OMG!!! First day off in over a week!! woohooo!!!!
And instead of sleeping in like a normal person, I got up earlier than normal, rolled out of bed, onto my mat (which is literally next to my bed), put on some Lotus on Demand and flowed! Yes, yoga is the best way to wake up! The birds chirped in the background, the sun rose from the window behind me, and I was dancing away on my mat, peeling off layers of clothing as I went (because I'm home and if I want to do some naked yoga, I will!).
Lately, I've been bogged down with feelings of lack. I don't know where they came from, but they've been really grinding on me. Thank you for today's practice being focused on ABUNDANCE! I needed to remember that and remind myself of it! The shift really came through as I wound down my practice and came into my paschimotanasana (seated forward fold). I'm always preaching the act of surrendering and letting go during this pose, and today, it could not have been more put into practice!
Thank you Universe for teaching me the value of hard work. Thank you for giving me a beautiful day off. Thank you for the insight to practice first thing in the morning!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Loving Lizzie (A prayer on sisterhood)
I love my sister. I miss my sister. I appreciate my sister. No one can ever replace my sister.
Recently I've been battling some feelings of regret. Regret that I wasn't nicer, kinder, or more loving to my sister when we were growing up. I think back on the times I forbade her to join me and my friends, when I guilt tripped her for things beyond her control, and when I was just downright mean, and I feel a great sense of remorse.
In the last couple of years, my sister and I have bonded in a way that only soul mates can understand. Our individual circumstances allowed us to discover a newfound respect and admiration for each other. I began to see my sister in a different light. I saw the hidden heartache she carried with her, because she was always compared to me. I saw the sacrifices she made, so that I could achieve more. I saw her quiet strength and resilience that were always overshadowed by my prettier and better packaged image.
My sister is my hero, and she is my greatest teacher. And I'm sorry that it took me so long to realize this, but I promise never to cast her aside again.
For everyone who shares a bond with a sibling, don't wait for a moment of clarity or some big event to begin appreciating them. Love them and cherish them today, and everyday forth. Thank you Lizzie for being my sister. I'm glad you're mine.
Recently I've been battling some feelings of regret. Regret that I wasn't nicer, kinder, or more loving to my sister when we were growing up. I think back on the times I forbade her to join me and my friends, when I guilt tripped her for things beyond her control, and when I was just downright mean, and I feel a great sense of remorse.
In the last couple of years, my sister and I have bonded in a way that only soul mates can understand. Our individual circumstances allowed us to discover a newfound respect and admiration for each other. I began to see my sister in a different light. I saw the hidden heartache she carried with her, because she was always compared to me. I saw the sacrifices she made, so that I could achieve more. I saw her quiet strength and resilience that were always overshadowed by my prettier and better packaged image.
My sister is my hero, and she is my greatest teacher. And I'm sorry that it took me so long to realize this, but I promise never to cast her aside again.
For everyone who shares a bond with a sibling, don't wait for a moment of clarity or some big event to begin appreciating them. Love them and cherish them today, and everyday forth. Thank you Lizzie for being my sister. I'm glad you're mine.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Love is an Open Door
I slept in this morning and woke up to my usual Facebook/text/email checking self. I know deep down inside that I should start my day with gratitude and a smile, and I am grateful a smiley-faced, but my urge to immediately connect with the world outside world somehow always wins out. So inevitably, the "thank you's" always come after the phone checking. But this morning, a different sensation took over. I mean, I still checked my phone first, but this morning I decided to stop judging myself for it. Now this wasn't my way of giving myself a "get out of jail free" card, I just wasn't gonna beat myself up in my mind anymore. Instead, I was gonna action.
So I put my phone down, slapped the biggest grin on my face, and yelled out twenty one "thank you's" (The Secret Scrolls say you only need to say it seven times in a row, so I was off to a good start). Then I jumped out of bed, greeted the amazing sunshine, drank a tall glass of water, took a hot shower, did some light stretching on my mat, meditated, then settled down to write it all down. And the whole time, played the Disney Pandora Station.
