tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1609429144670329102024-02-18T22:40:47.924-08:00The Perfect BlendThe perfect blend is a blog about making this family of two and family of three the most healthy way...inside and out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-70797443264029025982012-06-15T08:21:00.001-07:002012-06-15T08:21:12.960-07:006 Month MeasurmentsMeasurements:<br />
<br />
<br />
Weight 177.6 lbs <span style="color: red;">-30.6 lbs</span><br />
Arm (L)12 <span style="color: red;">-1</span> (R)12 <span style="color: red;">-1</span><br />
Neck 13 <span style="color: red;">-.5</span><br />
Bust 39<span style="color: red;"> -2.5</span>Chest 31.5 <span style="color: red;">-2</span><br />
Waist 36.5 <span style="color: red;">-4.5</span><br />
Hips 43 <span style="color: red;">-2</span><br />
Thigh (L) 22<span style="color: red;"> -3</span> (R) 22 <span style="color: red;">-3</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">-19.5 inches lost overall</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-46875345213299871882012-05-05T09:21:00.000-07:002012-05-05T09:22:35.795-07:00First Race in 5 Years<img alt="" height="123" src="http://www.colormerad.com/images/colormerad_vancouver.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<img alt="" height="178" src="http://colormerad.com/images/cmsfiles/31-2.jpg" width="400" /><br />
So I've done it. I've registered for a 5Km race in August. After finding this little gem online how could I not want to be a part of it. The icing was on the cake so to speak when Groupon had a one day registration sale for only $20.00. Done and done...well it will be done in August but you get my point. I bought it without hesitation. Now all I have to do is start running again. Hahaha. And find a white shirt to wear for the race. But I think I'll wait until closer to the race date as my measurements (see below) are still on a steady decline. I want to make sure these clothes are going to fit me because it really sucks to have to keep on pulling up on your shorts. <br />
<br />
I was feeling a bit down because last week was my very first week where instead of a loss I gained. It was also the end of the first couple of weeks on a diet shake system. Let's just say I knew it wouldn't work before I bought it. Why did I buy it then do you ask. Well I bought it because I know not one but two people who went on it and they lost crazy amounts of weight and inches right away. Like 9 pounds in one week kind of crazy. So I've put it aside, discontinued my membership with them and have gone back to using myfitnesspal app. At least now I'm eating real food again and more importantly inches and pounds are going back in the direction I would like to see them going. Not as fast as I would like to see, but hey, "Slow and steady wins the race" right?<br />
<br />
Measurements:<br />
<br />
Weight 183.8lbs <span style="color: red;">-24.6 lbs</span><br />
<br />
Arm (L)12 <span style="color: red;">-1</span> (R)12 <span style="color: red;">-1</span><br />
Neck 13 <span style="color: red;">-.5</span><br />
Bust 40<span style="color: red;"> -1.5</span><br />
Chest 32.5 <span style="color: red;">-1</span><br />
Waist 38 <span style="color: red;">-3</span><br />
Hips 43.75 <span style="color: red;">-1.25</span><br />
Thigh (L) 23 <span style="color: red;">-2</span> (R) 23 <span style="color: red;">-2</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">-13.25</span> <span style="color: red;">inches lost overall</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-66191699780697674782012-03-04T10:15:00.003-08:002012-03-04T10:41:03.038-08:00Doctor Appointment/Back To SchoolThis post is probably going to be a bit scattered. I have a lot on my mind and not a lot of time to type/format. I got a call the other day regarding my referral. My appointment is on May 17th at noon. They were supposed to give me two but they screwed up and only made an appointment for one of the doctors. That's fine though because I got a new doctor (the other referral was for a doctor that I already used and didn't really like). New doctor is in Vancouver so I am able to leave work and get paid for four hours as the appointment is in Vancouver. I'm debating using three vacation hours and just taking the whole day off. I don't know. We'll see. Speaking of work I now need to talk about school. Don't see the connection just yet. Wait for it, you will. As I'm on a one year maternity leave position I've been thinking of ways to make myself more useful and I've been trying to put myself in more of a position for them to want to keep me. So I decided to go back to school and take a few courses so I can work in the same department but have a better position. Look out BCIT here I come. Diet is going very well for both me and my husband. I've lost 17.4 pounds already!!!! My husband has just completed his second week and all together he has now lost 5 pounds himself. Super proud of both of us!!! People at work are starting to notice my loss and it feels great!