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Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Jennifer Aniston Dream (An Interesting Experience in Dream Interpretation)

I had an interesting dream last night, and stay with me, because I think you'll find some value in it the next time you have a similar dream.  I was the passenger in a small coupe vehicle. Driving was Jennifer Aniston.  In the back seat was my sister, who, in the world of the awake, lives across the continent from me.  Jennifer was pulling into a gas station to fill up.  I remember noting that it was midweek, during the day, and she was leisurely out and about.  In my dream, she was not a celebrity, just an ordinary entrepreneurial woman.  She had a business of some sort, and I knew that my sister and I worked for her in come capacity.

Jennifer got out of the car to pump gas, and my sister commented to me that Jennifer is so good at what she does, that she wondered why she didn't choose to be at work all of the time. She wondered why she was content to take in the amount of money that she was taking in. She seemed so mellow and at peace and not very driven to become filthy rich.


I paused and thought about it.  I told my sister, as I watched Jennifer pump the gas, that I admired her "strategy."  I agreed that had Jennifer chosen to be at her business more to "sell, sell, sell" and work around the clock, she would be more wealthy.  But that was not her motive.  Her motive was to make enough money to live comfortably - to not have to be tied down to the office and work all of the time.  She could be out during the middle of the day taking care of things like getting her gas tank filled, or more fun things like stopping by at Starbucks or a local cafe for a latte, or sitting in the sun with a good book. She was motivated to do well, succeed, and have enough time to reap and enjoy the benefits of her efforts; she was NOT motivated to work herself into the ground, stress, and have no time to enjoy anything that she worked so hard for.

Jennifer Aniston at the Gas Station
Wow. You can really find anything
if you Google it long enough. :0)


Jennifer returned to the car.  I wanted to tell her all of the "insights" that I had about "her," when I realized I was her. I was this person I was admiring and having insights about. I was also the observer in the passenger seat, and I was my sister in the back, questioning it all from a different perspective.



Sometimes when we dream, we have the experience of actually "being" all of the characters. It's something our brains aren't normally freed up to do during a busy awakened period.  Often, while awake, we think about things from one or two points of view.  In the dream world, so much more is possible.

I did not set an intention to dream about this matter before going to bed (although doing so can set you up for successfully dreaming about your desired subject); however, looking at it now, I have been thinking a lot lately about wealth and, while I would gladly welcome more prosperity in my life, I really want for nothing right now.  Even when I have a little bit of spending money, nothing seems so tempting that I "have to have it."  I am the Jennifer Aniston of my dream - content to not be overburdened with a stressful amount of work, yet very appreciative to have a source of income. I am the passenger in the seat that can now see this, and I am my sister in the dream who questions why this is all so.

Why Jennifer Aniston though?  Though I do not know her personally, she has popped into my head several times recently. I loved her on Friends, and I always felt badly for her in terms of how her marriage ended. It's none of my business (or anyone else's for that matter). I really like Angelina Jolie as an actress and for all of her humanitarian efforts...but I always felt that Jennifer Aniston was a very strong woman to pick up the pieces and to constantly deal with -even to this day- reminders of how her marriage ended. It is constantly in her face - yet she picked up the pieces, and she goes on, lives her life, and shines her light. That's inspiring to me. In my dream, SHE was driving the car. Everything she represented - that part of me - was in control.




May you remember your dreams tomorrow. May they be pleasant, thought provoking, and meaningful for you.  May you see yourself in the different roles, and may this help you gain clarity and perspective.



Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Have you had an interesting dream that caused you to gain clarity and insight on a situation in your life?  Please share it here.

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Tarot As A Self-Empowerment Tool - Tap Into Your True Desires, Needs, and Dreams

Most of us have heard of or perhaps have even seen the Rorschach test - a psychological test created by Hermann Rorschach in 1921. It is simply ink blots, spilled onto a piece of paper that is then folded, unfolded and then left to dry.  The images are shown to patients to get them to encourage them to reveal their thought processes.  What do you see when you look at this image?  There are so many possibilities, its endless. What do your interpretations say about you, and how can this type of work be helpful in solving the problems that we face? 