Usually I would mentally kick my butt and analyze my day for a significant amount of time before getting out of bed, but I've decided that this take action route is going to yield more results. What those results are you ask? I don't know yet. All I know is I spend too much time in my head and not enough time actioning on the things in my head. For example, I have a million blogs and ideas lined up in there, just waiting to be shared, but because I sound so much time perfecting them in my head, they never get typed (so I actually have no idea where all of this is going, all I know is that it's going). So here's a starting list of things I want to write about:
-My mommy's February in NYC and LA
-Lizzie
-An almost daily Happiness Project free-write
-documenting my Positive Psychology Youtube lectures with Dr. Tal
-How to let go
-Yoga and why it's awesome!
So there's my start. I've spent too much time on trying to perfect my life (in my head) and how I put myself out there, but not enough time just "going for it!" And maybe I even care too much of what people think. Well, I hope we can all think positively of each other. Period.
Okay UNIVERSE!! This is my first entry of my "Love is an Open Door" philosophy (Thanks 'Frozen')! I'm ready! Let's do this!
*It's in my nature to start things on significant dates, so it's perfect that tomorrow is the first day of Lent. So I'm giving up my self judging and over-analytical mind for forty days (hopefully longer). And while we're at it, I'm going to give up trying to control the future too! =) I'm going to commit to the goals I've set for myself, and stick to it as best I can!
Monday, December 30, 2013
2014 Resolutions
1. Set up my Vision board and Gratitude Jar
2. Do something good for my body everyday (yoga, spinning, juicing, smiling, yup all of it!)
3. Say Thank You before I get out of bed in the morning. (say it really LOUD if Darren's not home)
4. Keep my gratitude journal and prayer book
5. Go somewhere I've never been before (Europe? Maybe this is our year?)
6. Stop feeling guilty if I miss yoga if I truly didn't have time to go. (But also don't be lazy. Go when I have time)
7. Cross something off my bucket list (skydiving maybe? hmmmm…)
8.Keep on journaling and blogging (or at least be more consistent)
9. Help Strangers in need (don't just think about doing it. just act.)
10. Conquer a fear (going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, in the dark.)
11. Shop and Eat locally (as much as I can)
12. Explore NYC
13. Go solo to an event (instead of skipping it altogether because I can't find someone to go with)
14. Say more "Good Mornings" and "Hellos" to people =)
15. Always come from a loving and grateful perspective.
2. Do something good for my body everyday (yoga, spinning, juicing, smiling, yup all of it!)
3. Say Thank You before I get out of bed in the morning. (say it really LOUD if Darren's not home)
4. Keep my gratitude journal and prayer book
5. Go somewhere I've never been before (Europe? Maybe this is our year?)
6. Stop feeling guilty if I miss yoga if I truly didn't have time to go. (But also don't be lazy. Go when I have time)
7. Cross something off my bucket list (skydiving maybe? hmmmm…)
8.Keep on journaling and blogging (or at least be more consistent)
9. Help Strangers in need (don't just think about doing it. just act.)
10. Conquer a fear (going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, in the dark.)
11. Shop and Eat locally (as much as I can)
12. Explore NYC
13. Go solo to an event (instead of skipping it altogether because I can't find someone to go with)
14. Say more "Good Mornings" and "Hellos" to people =)
15. Always come from a loving and grateful perspective.
Here's to 2013
Wow, what a year! If 2012 was my final exam (more on that later), then 2013 might be the start of something really exciting! I learned so much!! I never felt more love or gratitude for my life and the Universe! And I was ecstatic through most of the year. Everything from my personal life to my career felt like it was building itself from the ground up. It was as if 2012 tore down all of my old habits, preconceived notions, and way of life; allowing 2013 to come in and teach me how to rebuild a better, stronger, smarter, more resilient, and more positive version of myself. And I could not be more grateful! Now the Happiness Project is really starting to roll!
