Just a few minutes ago I was over there on the tweeties. Many pictures of much snow right now. Our local forecast? Very high 40s and 80% clear. Right, so we won’t discuss weather today.
Instead, we’ll look at what showed up on our card altar after I tell you how my yoga hour with Ryon went. In a word: good. In another word: better. Or rather, better than last time.
I’ve been having some issues with this particular gym experience, not because I don’t love that we’ve incorporated yoga into our work-outs, because I most certainly do, but for other reasons. Personal issues that stay on the table in my discussions with *A* every other week.
You may have noticed that I no longer talk about diets or weight. It’s because I am learning how NOT to focus on mine. Currently, the success rate is improving. But those obsessive thoughts are not gone, not even slightly. They are mostly just redirected. Hopefully in a healthy and positive fashion. Except when they aren’t.
Sitting (or standing, or reaching, or balancing) on mats and stretching into a designated pose is not what it used to be. I am heavier than I’ve ever been, and it’s restricting my movement. So I stop enjoying the activity, I get “thrown out” of the moment. And that’s what we talk about on the therapist’s couch. Last time she helped me to rethink the entire practice and purpose of yoga, reminding me of its origins and spirituality. Very helpful. Today was better. For that, I am extremely grateful.
Which brings us to our daily draw. As you read the guidebook definition, think not only about what it says, but what it implies, in a less specific sense; think also about simple compassion, for our pets, sure. But also, for our very own selves.
“Animals ~ St Francis of Assisi
You have a strong love bond with animals. As with St Francis, they instinctively trust you. They can sense your compassion and understanding and come to you for help and companionship. You have an innate ability to communicate with animals, you know what they are thinking and feeling.
In some ways,, you feel more comfortable with animals than with people….. Your pets who have passed on also send you their love. They want you to know that they’re happy and doing well….
This saint is associated with nature and animals, and he’s a patron saint of animal welfare. Legends say that he would give sermons in the forests and the wild animals and birds would stop to listen.
St Francis was born in Assisi Italy, in 1181. He renounced his family’s wealth and became a traveling preacher, with followers who eventually formed the first Franciscan religious order. He spent a considerable amount of time helping and healing the poor, particularly those with leprosy. The powerful Prayer of St Francis, which begins, ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,’ also makes him one of the most beloved saints.”
Setting aside any concerns about words and labels here, it feels so special that this message showed up when it did. (Also, let’s disregard this illustration. I’m pretty sure, without even googling* one bit, that this is not a good likeness of the guy in question.)
*But I did go searching anyway, and was correct. I also found his prayer, sub out what you need to, just don’t disregard the entirety of this:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
What seems like an important part to address here is the overall attitude of empathy and understanding this saint invokes, and by showing up here, shares with all of us. I can’t imagine anyone who couldn’t use some of that.
Today’s Deck:
Saints & Angels Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue
FLP Report:
Virginia and New York.
Today’s Mileage:
just down to the gym and back which was 9.108 for 58 minutes and 11 seconds worth of pedaling at 9.3MPH.
(Since I can now take the numbers out of my wee machine, I am also noticing some other statistics that I’d previously been unaware of. Like, for February so far, I’ve gone a total of 41.714 miles. On a bike! In only the five days I’ve been out there this month! Later I’m going to see what January looked like.)
Today’s Baking:
is going to be more cookies. Probably. Maybe. (I have some dessert cherries that need to be put in something.) I’ve begun researching recipes for pudding that don’t use any dairy products. And did I mention we’re out of biscuits? I’ll keep you posted.
I’m glad that A is knowledgeable in yoga, so she could remind you to enjoy it!
Not to make light of your situation, I do understand that it is frustrating.
St. Francis of Assisi does have a wonderful message, and thank you for going & finding his prayer, it is very lovely, indeed!
~
She would like to, at some point, become a licensed instructor; has been attending, and even substitute-leading, yoga classes since she was a kid. THAT is how much she knows about it!
J
1:49 a.m.
2-9-13
That’s a wonderful poem of the saint! I do like the message that by giving we receive.
Glad you were able to get back into enjoying the yoga. *A* sounds terrific!
~
She is amazingly wonderful. I even recommended her to someone recently!
J
11:07 p.m.
2-9-13
I like the St Francis prayer; I always have. It was very special to my grandfather, who died a couple of years ago, so I always feel him nearby when I say or sing it. (Yes, there’s a sung version, too.) Empathy and understanding are good for everyone.
Glad you were able to get back into yoga with *A*’s help. She sounds like a wise woman!