Many people turn to a tool that can be thought of in a similar way as the Rorschach test - the Tarot deck. People often turn to the Tarot because they are dealing with an issue with which they would like better insight or clarity. They hope that by consulting with someone who can read the cards, they will have their future foretold and guidance given. I do not doubt that some human beings have this incredible gift to read tarot cards and tap into the future, but in my personal experience, I've grown to believe in another way to use the cards as a way of experiencing self-empowerment.

This past year, I was received training on how to intuitively read cards by certified hypnotherapist and Tarot reader and teacher Susan Gold.  If you are ever in the San Francisco Bay area and have an interest in hypnotherapy, long-term hypnotherapy counseling, or tarot, I can only tell you that my experiences with Susan have been magnificent. She taught me so much through our hypnotherapy and Tarot sessions, and I absolutely adore her as a person.

Susan teaches the use of the Tarot as a self-empowerment tool, and now, so do I.  What this means is that you can read your own cards whenever you have a question. And, instead of feeling a sense that the answers are outside of you, you begin to realize the oracle within - that you have all of the answers and tools within yourself to help guide you in the right direction.  The Universe designed each and every one of us this way.  When you read your own cards, once you allow any doubts and insecurities about your "ability" to subside (we ALL can do this!), you will begin to tap into your higher self, the collective consciousness, and to Source in order to figure out what it is that you really want and need.

An important part of using the Tarot as a self-empowerment tool is to phrase your questions in ways that empower you, not in ways that dis-power you. This part took me a while to get the hang of, and Susan reassured me that this is pretty common.

Let's come up with a question for you, right now, and I'll do some examples.

Instead of asking questions that require a specific date, i.e. "When will I meet my soul mate?", rephrase your question to "What do I need to know in order to open my life up for my soul mate?" Here is an appropriate opportunity to make it all about you.

A couple of other examples: Instead of asking "When will I figure out what I want to do with my life/career/relationship?", ask "What can I do to help realize and manifest the best situation for my highest good and all those involved in my life/career/relationship?"

"Is my significant other cheating on me?" would be rephrased to empower you, as "What do I need to know about my current relationship?"

So, go ahead. Think of a question. Work on it for a few minutes until you've rephrased it in such a way that it puts the responsibility back on you to do the footwork and to tap into your own inner voice to search for the answers and guidance.

Once you have your question formulated, take a look at the Tarot card below.



In a journal or any paper that you have handy, begin to record your immediate thoughts, observations, and feelings about the image.  Let it be a free flow of writing - any thoughts that come to mind and any stories about what is happening in the picture should be recorded. Once you feel like you've captured your thoughts around this image, begin to tell a story about the image while answering the question you formulated.  You will be amazed at how much wisdom, insight, and compassion that you have right within your own heart and as a result of your connection to all of life.

May you realize that there is no greater power than that which resides right in your very own heart - that you are a child of the Universe, worthy of good things. May you realize that you are tapped in to the Universal Wisdom, and that you have all the tools that you need to make decisions, right inside of you.

Please feel encouraged to share what YOU see in the image above.

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

We Are Not Our Emotions - The difference between "I am" and "I feel"

Emotions are temporary, or transient. Just think about this day alone.  You may have felt happy, sad, disappointed, angry, confused, and so much more, all in the course of a single day.  With that in mind, it becomes clear that we are obviously NOT our emotions.

For example, so many of us say: "I am angry," which could translate to, "I am anger."
No you are not. You are you. Feelings and emotions that come through you are transitory states.

It would be more accurate to say, "I have anger," "I am experiencing anger," or "Anger is passing through me."  This way, we do not connect our identity and who we are at the core with some fleeting things that are not who we really are.


May you take comfort in knowing that this, too, shall pass.
May you take comfort in knowing that laughter will return....that tears are a part of the cycle...and that you have all the tools you need - right inside of you - to weather any emotional storm that may be passing through.

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulio

Monday, August 23, 2010

What happens in the Magical World of Dreams?

During the course of my time on the planet thus far, I have found that the dreaming process can be one of many things, including:

  • The brain's time to sort out things that it found to be too complex or overwhelming during the day when so many other things were competing for its attention.

