" Show Up … "

if there be anyone who's going through,
we have an answer to the problem for you ...

only the strong shall survive and win.
Just ask the question and the answer shall come,
just exercise your faith and know He's the one ...

If there is no sign,
keep this in mind,
He'll show up on time.
He will show up, show up on time.

~ John P Kee ~ Show Up ~

***

It’s not about you.  Those are the four words I said to a friend of mine.  Four hard words but words that needed to be said.  “Speak your truth even if your voice shakes” is what was playing in my mind as I spoke.

You see, we were talking about how someone she knew was diagnosed a while back.  And my friend didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do and was worried so she did nothing.  Sound familiar?  

And as we have become closer, my girlfriend asked me considering my journey, what were my thoughts.  I told her she won’t like what I have to say but I need to be honest if she wants me to respond.  Since I speak from my heart, she didn’t expect any less.

So here it is ... 

all you have to do is show up … TA-DA!!!

Yup.  that’s it ... as a friend, you need to show up, be available and be present.  There are NO expectations for you to fix, say, do and feel anything.  Just. Show. Up.  Now you may be reading this and say ... ah, yeah?  are you kidding, that’s it? ... yup, that’s it.  Well personally speaking at least.  

I never wanted sympathy.  I never wanted to be fixed.  

I never wanted to be treated differently.  

I only wanted you to show up.

I only wanted you to be available

I only wanted you to be present and love me ...

Every one of us needs someone that understands what we do not say.  Oddly enough, as people fade away space is available for new experiences ... so not all is lost.  I have been so blessed to have compassionate people in my life that are full of generosity, kindness and pure love.  They understand that living with cancer is not a curse but can actually be a blessing. They appreciate the down side so that they can appreciate the up side.  And there is ALWAYS an up side.

When facing any pivotal moment in your life, you find out what you’re made of ... and those around you.  Some step up and others shy away.  How they respond is a reflection of what is happening in THEIR life not yours.

So whether YOU are “uncomfortable” with what someone is going through remember ... it is NOT about you and it rarely is so don't  let your doubts sabotage your actions.  In life we never lose friends, we only learn who our true ones are.

www.walkstrong.ca

" The Challenge … "

Now every corner I turn
Seems so unkind
And you're the challenge on my mind

On every corner you turn
There's a heartache
Well, love's a challenge
A chance that you've gotta take

No matter what you
Love is a challenge ...
I'm not lying
No matter what you

~ Christine Mcvie ~ The Challenge ~

***

The yoga studio I pratice at is currently holding a 30 day challenge.  30 consecutive days of practice.  Inspired by my sister  who completed a 30 day challenge, I know I am not there (YET!!), rather, here are some accounts of a personal 7 day hot yoga challenge that I undertook instead ...

***

LEGEND:

what the yoga instructor speaks

what my lower self speaks

what my higher self speaks

***

congratulate yourself for meeting yourself at the matt

i did more than that, i am going to do a 7 day challenge!

stay grounded and focused

do not leave the room if you feel dizzy, lie down

i’ll be fine, done this a thousand times

honour your body

rest out when you need to, no need to be hero

rest, schmest ... i’ve done this sooooo many times

if you need to rest out, you just come back stronger

don’t drink any water until the warm up postures are complete

excuse me, i’ll drink when i want to and how much i want to

acknowledge what is being said and trust the instructor

keep breathing, don't hold your breath

it's OK, just wait till the posture is over

listen to your body and just b-r-e-a-t-h

push, push, push to your edge

crap, i’m at my edge and i think i am going to fall

you are stronger than you think

one day, your head will touch the tops of your toes

my toes?  WTF are you talking about?

let your breath be your guide

if it hurts, you are doing it right

holy cow, this is friggin painful

tune in, push back and release 

the feeling if nausea is normal

but it’s not normal to puke in class is it?

remember, this too shall pass ... it always does

...

As humorous this external and internal dialogue was, it provided me a deeper sense of calm, empowerment and strength.  It really does feel great to have the intention AND complete a challenge … okay, what's next ;)

Let go of, or neutralize, your expectations so that you can just experience whatever is happening in the present moment.  

Releasing expectations releases us from disappointment, frees our mind from commenting on experiences, and opens our spirit to more joy ... 