<br /><br /><br />Measurements:<br /><br />Weight 191lbs <span style="color:#ff0000;">-17.4 lbs</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br />Arm (L)12.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span> (R)12.75 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.25</span><br />Neck 13.5<br />Bust 40.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span><br />Chest 32.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span><br />Waist 40 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span><br />Hips 44.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span><br />Thigh (L) 24 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span> (R) 24 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">-6.25 inches lost overall</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-80495649735013587212012-02-12T08:54:00.002-08:002012-02-12T08:57:04.840-08:00MeasurementsI'm not too sure if this is entirely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accurate</span> as I measured right after I worked out this morning but here they are:<br /><br />Measurements:<br /><br />Arm (L) 13 (R) 13.5<br />Neck 13.5<br />Bust 41.5<br />Chest 33.5<br />Waist 41<br />Hips 45<br />Thigh (L) 25 (R) 25Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-60075162935791995382012-02-11T16:09:00.000-08:002012-02-11T16:24:23.919-08:00Healthy Greek SaladEat your colors! This is my version of a healthy Greek salad! Makes two servings.<br /><br />1/2 Cucumber<br />2 Roma Tomatoes<br />1/3 Yellow Pepper<br />1/3 Orange Pepper<br />1/3 Red Pepper<br />1/4 Red Onion<br />3 Mushrooms<br /><br />ADD THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS RIGHT BEFORE YOU EAT IT<br />1/2 cup Kraft Feta Cheese<br />1 Avocado<br />1 Lemon squeezed over everything as your dressing<br />Fresh ground Black Pepper to taste<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708035257679569938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVAbJ2htJ0G2qY2-2VKvpUbWAQ8joTOjt3luVuF3BAEXKwR4r1t0APJwiQzMXaT6tSgWWwo-Nn0MG2nrsSHGghFJWvgWrR1Hk9fK0HsR2g1VIOlXLXOXigrvs6rD9EjURI4hoQQbxabU/s400/339950_10150524438050283_700470282_9218788_1590735418_o.jpg" /><br />Here is a photo of the prep work minus the cheese, black pepper, avocado and lemon juice.<br /><br /><strong>Nutritional Facts</strong> <span style="color:#009900;">per one serving</span>:<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">164 Calories</span>, Total Fat 7.1 g, Saturated 2.8g, Polyunsaturated .4g, Monounsaturated 1.6g, Trans, .1g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 173.5mg, Potassium 530.2mg, Total Carbs 18.4g, Dietary Fiber 5.0g, Sugars 6.0g, Protein 7.2g, Vitamin A 43.5%, Vitamin C 430.4%, Calcium 12.8%, Iron 14.5%Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-38533331693873273852012-02-11T15:42:00.000-08:002012-02-11T16:09:53.277-08:00I'm Back!Well look how time has gotten away from me. Just over a year later and I have gained all the weight (plus some) back and we are still without a baby. I did have my surgery last year for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">endometriosis</span>. It did not help. For the last six months I've taken birth control to stop my periods. This has not helped (well it has but not completely). The birth control has helped by taking away the debilitating pain I used to get when I actually got my periods but it has not taken away the constant daily pain I have in that area. I have another family doctor now and an appointment with her on the 21st to see who she will refer me to. Last June I got my dream job working for the City of Surrey at City Hall but it was only for a 6 month contract. Before it expired I was offered a one year maternity leave position in October. I decided to go on birth control and put a hold on the baby thing until I get on permanent full time. I could get pregnant now and qualify for maternity leave but I would prefer to have a job to come back to especially if I have a baby to look after. I don't know what happened to the weight loss thing. It seems like I always fail, I stop blogging and working out and my food doesn't get tracked anymore. It also seems like I always start my "lifestyle change" in December. As I did yet again this year. Like I can't start in January with everyone else because that would be too clique. This time I started December 26, 2011 at 208.4 pounds. Almost 7 weeks in and I've lost 12.2 pounds bring me down to about where I left this blog off last year. So now I'm 196.2 pounds (as of today) and next year I'll be damned if I say that I'm in the 200's again. This time around I'm going to post my favorite healthy meals with pictures!