Fierce Kindness

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Last week, KINDNESS was the theme at the yoga studio where I take classes – Good Life Yoga. We dedicate our practice each day to kindness and each time we moved into a pose, there was an offering of kindness – to ourselves, to the people in our life, or to the world. At one point, as we were struggling a bit with downward facing dog, our amazing and wise teacher, Amber, encouraged us to be fiercely kind. No wishy washy Midwestern nicey-nice energy to come into the pose but full power, all organic muscle energy working towards kindness (and holding the pose).

Whoa – what an interesting and challenging combination. What does it mean to be fiercely kind? It is easy for me to imagine and practice being fiercely protective or fiercely loyal. But I never considered fierce kindness.

What would be possible if I brought fierce intensity to being kind?

What would the world be like if we all took a stand to be deeply and intensely kind at some point each day?

I think I found my growing edge for this week. How about you? How will you experiment with fierce kindness?

INTUITION – It’s what you know, really know.

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Last week I got the chance to play with some very wise women in my FREE monthly teleclass. We tackled the topic of INTUITION – what is it, how are we aware of it and what happens when we disregard it!

Here is what we came up with…

Intuition is that deep sense of knowing that we can’t quite explain. Everyone has it – just like everyone has a mind of their own. Sometimes we very good at listening to the wisdom our intuition offers. Sometimes we actually talk ourselves out of listening to our intuition.

Intuition sends information through a variety channels:
• It can be that unexplained feeling that you just can’t shake.
• It can be a vivid image or symbol that appears out of nowhere.
• It can be a persistent thought that doesn’t go away.
• It can speak to you though physical sensations – a backache, a pain in the neck.
• For some it speaks in vivid dreams or visions.

Intuition is always right – however, our interpretation of the signals our intuition sends isn’t always accurate. How often have you found yourself saying – “I knew it! I knew something was up. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.”

When your intuition nudges you this week, get curious. Discover what you know, without knowing how you know it!

Staying Calm in the Midst of the H1N1 Storm

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The sickness season is upon us here in the Midwest. Companies are dealing with a higher number of absentee workers; plenty of students are missing school due to illness.
Fear and anxiety about H1N1 (aka Swine Flu) is running rampant in my community.  It is the talk of the parents on the soccer field, the coworkers around the water cooler, and the people in line at the grocery store.

I don’t hear much in the media or in casual conversation that helps to promote calm and courage in the face of the predicament that this virus has created.

What is keeping you calm?  I hate to admit it but I find myself coming back to 2 trite clichés…

BE PREPARED:  Have a back up plan for work and childcare.  Make sure the food shelves at home are well stocked. Fill the medicine cabinet with an extra supply of pain relievers and fever reducers.

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER:  All the prevention tips I read boil down to things that my mother has been telling me for years!  Does this sound familiar to you?
•    Wash your hands often
•    Keep your hands off your face — Don’t put your fingers in your nose or mouth
•    Cover your sneeze and cough
•    Take your vitamins
•    Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine ®
•    Drink warm liquids (Chicken Soup anyone?)
•    Get plenty of sleep
•    Blow (or clean out) your nose at least once a day
•    If you get sick – STAY HOME!

How are you keeping a cool head this season?

Listening To Your Heart

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Last week we pointed our listening skills at the possibilities that come alive in our marvelous mind. Our minds often keep us so busy that we don’t take the time to listen to other sources of wisdom that live within us, that can inspire us to grow. This week, let’s turn our attention to our hearts and see what we find.

Ready? Here we go. Sit up straight, close your eyes and take some nice easy breaths. Bring your attention to that warm, open place in the middle of your chest.

Let your awareness linger here and notice….
• What sensations do you become aware of?

• What is the energy of this place?

• What images come to mind (yes, you can use your mind but don’t let it carry you away)?

• What feelings do you notice?

• What is your heart’s desire?

Take some time to jot down what you discovered in this brief journey to your heart’s wisdom. How can this wisdom inspire and guide you each day?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Mary