Here are some highlights from 2013:
-New Year's Eve at Corner Social
-Sass N' Betties putting on "CCCG All Stars Revue"
-UNO magazine cover, and going to the Philippines with JJ
-Being studio manager at Nova New York
-Teaching at Harlem Yoga
-Looking at and planning to buy a place with Darren
-Lizzie.
-Adding Jenna and Tif to Team Sass
-Sass N' Betties Mondays at The Producer's Club
-Betel and the Betel family
-Mommy coming to visit
-Falling in love with Dana and The Laughing Lotus family
-Date night at Koi
-Hannah's in Tennessee with Jules and Doug. Epic.
-Wedding season with The Lathams and The Passets
-Day dates with Tina
-Afternoon karaoke
-Birthday Bowling and Sushi Seki
-Anniversary trip to Canada
-Learning how to take over the world with Jacqui
-Making Mallory and JJ my business partners
-MTV Guy Code
-Christmas and Thanksgiving for two
-SoulCycle addiction
Some things I learned
-I learned how to communicate with the people I love
-I learned how to fight fair and uplift the other person no matter what
-I learned how to let sh*t go
-I learned not to sweat the small stuff and to pick my battles
-I learned how to be my own support system
-I learned how to maintain my happiness
-I learned that if I don't mind, it doesn't matter
-I learned how to learn from negativity, rather than get rolled up into it
-I learned how to say thank you every morning
-I learned how to trust the Universe
-I learned how to be a more genuine friend
-I learned how to cultivate the relationship I have with my Self
-I learned how to pray, and how to listen.
Thank you 2013. You've been extremely good to me. =)
Here are some highlights from 2013:
-New Year's Eve at Corner Social
-Sass N' Betties putting on "CCCG All Stars Revue"
-UNO magazine cover, and going to the Philippines with JJ
-Being studio manager at Nova New York
-Teaching at Harlem Yoga
-Looking at and planning to buy a place with Darren
-Lizzie.
-Adding Jenna and Tif to Team Sass
-Sass N' Betties Mondays at The Producer's Club
-Betel and the Betel family
-Mommy coming to visit
-Falling in love with Dana and The Laughing Lotus family
-Date night at Koi
-Hannah's in Tennessee with Jules and Doug. Epic.
-Wedding season with The Lathams and The Passets
-Day dates with Tina
-Afternoon karaoke
-Birthday Bowling and Sushi Seki
-Anniversary trip to Canada
-Learning how to take over the world with Jacqui
-Making Mallory and JJ my business partners
-MTV Guy Code
-Christmas and Thanksgiving for two
-SoulCycle addiction
Some things I learned
-I learned how to communicate with the people I love
-I learned how to fight fair and uplift the other person no matter what
-I learned how to let sh*t go
-I learned not to sweat the small stuff and to pick my battles
-I learned how to be my own support system
-I learned how to maintain my happiness
-I learned that if I don't mind, it doesn't matter
-I learned how to learn from negativity, rather than get rolled up into it
-I learned how to say thank you every morning
-I learned how to trust the Universe
-I learned how to be a more genuine friend
-I learned how to cultivate the relationship I have with my Self
-I learned how to pray, and how to listen.
Thank you 2013. You've been extremely good to me. =)
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Mommy's NYC trip
Another wonderful month spent with my Mom visiting NYC. She says this is the best trip she's ever taken to New York (because she didn't spend half the the time helping us pack and move lol!). This was also the best visit that I've ever spent with her. She came with a loving heart, a positive attitude, and no baggage (physical and emotional). She was free as a bird, and was open to whatever life had to throw at her. It was such a fresh sight to see. For as long as I've known her (which is forever, in my case), my mom has always carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Always taking care of others and putting others' needs before her own. This time, it was just her, with no attachments. And it was a pleasure to witness and partake in her new found solo journey!
