There is something about a book that can move you and make you really think about your life, beliefs, and spirituality.  I recently finished reading The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by Howard cutler.  It was such a great read making me feel assured that I am where I want to be in my life.  It was inspired by the Dalai Lama and his spiritual joyfulness.  The book talks about the importance of finding happiness in everyday life through your own mental state apart from outside factors.  It really spoke to me on an intimate level and highly recommend it for anyone regardless if you have spiritual rules or religious guidelines.

I shared this book with a friend and she is finding it just as captivating as I did.  I want to share with you a few other of my favorite books that really ignite my mind and help me discover my spirituality.
The books have inspired me to change for the better and continue to be the human I am today.

• Cutting through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche made me evaluate the nature of spiritual materialism.  It gets to the details by clearly highlighting the most common pitfalls spiritual people fall into now and again.  It is hard hitting but also very compassionate.  It makes the reader dig deep and analyze their spiritual path.



• Finding Freedom by Jarvis Jay Masters is one of the most honest spiritual books that I have read time and time again, and find something new each time.  The book was written by Masters who has been a death row inmate since 1990.  He was prisoned 9 years before death row after being convicted of collaborating with two inmates in the murder of a prison guard.  In the book he insists he’s innocent and showcases supportive material.  The book was written from inside the wall of the prison and will provoke all sorts of emotions on his journey to find spirituality.



• A Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine, describes how to meditate and gives simple instructions that were very beneficial to me when beginning my journey.  It outlines the importance of mindfulness and the spiritual stages and developments.  Although the book is based on Buddhism and Vipassana meditation, I believe it is a great read for anyone interested in meditation regardless of their beliefs.



• A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber is a phenomenal book about his thoughts about men and women’s place in the universe concerning sexuality, spirituality and many other topics.  He somehow connect religions and spiritual traditions into the arts and business.  It is very inspirational and captivating.


I enjoy reading books that spark question and curiosity.  If you have books that bring joy and spirituality to your life, I would love to hear about them so I can engage with you as well.

Namaste.

Every morning is the birth of a new day and an opportunity to do something incredible.  I am only human and know that there are some days when my alarm clock goes off and the absolute last thing I want to do is get out of bed.  But I do, I rise up to greet the day with a grateful mind and thankful heart.  It is not my body that makes me get up, it is the discipline needed to be the person I want to be.

My disciple makes mornings roll like a movie, it is a well memorized routine that I can do without thinking.  The moment I step on my mat to begin my morning practice, my discipline heightens and I am able to give all my energy to each vinyasas.  It is easy to get lazy in the mornings but I tell myself not to waste any moment on the mat and to give everything I have.


Along with my disciple it is crucial to have a strong will power.  The will to make a change for the better, the will to be the best person you can be, and the will to commit and follow through with passion.

It takes the combination of will power and discipline to make a lifestyle change.  I remember way back when I first started taking yoga and wanted to recreate my life and make it something I would be proud of.  It was one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys in my entire life.  To anyone who is beginning a change for the better and is expending their will power and discipline, here are some aspects of them I learned along my way.

1. Will power has limited energy and can be easily expended.  It is difficult learning to say no, make the right decision, or turning back when things get difficult.  The easy way out will always be present, but it is your decision to continue progressing.  Know your will power and avoid tempting situations that may push you over the edge.

2. Focus on one or two goals so you are not wearing yourself thin.  I still have the tendency to throw myself into too many projects making them take longer than they should.  I try making it a point to only make one or two realistic goals with measurable success every step of the way.

3. And when I finally reach a goal or a milestone, I make sure to acknowledge my accomplishment.  I have learned to write down what I did each day to become closer to my goal.  With my will power and discipline I know I will reach the goal, it is just a matter of getting that far.
 
To anyone out there just beginning a journey, know that there will be challenges and obstacles in your way.  But remember that with the power of your mind through your will and discipline anything is possible.