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-15406674595211117552010-12-14T08:06:00.000-08:002010-12-14T08:25:15.036-08:00TTC Cycle day 29So today is <em>test</em> day, which means that I was <em>supposed</em> to get my period <em>yesterday</em>. All day yesterday I felt like my period was coming, well let me be more specific by saying that I got the cramps that I get before the really bad cramps come on. Because of my endo when I really cramp they are unbearable. But these ones were more like the cramps I get that are just uncomfortable (the ones I get that let me know that the worst is yet to come). The thing is they didn't get any worse (or better for that matter). So here I am today a whole day late and I still have the cramps...and now I have brown spotting. My cervix which I normally don't check is super low.<br /><br />I really thought that I was pregnant this cycle until a few days ago when I felt like I lost my symptoms. Yes my breasts were still tender but nowhere near the same extent and the bloating deflated, not all the way, but enough to notice. I don't really have any hope left for this cycle. I haven't tested today as I have been testing since cycle day 23 and have been getting BFN's (Big Fat Negatives). So with the spotting this morning if I don't get my period in a couple of days I'll test again then. But I don't think I'm going to make it until then :(<br /><br />I'm super depressed today and I think it's because Christmas is right around the corner. I was really hoping that we would be able to share some exciting news with our families and now it doesn't look like that is going to happen. I'm hanging onto a sliver of hope right now. I have heard of cramping and spotting in early pregnancy but I haven't heard of cramping, spotting, low temperatures, and a low cervix with a good outcome.<br /><br />Keep your fingers crossed for me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-14904253347399563442010-12-09T19:33:00.000-08:002010-12-09T19:50:11.454-08:00Week 6So for the past week I have been battling with some <em>symptoms</em>...I wasn't sure if they were all in my head because lets face it I want to be pregnant so bad I could turn almost anything into a pregnancy symptom, but after looking at my measurements for the week it would make sense that I would have breast pain (starting two days past ovulation) and cramping and bloating. I mean from last week my boobs have expanded an inch and a half and my waist three whole effing inches. That's a whole inch larger than I started with 6 weeks ago. Sure that's not the only places I've gained this week but they are the biggest changes. I swear I've been sticking to my diet. I noted that last week I woke up starving but I didn't eat anymore than I was in previous weeks I just ate sooner. This is so frustrating. Another thing that has been bothering me lately is my back. And why wouldn't it. Now that my lady friends are spilling out of my bras it is only logical that my back would hurt. Ummmm what else. Oh (TMI) I have cervical mucus everyday since a few days before ovulation. Normally the only time I have CM is right before I ovulate for a couple of days and a couple of days before Aunt Flow comes. I have also had varying degrees of cramping. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but it would be the best Christmas present ever! I am going to wait five more days until I test. Wish me luck and baby dust :)<br /><br />Measurements:<br />Weight 196 lbs <span style="color:#ff0000;">-6 lbs</span><br />Arm (L) 13 (R) 13<br />Neck 14<br />Bust 41.5<span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span><br />Chest 34 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span><br />Waist 43 <span style="color:#330033;">+1</span><br />Hips 46.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span><br />Thigh (L) 24.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span> (R) 24 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1.5</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-40186693537326665532010-12-02T07:55:00.000-08:002010-12-02T08:05:06.893-08:00Week 5So for the past week or so I've been waking up <em>STARVING</em>. Like I need to eat before I do anything else, including my morning washroom break. I hope this means that my body's metabolisim is improving. As of December 1st I've started to workout as well to help things along. My BBF burnt a workout DVD which only takes 20 minutes a day to complete. So I have no excuse to not workout! I'm really excited to see that all of my measurements have now had a loss. It's amazing what can happen when you eat right.<br /><br />Measurements:<br />Weight 194 lbs <span style="color:#ff0000;">-8 lbs</span><br />Arm (L) 13 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span> (R) 13 <span style="color:#ff0000;">- .5</span><br />Neck 13.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5 </span><br />Bust 40 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-2</span><br />Chest 33.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1.5</span><br />Waist 40 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1.5</span><br />Hips 46 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span><br />Thigh (L) 24.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span> (R) 24.