We did yoga (a lot of yoga). We ate good food (both homemade and store bought). We traipsed around the city in our stylish yogawear. We talked and laughed a lot. We prayed. We gave thanks. And we spent a lot of time being glued to each other (Lizzie, Mom and me spent most nights sharing my queen sized bed). In addition, we also celebrated her birthday here for the very first time! She got a beautiful new pinky ring (thanks to Lizzie's fabulous manfriend). Then we dolled her up to the nines, put her in pair of sky high stilettos (which she could only sit in), and took her out for a fancy dinner (thanks to my awesome manfriend)! And by 11pm, we were all back at home, snuggling up comfortably in our pjs. She said it was the perfect birthday! I would have to agree.
Thirty days really flew by. I put her on a plane yesterday, and all I could think about was how much we still haven't done together. My mom is my sunshine and my joy, and I could spend day and night with her! Every day spent with her is a happy one, and this happiness is continuously heightened because all we talk about is happiness and how grateful we are to be happy!
So here is a huge thank you to all of the people, establishments, places, ideas, random things that we came across in the last thirty days:
THANK YOU....
-Harlem
-FiDi
-Darren
-Shawn
-Lizzie
-Jordanna
-Mallory
-Lisa
-Tiffany
-Jenna
-Sass N' Betties
-Laughing Lotus family
-Dana Flynn
-The Producers Club and Freddie
-Spa Castle
-Asiate
-Chinatown
-Hong Kong Supermarket
-that nail salon we went to get our blinged out mani-pedis
-Six Flags
-Luna Park
-MTA
-MTA performers
-random hot dog vendor with the crunch onion topping
-Forever 21
-Old Navy
-Nova New York
-Harlem Yoga
-Juniper Park
-PPTV
-Minions from 'Despicable Me' beee-do, beee-do, beee-do...
-Pioneer supermarket
-Union Square farmer's market
-Container Store
-Breville Juicer
-'Hungry for Change'
-'Happy' Documentary
-Positive Psychology with Tal
-our Gratitude journals
-our Sutra books
-that paper store where we bought our journals
-Sephora's birthday gifts
-Wagyu
And I'm sure I'm missing a few more, but THANK YOU to everyone and everything that made my mommy's visit such a splendiferous one!! There is only one way to live, and that is to live a life full of happiness, gratitude, and love!
#loving you, loving life
We did yoga (a lot of yoga). We ate good food (both homemade and store bought). We traipsed around the city in our stylish yogawear. We talked and laughed a lot. We prayed. We gave thanks. And we spent a lot of time being glued to each other (Lizzie, Mom and me spent most nights sharing my queen sized bed). In addition, we also celebrated her birthday here for the very first time! She got a beautiful new pinky ring (thanks to Lizzie's fabulous manfriend). Then we dolled her up to the nines, put her in pair of sky high stilettos (which she could only sit in), and took her out for a fancy dinner (thanks to my awesome manfriend)! And by 11pm, we were all back at home, snuggling up comfortably in our pjs. She said it was the perfect birthday! I would have to agree.
Thirty days really flew by. I put her on a plane yesterday, and all I could think about was how much we still haven't done together. My mom is my sunshine and my joy, and I could spend day and night with her! Every day spent with her is a happy one, and this happiness is continuously heightened because all we talk about is happiness and how grateful we are to be happy!
So here is a huge thank you to all of the people, establishments, places, ideas, random things that we came across in the last thirty days:
THANK YOU....
-Harlem
-FiDi
-Darren
-Shawn
-Lizzie
-Jordanna
-Mallory
-Lisa
-Tiffany
-Jenna
-Sass N' Betties
-Laughing Lotus family
-Dana Flynn
-The Producers Club and Freddie
-Spa Castle
-Asiate
-Chinatown
-Hong Kong Supermarket
-that nail salon we went to get our blinged out mani-pedis
-Six Flags
-Luna Park
-MTA
-MTA performers
-random hot dog vendor with the crunch onion topping
-Forever 21
-Old Navy
-Nova New York
-Harlem Yoga
-Juniper Park
-PPTV
-Minions from 'Despicable Me' beee-do, beee-do, beee-do...
