Not for The Sensitive or Faint of Heart

Today my mind feels like it is going to explode. Like scalp shooting off, sparks flying, fire igniting, bomb blast type of explosion. As I continue to replay an intelligent, thought provoking conversation my husband and I had with our kids last night I can't help but feel such sorrow for the things they know and question at the ages of almost 10 and 12. Even though I am proud of their astute nature, deductive reasoning skills, compassion and empathy there are so many elements of the world I did not wish for them to be introduced to at a young age...racism, discrimination, homophobia, socio-economic impacts, sexism...this was a DEEP conversation. And, not the first of its kind in our home.

Now, this is not a political or religious blog, this is a self-study blog. I will not address my stance on these issues nor ask you to argue your views. What I suggest to all of us, myself included, is to think about the world you would like to pass along to your children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. Do you picture a world filled with fear, hate, greed, crime, war? I'm not saying sunshine and daises with the planet skipping into the sunset together, I'm a realist of sorts. What I'm asking for, praying for, is a world where people can be who they are and who they want to be.

If our goal here is self-study then do that, study yourself and allow other people to study themselves. Right? (Side note: if you are still reading my blog I'm assuming your thinking is fairly succinct with my thinking). Too often people hide behind the wall of their designated group and the ideals passed down through this group. For me, Irish Catholic is my main "group". I'm proud of who I am and where I came from and the path that was laid down for me but I know my own mind, my own beliefs and my path.  I teach my children to find their way, to look within their own heart and soul and to see the world from that place.

We have a little mantra in my house, "There are plenty of people in the world to be mean to us, we do not need to be mean to each other." It's true, sad, but true. This mantra first began as a way for me to teach my kids not to bicker or pick on each other but it's grown into something much larger as they are exposed to and learn hard life lessons. My daughter has even developed her own mantra, "Faith Not Fear". Who the children of the world become is a direct reflection of what they see and hear. Look within, what impact are you making, what wisdom are you imparting, how are you shaping the world you live in? Let's do it together :)

Namaste My Dear Friends!

Inspirational Thought/Tidbits for and about Life

This quote is posted all the time on social media, reproduced on posters, cards, etc. There is a reason for that! "Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Ghandi

There are so many amazing things going on at Pink Lotus all the time! Check out this awesome studio! Take a class, get to know the amazing instructors and enjoy your journey of self discovery, pinklotusnj.com

It's a BEAR

The other day while working out in my basement I heard a loud rustling noise from the floor above me. Assuming it was my dogs, I checked on them and was surprised to find them sleeping peacefully on my bed. I returned to my activities forgetting all about the noise. Once I finished my workout I went back upstairs to stretch. Hearing the noise again, loud, I was instantly on alert. In a matter of seconds my mind processed two thoughts...the noise was coming from the laundry room (a little closet type room in the hallway between my kitchen and my bedroom) and it must be a BEAR!

Now, I must explain that my house sits on the side of a very steep hill, the basement is only in-ground at the front of the house therefore the "main" floor is two stories up at the back of the house. The laundry room runs along this back wall. So, unless a BEAR walked through the front door or up the 25 steps to my back deck and entered my house through the sliding glass door the chances of this noise being a bear were impossible. Okay, I realize there are many other reasons this noise could not be a bear, like it would never fit in my laundry room! The point is my imagination processed this scene in a very bizarre way! Once reason kicked in, this moment of terror faded...seriously I pictured myself sliding the laundry room door open to find a giant black bear hanging out in there.

Here's the thing, our minds are very complex and our imagination is filled with stories and images. Often times we allow this imaginative mind to take on a life of it's own and create our reality. Have you ever had an argument with another person play out in your head only to find an easy going conversation take place once you presented your point? Have you ever imagined a scenario playing out one way but the reality of it was completely different? Our imagination is a wonderful tool that can help us de-stress, create, mold life goals, but it can also add to our stress when we let our imagination form our reality.

What does this have to do with self-study you might ask? It's a lesson in keeping track of our thoughts. Making sure we use our mind to create the life we want, to be at peace, to live in the moment and to remind ourselves to let life unfold as it is meant to for our life path. Master your mind and create clarity in your life. 

Namaste my dear friends,
Colleen

Inspirational Thought/Tidbits for and about Life

“You must give everything to make your life as beautiful as the dreams that dance in your imagination.” ― Roman Payne

There are so many amazing things going on at Pink Lotus all the time! Check out this awesome studio! Take a class, get to know the amazing instructors and enjoy your journey of self discovery, pinklotusnj.com