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-1</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-12017734669133905372010-12-02T07:13:00.000-08:002010-12-14T08:28:05.974-08:00TTC Cycle day 17So a few days ago I went to my follow up Doctor's appointment to get the results from a bunch of tests I've had done over the past couple of months. Unfortunately, it looks as though I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">endometriosis</span> information about it found here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometriosis">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometriosis</a> . So my Doctor informed me that I have three options. The first one would be where I would go on <em>birth control</em> as the hormones that I would be feeding my body would stop my period <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">altogether</span>, thus equalling no more pain - no more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">endo</span>. For obvious reasons I did not want to do this. I mean we are trying to have a baby here. The second option is to <em>have surgery</em> to remove the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">endo</span>. It's a non-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">invasive</span> day <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">procedure</span> where she would make a couple of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">incisions</span> on my lower abdomen and laser off the cysts and whatnot. The third option would be to <em>get pregnant</em>. She (my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dr</span>.) said her wait times for surgery right now are a year long wait. However, she thinks that I have a severe case of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">endo</span> so she has put me on her priority/cancellation list. I will be called with a surgery date within the next three months. So what does this mean? Well I have three months to get pregnant. YIKES. I am trying not to stress out over it. But I know these things can take time. It's hard not to constantly think of it, when I already wanted to get pregnant for so long already let alone having to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">accomplish</span> it in a controlled time frame. The good news is at least I don't have to be in pain for another full year (if we don't get pregnant before then) and that my other test results came back with flying colours. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dr</span>. is encouraged that it is possible to achieve the pregnancy before having to go ahead with surgery. So keep your fingers crossed for us.<br /><br />By looking at my fertility chart, I'm pretty sure I ovulated yesterday. Hopefully in a couple of weeks time I'll have a really great update to share!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-46077093034215181512010-11-26T07:52:00.000-08:002010-11-26T08:16:07.985-08:00Week 4Last weekend I went shopping in the States with my BFF. Instead of being super dissapointed that I couldn't fit into the cute clothes that were everywhere I felt <em>inspired</em>. I can't wait to buy stylish clothes again and as a bonus my mastercard bill was kept to an all time low!<br /><br />Measurements:<br />Weight 194 lbs <span style="color:#ff6666;">-8 lbs</span><br />Arm (L) 13 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-.5</span> (R) 13 <span style="color:#ff6666;">- .5</span><br />Neck 14<br />Bust 41 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-1</span><br />Chest 33.5 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-1.5</span><br />Waist 40.5 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-1</span><br />Hips 46.5 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-.5</span><br />Thigh (L) 24.5 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-1</span> (R) 24.5 <span style="color:#ff6666;">-1</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-20579085040375254252010-11-20T23:58:00.000-08:002010-11-21T00:01:55.828-08:00Wide EyedWide eyed and hopeful<br />that my womb<br />will bear<br />untold treasures<br /><br />Wide eyed and hopeful<br />that I will feel<br />the sweetness<br />of love<br /><br />Wide eyed and hopeful<br />but sure that I will know<br />the dawn<br />of a new creation<br /><br />-Trying to Conceive Poem by MilliandeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-52214590842723946212010-11-18T11:06:00.000-08:002010-11-18T11:22:19.453-08:00Down 6 pounds..........in two weeks <em>plus</em> a mini vacation!?!?! Heck YES! But my success will be short lived if I don't get my butt to the store and buy more fruits and veggies! Sorry for such a short post.<br /><br />Measurements:<br />Weight 196 lbs <span style="color:#ff0000;">-6 lbs<br /></span>Arm (L) 13.5 (R) 13.5<br />Neck 14<br />Bust 42<br />Chest 35<br />Waist 41.