  • A chance for us to visit other planes, where loved ones are alive and well, and when we wake up, we think about how odd it is that those who have passed were in our dreams. Seeing them and being with them felt so natural that we didn't realize we were dreaming.  I've woken up many times after dreaming about my maternal grandmother or my father and thought, "I can't believe I didn't think it odd that they were in the car with me.  It didn't occur to me once that I could be dreaming."
  • A chance to experience things that are impossible in our human bodies, for example, setting sail in flight simply by thinking or wishing it. Lucid dreams - dreams where you become aware that you are in a dream state and then take control of the dream by doing whatever it is you'd like - are pretty amazing. I've experienced this a few times in my life, and in each of these experiences, I have chosen to fly.



  • Some people report having astral dreams, where they believe that they actually leave their body, in spirit form, and visit other realms
  • A place to live out our fantasies - lacking inhibitions and with no real rules or consequences, many people awaken to find that they've lived out fantasies in their dreams that they never would or could act on in the waking state.
  • A place where old and fresh wounds come to heal.  I absolutely hate nightmares, yet I experience my fair share.  Most of the time, in nightmares, we are being victimized in some way - often a reflection of some real experience of victimization - though the dream may be about some completely different circumstance, if you are left feeling vulnerable, helpless, and afraid, then this is one way that your subconscious is processing through an emotional wound.  Practicing yoga, meditation, and positive affirmations before bed can really help with this.
  • Foretelling the future.  I can not recall any thing of significance that I have dreamed that has then come to pass in real life, but many people do claim to have had this experience.

What do your dreams mean to you? Where do they take you?



May you be blessed with sweet dreams, restful sleep, and magical journeys tonight.



Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Sunday, August 22, 2010

The House Chores Meditation

If you are anything like me, you don't exactly jump up and down at the "opportunity" to do housework.  In our busy lives, even a sink full of dishes (if it catches our eye at the end of a hectic day) can cause anxiety - a visual reminder of all of the things we "should" be doing when what we'd really like to do is kick back and rest, practice yoga, watch our favorite television show, etc.

"WHEN will I have a moment to rest and not be working?"

There are little things that we can do to make the experience a bit more relaxing and dare I say it (GASP!), enjoyable.  If you must wash the dishes, why not use it as an opportunity to take some time for yourself?

This evening, I spent part of my dish washing and kitchen cleanup time listening to a radio talk show that I enjoy. (It's a show hosted by Len Tillem, an attorney who gives free legal advice  to people who call in - it's quite interesting and entertaining. You wouldn't BELIEVE some of the situations that people call in with!)  This helped. (The show airs on KGO 810 AM  in the San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose with podcasts available online)

I then turned off the radio and used a new product that I purchased at Trader Joe's today.  I noticed a pretty purple bottle of dish washing soap and grabbed it while picking up groceries. I was so delighted to notice a beautiful fragrance coming from the foamy bubbles as I began to wash the dishes.  Upon a closer look at the bottle, I noticed that it includes lavender and tea tree oil.  Now my dish-washing session, which I had been dreading, had turned into some "me time" listening to a radio program, as well as an aromatherapy session!




I now feel much better, having done what I know needing to be done, than if I had left it undone for tomorrow, which will come with it's own set of chores and things that need doing.  And now to think of how to make the vacuuming a meditative experience...

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Friday, August 20, 2010

Who we are at the Core (The essence of your Soul & Your Inner Child)

I have been ridiculously busy lately. Without bogging you down with the boring details, lets just say I haven't had a lot of quality time to myself, and when I have, I've felt so exhausted that I felt I could only muster up the strength to watch some tv or click around on Facebook.

While those things have their place, I am a bit bored by both.  Yet, I have felt myself drifting away from my yoga practice recently, and, instead of judging myself for the choices I've made in place of my practicing, I am choosing to, in loving-kindness, observe the situation.


Why would I be resisting something that is normally a part of my internal balance on a body-mind-spirit level? It's almost like resisting eating healthy foods for junk food or avoiding exercise and being a couch potato.  The healthy choice is obvious, but for some reason, we are rebelling.