Namaste

“Faith means belief in something concerning which doubt is theoretically possible.” –William James
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary faith is a “strong belief or trust in someone or something.”  I believe that having faith in something is essential in a healthy human existence.  Faith is an expression of hope that there is something better.  I believe faith is engrained in our minds from the first day on this earth.  It is more than just a wish for something, it is a firm believing and spiritual connection to something greater.



Faith is an expression that goes beyond the conscious mind.  I believe faith is one of the original expressions of the human heart.  Our hearts provide faith in things that are uncertain.  The uncertainty in the future of humanity is indisputable, but people are still having kids because they have faith in humanity and what is to come.
Is faith the key to eternal happiness?  The easier it becomes to live in this world, the easier it is to lose faith.  With technology a pivotal part in the way the world turns, I believe we are losing faith and happiness.  Because of technology, things are becoming more convenient and the need to believe in a greater good is becoming less necessary.  There is no need to put faith in the earth that it will yield food because we have supermarkets and grocery stores.  Without faith we lose the little aspects of life that bring happiness.




Faith is what enables positive growth and movement in everyday life.  It is what keeps the mind and emotions balanced.  It provides peace, support, comfort, security, and awareness that there is something better to come.

People who lack faith are those who are trapped in bad situations, jobs they hate, and relationships that are going nowhere.  They stay in circumstances that don’t make them happy because they don’t have faith that something better will come along.

Whether you are a religious person or not, we can agree that faith is one of the most important things in life.  I believe it is a quality that we are born with and as we grow older we define it in our own unique way. 
“Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Faith is a doorway to the greater good of the world, recognizing that we need faith in humanity is the first step to opening the door.

Namaste,




Anita

Growing up I celebrated Christmas, the religious holiday, with my family, but as I grew up and decided I would form my own spirituality I began celebrating December (winter) Solstice.  I honor the cycles and the seasons that remind us of the ever changing flow of life that we are part of.  Obviously, you cannot get rid of Christmas in today’s society but, I put my effort in celebrating and having a Solstice party.





Sunday, December 21st was the Winter Solstice.  And just like the past 7 years, we hosted a Winter Solstice dinner party at our house for our good friends that celebrate it as well.  It is great to have friends that have similar beliefs and enjoy celebrating aspects of the earth….we also have a summer solstice party too! :D

At our party we celebrate the “light” coming back to the world.  After the solstice the days begin to get longer and nights get shorter, meaning the sun will be out longer.  At our celebration we make a big dinner, similar to the one I used to make when celebrating Christmas, give gifts, usually have a campfire and engage in conversation all night. 

Even though we have good friends that understand what the Winter Solstice is about, I often get questions from students in my yoga class or other acquaintances what it is.  Here are a few common questions I get-
What is the December (winter) Solstice?  The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon where the sun in in the furthest part of the southern sky.   It is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. After the winter solstice the days begin to get longer and the nights get shorter.  It is the first (unofficial) day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern.  Below is a map of the world during the time of the solstice.




Is it related to Christmas?  Some believe it is because there is no date in the bible that specifically says December 25 was the birth of Christ.  The December solstice is tied to many cultures and events including the Mayan apocalypse scare that marked the end of their calendar.

Do you decorate for the solstice? Yes we do.  We decorate the house with evergreens and wreaths representing the rebirth of the circle of life.  We decorate the house with candles, lights, mirrors, prisms, and everything that creates light to welcome back the light.



The winter solstice is a magical time when we acknowledge our incredible earth and the change in seasons.  Even though the winter solstice has past, make your calendars to celebrate the summer solstice on June 21, 2015.

Happy Solstice!

Namaste

Anita

My partner’s spontaneous romance strikes again.  I woke up this morning to breakfast in bed and a beautiful love letter about the first time we met.  It is refreshing knowing that there are people in the world that are similar to me and share that same views.  My partner and I have been together for 6 years and each day is a new adventure.  Although, I wouldn’t call our love story a fairy tale, it’s more of a modern day realistic love.