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span><br />Hips 46.5 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span><br />Thigh (L) 25 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span> (R) 25 <span style="color:#ff0000;">-.5</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">So I've lost 6 lbs and 2 inches in two weeks...not too shabby :)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-16236304983261819442010-11-16T21:35:00.000-08:002010-11-16T21:52:43.632-08:00TTC Cycle day 1After two and a half years of marriage and four and a half years of being together my husband is FINALLY ready to work on adding another person in our family. I couldn't be more excited! <br /><br />To prepare for such an event I have been taking folic acid (as prescribed by my family doctor), charting my morning temperatures to see when I ovulate, and trying to get my eating habits under control. For the past three months these are the things I have learnt with regards to my cycle. I have a pretty average 28 day cycle. However, I do NOT ovulate on cycle day 14. It turns out that it's a few days after that....more like cycle day 18-20. <br /><br />I have also purchased a sperm friendly lubricant called preseed which we will use in a couple of weeks time. I'm really hoping that our journey to getting pregnant is a short one. But I realize these things can take awhile. <br /><br />Last weekend my husband and I went away for the weekend to Victoria for part 1 of our "babymoon". A babymoon kind of like a honeymoon but it's a vacation you take <em>before</em> the baby comes as opposed to a honeymoon which you go away <em>after</em> the wedding. It is to celebrate the last vacation together just as a couple. Part 2 of our babymoon will come in the final days of my pregnancy.<br /><br />I plan on updating throughout my cycles as a way to look back, kind of like an online pregnancy journal. <br /><br />Please feel free to ask me any questions, and I'll do my best to answer them(so long as they are not super personal).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-11508465527308580162010-11-16T08:05:00.000-08:002010-11-16T08:07:12.123-08:00Copied from old blog...Thursday, November 4, 2010<br />Restarting a year latter. Day 1<br /> <br />Ok so this morning reality slapped me in the face. This is the THIRD time I've really broken down and cried about my weight. Each time I vow that it will be the last...each time I set a limit for myself before reality gets the best of me. The first time I started freaking out I think I was about 170 lbs. The next time I was in the 180's. So for the past year I secretly said to myself so long as I don't get to 200 lbs I'll be ok with what I weigh. Well this morning out of the blue I wipped the dust of my bathroom scale, held my breath, and had the devastation devour me. 202 lbs. I knew it was right. It's time to put on my big girl pants (not to be mistaken with my fat girl pants) and do something about this. Like NOW. No more talking about it. I tired of looking at myself in the mirror and not seeing the girl that I feel like inside. It's horrifying to think that I've let it go this bad.<br /><br />I have no excuses left to use up. I know what I need to do...I just have to stick to it.<br /><br />Measurements:<br />Weight 202 lbs<br />Arm (L) 13.5 (R) 13.5<br />Neck 14<br />Bust 42<br />Chest 35<br />Waist 42<br />Hips 47<br />Thigh (L) 25.5 (R) 25.5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-26139068501600501482010-04-03T21:19:00.001-07:002010-04-03T21:31:45.448-07:00JealousyIt's easy to look at the behavior of others to justify our feelings. But no matter what other people do or say, we are ultimately responsible for our own feelings. You could probably convince anyone who will listen that another person's behavior is deplorable and it's natural for you to feel the way you do. But isn't that giving them all the power over how you feel? How does giving away your power affect you? Can you do something to reverse that? Without my saying so, of course you know that you can. Intuitively you know that only you are responsible for how you feel. <br /><br />Jealousy is a tricky one. Often, it is precipitated by a loved one acting inappropriately and not considering your feelings, or by an imagined indiscretion, or by comparing, or wanting, or coveting. More often than not, we create scenarios in our mind to feed this green-eyed monster. Usually, it has little to do with the truth, the real circumstances. Mostly it has to do with the fear of losing something or someone we want-case of our petty ego taking control. And our self esteem is often at issue whether we realize it or not. Because we're so intent on watching and imagining the antics of others, we cannot even see ourselves in the picture.<br /><br />So the first thing to do when jealousy rears its ugly head is to do an about-face and look in the mirror at yourself. Investigate the source of the feeling. Divorce it from the current target. See how far back it goes. Then admit that at the core of the jealous feeling is love. Focus on that. See how fear gets into the mix to disguise and obscure the truth. Keep focusing on the love. Express those love feelings to the person who has aroused the jealousy. Take a risk. Express yourself, your truth, your love.