Writing Retreat is Ending

Just got back from Staples where I had my efforts printed so I can now (when I get enough nerve) look at what I've done and try to imagine it into a book!   But tonight, I'm taking off - and want to share the beautiful sunset here at South Beach on Hilton Head Island.  In addition, you see the view from my deck and from my computer chair.  The corner of windows is a big plus.  That's where I meditate, do asanas, and receive Reiki.  It has been an extremely productive week of very concentrated work.  I have left the villa only to walk the beach, go to Chico's once to use my Christmas gift card, and  Publix and Walgreen's for miscellaneous stuff.  And, of course, I did go to Jim and Anne's home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals - absolutely scrumptious, of course!  Home tomorrow!

Setting Intentions

Two more days to prepare for my week of writing.  I am purposefully concentrating on getting my thoughts directed toward the process.  From here, it seems so simple.  Just go and do it.  And yet, I know in my heart how easy it has been for me to get sidetracked and lose my direction.  I know what I am supposed to be writing about - how I am happy - which seems like a very clear  subject about which to write.  BUT, I've been trying for more than two years and still haven't been able to produce a readable document.  Why is that?  I think it is related to my need to continue looking inward.  Asking "Who am I?" seems unanswerable.  Perhaps it's meant to be a lifelong pursuit. Perhaps I'll not know for sure until I'm near time to leave this life.  But I do know a lot about living.  I do know many techniques I use to be happy.  I do know that the Universe is designed for us to be happy.  I do know it is my intention is to be happy.  I do know how to make intentions comes to fruition.  So, that is what I will be writing about next week.   Stay tuned.

A Christmas Thought

One of my spiritual teachers, Joan Borysenko, writes in her Pocketful of Miracles for December 19:

Great Spirit, I awaken this morning with such love and gratitude for Your forgiveness.  I understand that sin--the sense of separation from You--is the very path back to Divine Union.  May the same forgiveness that is in You, awaken within me, that I may embody the heart of the Christmas Mystery. .... I am preparing to spend next week in relative solitude at the ocean to meditate, contemplate, and write.  I have enjoyed such a December week for several years now and find it one of my most well-spent times of the year.  My prayer for this morning is that you, too, find time in this very special time of the year for quiet hours to go inward and find your Self.

Creating a Happy Life

Here's info on a new program at the Yogatorium: 

Creating A Happy Life in 2013 and Beyond


Five 2-hour sessions – 3:00 to 5:00 Sundays
January 20, 27, February 3, 17, 24
Limited to 10 participants
$100 (includes telephone or e-mail coaching)
Text: Happiness Workbook I: Who am I? What do I want? And Making it Happen!
Contact Instructor:
Jaquie Haymond, PhD, RYT
yogatorium@ninetysix.net
864-223-7945

Moaning and Groaning

No time for extensive writing - but just so you know I haven't forgotten you - this morning my journalling revolved around - ATTACHMENT - Yep, I was caught in it again - but this time, I was freed with an illumination/extraction session last evening - thank goodness!  This time, I was caught in being attached to an outcome!  Why is this so hard?  Letting go is something I've been practicing for years now - and STILL - I get caught in it.  Just thought you might like to hear me moan and complain for a change.

Non-attachment - Things and Thoughts

Both in my yoga training and my shamanic journey, non-attachment is a principle of living a good life.  I have begun to dispose of many possessions and enjoy doing so. The fewer possessions I have, the less chaotic my life becomes.  But there is more to non-attachment.  Now I am striving to become non-attached to outcomes.  I do so pretty well in some cases, but in others, not so well.  When I strive to accomplish some goal and it doesn't happen quickly enough to suit me, I tend to lose my enthusiasm.  Learning to enjoy the doing and let the outcome be as it will, is not easy.  Another aspect of non-attachment, is allowing things to be as they are and not getting hung up on wishing things were different, becoming attached to something becoming different.  A friend's favorite mantra: "It is what it is."  So you see, it's not just a matter of being attached to things that causes unrest - being attached to  thoughts, can also cause pain and suffering.  How do we learn to be non-attached?  Practice, Practice, Practice - letting go.

Serving and Receiving

Last evening I had the opportunity to do a healing session with a veteran.  I can't believe the humbleness and joyousness of doing a service for a man who has done service for all of us.  That was my first chance to give back to one who has served us in that way.  I do hope it won't be my last.....today is starting out overcast but that has become a favorite beginning for me. Gives me quiet time that seems to hover  for a couple hours before the sun breaks through and alerts me to "get something done."  For now I can just be and allow my thoughts to go wherever they wish.  Now I'm watching crows in the labyrinth.  I'm not quite sure why, but every morning lately there are three or more crows walking the labyrinth - in their own way, of course, not the prescribed one route in to the center and then returning back out the same way.  They skip around to different spots as though trying to find the best one.  Probably they are finding seeds, but I like to think they may be looking for the best meditation spot.  My best spot is right where I am now.  In my seagrass chair looking out over the Pond.  Except for the crows, all is still.  Not even a slight movement either on the water or in the trees and grasses.  So, it is time for me to Be Still and receive.

There's always enough

Last evening my Spiritual Sisters and I talked about greed - as Judith Lasater writes about in Living Your Yoga.  The mantra I picked up on is "There's always enough."  I realize that there is often not enough for millions of people in our world but for me, there is.  ,,,,,,shift our focus from filling an emptiness to exeriencing contentment she says.  How do we do that?  living in the present moment is the key.  Just this week I caught myself being greedy when I received an order from Campmor of some warm yoga pants and jacket.  Immediately I said to myself - "These are really great - I think I'll order more."  I didn't, but I thought about it for three days before I accepted that the 8 pairs of yoga pants I already have are enough.  And, one pair of truly warm ones is enough - especially since I have three pairs of silky long underwear pants and shirts to wear under less warm clothes.  But it still tempts me to order more - it is such a bargain price!  This temptation to have MORE - is ingrained in our culture, as you well know.  It is a true struggle for me to overcome this silliness.  That's all it can be called - silliness.  Such acts may temporarily fill an emptiness, but certainly not permanently.  Emptiness is not filled by more, but by less.  Think about that.  I will all day today.  More creates chaos, less brings peace.

Mule Ride on Kit

OK.  Here is a new adventure photo - I'm riding Kit, a mule!!!! Never heard of riding mules - except bareback on the farm while plowing - but folks do - and they are beautiful animals!  Just down the road from me lives the Wetzels - Duane and Lee - friends from 40 years ago when I owned a Tennessee Walking Horse for a few years and Duane took care of her for me - teaching me everything I know about horses.  Now, Todd and Millie ride mules - and I got my chance last weekend.  So here I am!  What a kick!  Big surprise - I got on without any assistance - no block to stand on, no hands to lift me up - just my good old yoga body!  Life is GOOD!  Thanks Tood - and thanks Millie for your wonderfully comfortable saddle! 

Yesterday was a delightful one.  The morning was very busy with two energy healing sessions and a yoga class - all before noon!  Then I spent the rest of the day just being.  I'm getting good at just being.  I keep repeating my mantra - "don't just do something, sit there."  Picking up my knitting again has helped tremendously.  It really is  a meditative practice since I am doing a scarf that takes no attention whatsoever - well, a little bit, since I knit three, purl three repetitively and sometimes have to check to be sure I'm still on that pattern.  But, it's really a pretty good way to "get something done" without stressing out.  I'm smiling.  It's truly very rare nowadays that I get stressed out.  I seem to be having more fun and be more relaxed each day.  For example - see the photo!  I'm dancing at our first drum circle.  - Next one coming up December 21.  Come join us - it's FREE.