Tonight I went to mass. There is something about church for me that is healing, grounding, and sacred.
The sermon was about truth. Speaking the truth, knowing the truth, living the truth. Out of all the suffering of the world, perhaps the greatest suffering comes from our own delusions and misperceptions. No matter how mindful we are, we simply cannot always see things clearly. Period. And so the priest tonight asked us to all look within, and have the courage to know the truth when it comes knocking on our door.
What is true for me? Strength. Whether it's coming from within my own spirit, from the support of friends, or from LOVE from GOD, I can always find strength when and where I choose to look for it.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Shantaram
Have you read Shantaram? I'm about halfway through and I'm completely enthralled with this (true) story.
I find myself wanting to meet this man - the author and main character. I want to look in his eyes and hold him and hear him speak. What he endured in India is alarming, shocking, and utterly inhuman. Yet he was a fugitive there. It is his humility, raw emotion, resiliency, and unwavering love for life that is inspiring to me. It doesn't matter that he is a criminal. He is still a human being - capable of giving and receiving love. Capable of feeling joy, pain, and loneliness.
I find myself wrapped up in the melancholy of his story ; yet it is a comforting sadness and I yearn for it, not wanting to put this book down.
So time to put down the iPad and pick up Shantaram.
(read this book!)
I find myself wanting to meet this man - the author and main character. I want to look in his eyes and hold him and hear him speak. What he endured in India is alarming, shocking, and utterly inhuman. Yet he was a fugitive there. It is his humility, raw emotion, resiliency, and unwavering love for life that is inspiring to me. It doesn't matter that he is a criminal. He is still a human being - capable of giving and receiving love. Capable of feeling joy, pain, and loneliness.
I find myself wrapped up in the melancholy of his story ; yet it is a comforting sadness and I yearn for it, not wanting to put this book down.
So time to put down the iPad and pick up Shantaram.
(read this book!)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Top 10 Reason Kristin is a Bad Ass
Top Ten Reasons Kristin is a bad ass
10) She has an ipad
9) She channels her dog and lets him write emails
8) She sets boundaries and speaks the truth
7) Striped x-mas pajamas and Mrs. Clause... enough said!
6) She is skilled at recognizing pedophiles posing as single men on eharmony.
5) She buys trendy down vests and matching pajamas for her pooch
4) She is in recovery!
3) She is not above facebook stalking
2.5 )she has posed nude of a zafu cushion
2) She provides support and encouragement for those in recovery
And the number ONE reason that Kristin is a bad ass:
1) She is an all-star blogger with a huge following, human and canine alike.
COURTESY OF MY DEAR BEAUTIFUL FIERCE FRIEND ARI!! XOXO
10) She has an ipad
9) She channels her dog and lets him write emails
8) She sets boundaries and speaks the truth
7) Striped x-mas pajamas and Mrs. Clause... enough said!
6) She is skilled at recognizing pedophiles posing as single men on eharmony.
5) She buys trendy down vests and matching pajamas for her pooch
4) She is in recovery!
3) She is not above facebook stalking
2.5 )she has posed nude of a zafu cushion
2) She provides support and encouragement for those in recovery
And the number ONE reason that Kristin is a bad ass:
1) She is an all-star blogger with a huge following, human and canine alike.
COURTESY OF MY DEAR BEAUTIFUL FIERCE FRIEND ARI!! XOXO
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Imperfection is the new perfect.
I don't want perfect friends. I don't want a perfect body. I don't want a perfect house. I don't want a perfect job. I want REAL, true, messy, uninhibited, unlimited LOVE and LIFE.
That's all.
XO
That's all.
XO
Monday, January 9, 2012
Change is good...you go first.
It's such a cliche but I simply can't resist...the only constant in this life: CHANGE.
It is an understatement to make the claim that my life is currently in a state of change.
My job is changing. My roommates are changing. A few of my close friends are moving.
So this is my next challenge - sit with uncertainty, sit with discomfort. Breathe through it...TRUST it.
Years ago my dad gave me a card with the quote: "everything will be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end."
How do you handle change?
It is an understatement to make the claim that my life is currently in a state of change.
My job is changing. My roommates are changing. A few of my close friends are moving.
So this is my next challenge - sit with uncertainty, sit with discomfort. Breathe through it...TRUST it.
Years ago my dad gave me a card with the quote: "everything will be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end."
How do you handle change?
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday Quote of the Day!
Today's quote comes from a book I'm currently reading - Shantaram...
"One of the reasons why we crave love, & seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, & shame, & sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you."
"One of the reasons why we crave love, & seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, & shame, & sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you."
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Fragile - must be Italian!
Well I may be Italian ... But one thing I am NOT - is fragile.
I used to structure my life as though I was a fragile person. Making sure I didn't stay up too late, go too long without eating, or plan too much in my day. Life was one big exhausting, all-consuming effort in stategizing.
So I had a ton of planning in my life. I had a ton of worries, and no shortage of structure. One thing that I lacked though - FUN and FRIENDSHIP.