-Pioneer supermarket
-Union Square farmer's market
-Container Store
-Breville Juicer
-'Hungry for Change'
-'Happy' Documentary
-Positive Psychology with Tal
-our Gratitude journals
-our Sutra books
-that paper store where we bought our journals
-Sephora's birthday gifts
-Wagyu
And I'm sure I'm missing a few more, but THANK YOU to everyone and everything that made my mommy's visit such a splendiferous one!! There is only one way to live, and that is to live a life full of happiness, gratitude, and love!
#loving you, loving life
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Forgiveness? (part I)
When people asked, I always told them that She is the most genuine friend I have. She was one of my best friends from home, and after college, She moved to New York, and we continued our friendship into young adulthood. Most of my college friends mistook her naivety for ignorance, and her positivity for arrogance. But no one ever swayed my mind about her. She was always there for me, and I would always be there for her.
Five years ago, all that changed. She and I stopped speaking. It happened quite literally overnight, and though there were other unfortunate events happening between my inner circle and I, She and my disassociation took me completely by surprise. It was a sucker punch; I totally didn't see it coming. And what was worse, was that I had no idea why She stopped being my friend.
Life continued on, and I am happy to say that I've turned out alright. I've built a new life for myself, based on my values and my beliefs, and everything worked out the way it was supposed to. Sure, there have been a few detours and setbacks, but my unyielding faith in Fate always puts me back on track. I've come to learn a lot about myself and the kind of person I was, am, and want to be.
I've had some time to contemplate on being mindful. I didn't always practice mindfulness, but I make it a conscious effort to adhere to it now. I've always operated from a right vs. wrong perspective, and had more pride in my heart than love. Now I see that what's right isn't always what's good. I can argue my point until I rule the world, but sometimes, the good thing is to just let it go and start fresh. I admit that though I am working on coming from a more mindful and loving place, the old me will always want to give my two cents. I'm always going to have a weak spot for gossip and drama no matter how "lovingly" it's masked (and they will always try to reel me into their vicious circle), but in the long run it serves no one. I don't want to hold on to the past anymore, and I can only hope that She will let it go too. So I'm going to try for being a better friend. A more honest friend, a more forgiving friend, and a more loving friend.
Five years ago, all that changed. She and I stopped speaking. It happened quite literally overnight, and though there were other unfortunate events happening between my inner circle and I, She and my disassociation took me completely by surprise. It was a sucker punch; I totally didn't see it coming. And what was worse, was that I had no idea why She stopped being my friend.
Life continued on, and I am happy to say that I've turned out alright. I've built a new life for myself, based on my values and my beliefs, and everything worked out the way it was supposed to. Sure, there have been a few detours and setbacks, but my unyielding faith in Fate always puts me back on track. I've come to learn a lot about myself and the kind of person I was, am, and want to be.
I've had some time to contemplate on being mindful. I didn't always practice mindfulness, but I make it a conscious effort to adhere to it now. I've always operated from a right vs. wrong perspective, and had more pride in my heart than love. Now I see that what's right isn't always what's good. I can argue my point until I rule the world, but sometimes, the good thing is to just let it go and start fresh. I admit that though I am working on coming from a more mindful and loving place, the old me will always want to give my two cents. I'm always going to have a weak spot for gossip and drama no matter how "lovingly" it's masked (and they will always try to reel me into their vicious circle), but in the long run it serves no one. I don't want to hold on to the past anymore, and I can only hope that She will let it go too. So I'm going to try for being a better friend. A more honest friend, a more forgiving friend, and a more loving friend.
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