Nature is our best example of easing into change. We all are created to grow in both physical and mental form. We have our time....we can always expect transition, the key is being excited about what is coming next. The seasons, show us well, the lesson of transition and change. I send good thoughts to us all and in what we shall become.

Hmmm, Quote

"Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead."
- Chinese Proverb, (sent by Julio Fung)


Funny  ha ha, but so, so true!!!!!      

If a hatchet is used..... The hatchet would be messy and you better be using it on your BEST friend, for they would understand the most.

Just something to think about. 

Yoga, the aim of balance.

To all  humans, we seek balance. Balance of home, health, family, food, work, and spirit.  The aim of yoga is the study and the act of balance.

The physical act of yoga gives a platform to learn how to control the parts of you, be it physical or mental that hinders the growth of balance. For me, yoga forced me to slow down. When I succumbed to that and allowed yoga it's proper respect, my spiritual journey grew vaster. My appreciation for what God had created around me and in me became the gift of awareness.

Yoga is a tool we can use to obtain balance, to what-ever degree we seek. It is an opportunity, given to us, to improve ourselves and not miss the daily gifts of life that we receive.

Quote:

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.
Sir Francis Bacon.

Power

At the beginning of each practice I, as you all do, set my intentions. I also set forth to the universe and my creator a word of thanks.
" Thank you for bringing yoga into my life to help me work on mind, body, and spirit. Thank you for letting me, be here, right now in this space."

There is not a day, that I do not think of my daughter and how, without her, we would of never started this "summer project"  years ago that was something different and new to explore for us both.

The muse of this of the blog is the ever growing sense of power I feel as my yoga practice and cross training grows.  Not power in the egotistical mind frame. But the awareness of true power that lay within our bodies and mind. Our body was built is such an outstanding way. Our muscles and tendons hold withing them such power, pure and simple power. The body, no matter the age, size, disability, hold within it the power to adjust and do. That is amazing. That is a gift from our creator.

Yoga provides to us a tool....to tap into and see what our bodies and mind can do and potentially do if we allow ourselves permission.

Yoga gives us POWER.

We were created with such love. We are our own gift box. Such beauty and surprises lay waiting to be discovered and I am looking forward to the surprises that lay ahead.

...so, I shall add to my intentions and thank you prayer the acknowledgement of the power that lies within my mind, body, and spirit.

I wish you all great joy as you discover what gift boxes lay within you. My smile is wide as I type this...I am so excited for us all.

Chortle, Anyone?

Had some time to play on the computer and found these gems.
Well, gems that made me giggle!

Enjoy and go ahead, no ones looking.... Laugh out loud!

Have you ever noticed? Anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac. George Carlin       

       When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before.

Mae West

         No one is listening until you fart.
         Unknown 

        There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is    for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. 
Douglass Adams 
 
      Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling it brings. " 
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

Emo Philips

You grow up the day you have your first real laugh -- at yourself.

Ethel Barrymore

Freezing Wand Needed

Would it not be nice, if we all possessed the ability to freeze time?

I'm just saying...

Kind of like bookmarking moments or events that, you think to yourself... "Man, I want to write about this" or "Geez, I'd like to go back to this moment and re-laugh or re-learn"

August 2011, What a month. what a time to be Where I was, When I was, As old as I was, and  Whom I was with and encountered.

Strife, Laughter, Sadness, Worry, Humor, Triumph, Enlightenment (you knew that was coming), and even, Confirmation.

One thing for sure, without a doubt, I have matured inside enough, to look an live in the moment, be it good or not so good. Breathing in the very air of living and embracing what my mind and body is feeling. It is MUCH better then looking at the world through my belly button.

You never know what searching for a perfect martini, might bring you spiritually, You never know what facing old worries might to do to ease your spirit. You never know what belly laughing might do for the whole, when worlds are changing.

So, my friends, the month of August 2011, what a gift. This gift I plan to keep.

If any of my buddies out there, do develop a freezing wand. I'll be the first to buy one. 

You Just Never Know....

Honk, Honk....

 

"...there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and 9 out of 10 times it will NOT be an oncoming 18 wheeler." -Paloma

Smiles and Blessings to everyone. ;)

Think or not to Think...

Think or not to Think….

…That is the question!

I have noticed myself  “thinking“ during these hot summer days...