Then I realized - I have not been giving much attention to my inner child, with whom I've had quite an interesting relationship with over the years.



For so much of  my adult life, she's run the show.  Most of the time I was oblivious to it, then I became conscious of it (but had no real idea of how to deal with the situation), then I asked others who are spiritually wise, and it's been a back and forth situation of slipping into unconscious patterns where she's running the show and of me completely (again, unconsciously) excluding her from my everyday life.

Many of us who come from difficult pasts that affected our lives as young children will have this situation arise.  The lessons come slowly, one at a time, as you're ready.

I am a free spirit and very childlike by nature.  Chances are, I always will be. I am happy most of the time and expect that everyone is good at heart and that things will always work out, one way or another.  This way of being really doesn't feel like a choice - it's who I am.

Sometimes, I am more vulnerable than someone with thicker skin or a different perspective, but I wouldn't trade in who I am in this lifetime, at the soul level, to be any other way.  Life brings us back to this planet as human beings to try, try again. We learn, we grow, but there is an essence to our souls that stays with us through all of our incarnations. I am me. And, you are you.

Sometimes our inner children may show up in ways such as: eating lots of junk food for no good reason...procrastinating on chores...ditching responsibilities to do something that's more fun, or by breaking us out of routines - even our Yoga practice.



May you acknowledge and embrace your inner child.  May you ask her what she needs in order to feel loved and protected that you are able to feel a sense of wholeness.  May you feel the magic of your core being - who you are at a soul level -  that part of you that continues on lifetime after lifetime.  And may you release harsh judgments of yourself and others as we acknowledge that we are all on this journey together.



Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Saturday, August 14, 2010

So Bored and Nothing (Yeah Right!) to Do

Do you ever procrastinate things like housework, grocery shopping, and the like until it's absolutely necessary?  Do you feel guilt ridden over it?

It may be time to show yourself compassion and get to the root of the procrastination.

In my own recent experience, I had a long period of unemployment.  I ended up settling into a lifestyle of spending time each day looking for work, going to yoga class, eating packed lunches or fast food while sitting leisurely listening to KGO talk radio, Lady Gaga, or whatever my mood was calling out for.

I live with my partner, who is employed and was throughout my unemployment experience, and even though it was quite a toll on him financially to float the both of us with what little I got from unemployment benefits, he was SO supportive throughout the entire process of me either getting no response from potential employers to getting interviews and either finding out that jobs that once paid bank would now pay less than unemployment or I lost out to someone younger, to me going from depression over the situation to feeling a sense of liberation as I began to realize that I am not my occupation.

Because he stretched his paycheck to float us financially and stretched his heart to encourage me and lift me up emotionally, I was able to get through.  Sometimes I miss being able to get up and go to bed on my body's clock and not on a set schedule.  Sometimes I miss getting to be wherever I'd like to be: the park, yoga class, the library, the mall, the beach, meeting with friends at lunch time...I basically had a very long vacation, though the stress of knowing that my benefits would eventually run out and my efforts to secure employment - which had never been an issue for me in the past - haunted me and lingered in the background. My debt did not go away with my job.

Now that I am employed, I am so much more at ease.  I have more self-esteem because I feel that I am contributing positively in an environment where my efforts are appreciated and I get to use my creative side.  I actually like to be there keeping busy and using my brain. And, of course, the paycheck is nice. While I miss those lazy days, I try to make my weekends look as much like them as possible - which can be difficult.

I had grown accustomed to having full days that I could dedicate to cleaning the house, doing laundry, going grocery shopping, running errand, etc.  Now, since I live and work in the same rural town in the San Francisco Bay Area, I go home after work and am usually wishing that dinner were made for me and that the house would clean itself. (Did I mention that my partner recently broke his leg in a motorcycle accident and is laid up on the couch?)

I am so grateful for that time I got to enjoy, and learning to schedule my time continues to be a balancing act.  I have been pretty stubborn about "allowing" anyone to come in to help with housecleaning, but given all the variables, I've decided to give in on this one. We are actively seeking someone to come in and help with housework a couple of times a month.

