Stomach flu sensei

Yes, I have new respect after recently being in close relationship with the stomach flu. I discovered the sensation of eating for nourishment, a concept that has been lost on this emotional eater. Healing whatever it was that created havoc required paying close attention to what my body needed not what my mind wanted. In the early stages, I went to my mind and quickly discovered that the healing answer wasn't there. Then, as Nia teaches so eloquently, I went to my body and asked, waited, and received. Sensation led the team of my body's "specialists" working tirelessly to repair, replenish, and renew. Food carried no emotional weight. Its only purpose was to take its rightful place on my healing team. New information received through sensation.

My relationship with healing flourished in the contrast of dis-ease. I sense a new relationship with food will flourish as well and for that I bow to my recent sensei, stomach flu.

Body giggles

"Letting go" is an interesting concept to me. I tell myself (as well as hear it from others) to let go and release. At times, I choose to receive the suggestion as the nurturing tone of a parent consoling a crying child. Other times I choose to receive it accompanied by the whack of "SNAP OUTTA IT". What I have witnessed is my letting go occurs in sensation, when what I choose to hear fills me with  sensation rather than knocks me with thought. Imagine falling down the rabbit hole, grabbing onto anything that's protruding from the walls only to find it slipping through your hands until you relax your grip and suddenly the walls disappear and the fall transforms to a float, bubbles of resistance playfully popped with ahhhhhhh, teeheeeee along the way. Body giggles floating on trust's effervescence.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

WITH my body

At my recent Nia Blue Belt training, we were asked to share our reason for being there. Mine was to shift my relationship with my body and clear up the mixed messages I have been transmitting. When I shared this with a friend of mine, she looked at me with bewilderment and asked about me seeing my body as a separate entity with which I was in relationship. It was an interesting question and while I understood her perspective I realized that I was still unclear on my own. Sitting with this has illuminated an attic filled with dusty boxes of beliefs long ago packed away, the perceived security of their presence keeping me from venturing out too far. Seeing my body as something outside of myself had its purpose at various times in my life. These are not those times. Dusty boxes whose bottom corners are mildewed from teetering on damp rafters are being tossed with a mighty "OUT!" to make way for a solid foundation upon which my Sacred Livelihood is built.

From Nia White Belt Principle 11-  Creating a Sacred Livelihood is about consciously bringing your gifts to the world through each choice and action in a way that creates a life of happiness, a sense of purpose, and a sustainable state of health and well-being.

Uniting WITH my body, I am creating my Sacred Livelihood while holding the space for unconditional love. OUT! has made way for YES! as I transform my attic into sacred space in which I embrace my unique purpose with my body.

Honor Your Path

Today I celebrate seven years of consciously choosing to be alcohol-free. There are many things about this for which I am grateful. Waking up every morning with a clear head. Remembering phone conversations, movies, whether or not I blew out candles. No need for the hangover breakfast of champions - Coca-Cola and a Breakfast Jack. No empty negotiations with that beckoning wine bottle.

Whatever your path, I invite you to honor it with conscious steps. Celebrate the gifts that choice gives to each of us. Find peace through presence and joy through sensation.

Seven-year itch? Not in this body!

Wiggle Time

I'm embarking on a new chapter in my career as a public school educator. Titled "Fine Arts Teacher", this chapter opens up a world into which I previously had glimpses rather than extended stays. I held admiration for those who chose to be elementary educators not considering myself to be a likely candidate for the role myself. Having spent the first week in my new environment taking in the sights and sounds, I get why people choose to spend their careers with this age group. Wiggle Time.

One of the classes I observed was filled with pre-k students and taught by a woman who's attended my Nia class. I listened to the students go through the days of the week and dates of the month with  resounding NOOOOOOOOOOs when the teacher showed them the wrong day and shrill cries of YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS when she pointed to Tuesday, the 26th. Then she announced, "IT'S WIGGLE TIME!" and those little bodies jumped up and wiggled like gummy worms. They occasionally glanced with curiosity at the stranger who got up and wiggled with them until the teacher pointed to me and explained that Mrs. Ross-Moore was the one who taught her all her moves. We made rainbows (their favorite) and wagged our tails like puppy dogs and roared like lions. In that moment, a playfully present click vibrated through my body and I received yet another systemic confirmation of Nia's gifts.

Somewhere along the road to adulthood and beyond, play gets a bad rap. "Too playful in class" carries a negative connotation on a progress report. "If you'd quit playing around and get some work done. . ." is uttered with disdain for someone's lack of "productivity". What would happen if teachers were thrilled to write too playful in class or a boss/colleague/parent offered, Look at the amazingly imaginative work that comes forth from you when you play around. Just think of the magic that occurs in the space of play. Sand becomes castles. Arms become wings. Toes touch the stars and heads peek through clouds. Countless solutions can appear when we open our bodies to juicy imagination.

I invite you to explore spontaneous Wiggle Time, particularly if you are feeling blocked, bored, or frustrated. Of course, WT for the fun of it is highly recommended. My personal favorite for extended play - Nia, where sensation sparks imagination.

Craig Ross and Spoon rock Austin City Limits

very proud to call Craig my brother! His portion is approximately 28 minutes into the show.
Enjoy!
Austin City Limits - Spoon

Driving a new vehicle

Letting go of the following vehicle:  roomy, automatic, safe, great resale value, low mileage, under warranty, other title.

FAQs:
Why are you getting rid of this one?
A:      It's safe. roomy. consumes more fuel. automatic. someone else has the title. I get in, put it in drive and go. There's no need to sense when to shift gears. I can fill it with loads of crap that I don't need "just in case".

What are you diving now?
A.     older model, smaller, manual, higher mileage, clear title

Why?
A.     Its high mileage demonstrates resilience. consumes less fuel. runs efficiently. I'm learning to hug curves and shift with ease. It's clearly mine. I feel free when I move around in it.

off for a drive. . .