" Like You ... "

Grieving for you,

I'm not grieving for you.

Nothing real love can't undo,

And though I may have lost my way,

All paths lead straight to you ...

You're not alone,

No matter what they told you, you're not alone.

I'll be right beside you forevermore ...

And as we lay in silent bliss,

I know you remember me.

~ Evanescence ~ Like You ~

***

Have you ever asked yourself, “would you like you if you met you?” ... or “what kind of vibe do you give off?” .. or “what am I giving back to those around me?”

You see we all want positive influences in our lives.  We search and search in hopes to forage friendships that inspire us ... yet often we forget to ask ourselves if we are positive influences.  

So back to the questions, can you honestly say you are happy with the answers?  Just think about the times you are just plain not fun to be around ... you are in a rush, stressed, or impatient.  Because who wants to be around someone who isn’t enjoying the moment.

Believe that if you want to be around a certain type of person, you need to be that type of person ...

At our very core we have certain attributes and characteristics that make us who we are ... so this isn’t about changing ourselves, it is about being true to ourselves.  Your authenticity will inspire others to be comfortable with who they are.  

I study those I admire, their behaviours and traits ... and found that they are:

• present ~ here = now ... enjoy this very moment, which is all we truly have.
• open ... receptive and encouraging ... willing to hear what others have to say
• good listeners ... instead of reacting immediate they take a moment to absorb what they hear
• flexible ... break out of their comfort zones and compromise
• focus on the positive ... bring good energy and focus on blessings
• interested and interesting ... believe that where ever they are and whatever they are doing, something interesting is going on.
• 
  

So would you like you if you met you?

Assessing ways to become more enjoyable breeds more joy in our lives.  We attract the same type of people and events while staying true to ourselves ... supporting you being the kind of person you’d like if you met you.

" Present Tense ... "

Do you see the way that tree bends? 

Does it inspire?

Leaning out to catch the sun's rays

A lesson to be applied

Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?

You can spend your time alone, re digesting past regrets, oh

Or you can come to terms and realize

You're the only one who can't forgive yourself, oh

Makes much more sense to live in the present tense

Have you ideas on how this life ends? 

Checked your hands and studied the lines

Have you the belief that the road ahead ascends off into the light?

Or you can come to terms and realize

You're the only one who cannot forgive yourself, oh

Makes much more sense to live in the present tense

~ Pearl Jam ~ Present Tense ~

***

The lost art of living in the present.  Being present versus Being there.  The idea of being present encompasses the fundamental principles of yoga ... to simply “be” in the moment you are experiencing.  Easy enough ... so why then do  many lose sight of the “experience” before their eyes?

Perhaps it is because our society does not focus on the present tense.  We are always in preparation mode instead of enjoying today’s victory.  And when we finally stop to savor a milestone, it is by conscious measure, only to move on to the next one.

Truly, we are all familiar with the subject of presence ... wanting to be able to pay attention to what’s here versus dwelling on the past or longing for the future.

Just take this example ... you judge someone to be a certain way therefore you will expect them to behave that way.  Your expectations show up in the words you use, the tone of your voice and your body language.  Now, you are part of this person’s environment and your influence will set up an expectation, and other people will meet your expectation.  

Yet the problem is not their reaction but yours.  You responded based on the image you have of them.  So how do suspend judgement? ... you listen with the intention of understanding them by becoming fully present.  This brings your mind into this moment.  Now, in this relationship, each moment is new.  You have chosen to be present and surprise yourself by the potential that is within them instead.  

Mindfulness is a choice.  So how do we become more present in the present?  Start with believing that the most important thing in your life is what is happening right now, including what is inside you as well as outside.  

I have found that I must let go of the belief that I am irresponsible if I give time to myself, time to be alone and time to make contact with the Divine.  My responsibility to this human experience is to bring my whole self in to, fully and with a deep connection with my own being.

We are spiritual beings having a human experience.  And by being present, we allow the past memories, thoughts, feelings and worries to be left behind, therefore creating space ... a space for love, gratitude and miraculous transformations to take place ... a place where Divine manifestations occur.

the most precious gift we can offer others is our presence ... 

when mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers ... 

so wherever you are, be all there ॐ