But in the meantime, I must do it, and I often procrastinate.  When I "get away" with "forgetting" to wash the dishes, vacuum, or put all the clothes away, I almost feel like the little kid who got away with stealing from the cookie jar...only Mama eventually finds the crumbs, and he's left cleaning up the mess.



Today I sat in front of the computer refreshing Facebook and feeling incredibly bored. My mind turned to the many things I "could" and "should" be doing, and I began how good it would feel to accomplish some of them. But, I felt lazy and complacent. Part of me wanted to continue staring at the screen waiting for something to happen, but part of me wanted to do all the housework that I was putting off until tomorrow.

I started with the bathroom, and the momentum took off. Now the house is clean with just some dusting and laundry left for tomorrow. It feels good. It's kind of like exercise - for most of us, it's so difficult to get started, but after the workout, we feel fantastic.  That's how I felt after I cleaned the house today.  Now I can enjoy the rest of the weekend without the "should be doings" haunting me.

Last night, I was sitting in front of the tv. Nothing was on, so I practiced to a Tivo session of Wai Lana yoga. 30-minutes well spent. I slept like a baby afterward and it set the stage for my desire to sleep in a bit and do some gentle stretching before starting my day.

Why do we put off doing what is in our best interest/what is good for us/what we know will make us feel better?  Sometimes we need a little push from within. Sometimes we need to envision ourselves doing those things that must be done, and of course, how good we'll feel as we're getting them done and after we've accomplished them.

I admire those of you who are mothers and who also work and keep up with the house.  I have no idea how you do it and send you many, many blessings.

So, after you read this blog, of course, what is it that you can do today instead of putting it off until tomorrow?

Namaste

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I'm Walkin on Sunshine (And Don't it feel Good!)

Just a quick update to yesterday's blog post. Wow.
The Universe may not revolve around me, but I certainly see how it can feel that way to each of us from time to time.

A couple of months ago, I was running out of unemployment benefits and had still not found a job.  My benefits expired on a Friday. My new job started on a Monday.  I had stressed, cried, and worried about how we would be able to continue paying rent and the bills, and it wasn't until I accepted that Life would take care of me, that all would be well, and that help was on the way, did my job finally show up - in perfect timing.

And, (coincidentally?) after writing my blog post yesterday about my lack of acceptance and negative feelings toward the chilly weather we've been having, I enjoyed today's weather: A clear blue sky, a bright warm sun, and warmth so enjoyable that my partner and I were able to eat lunch outside during my lunch break.

I took this photo with my cell phone at that time.




Acceptance. Trust. Releasing. It works!

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo <---- SUn LIght LOve

And now a little song to celebrate:

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Sun Worshipping (I wish!)

I love summertime. In fact, it's my favorite season.  I grew up in Massachusetts and vowed that as soon as I turned 18, I would make the long trek out to California, and I did just that.  Unfortunately, through the magical power of television, I believed that ALL of California had a great climate like that of Malibu or San Diego.  The fact is, California is made up of an enormous number of micro-climates and micro-climates within micro-climates.



Normally, this time of year, we are able to go to sleep with the windows open and sleep in barely there pajamas and enjoy the warmth of the summer season. This year, though, is quite a different story.  While relatives in Boston are facebooking about how incredibly hot and humid it is and while friends in the South are "complaining" of the same.  I am jealous. I'm discontent. And, I even feel gipped.

It is a sizzling 61 degrees right now INSIDE of our Northern California residence. Outside, it is 57 degrees.  The sun never came out today in our neck of the woods - and this is the way it has been pretty much all summer. We had a few warm sunny days, but very few.

I complain about the weather to my boyfriend.  I complain to the clerk at the store.  I share in the complaints with my coworkers. I complain to my family who are enjoying a "real" summer. Yet, none of this seems to make the temperature go up (though perhaps it has this effect on my blood pressure). 

I've even experienced negative moods and even some slight feelings of depression over this. Though, again, this hasn't seemed to persuade the sun Gods to look favorably on this part of the planet.



