Everyday Yogini

This is a big day for the Jordan family here in Rome.  As life marches on and schedules get busier, of course, milestones and transitions come fast and furious.  So it seems, anyway.

Today is Clara’s last day at her asilo-nido. My baby has, in large part, turned into a little girl over the last year, among her Italian amici. When we left Colorado little more than a year ago, Clara had barely any hair (seriously) and a limited vocabulary. Now, she has loads of crazy curls and astonishes me with her vocabulary and her voracious appetite for learning. And changing her clothes. Many times each day. Ahem.

During August, when NOTHING is available for children, Clara will be spending time with a nanny from the Netherlands, who just so happens to be in the process of getting her Master’s degree in childhood education, but, even cooler, she is on the national folk-dancing team of the Netherlands. I am hoping that she will teach Clara folk dancing during her time with us…

Beyond Clara, today is also a big day for Erick. It is his last day as a Major in the Air Force. Tonight 50 of our associates here in Rome will be coming to our house to help us celebrate, tomorrow, Erick pins on his new rank of Lieutenant Colonel. When I met Erick, he was a Captain. This will be the second promotion I have been through with him, and it’s an important one. Clara is coming to the ceremony tomorrow at the Embassy and Clara and I will “pin” Erick’s new rank on. And, as many say, the rank belongs to the family as much as it does the service member…

We are also fast approaching our one year mark in Italy and as unbelievable as it may sound, Erick and I are already talking about what will come next. We had been thinking of trying to extend our time here by another year, which is definitely still a possibility. However, looking at other openings around the world, doing what we are doing now, we are also thinking of throwing our hat in the ring for a tour in Brasilia, Brazil. Portugese, anyone?

As for me, my job is a dream. I am so happy to be doing what I am doing and look forward to getting to the office each day. The downside is the increased complexity of our schedules, but that has been made easier with the use of David Allen’s program, which I just love!! I purchased the “Basic Bundle” and the results have been enough for Erick to ask me what I’m doing differently! Amazing, I tell you!!

My ongoing health issues seem to have settled down. I still have some pain, but sometimes I get two or three days without pain, which is a lovely respite. I went in yesterday for a follow up endoscopy, however, my tonsils were too enlarged for them to do the procedure. So, we wait until September. But for now, I’m feeling pretty darn good… That, Yoginis, feels like a huge milestone. It’s been a very long year, health-wise.

And what about Yoga, you ask?? Well, I recently began teaching myself Qi Gong and have been incorporating a lot of this knowledge into my Yoga practice. It’s been pretty revolutionary for my personal practice and I will blog about it soon!!

Happy summer days!! I will be back again very soon…

While lazing pool-side this summer,
I vow with all beings,
To enjoy the cool water completely,
Let my inner kid be in charge for a while.  

Perhaps this Gatha will reveal to you all the reason for my absence from blogging over the last few weeks.  My new work with the Embassy, coupled with lots of time at the pool with Clara, added to the regular machinations of keeping a family happy, means little (no) time to blog.   Pool season is quickly coming to a close, so be patient with me, please!  I promise to return with fresh, Yogic insights…  

My dear, sweet Father sent this video to me. You know, I don’t know why people do the things they do. I really don’t. But this? This just filled me with such joy. Honestly, I was brought to tears by the end. Why? I have no idea. But I am grateful that people do these sort of crazy things and share them with the world.

Check it out. Is it not sort of “It’s a small world” for the modern era?

“The world, our lives, our daily bread, our loved ones, our opportunities, our challenges and difficulties—all are gifts. Even the innate capacity to receive is a gift.        

What a joyous task then lies before us each day. Showered with blessings, it will take our entire lifetime to learn to be nothing but a living thankfulness.” 

From the new book by Gunilla Norris, SIMPLE WAYS: Towards the Sacred (BlueBridge, 2008).

May your heart be an altar, from which the bright flame of unending thanksgiving ascends to heaven.

Happy (late) 4th of July, Yoginis! Independence Day for my beloved country. Last night, we attended a reception at the ambassador’s residence. Over 3,000 people came to celebrate the Independence of the United States. Many people, from many countries, expressed sincere congratulations. One gentleman even insisted that, “This day is the most important day for the whole world.” Wow.

