Soul Runnings

I did it! I got up early enough to hoop in the park this morning before my Zma shift. My granddaughter Gracie calls me Zma. I like it! It felt good to get back to my hooping routine. Honestly, I really believe that a daily routine, that exercises body, mind and spirit is very healthy.  Not only does exercise show a positive change physically, but it clears my mind and soothes my nerves. On top of that, I feel a surge in my self confidence from the discipline that I am achieving. Win, win, win! Today is my vegan day.  I am pleased that I planned ahead and got the ingredients together for a nice Buddha bowl for my lunch. I placed a layer of brown and wild rice in my bowl, followed by steamed edamame, sliced olives, chunks of not too ripe avocado, topped with "Cafe Yum" sauce, sprinkled with "Everything Bagel" seasoning. Man, oh man was this good! I don't really miss the meat on my vegan days. But if a craving strikes, I just tell myself that I can ha...

I had a mini breakthrough last night. Perhaps I should call it a mini RE-breakthrough! Because for the last couple of years I have noticed how much better I feel when I hoop daily. But then we moved. I became overwhelmed by stress.  And I stopped hooping. There is really no space in our new place to hoop, so I've been waiting for warmer weather. Yesterday, near dusk, something came over me. I grabbed my hoop and walked across the street to the park. And I did a short hooping session as sun slid over the horizon. I met two people:  One, a young woman walking through the park carrying a hula hoop! She called out to me as she passed, "Is that a hoop you are carrying?" I told her yes. We stopped and chatted. Hers was a small hoop, mine a big, weighted hoop. I told her I used mine for exercise. We both laughed about running into another hoop carrying woman in the park! The second was a young man walking his toddler in a stroller. He inquired about my hoop. He said it...

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. In the Christian tradition it is also the first day of Lent. In years past I have given up potato chips, alcohol, chocolate, meat, caffeine, and Facebook. This year I am adapting a new eating plan. One I hope I can continue for life. If you've followed my blog much, especially in the early years, you might have picked up on my fascination with monks.  It's still there!  But the last year or so, I've been focused on my supporting my son through his addictions and legal issues, my daughter with the birth of my granddaughter, my mother in caring for my father through his stroke, diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and prostrate cancer, and the birth of my son's son, my grandson. A lot going on here.  Plus, still trying to find the real, authentic me somewhere buried in the heap. Luckily, I had the strength and clarity of mind to realize my last church job was not a good fit.  Not only do I need to focus my energy on my own self care, a...

Hello my dear readers! I have so much to tell you, but not enough time, or energy. I hope to change that soon. Today was the last day of my current church pianist job. Tomorrow I am going to get back on track with everything.  I am going to take everything up a level. I am filling my journal with positive thoughts, drawings, prayers and quotes.  I am seeking guidance from counselors, teachers, authors, God.  And hopefully continuing to open my heart and let my authentic self free! The title for this blog comes from Max Strom. " Max Strom  is a global speaker, author, yoga teacher, and trainer, best known for deeply impacting the lives of his students with teachings that reach past the limits of contemporary yoga culture. Over the past decade, Max has become a prominent voice of personal transformation skilled at touching the hearts of people from all walks of life, nationalities, and backgrounds."  https://www.1440.org/blog/using-your-breath-to-feel...

Greetings! I have missed talking to you, my dear reader, more than you can imagine! The last few week have been a whirlwind. Intense, illuminating, stressful, rewarding, and often comical. Take Sunday for example. My daughter woke up just as I was leaving our apartment. She turned on the tea kettle. Then she asked me my plans for the day. Oh, just going to play the piano at church, visit Andrew in jail, go teach a piano student and then go to the gym. You know - church, jail, piano, gym. The usual. What a life! In addition, we have moved!  Thankfully it was in the same apartment complex. But a bigger unit. I am in the basement, which I am actually quite enjoying.  I am still unpacking boxes and trying to make the best of my space. But I sleep like a log! I also quit my church job. I told you it's been a whirlwind! And speaking of whirlwind, I am feeling the winds of change! I am practicing  Hesychasm.  "Hesychasm (from the  Greek  for "s...