I wasn’t looking for love or for that matter a significant other.  I was content focusing on me and doing what I bettered my mind.  I was never the little girl that dreamed about finding prince charming or a dream wedding.  I was too focused on my gymnastics growing up I just never thought about it.  I guess during college, I pictured myself living a single live, surrounded by great friends and great conversation.

One summer I decided to go on a yoga retreat to Colorado.  I was excited to be able to practice with a new group of people with positive energy.  When I got to the venue, I prepared myself and began centering my energy.  After the first session was complete, I went to a local restaurant to get some dinner.  I had just been seated when a man walked in and smiled at me like he knew me.  He walked over and sat down at my table and explained he was here for the yoga retreat as well and he was behind me during the first session.




It was a little strange he just came right up to the table, but I was excited to hear his backstory.  He told me he had practiced yoga for 10 years, had just become an instructor and was opening up a studio in the same town I am from.  It was a coincidence that we both lived in the same town and had never ran into each other.
We chatted over dinner and went for a walk after.  He was one of the most positive people I had ever met, he was so kind, and had a huge heart.  We talked all night long about our lives, our spirituality, and our views on the world.  Like I said before, I wasn’t interested in dating or being in a relationship.  I just really enjoyed his company. Throughout the retreat we went on several walks and got tea together.  We had very similar views that made it easy to talk.


Long story short, when we got back home, we continued to meet up and talk.  After about a year of casual café dates, we decided to consider ourselves “together.”  It was great because we both wanted the same thing, a best friend.  We were both okay knowing that marriage wasn’t going to be the next step but a long lasting partnership was.

Since I met him life has been great.  He challenges me to live each day to the fullest and create as much positive energy as I can.  We have a great partnership that I wouldn’t trade for the world.  I truly believe I have the best life partner.

Namaste,


Anita.

No matter what; someone, somewhere has a harsh opinion and feels it necessary to share it.  This morning after my yoga class, I went to a café to get a cup of tea and reflect on the day to come.  There was a man very angry because the barista did not get his order right.  He was acting outrageous and spreading his negative energy to everyone in the café.  It was visible, the people sitting around him were getting physically upset.  Times like these, I am very happy I have a strong mind that can ward off negative energy.
Ever find yourself getting caught up in all the negative energy society gives off?  Sometimes it’s hard not to get consumed with the problems of family, friends, and those around.  It is important for me to find peace in the moment and let the negativity pass.  Society has such a strong hold on the minds of its citizens, it’s crucial to have a resilient mind and avoid all the criticism and negativity. Society should try to take time each day to release the destructive energy built up and allow the positive energy to flow in. 
When I come across such negativity and criticism, I try to look at it as a gift.  Whether the criticism is towards me or someone else, if it is a valid suggestion to improve, or a cruel jab, it reiterates how strong my positive energy is.  The human mind is the most powerful tool that can be used to increase positive energy in stressful situations.


Forgive and forget.  It sounds easier said than done.  Learning how to forgive those who hurt me and move on, made me live a happier life without grudges or hatred.  By forgiving and forgetting, both parties are able to move on and regain the positivity.  I have found that living without anger and hatred is living a happy life. 
When talking about forgiving and forgetting it is hard for me not to think about a story that made national headlines a couple years ago.  A father publicly forgave a drunk driver that hit the vehicle he was driving and killed his wife and two children.  That is a perfect example of forgiveness to create some sort of positive energy out of a situation so tragic and negative.  Read the story here.
I believe one of the most important components for living a positive and spiritual life are to forgive, forget, and continue being positive by living in the moment.  
I think everyone should spread positive energy everywhere by offering thanks for a healthy life, gratitude for the people around, and appreciation for the how fortunate they are.  Positive energy creates positive actions.



Namaste

It has been nearly 6 months since my birthday and I am so thankful for all the great energy this year has begun to bring me.  Last weekend I was cleaning through our closet and saw my partner’s gift from my birthday that I had totally forgotten about.  He knows how much I like DIY projects, so he got me a soy candle making kit.  It was such a thoughtful gift I can’t believe I forgot about it.  I love being about to make as much as I can from scratch and spend time with good company. 

