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.