I have a tendency to focus on the policies, people, and lifestyle choices that really annoy me in the United States (all in the name of “critical analysis”- how about calling it what it is- griping- instead of taking action). Yesterday, I was given a really powerful opportunity to reflect on the wonderful things about our country. As my husband said, “Despite who is in power, the principles that our country are founded on remain the same.”

Honest to God, I think that we are at an incredible crossroads in our history. A place to make the future a place that our grandchildren will want to (be able to) live. One of the things I love about America is the ability to rise to the occasion, do what it takes, and do it all with a distinctly American twist. I suspect that many others are tired of the infighting and seeming inaction in DC, which is why so many grassroots organizations are springing up like wildfires… I believe that Americans just like you and just like me are ready to build a new nation- reinvent ourselves and set the standard for the new world economy.

I am grateful to be in this time and this place in history. Sometimes it is scary to look ahead and not know if there is a happy ending waiting or to wonder if things are going to have to get significantly worse before they get better. But in my heart I believe that America is equal to the task at hand.

I am proud of my country and I am proud of my husband for serving in the role he does- creating ties and connections with other nations, building relationships in a climate where the US may not be viewed in the best light. He is brilliant and I know he does what he does because he deeply believes in our country. As a first generation American, he really appreciates all that the United States offers and is also an amazing example of who we are as a nation…

So, on this Independence Day weekend, what are you grateful for? What way does your community, your State, or your Nation shine for you? Remember to leave a comment if you link so I can go see what everyone is feeling grateful for! Happy 4th of July, Yoginis!

Once again, my friend Monica Silvestro, integrative health counselor is hosting a fabulous tele-class. This time the class is all about dealing with cravings! Who DOESN’T need this class?

Deconstructing Cravings

“I can’t keep peanut butter in the house. If I hit that jar with a spoon at the end of the day, it’s all over.”
“I have a sweet tooth. My husband is a salt addict. Which is worse?”
“A meal just isn’t over until I have something sweet for dessert.”
“I eat popcorn after dinner every night, even if I’m not hungry–I just can’t “not have it”!”

Do any of these sound familiar to you? If so, you have cravings. Everyone does! Cravings don’t mean that you are weak. Or that you lack will power.

Food cravings are simply your body trying to tell you that it needs something–but what comes to mind isn’t always what you really need.

Want to learn how to interpret your cravings to find out what it is your body’s asking for? Want to learn the healthy options that satisfy specific cravings so that you can feel better about “giving in?” Want to ask about a particular craving you have?

Join the teleclass! See below on how to register.

The Nitty Gritty:
Date: Tuesday, July 15th

Time: 8:00pm - 9:15pm (Eastern Standard Time)

Place: The comfort of your own home. This is a teleclass, so you call in from wherever you are.

Cost: $10 (summer special!)

Too bad for me it’s at 2 in the morning, otherwise, I would be on the call!

No joke. I do this ALL THE TIME. And every time, I have this vague feeling that saying, “What happened, sweetie?” is just not the right response. I read this today and I had an “aha!” moment about this very typical response, and I am looking forward to changing my response from this moment forward!

THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noelle
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove

:: “What Happened?!” ::

A crying child runs into the house from outside,
seeking comfort. The well-meaning parent’s first
words: “What happened?!”

This common reaction is one of many subtle ways we
teach our children values that we ourselves never
consciously chose…

* What happened (the past) is more important than
what’s happening now (the present).

* Reason is more important than emotions. You can’t
simply have a feeling; you have to explain *why*.

* Things happen TO you. You don’t create your own
experience.

A few decades later, this child will be reading Daily
Groove messages reminding her to stay *present*, that
feelings *are* important, and that we *do* create our
own experiences!

The next time you’re about to ask your child what
happened, decide instead to be still — to be fully
present with your child, appreciate his or her
emotional journey, and enjoy the feeling of
connection.

** Additional insights about this Groove are posted
at http://dailygroove.net/what-happened

Feel free to forward this message to your friends!
(Please include this paragraph and everything above.)
Copyright (c) 2008 by Scott Noelle