…About life and health,

                        About family, past present and future,

                                                About what lies ahead in this path of life I am on.

                                                           

                                                                         About what lies ahead, for this old world.

Then I noticed that my thinking has turned to pondering.

Ponder: Verb, to think about something carefully, esp. before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

Hmmm, I ponder the definition of ponder.  I chuckle at myself for pondering the mere definitions of ponder.

Must be the heat getting to me. That’s what the old timer’s would say. It’s the heat.

As I sit and ponder, I notice my body stills, my breath slows, and my heart beats relaxed.

I actively ponder.  My mind is being exercised. Opinions form, ideas are created, memories come, goals made.

I conclude thinking that leads to actively pondering is good for the soul.  Good for the self.

Have you thought today?

Direction

I was flipping through one of my books that I enjoy and I came across a passage that I wanted to share.

As you arrive somewhere, see if it feels right in your heart. If it doesn't, then change direction.

Keep following what feels good to your heart until you find that place again-you will know that you've arrived at the right place when you feel that love that you had before you left.

Life has many directions. It's up to each person to choose which direction to go.


The freedom to choose is a great gift.  The choice might lead you to a blind spot, a place where there seems to be no opening, but if you keep trying, a pattern forms and you can always listen to your heart, for it knows what is best for you.

Notice the pattern, notice how your mind works in conjunction with how your heart feels at certain stages in life, and use that as a guideline.

Your life may sometimes seem like a maze, but there is a way out. It's about choices.

This thing we call life, is truly a case of trial and error and finding a way out of the maze.

May a smile or two find everyone,

Paloma

Daily Mantra

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens:

I am thankful for where I am right now at this moment of my life.

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for my home.....

I am thankful for my treasures I am refinding from family and friends that I had put up long ago, in hopes to have them again close to me.

I am thankful for my mother' spirit that I can feel around me as I transition from here to there, I am grateful that she encourages me to remember that everything has it's time under the sun.

Blessings All!

,,,did I mention, meditation can really be a blessing ;)

Paloma

May We All...

Look inside ourselves for love,

Look inside ourselves for support,

Look inside ourselves, and see a friend

and allow our breath to lead the way.

With each hurtle we face, let them remind us of what lays within us. With each passing minute of breath, we notice how special the moment is to us.

It would be a loss, not to enjoy this day.

Breath

Over the weekend on more than one occasion I noted my breathing.

That voice that rings within me, had a busy job this weekend saying over and over....Hey Paloma....your holding your breath. Breath. Well, I'd blink and take a half hearted effort in taking cleansing breath. 

After about the fourth time, I made myself look around at what was occurring to see if my surroundings were causing me to hold my breath....I recognized no major problems, really just normal family energies.

Hmmmmm, I pondered. I was grateful that my inner self was at least paying attention. I let it go sent up another prayer of thanks and kept moving.

When I again noted that tight chested feeling and that how do you say... half breathing. I got up from what I was doing and stepped outside. I shut my eyes, spread my arms wide, and went back to basics.

In through the nose, tip of my tongue to the roof of my mouth, swinging the door open... 1-2-3-4; Out through the mouth, swinging the door shut...1-2-3-4 Concentrating only on my breath and how the flow of air felt.

With my head clear and O2 flowing through my brain. I was able to become still. Maybe I was really cramming too much into these past few days.

For the rest of the evening my breath and I were buddies. We paid attention to each other. We were friends again.

So, remember..... Take time to breath. Pay attention to that voice that lays within you. Five min. of good solid cleansing breaths.....will go along way!!!!  

Blessings all,
Paloma 

The True Sound of Truth

I came across this story three weeks ago...when I stumbled upon the mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum.
I think this stumbling was really more...it was a gift.


Here is the story...it is worth the read.

***********************************************


The True Sound of Truth
An old story speaks about a similar problem. A devoted mediator, after years concentrating on a particular mantra, had attained enough insight to begin teaching. The student's humility was far from perfect, but the teachers at the monastery were not worried.

