Notes to Myself

The following is a list of things I need to write down so that I can remember them. Whether I've just realized something very recently and I don't want to forget it, or it's something that I've known and told myself over and over, these are things I need to be reminded of. A wise friend recommended that I "write them down" and I think this is as good a place as any.

1. I can't help everybody. In fact, I can barely help myself.
2. I can't fix other people's problems. I need to stop feeling like I should.
3. I can't always say yes.
4. Listening to my iPod, whether it's a podcast of This American Life, or my favorite mix, always cheers me up.
5. Ditto for blogging.
6. I have an enormous amount to be grateful for.
7. I am not perfect.
8. I can not do everything. At least not all at once.
9. It's better NOT to talk on the cellphone while getting in and out of my car at stores. It causes more trouble than the multitasking is worth. (ie locking your keys in the car).
10. Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure Castile Soap is phenomenal for cleaning floors. It really gets rid of dirt, it's mild and bio-degradable, and it smells yummy!
11. My house and my life are relatively clean and organized, considering how much I have going on.
12. The way things feel right now, or even all day, is not the way things ARE. Life is flowing and changing and the sooner I can embrace all the waves and the torrents, the sooner I can be happy.

Yoga

Two weeks ago I made a commitment to getting back into shape. I think it took me this long to write about it because I didn’t want to “jinx” myself. I signed up for yoga and Jazzercise. My plan is to attend at least 2 jazzercise classes and 1 or 2 yoga classes each week. Then I will walk on the days I don’t have a class. This is my commitment.

This fall I spent 5 weeks with a bad cold, and then pulled my back out just before Halloween. I took these two events as cold, loud cries from my body. Cries for better care and feeding. Now, the feeding part, this is a whole other post. But the care – well, I know what has been missing. And that is regular, physical activity.

Exercise keeps me flexible, toned and, as a happy aside, cheerful and energetic. Studies have shown that that people doing daily exercise faired almost as well as people on medication to ward off symptoms of depression. I don’t know about research, but I do know that physical movement does wonders for my mood. Taking classes helps me stay committed and honest and the jazzercise method brings the added plus of upbeat music.

Yoga is, well it’s just glorious.

So two Saturdays I went to a wonderful yoga class and I was reminded of all that yoga does for me.

I immediately became aware of my body again. The muscles, the joints, the bones, even the skin. I listened to and felt my breath. I became aware of power in places I haven't utilized in months, (like my forearms!) and I noticed that I’ve got to take better care of the skin on my shins.

Secondly, I remembered how good it feels to s-t-r-e-t-c-h. It hurt a little, but I really needed it. Also, I love the way the teacher kept reminding us that this was "our time" and to forget everything that led up to getting to the class, and everything that we had to do later. She kept telling us to feel our inner power. I did.

Lastly, I love the names of the poses: "downward dog", "warrior" and "goddess."

Today I attended my 3rd class and I could really feel the improvement. I’m definitely more flexible and I can manage the poses better. During the relaxation period I was calmer. I was still running conversations through my mind the whole time, but at least my eyes weren’t popping open involuntarily after 5 minutes.

Best of all, I felt empowered. I highly recommend a yoga class to all who are reading this.