And let me say - since I've done the incredibly courageous act of putting down the puppet strings and putting a stop to the strategizing - my life overflows with friends, fun and freedom.
Are there ways you try to protect yourself- when really deep down you know you can handle it?
I used to structure my life as though I was a fragile person. Making sure I didn't stay up too late, go too long without eating, or plan too much in my day. Life was one big exhausting, all-consuming effort in stategizing.
So I had a ton of planning in my life. I had a ton of worries, and no shortage of structure. One thing that I lacked though - FUN and FRIENDSHIP.
And let me say - since I've done the incredibly courageous act of putting down the puppet strings and putting a stop to the strategizing - my life overflows with friends, fun and freedom.
Are there ways you try to protect yourself- when really deep down you know you can handle it?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wherever you go, there you are.
I woke up yesterday morning in the Rocky Mountains and went to sleep in the Big Apple. I crossed 2 time zones, passed through 2 airports, took one cab, and here I am. Through all the traveling, the one consistent piece is me of course. Wherever you go, there you are.
Mindfulness and meditation helps to develop and cultivate a strong foundation within ones self. I know from my practice, that no matter the chaos around me, the ever-changing dynamics of my life and the world- I have a secret weapon that lives inside me : awareness. At any moment I can chose to notice my breath, my feet on the floor, or even the quality of my attitude. It is a safe and familiar haven that I can connect with anytime, anywhere. Such as when I'm stuck in traffic during lunchtime rush hour in NYC on my way to an important meeting - which reminds me - goota run!
Do you know where you are right now?
Xo!
Mindfulness and meditation helps to develop and cultivate a strong foundation within ones self. I know from my practice, that no matter the chaos around me, the ever-changing dynamics of my life and the world- I have a secret weapon that lives inside me : awareness. At any moment I can chose to notice my breath, my feet on the floor, or even the quality of my attitude. It is a safe and familiar haven that I can connect with anytime, anywhere. Such as when I'm stuck in traffic during lunchtime rush hour in NYC on my way to an important meeting - which reminds me - goota run!
Do you know where you are right now?
Xo!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Year for Love
As another new year begins, it's time to create this years' theme. Last year was the year for CHANGE. I don't think anyone can argue that. Change within our family - my nephew Colin is already a year old, my sister Lizzy and Brendon moved to The Big Apple, I was blessed with my precious little love Kitsune and moved back to 3247 - not to mention all of the daily changes both personally and professionally.
So what's on tap for 2012. Drumroll please....2012 is the year for LOVE.
Kind of ironic since I'm currently on a dating sabbatical. But love is more than just who you date. Love is about how you treat your self. It's about how you show up for your loved ones. Love is about connecting with nature and caring for a sick dog. Love is forgiving - forgiving myself and others for any harm we've caused or mistakes we've made.
What and who are YOU loving right now? I'm loving warm January bike rides, Italy, skyping with fam, green smoothies and homemade granola, lazy days on the couch, and Keeping up with the Kardashians marathons...
So there you go - 2012- the year for BIG, BOLD, MESSY, TENDER, LIMITLESS LOVE.
(ps anyone know how to add photos to these posts?!?!?)
So what's on tap for 2012. Drumroll please....2012 is the year for LOVE.
Kind of ironic since I'm currently on a dating sabbatical. But love is more than just who you date. Love is about how you treat your self. It's about how you show up for your loved ones. Love is about connecting with nature and caring for a sick dog. Love is forgiving - forgiving myself and others for any harm we've caused or mistakes we've made.
What and who are YOU loving right now? I'm loving warm January bike rides, Italy, skyping with fam, green smoothies and homemade granola, lazy days on the couch, and Keeping up with the Kardashians marathons...
So there you go - 2012- the year for BIG, BOLD, MESSY, TENDER, LIMITLESS LOVE.
(ps anyone know how to add photos to these posts?!?!?)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Day
Happy New Day everyone! There is so much energy that goes into celebrating the New Year. But why stop there? Every single day (every single moment, really) is an opportunity to reflect, project, and accept.
My New Days resolution today is to slow down. What better way to begin than by starting my day sitting on my meditation cushion. Ahhhhh pure bliss, quiet mind, zen. Ok not really. More like racing thoughts, pounding heart, so much to do! It's remarkable what we can notice simply by sitting on the floor and breathing. Not to simplify this idea of mindfulness - it's a deep practice requiring years of commitment and extreme courage to sit with yourself. But the rewards are well worth it. But don't take my word for it - get off the computer and go sit!
Xo
My New Days resolution today is to slow down. What better way to begin than by starting my day sitting on my meditation cushion. Ahhhhh pure bliss, quiet mind, zen. Ok not really. More like racing thoughts, pounding heart, so much to do! It's remarkable what we can notice simply by sitting on the floor and breathing. Not to simplify this idea of mindfulness - it's a deep practice requiring years of commitment and extreme courage to sit with yourself. But the rewards are well worth it. But don't take my word for it - get off the computer and go sit!
Xo
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