A few years of successful teaching left the mediator with no thoughts about learning from anyone; but upon hearing about a famous hermit living nearby, the opportunity was too exciting to be passed up.
The hermit lived alone on an island at the middle of a lake, so the mediator hired a man with a boat to row across to the island. The mediator was very respectful of the old hermit. As they shared some tea made with herbs the mediator asked him about his spiritual practice. The old man said he had no spiritual practice, except for a mantra which he repeated all the time to himself. The mediator was pleased: the hermit was using the same mantra he used himself--but when the hermit spoke the mantra aloud, the mediator was horrified!

"What's wrong?" asked the hermit.
"I don't know what to say. I'm afraid you've wasted your whole life! You are pronouncing the mantra incorrectly!"
"Oh,Dear! That is terrible. How should I say it?"

The mediator gave the correct pronunciation, and the old hermit was very grateful, asking to be left alone so he could get started right away. On the way back across the lake the mediator, now confirmed as an accomplished teacher, was pondering the sad fate of the hermit.

"It's so fortunate that I came along. At least he will have a little time to practice correctly before he dies." Just then, the mediator noticed that the boatman was looking quite shocked, and turned to see the hermit standing respectfully on the water, next to the boat.

"Excuse me, please. I hate to bother you, but I've forgotten the correct pronunciation again. Would you please repeat it for me?"

"You obviously don't need it," stammered the mediator; but the old man persisted in his polite request until the mediator relented and told him again the way he thought the mantra should be pronounced.
The old hermit was saying the mantra very carefully, slowly, over and over, as he walked across the surface of the water back to the island.

*********************************************************
Om Mani Padme Hum
Meaning: The sound that strengthens compassion in all beings.
*********************************************************

What your best is, is good enough.

Paloma 

...to the laws of space and time

May this weekend for all be filled with cont. hope, love, and peace.

I wish for everyone to enjoy this weekend,  to laugh at a bad joke,  show affection to a friend or family member,  grab an ice cream,  look up at the sky whether be blue, gray, or foggy.

Be thankful for being able to stand,  when so many,  do to whatever reason,  cannot.

Remember, it is a blessing,  really,  just to be here.  Beauty can be found.  Freedom can be found.  Worry can be released.

Quote:

We never really know.
I simply believe that some part of the human soul or self is not subject to the laws of space and time.
Carl Jung


Paloma

Being Able...

 

Being able to remember the art of walking in another man's shoes,

not only encourages compassion, it kindles the heart to give thanks.

 
 We all have much to be thankful for.


May everyone enjoy this week and the start of summer adventures.
Paloma

For Zen sake...*

Without love, without humor,
yoga is just a lot of hard work.
-   Steve Ross

Lets just say....I have within me the ability to be a tad touch ambitious with the different vocations that are a part of my life. Who isn't?

I would not call it competitive really, well maybe, a touch...more with myself than with others... Who's not??

I would not call it obsessed, For Zen sake. That would be completely against what I am working towards.

I would call it highly focused.
Yes... highly focused or upper most in my mind.

That sounds MUCH BETTER.....highly focused.  Yep, that's what I am.

Whew, I feel better!!!!!

These written words of self contemplation stems from my "post attitude" after this mornings work out....yes, I just used the words...work out.


To catch you wonderful folks up to speed, I am training to attempt to compete in something called the Warrior Dash. This new endeavor was the brain child of my children and my son's friend. They, as a unit, are going to run this Warrior Dash and in April some how convinced me to par take.  

Work out schedule on my days off:
*up at 0630
*yoga for 15min
*aggressive walking for 20min
*running for 15 min
*yoga for 15 min
*tree pose for 5 min
*Sitting in my red chair for 10min. meditation.

Ahh that pesky meditation....

In this morning meditation, after it took me much effort to get my mind off of what I'm going to increase tomorrow workout and what I need to get from the store today....
I heard that voice....
"your not making this fun for you or your spirit..."
"your not 25, your 45......you know how much joke material you have with this new gig.  Why aren't you giggling in your head yet."
"Your yoga is not JUUUUSSSSSTTTT your stretching tool for running."
"With your leaning for the positive for your body, ya just might me slipping on your spiritual/mental side, I'm just saying..."

Sometimes, I really get annoyed at the voice...

Then I laughed,
Yes, voice.
Your right, as always...

So, folks....
Every hear about the 45 year old women....
made ya giggle...

Mindset...

Book Quote from: Zen Mind Beginners Mind

"When your practice is calm and ordinary, everyday life itself is enlightenment."

