Do Just What You Need

Being self-sacrificing is not noble, it is wasteful.
In time, you will waste away to someone you do not even realize.
You will forget who you were, what you like, what you did…
before you started giving everything to everyone else!

Am I saying you should do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it?
No.
I'm saying, you must tune in to you, and do just what you need.

You do not need to spend money on frivolous things. You need to listen.

Simple, healthy, happy 

If there is one thing yoga has taught me, it is to listen, to myself and also to others.
When you first start listening to yourself, you might hear a lot of noise.
If you do, it's probably because you haven't listened to yourself in a long while!

When all of that is sifted out, you will hear what you really need.
It's probably not what you think.
I really, truly, and willing to bet you will be surprised.

Wanna  know what my soul needed today?
It's not a winning lottery ticket, or a vacation, or a new house…

It's hot water with an orange slice in an attractive mug.
Yep, kid you not!

So guess what? I took five minutes to make that.
Is it decadent? No.
Does it feel like a treat? Yes.
Do I deserve it? Absolutely!
Do I need it? Actually, yes! We all need more water.

If I hadn't really listened - I would have gone for chocolate, or something more decadent.
Maybe I would have thought I needed more clothes, or more music… or something.
But I know I need nice water. And a happy slice of citrus - I'd like my hydration with some sunshine, please.

What do you need? What will soothe your soul? What makes you feel nourished, loved, and cared for?
Listen carefully.

Turquois in the Middle of Winter White

It's been a long winter, hasn't it? My gosh. I don't mind the cold, normally. But waking up to negative temperatures day after day has been... well, negative. This past week, I've found myself resenting winter so much, I'm silently vowing to never wear white during the spring and summer seasons. Clearly, who wants to wear white after they've spent three or four months living in an oasis of it? The blahs abound. I find myself frequently writing posts for Namaste about Ayurvedic ways to reclaim energy in this season that seems to freeze us into total stillness. The inspiration is purely environmental!

A new "environmental inspiration" came via my mailbox today. My friend Jessica, who owns this exciting shop called Nouriche Boutique, sent me a special treat to try! I had never heard of t.s.pink Bath Whip before, but I am now quite grateful to my friend for having made the introduction!

As I study Ayurveda, I've gained interest in abhyanga, which is a method of oil massage that is used to bathe the skin, encourage circulation and bring a general sense of balance to the body and mind. I use a light sesame oil before I shower, and though I cannot claim to spend the full, recommended 20 minutes pre-shower, I do make sure I hit the most Sahara-esque areas (heels, knees, elbows and hands!) and it really does help! My hands are not as dry as they have been in previous winters, and we all know this is a harder winter than we have had in a while!

Still, the Vata that I am will always deal with dry skin. My thoughtful husband gave me a jar of O'Keffs Working Hands Hand Cream, from his store, and it is helping too. But the thing my practical man doesn't quite understand is that I love when a product brings you an experience. You know what I mean, right? The color, the texture, the scent... all cause your endless stream of thoughts to suspend for a little while as you take it all in.

THAT's what happened when I tried Turquoise Bath Whip! Whew! This is an experience! It has a wonderful scent that had me thinking of warm weather, water and a mineral spa. The texture is light and smooth, the color serene. The ingredients list begins as this: "Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Almond Oil, Organic Aloe Juice..." There is nothing in the list I cannot define. That is really cool! Plus, the oils bring me back to my original intent in studying abhyanga: protecting my skin instead of stripping it as soap does.

The directions for use are as follows: "Scoop just a few small fingerfuls of your nutrient-rich Bathing Cream™ and go crazy. Work yourself up into a later and then cream yourself clean." In short, massage! So I did. The more you work this product into your skin, the more luxurious the lather becomes. SO, this actually accomplishes another goal of abhyanga, right in the shower. Being a multi-tasking mama, this has serious appeal.

No tight skin post shower either! I hope you can try this product. I owe Jessica a great big Thank You for introducing me!

A Note for My Daughters

I have one birth daughter, but feel that the young ladies coming up in the world after me are, in a sense, all my daughters. As such, I have an obligation, to share what I've learned, to tell you the truth, to show you what the view from there looks like from here, and vice-versa.

Thirty-eight seems like a lifetime away when you are 13, 18, 23... but honestly? It is a blink. The older you get, the faster it goes. Let me let you in on a little secret: Life ain't over when you hit 21. You are not old at 30. The reality is, your life, the life you will love and enjoy most, is only just beginning. You will have some realizations in your 30's that will absolutely floor you. You will regret some things from your youth, and you will celebrate some great things you didn't even know you did at the time.

Here's my advice to you:

1. Care for your skin as if you were already fighting wrinkles and sun damage. When you are at the age where you actually need to worry about wrinkles and sun damage, you will have less to worry about. In short, you do not need a tan.
2. Drink water. Please don't even talk to me about pop or alcohol! Forget your friends, your body is your TEMPLE, and will be with you long after your friends have moved on. Water is the perfect drink. Give thanks for it, and partake often. 

   

   No makeup at 38.
   You don't need it either Teen!

3. No makeup required. Wear it if you want, whatever. But one day, you will be comfortable in  your own skin. It is then you realize that your bright eyes don't need a frame of heavy lashes and eyeliner - maybe such beauty shouldn't be contained in painted frames anyway. 
4. Dress for school as you will one day dress for work. School is your job. If you do not plan to be a hooker when you grow up, please do not dress like one to go to your current job. Boys pay attention to hookers, boys also notice the young ladies who act like they have some self-respect. You will intimidate some. You will also save yourself some heartache.
5. Be nice to the people other people are not nice to. Some day, they will write you notes about kindnesses you extended that you do not even remember, and it will remind you that even your early years had meaning and value.
6. Don't curse in type. Don't post slutty pictures of yourself on the internet. It will get you attention, yes. But if you do this and then start whining about all the nasty boys who want to date you (and do way more than that, believe it!) you will get no pity from me.
7. If you want to repel adults and people who might one day seek to employ you, ignore #6.
8. Get outside. Life is short. Computers have a history. Phones have voicemail. Leave it all in the house and Get. Outside! Take a book or some things to draw with. Go for a walk, fly a kite, I do not care!!! Get outside and make some memories. When you are older and stuck in an office, you will have some stored happy to keep you smiling.
9. Your parents love you. Yep. I promise. You think they hate you because you can't go with so-and-so and stay out all night or whatever the stupid thing is they are making you do that irritates the crap out of you. Believe me, they are not trying to torture you (yes, I thought mine were torturing me too). Truth is, you scare them. You are beautiful and full of potential and the idea that something might in some way compromise that, scares them to death. As well it should. No one in this world will love you like they do, so suck it up and deal. A hug and a "thank you" from a child has never killed a parent either, just sayin'...
10. Your lumps, your bumps, your moles, your glasses, your teeth, your hair... oooooh honey. They are perfect. Just perfect! Stop worrying and breathe a little, would you please? Just because you do not hear "you are gorgeous" every day does not make it any less true. No one likes a conceited, self-absorbed little snot. Worry about being smarter, not thinner. Worry about if you are working hard enough to attain your goals, not if you are doing the right things to get the attention you think you need.

Ten guidelines may be a lot to remember, but you can come back and re-read them as often as you need. You know what? Sometimes I have to remind myself of them too. I love you. The universe Loves You. Be good to you and treat yourself right, OK?