<br /><br />Don't expect anything in return. Luxuriate in the pure nature of giving. Withhold nothing. Spend it all. When you do this, love will come back to you tenfold. It may not come from where you're looking, so be prepared and open and available for anything. Don't lock yourself into any corners that you can't move out of. Open your heart wide, and love, not jealousy, will be your reward.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-64170814879694445362010-04-03T21:06:00.000-07:002010-04-03T21:15:21.511-07:00Focus on the Moment - I often have to come back to this oneThe ultimate aim of quiet-corner practice is to bring ourselves into the present moment, to make ourselves aware of what is happening now - not yesterday or tomorrow, but now. It is to bring us into this moment and keep us here. You may not yet be aware that you are not always living in the moment. But as you continue on the quiet-corner path, your awareness will improve. You will notice more readily when you are regressing or projecting. When you do notice this happening, try centering your attention on your breath. Your breath will always help you focus on the present. If you take three deep breaths at such times, you will notice where you are and how you're feeling. Take stock of yourself. Look around you and notice something about your surroundings. Place yourself firmly in the present by taking note of the shoes you're wearing. Take three more deep breaths and notice your posture. Are you holding on to some tension? Breathe into it and let it go. What activity are you engaged in? Bring all your attention to it and breathe. Don't think about finishing it-just be in it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-48808560947643157542010-04-03T11:54:00.000-07:002010-04-03T12:00:48.627-07:00Who's Looking - Thoughts on my Quiet CornerAwards ceremonies, diplomas, honor rolls, first-place medals, promotions, pay raises, scholarships-these are just some of the ways that our society recognizes and rewards achievement. It is often what motivates us, the carrot at the end of the stick. When we search for a quiet corner, there is no tangible carrot awaiting us. And we're not being graded. No one is watching.<br /><br />We enter the stream alone and report back only to ourselves. The rewards are quiet, subtle ones-no marching bands. When we keep at it, those we love will share in the benefits without perhaps even knowing how or why. Let your quiet corner be a place where you commune with yourself and, if it works for you, with your higher power. No one is watching. But everyone gains.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-3078828129202014812010-03-27T22:57:00.001-07:002010-03-27T23:03:57.670-07:00BackpackHow much does your life weigh? Imagine for a second that you are carrying a backpack. I want you to feel the straps on your shoulders. I want you to pack it with all the stuff you have in your life. Lets start with the little things. The shelves and drawers and nick knacks, collectibles. Feel the weight as that adds up. You start adding larger stuff. Clothes, table-top appliances, lamps, linens, your T.V. I can imagine that's getting pretty heavy now. You go bigger. Your couch, bed, your kitchen table. Stuff it all in there. Your car. Get it in there. Your home. Whether it's a studio apartment or a two story house. I want you to stuff it all in to that backpack. Now try to walk. It's kind of hard isn't it? This is what we do to ourselves on a daily basis. We weigh ourselves down until we cannot even move and make no mistake moving is living. Now I'm going to set that backpack on fire. What do you want to take out of it? Photos? Photos are for people who can't remember. Drink some Ginko. Let the photos burn. In fact, let everything burn and imagine waking up tomorrow with nothing. It's kind of exhilarating isn't it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-35062946810313010832010-03-27T22:53:00.000-07:002010-03-27T22:55:29.660-07:00The Essence of Buddhism...The essence of Buddhism is no more than living in harmony with the changing circumstances of one's life, without strain or compulsion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-160942914467032910.post-23401751753075246422010-03-27T22:35:00.000-07:002010-03-27T22:52:22.605-07:00Words To Live ByLord, make me a channel of thy peace - that where there is hatred, I may bring love - that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness - that where there is discord, I may bring harmony - that where there is error, I may bring truth - that where there is doubt, I may bring faith - that where there is despair, I may bring hope - that where there are shadows, I may bring light - that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted - to understand, than to be understood - to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life, Amen.<br /><br />-by St. Francis of AssisiUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0