This week my partner and I finally got to make our soy candles.  I have made soy candles before but these were a little different but smelt so delicious.  Our candles turned out so great, I had to share how we made them with you.  I highly suggest making your own soy candles, they are magnificent.

This recipe makes about 2 small/medium candles depending on the size of jar you use.

Supplies you will need:

•    8 oz. soy wax flakes
•    Scent drops (whatever scent you want to make)
•    Candle wicks
•    2-3 popsicle sticks
•    2 small/medium jars
•    Candy thermometer
•    Heat-proof measuring cup
•    Hot glue gun
•    Small sauce pan

Directions:
Step 1- Prepare your jars by gluing one end of the wick to the bottom of the jar and wrap the other end around a popsicle stick and secure on the top of the jar.

Step 2- Bring about 3 inches of water to boil in a small sauce pan.  Put the soy flakes into a heat-proof measuring cup and put it into the sauce pan.  Leave the wax be as it melts.

Step 3- Once it is melted use the candy thermometer to make sure the wax is around 185 degrees F. Remove the measuring cup from the saucepan and heat.  Add a few sent drops to the wax (to your personal preference of scent) and stir with a spoon for about 2 minutes.

Step 4- Use the candy thermometer again, let the wax cool to about 135 degrees F. When the wax is cooled, carefully pour it into your jars.

Step 5- Let your candles cool down and solidify.  They turn fairly opaque and solid after about an hour.  Do not remove the popsicle stick with the wick until the soy is COMPLETELY solid.

Step 6- When the soy is completely solid, remove the popsicle stick and trim the wick to your desired length.

I read that you are supposed to let them harden completely for two weeks before lighting them.  But they smell great and are great decoration until you light them.







Hope you enjoy making DIY soy candles as much as I did.  I love quick DIY projects, if you have any favorites please share the directions!

Namaste.

Living a positive life rubs off on those around you.  Today while I was going for a jog in the park, I saw an older gentleman struggling to get off a bench.  I stopped and helped him stand up and make sure he was okay.  He was so gracious that I came to his aid.  As I walked beside him while he was strolling out of the park, he began sharing a story with me.  He told me how his wife and he came to the park every day for the past 25 years to watch the sunrise with coffee in hand to begin their day.  He told me how he was so lucky to have had such a wonderful wife.  He proceeded to tell me she had passed away a week ago but continued coming to the park to begin his day with her.  As we approached the park exit, he told me if I wouldn’t have come over to the bench to help him, he wasn’t sure if anyone would have stopped.  As we parted ways he gave me a giant hug and said that because of my kindness I made his day, he would try paying it forward to someone that needed a smile that day.

As he walked down the street, I thought about how just a little positive action can generate so much happiness for someone feeling down.  Having a positive attitude and helping others is something everyone should strive to have.  I focus on living in the moment and spreading positivity where ever I go through action.



Being positive and happy doesn’t mean you have to ignore the pain or emotions in that moment, but instead embrace that specific feeling with an open and loving heart.  Learning to deal with pain and angst with positive energy is a very powerful emotional mechanism.  Everything happens for a reason and keeping a positive attitude though the tough times, produces spiritual growth.

Positivity begins from within.  When we fill our mind with beautiful thoughts, the world becomes a beautiful place.  I find happiness and positive energy through physical, mental and emotional wellness.  When I engage in a regular wellness activities I feel my stress and anxiety from the world subside and my optimistic vitality increase.



If everyone was to take time for themselves to understand how to embrace feelings and emotions, the world would be a positive place.  But, to get to that point, it only takes one person to begin the cycle.  When I helped the older gentlemen at the park, he wanted to spread his new found positivity with someone else, and hopefully they will want to as well.  Let’s begin a chain of positive energy and brighten each day.
Namaste