I have observed throughout my few years of true practice how my mindset effects my mat experience. What I project should come from the practice, or what release mentally I should "obtain".......I have caught myself trying to make it too mentally complicated. This goes hand in hand with projections and intent in daily life activities.

Then....slowly I saw how if I train myself to go in with no goals of mental stretching or physical stretching and by working with that mindset, I reached levels that I had been struggling with before.

 There is tremendous benefit from a simple practice, be it 15min to and hour. In simple everyday things lessons can still be learned.

This is way I so enjoy the above quote. Hope its helps as it has helped me.

Paloma 

On the light side...

Here are some funnies, I have come across recently. I would advise all my friends not be trying to drink while reading this.


We want no spewing on the old computer screen.... Ready?


Q: What do yoga meditation and fudge cake have in common?
A: They each bring you a piece of heaven. (insert drum rift)
**********************

Q: What do yoga mediation and an apple peeler have in common?
A: They both take you to the core. (tap tap..is this mic on?)
************************

If it seems like everything is coming at you, maybe you're in the wrong lane.  (snicker,snicker & I can relate)
***************************

And Finally...... (This is the best one yet!!!!!)
Q: How many yogis does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Into what?   (tah dahhhhhhh)

Made ya smile.
Enjoy your day, enjoy your time, enjoy your breath, enjoy this earth.
 
 

Mulch for the Soul

Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
Desmond Tutu


As with anything we want to grow, be it a garden, our families, our bodies, or even our minds and souls, one has to tend it.
Weed it,
mulch it,
water it,
love it.
Little bits of good.......

Yes, for one to mulch the soul, makes a stronger, better soul.


Paloma

Yoga=Youth

I find it magical, a gift of sorts from the powers that be. The feeling of youth, I find myself swimming in as I actively perform the last pose of my practice, savasana.  My logical mind can give you solid scientific reasons why my muscles, tendons, abdomen, spine feel healthy, relaxed, ready carry this frame of mine. I can give you chemical reasons why my brain feels as light as air, and my emotional state relaxed and calm.
But I so choose, to receive this gift as a magical, spiritual one, the fountain of youth I have found. It has been sent to me in the form of the practice of yoga.
In the very last seconds of savasana, my body feels as it once did as a young women of 18. My mind feels as if the world is waiting for me ....ready to face it with the determination that all battles will be won.
I am young again. I would not trade my experiences of 44 years, but, I savor that feeling of youth. Yesterday at the end of practice, it dawned on me....I smiled as the bells chimed, that this gift has always been there for me to carry away with me. I thanked them all for their time and the patience for this yoga student. To really see yet another sliver of light.
Yoga transforms the mind and body, no matter the age of the practitioner.

Yoga=youth.

Blessing all,
Paloma

True Adoration

To be witness to those who share true adoration for each other is real chance to peak into the blissfulness of the heavens.

The glow that surrounds the two, is a blue as the atmosphere.

The sound is as warm and hums like the summer winds.

Time has no meaning.

...even when the days for one of them is numbered, the adoration for each other stays strong.

Point of this blog....

Remember:

It is a real art to live in the moment.
To take the days and the years and see the treasures in each one.

Time on this earth flies by.

Your energy...will carry on, always. Just as love and true adoration will.

Paloma

Words

Budda is quoted as saying:

"Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind they can change the world."

The power of words whether they are written or spoken can be life changing. Words can cut like a knife or heal a broken spirit.

So,,,,, to all my compassionate yogis (in which you all are) out there, may these written words remind you what great people you are no matter what the flaws.

Blessings and Peace and laughter, always
Paloma

Yoga Waits Patiently

Yoga to me is an applied science of the mind and body.


* The practice and study of yoga brings to us natural balance of body and mind in which a state of health can be cultivated and grown.

*Yoga is born out of the person who has evolved from the daily pleasure of life and is seeking a deeper sense of purpose.

*Yoga is born out of the person that is tired of the pain or confusion that is found in relationships.

*Yoga is born out of the person that is looking deeper in to life.

*Yoga encourages a spiritual evolution in the student.

I am please with how my yoga practice has effected each aspect of my life. It truly causes me to apply my thoughts and reaction to experiences differently.

*I know as I evolve on my spiritual pathways......
 Yoga waits patiently for me. For that, I am grateful.

Paloma