What can you do? Acceptance seems like the most logical "solution."  Enjoying the situation for what it is seems like the practical and sensible thing to do.  Yet this situation has illustrated two key areas where I need to continue to grow:
  • Acceptance of what is
  • Letting Go of Attachments
No matter what I do (though I do have it on my agenda to do a repetitive series of Sun Salutations, just in case), I cannot change the weather.  Once again, the reality that the world does not revolve around me and that I am not the only one affected by this unusual weather pattern is blatantly clear.

Letting go of what I believe summer SHOULD be (but shouldn't it???!?) and what I think it needs to look and feel like in order for ME to be happy - that seems to be a huge attachment that I am struggling with.

In some ways, this is a positive thing.  I will be very pleasantly surprised if I am able to let go and make peace with what I perceive to be "crappy" weather.  If I can truly accept this, become able to be happy in the moment despite or because of it, and if I can let go of wanting to control an aspect of the Universe and its plan, I will be quite surprised. What a milestone in two significant areas of personal growth it will be.


My goal is to go with the flow tonight and tomorrow...to practice acceptance of the weather, even if it is not the typical "perfect" August night and day that I would like to experience.  I will even look for some good in the situation.

What about you?  Can you relate to this with different variables, perhaps?

I'll keep you posted on my insights.

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Practicing Yoga at Work

There are many ways to practice Yoga at work.

Let's start with the physical practice.  It is a good idea to take periodic breaks from your work, whether you sit at your computer for most of the day or if you are on your feet.  While it may seem like the best thing to do is "push" through and get everything done, it is actually refreshing for the body-mind-spirit to take brief breaks in order to stretch and breathe deeply - helping to avoid stressed and tense muscles from bad posture or being in one position for too long and helping to mindfully bring a fresh supply of oxygen to all of your cells (including the very important Brain Cells).  Doing this can bring a sense of feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and refocused.



If you are unable to practice full-on yoga positions at your work, you may enjoy this video that I came across the other day.  It is a short series of Sun Salutations, adapted so that it may be done from a chair.  I tried it and felt quite renewed.





If you give it a try, please do share what you think!



Another way that we can practice our yoga at work is by taking our yoga lessons off of the mat and into the office. In this way, we share our Yoga by helping to take care of others and lift them up.  Many people are not accustomed to this and will be drawn to your energy because they like how it feels to be treated well.

I like to treat everyone that I encounter with respect, dignity, professionalism, and kindness.  I like to treat everyone so well that they remember the company I work for because they are so delighted by our interactions. This is my way of practicing Yoga and lovingkindness.  I may not be teaching asanas on a mat or guiding people through pranayama during the day, but the light of love in my heart shines and radiates to my coworkers, our clients, potential clients, vendors - even our couriers...and in this way, I feel blessed.

No matter who you are or what your profession, you can have an impact and affect others positively and powerfully by shining your light and living from your heart.

I truly hope you begin to enjoy practicing Yoga at work!

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Friday, August 6, 2010

Accepting our Imperfect-ness...Growing In Confidence

What makes some people so self-assured that they don't second-guess themselves and boldly affirm their requests, likes, dislikes, etc., while others find themselves self-imposing all sorts of rules (aimed at appearing or attempting to be the unattainable "perfect" person), walking on eggshells and worrying needlessly over little things that other people move on from within minutes?



My work in Child Development, experience in the field, and my own personal life experience tells me that if you are brought up in a loving and supportive environment where autonomy, confidence, and individuality are encouraged, you will likely flower into someone with a high perceived self-efficacy that results in a healthy level self-confidence that is felt and often perceived by others.

If you are brought up in an environment in which abandonment was an issue and you were never taught to depend on yourself, you may struggle with a distorted sense that you must have some type of reassurance or reinforcement from others outside of you - especially authority figures (i.e., teachers/professors (If I get straight As, then I'll be "good/loved/accepted"), therapists (I am defective, so I need this person to fix me.), boss (I need to do things perfectly and never make mistakes or else I'll get fired).  Do you see at theme here?



A person who is lacking in and needing to build his or her self-confidence may think that she is not whole....that she is broken or somehow defective.  She may think that something is wrong with her. 