Yay New York plate! Sadly it wasn’t me, I’m stuck in foot-high snow drifts.
~
How funny you mention your grandfather, I was JUST thinking about one of mine today! They are obviously close by.
Lucky us.
(No weather talk, stay safe.)
J
11:12 p.m.
2-9-13
mmmmmm….. cookies!
~
Where you listening in on my conversation with Mr MixxMaxx? We were talking about making doggie treat cookies! Somewhere around here we have a canine cookbook, and he wanted to know why his Nana hadn’t found it yet.
J
11:19 p.m.
2-9-13
We’re all snowy and blowy here but just enough to make it look like winter without being too much. I love St. Francis’ prayer. That is what I believe in and what I believe Jesus was trying to teach which is why I say I’m Christian in spite of all those other lunatics out there making it be something it totally isn’t. Which isn’t to say, that non-Christians can’t be all of those lovely and wonderful things that Francis was saying, just that it works for me. Or that Christianity is the only way to go. You know what I mean!! Right??
Good luck with the yoga. My physical therapist barred me from yoga for a year because of my back and then said I should make sure I only go with a teacher who knows enough to modify poses when necessary. But I liked it when I did it.
~
Yes, I get exactly what you mean. You know how I feel about our mutual pal JC!
Hey, one of my pool buddies had some old back issues flair up recently and has been seeing a PT too. Hers suggested some yoga-like stretches for maintaining flexibility. You might not have to let it go entirely!
J
11:34 p.m
2-9-13
Oh, yeah. That card is all mine. And I got a wee bit of outside critter fix at the pet store last night. I couldn’t stay as long as I wanted because we were getting hit with sleet all of a sudden and didn’t want to be slip sliding away in 5 o’clock traffic.
I take the time to learn names and faces where I shop regularly. Most people (not all, unfortunately) that work at pet stores love animals and since all animal people love to talk they know me as well. I used this to my advantage last night when I needed crickets and no one was there. I stepped out where I could see the registers and waved. One checker saw me, smiled and waved back, and then called someone to help me. My husband shook his head and said I spend entirely too much time there.
I -really- like that prayer. I’m going to have to pass that along. I love the fact that you took the time to go look this extra stuff up.
And you should give yourself extra points for the yoga. It’s work, not just physically, but mentally as well. Go you!
~
Your “extra points” comment started a big ol’ ball rolling…. including a post topic and new (brilliant) affirmation idea.
J
11:48 p.m.
2-9-13
I’ve always loved that prayer. Kudos on the mileage – you are awesome and inspiring! I’m right there with you on the frustration of having my own body get in the way of things I’m trying to do, but the lesson is always to stay in the moment, not get judgy. I’ll remember this post as a reminder of that
~
“…stay in the moment, not get judgy.”
That’s it, exactly!
We make a wonderful support group.
J
12:51 a.m.
2-10-13
I have a couple of yoga issues, too. One being a former instructor who was a little too handsy. The second being the fact that I have large breasts that always seem to interfere.
I like it in theory, though.
~
I am so very sorry you had to deal with a disgusting, non-yoga, fucktard like that. Those are types of assholes that cause me to lose my Zen Balance, because ya know, I envision ways to murder them instead of ways to heal them.
As far as the other situation, for me, wearing good fitting exercisey kinds of clothes really helps, on so many levels.
J
12:57 a.m.
2-10-13
St. Francis looks like he’s about to unhinge his jaw and swallow those critters whole.
Seriously. DECKS WITH NEW PICTURES. It cannot POSSIBLY be that hard to find good illustrators to art a tarot deck.
(and shut up, I can make “art” a verb if I want to)
~
I SAID to look away from the illustration!
Oh yes, let’s all art some new images over the top of the ones that are NOT-BEAUTIFUL.
Mom
12:59 a.m.
2-10-13
Dear Julie – I am fine.
I thank your for the cookie and such. I gobbled them up.
I have had the worst year and for the first time I understood my brothers wall. That I understand it breaks my heart. And yet I employ his practice.
I just need to be away for a little..
I appreciate your concern. It means more to me than you know. It has kept me tethered.
I would I could express the depth of death that surrounds me. I will work through this. I will be okay. Thank you for caring.
~
Thank you SO much for checking in!
We are here.
Whenever you needs us,
and for whatever reason.
We are here for you.
J
1:03 a.m.
2-10-13
Oh, sweetie… ((((HUGS)))). The sadness of your words brought tears to my eyes. Sending you Love & FGBV’s, and praying that you can pull yourself out of the depths and find comfort, peace, and joy.