Yogi Panda

Well, thank goodness for yoga Wednesdays! Last week there was a big crowd which I think it is great that more people want to take up yoga, but I kinda like the smaller crowd better. I'm able to concentrate more. I'm glad one of my work friends has decided to join me every week! This week I've been a little "off" if you will. I missed two meetings at work! All because I was in my own little world not paying attention to what's going on. Evidently I didn't miss much, though. I'm looking forward to clearing my mind at yoga tonight so maybe that will help me think more clearly. One perk for working for the government is MLK day coming up. Thank goodness Martin had a dream! It's gonna be a cold one so bundle up.

Death Becomes Us

Death is a strange thing. We all know it's coming, but there's nothing we can do to prepare for death--that of a loved one, or our own. It's very emotional, traumatic, and awkward. Death is shocking--even if you know today is the day that it's "coming." Wow, I just saw that person yesterday, I just talked to him, her, I just hugged that person. Now, I'll never physically see that person again. No one ever knows what to say when a loved one dies. What can you say? Close friends and family will mourn with us, but sooner or later we start to act like nothing ever happpened. Well, yes that was hard to lose a family member, but it's been three months now, why are we still talking about it? Because it's still fresh. Because it still hurts. Because it happened. Death is such a hush, hush topic. Don't bring it up. Don't remind that person that he or she lost someone. I think we have to talk about it. Death is a natural part of our life cycle. Sure some people feel invincible and may feel like they will live forever. Some people even spend their whole lives preparing for death. Preparing for the "next world." Heaven to most people I presume. Many people use that as a comfort. "Well, we know she's with the good Lord now." "God was ready for her." "He needed her more than you do." "This is a test of your faith." "God took that person from you so you'll be closer to Him." "Cling to God." Does God really go around picking people to take so He can have them with Him in Heaven? To teach us a lesson? I don't think God is that selfish. He's not selfish at all really. I can of course find comfort with God during difficult times. I just don't believe that God "takes" people to teach others a lesson, to use the families as a testimony. We are a living testimony. Our lives are testimonies. Not our deaths. Life is short. Death certainly makes us realize that. We wish we had more time. We wish we would have done more, said more, been more. People are important. All people. Young and old. Especially old.

3.2 BABY!!!

Last night I ran the farthest I've ever run in my whole life (in one stretch)! That's right...3.2 miles! That is the distance of a 5K, which is fortunate because I signed up to run a 5K this coming up weekend. So I know I can do it. It may take me an hour, but I'll get it done. I plan to run 3.2 miles two more times this week before the race. I may get motivated and run 3.25 or possible 3.3. Whatever the case, I'm more focused on completion rather than competition. AND I get to sport an official t-shirt! Sure I have 5K t-shirts, but none of them have been earned only acquired. I'll be so proud!

Save the Hemlocks

http://www.myspace.com/hemlockfest

Run like hell...

So I ran two whole miles tonight with the help of my fast as crap husband. He kept me moving. He's my personal trainer. Then we raced to the top of the jungle gym on the playground. It was a swell of a time. I sure do love him. Well, I'm planning on running my first "race" in October. I'm not really so much into competition as completion. ha. We'll see.

Life isn't about finding yourself...it's about creating yourself.

So, I started doing yoga once a week at a real yoga place. Hands down best thing I've done for myself in a long while. I totally believe in taking care of my own needs first before I can even begin to think about trying to help meet the needs of someone else. Yoga is all about mindfulness. And it works. I feel so good and I've only been twice. I definitely recommend yoga. I'm becoming a yogi.

Did you know...?

Did you know that 3,600,000,000 plastic bags are being consumed per hour out of which only 1% is recycled. This fact was quite alarming to me. I haphazardly use plastic bags pretty much every day. I've recently started to make a conscious decision to ask for paper instead of plastic. Most people probably don't know that most grocery stores still offer paper bags as opposed to plastic. You just have to ask. So while at Publix last week I proceeded to ask for a paper bag. I had only bought one item (shocking I know), and the "bag girl" looked at me kind of funny. The product failed to fit in the small paper sack. With a disgruntled look on her face she asked me if I still wanted paper...a bigger paper bag. Yes. She seemed annoyed. Whatever. Paper is far more user friendly than plastic and it can be recycled. When I was little my mom saved all the paper bags for me and my brother to paint. We created some awesome art work. Anywho, the next time I went to Publix, I asked for paper again. All of my items fit in one sack! If I had used plastic, it would have taken about six bags. I felt good about it though. Every little bit helps. Next time, ask for paper. It will throw the cashier or bag person for a loop. I promise you'll catch them off guard.

P.S. 7000 to 14000 barrels of oil are being consumed per hour to produce plastic bags.