As my yoga teacher and dear friend often says, "You are perfect, whole, and complete, just the way you are, and just the way you are not."

I like to repeat this mantra.  I like to remind myself that EVERYONE makes mistakes and that NO one is perfect.  I make mistakes and I am not perfect.  I need to remind myself - being one of those people who is working on building her self-acceptance, respect, and confidence, that my expectations of myself are beyond reasonable and beyond what most others would deem reasonable.

It is amazing to me that, well into adulthood, one can still experience that sense of vulnerability around the subconscious connections between trying to be perfect - failing because its impossible - then, still unconsciously, worrying that one will be abandoned or rejected for having been "found out."  Of course, we see this with children who were abandoned, neglected, or abused as young children.  But there is hope.



I have come a long way over the years to where I can now have a laugh over my own ridiculous worries that are disproportionate to the situations at hand.  I can acknowledge how TRULY blessed I am to be in a loving relationship, to live in a safe and beautiful place, and to have a job where I am appreciated and encouraged to blossom in this aspect of my life as I pursue my professional career.  I have real friends that I love and that love me - people I can count on no matter what - and while I may only be able to count the number of them on my fingers, it's definitely a quality over quantity issue here, and that's more than fine with me. I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for the chair yoga that I do at work when I need to stretch my neck and shoulders. I am thankful for the beautiful setting at which I work - I can go outside for air and a spectacular view whenever I need to decompress and reconnect with the sky and nature.  I am thankful for my yoga home practice - even though I miss the connection with other students during the week, I am pretty sure that somewhere on the planet, someone else is practicing alone (but with me) in that very moment.



I am thankful about how the lessons on the mat about acceptance, pushing a little bit (but not to the point of pain), backing off (and respecting your own limits), and taking time to "just be," are all applicable to the journeys we experience off the mat, including the experience of growing in confidence and accepting that we are imperfect beings...and that we are still Loveable, worthy, and whole, even so.



Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Be a Part of Something Good - Tiny Buddha Book

Would you like to be a part of a powerful and uplifting project?

Lori Deschene, founder of TinyBuddha: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives has created a fan following of (at blog post time): just under 12,000 Facebook Fans, and a whopping 96,000 Twitterers.  Deschene also created a website where you can subscribe and receive daily wisdom in your email inbox. It's all quite refreshing, motivating, and inspiring.


Lori Deschene,
Founder of TinyBuddha
sharer of happiness and joy!


The quotes Tweeted by @TinyBuddha always make my day brighter. For example, here are some of her recent tweets:

"To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself." Thich Nhat Hanh

"You only lose what you cling to." ~Buddha

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not involve the freedom to make mistakes." ~Gandhi

Now you can be a part of spreading goodness and kind, thought provoking words as TinyBuddha invites you to contribute to a book of wisdom that will soon be published.

You can participate via Twitter with full rules posted here.

Congratulations, Lori, and thank you for using TinyBuddha to bring joy and hope to so many.

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Give Yourself A Few Minutes to Rest & Rejuvenate

Whether your day is hectic and filled with work, caring for children or other relatives, or whether you are retired or can make your own schedule: We all need dedicated time to just kick back, relax, and be. Time where we are not "doing" anything.  Although Yoga is "doing," many people find that a yoga class or their own yoga home practice, with asanas and savasana, is their time - a break from giving outwardly and a time for receiving restoration and energy from the great Universe around us.



Others find that a nice walk, gardening, or watching a good DVD with a cup of tea to be, well, their cup of tea.  What ways do you take time out to nurture yourself? Perhaps you like to snuggle up with a good book, take a cat nap with your cat, lay down in savasana for an entire 30-minutes, go bird watching, or just sit in quiet meditation with or without candles, incense and soothing music.




Perhaps a hot bubble bath, a massage, or sitting on the sand at the beach watching the sun go down?



How do you nurture your soul and restore, especially after periods of intense activity or stress?



May you discover (or rediscover) ways to nurture your soul, take time out to be with yourself, and rejuvenate and feel restored.

Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo