2012 - A New Perspective

These are critical times filled with challenges of every sort – climate changes, environmental issues: food, water and energy shortages, financial woes: rich vs. poor and let’s not forget the disparity between already developed and developing/underdeveloped nations that are ever present and continue to defy our ability to unite globally, as a world, completely and totally. No holds barred.

Add to the mix religion, politics and cultural diversity and we have the perfect recipe for keeping everyone at odds rather than meeting our greatest need: a global vision of planetary unity and purpose for humanity as a whole.

How do we continue to allow this to be? More importantly – WHY?

For almost 50 years astronauts from all corners of the globe have been floating in, well, basically, tin cans above the earth. Each and every one of the approximate 500 space explorers have been profoundly affected after seeing the earth from the perspective of the moon or at least, way, way – way, way up there.

They have an overwhelmingly new perspective on life. It affects them physically, spiritually and psychologically. This phenomena is referred to as The Overview Effect, a phrase coined by Boston based systems-management consultant and writer for space journals, Frank White, in his 1987 book by the same name.

The experience is of seeing the reality of Earth, first-hand, from space and immediately understanding the fragility and vulnerability of all the life on this little ball that seems to be just hanging in the void. The realization that the protection of this sphere is coming only from the paper-thin atmosphere that surrounds it while at the same time provides the earth all the nourishment she requires to exist is almost incomprehensible and completely awesome.

All at once the astronauts realize that there is indeed an obvious sense of urgency imperative to protecting this little pale blue dot.

These astronauts do not see lines dividing countries. The boundaries are gone, they simply vanish. They now understand that the conflicts dividing our nations are much less important and the profound need to unite all societies is of the utmost importance. It’s vital to our survival as a planet.

Many of them believe unity is imminently achievable, if only more people could have the experience!

It’s unfortunate that despite their best efforts to explain and describe what they see and feel from some 22,000 miles up seems to fall on deaf ears. Communicating the awesomeness of it all is difficult at best. Recent advances in cognitive science strongly suggest that these difficulties are directly related to the limitations of conventional media in communicating the rich and perspective altering experience of space.

Although most of us will never get to enjoy this astounding view first-hand, I believe we too, can get that feeling.

I believe, while it is intuitively valid to many, it is often marginalized as a philosophical, metaphysical or even an aesthetic epiphany rather than the fundamental perspective-altering experience that astronauts and scientists alike, suggest that it is.

Just look at this photo (below), Earth above the lunar horizon, taken by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders in 1968. This "Earthrise" has become a symbol of our planet's beauty and fragility. Pretty cool, right? Wait it gets better.
 

 
 
Check this out - a photo from February 14, 1990. On Valentine’s Day NASA controllers instructed the Voyager 1 spacecraft to turn around and take one last look at its home planet as it pushed on to the fringe of our solar system. Look closely at the photo below. I mean really closely. Take it in. This is the resulting image from Voyager 1. You might need a magnifiying glass as PC monitors do not do this photo justice. Do you see that tiny pinpoint of light in the center, off to the right, the dot that is within the pale purple stream of light on the right? Look for it – it’s there, the tiny, almost miniscule, pale blue dot, the really little one. Got it?
 
That’s us! You, me . . . all of us. Every single one of us that calls Earth home is living on that dot that you’re looking at right now, from the viewpoint of the farthest reaches of space. Is that not just so wicked cool?

 
Kind of diminishes all of our problems and really allows us to take into account how important each individual life truly is. It brings forth what we know to be true but don’t really practice: stop judging, stop hating, stop accusing . . . start FORGIVING, start LOVING and start LIVING. How can you not get that overview effect when you realize you're living on that dot in the photo? There are no words really. At least fo rme. Well okay, there is one, ineffable.
 
We are all part of such a HUGE puzzle and each and everyone of us plays a very significant role. No matter how small YOU feel your role is, it is indeed significant. We are ALL key players in the effort to keep this planet flourishing.

We no longer need to wonder if we are all connected. We see it in these photos. Compassion is what connects us. A lot of people think love connects humans, but love is far too personal. Compassion is the connecting force, to me anyway. It’s what drives us to help others in any way we can. Those who are afflicted with disease, or are suffering due to some type of destruction – and I’m talking about people on the other side of this pale bluedot; the one’s we don’t know but help anyway through food and coat drives, fund-raising efforts, sending in military to assist in rebuilding their homes and lives or whatever else we can do to get them through their plight. That’s compassion.

It’s astonishing to believe after seeing these photos that we, the stewards of our Earth, do not also experience The Overview Effect. We are her inhabitants. From these photos I see an Earth that graciously and continuously provides for me and all of us, her inhabitants, no matter what. It’s time we gave back. It’s time to help our planet and become peaceful, caring, kind, nurturing, forgiving and loving beings.

We need to step up and protect her from ourselves – not just for US, but for future generations so they too may experience The Overview Effect – perhaps someday, all people will experience it from the perspective of 22,000+ up. For now, these photos will have to do it for most of us – I know it does it for me.

Go back and take a look at them again. Get that feeling for yourself and become a true steward of this little pale blue dot we call home.

Through our own individual efforts, we are able to declare our interdependence with one another, the planet as a whole and well, actually the entire cosmos.

Socrates said, “Humanity must rise above the earth, to the top of the atmosphere and beyond. For only then will we understand the world in which we live.”

If Socrates got it, and let’s remember, there were no space explorers or cameras back then, we all can get it.

Make an effort in 2012 to become a true steward to this planet you call home. When you do, you’ll find you’ve actually become a most wonderful steward to yourself as well.

This Season

Blindfolded Yoga

Three months ago when I turned on the TV to get a weather update I stumbled upon a news story about people practicing blindfolded yoga at a New York City studio and I was immediately intrigued.

The news reporter was speaking with an instructor who was inspired to offer blindfolded yoga after a blind person attended his yoga class. He realized that this student was able to practice yoga in much the same way as those who had full sight. He also thought perhaps this blind student was enjoying

an even greater experience.

He decided to offer a class in blindfolded yoga and the students absolutely loved it.

After seeing this story I ran to my PC and e-mailed my yoga instructor. I even put a flyer together, extolling all the benefits, so it could be easily marketed. I offered to make blindfolds as I do sew and I have plenty of remnants that I would be more than willing to whip into blindfolds. I really wanted this class to be offered in my area. Driving to NYC for a one-hour class wasn’t exactly feasible, not on a regular basis. I wanted something close and I was willing to do whatever it took to get the class off the ground. Let’s do it! I put in the e-mail to her.

It worked! She said yes!!!!

I was immediately thrilled and went straight to work getting all the blindfolds made that I could. I used every bit of fabric I had and before I knew it, there were 39 blindfolds ironed and draped over a wire hanger just waiting to be tied around someone’s head. I brought them to my next class and happily gave them my instructor. A date had been set. The class was only one week away and I was very excited!!!!

So far, three classes have been offered. Those who attended have found it to be a wonderful experience. So much so, one woman took me aside and said, “Thanks so much for telling me about this, T. It’s the best yoga class I’ve ever taken”.

I was absolutely thrilled and I couldn’t agree more.

I told my instructor. She was thrilled too and now, blindfolded yoga is offered as a regularly scheduled class the second Thursday of every month at 7:15pm. It works out perfectly for everyone.

I love yoga. Being an energy therapist, I find yoga requires me to keep my focus while on the mat and then transfer it to my life allowing me to maintain that focus in my work. What I did not expect was an increase in my ability to focus. I find it is now ultra-sharp and I am in a state of hyper-focus during my work, which is more than amazing.

That focus flows over into every area of my life too, not just my work. My energy level is much higher. Many clients have commented on how different they feel now. “Your energy is different” – “that was an awesome session” – “that was very different” – “more intense” – “better than ever” – and my personal favorite, “What are you doing now, extreme Reiki”?

Why the difference? Well, I believe it’s the keen sense that’s attained in the practice of yoga. I absolutely believe in the many benefits of yoga. As I said, it helps me to concentrate and focus keenly on my clients and that’s what I get from a regular yoga class. Blindfolded yoga increases that significantly.

Think about it for just a moment. When in yoga, your concentration is on your postures, knowing where you are on your mat and how your body feels. You don’t want to go beyond your edge. You want to stay focused. You need to let go of the ego. Your goal is to maintain balance and BE IN THE MOMENT.

In blindfolded yoga you absolutely cannot go off course. There is no talking yourself into staying balanced, or being in the moment. You just are. I find it automatic. It cannot be any other way. The moment the blindfold goes on, it’s a different world. Your other senses are heightened. You must really listen to the instructor and that makes all the difference. To be honest, I’m extremely lucky as my instructor took this idea and ran with it – she nailed it from the get go. “Sense where you are”, “Feel yourself in balance”, “Notice which muscles are engaged as you hold this posture”. Ego is nowhere to be found. It can’t be. Yoga is not a competition, it’s a practice and when you’re wearing a blindfold – it’s all about YOU. I actually feel as though no one else is in the room. It’s very quiet – it has to be so you can hear the instructor and although I know that, it still feels like I’m taking a private class.

Now this is not to say you start out doing this perfectly. Of course not, you may get off balance, but your concentration level is such that you tend not to think “let’s see what I can do” – that’s the ego talking. If you fall out of triangle, so what, who cares? Everyone is wearing a blindfold. The only one who sees you is the instructor and that’s fine. They aren’t wearing a blindfold but even when they first attempt blindfolded yoga, they falter. It’s expected. More importantly, it’s okay.

Blindfolded yoga is a hugely relaxing and heightening of the senses practice.

The goal of yoga is meditation, otherwise known as Svasana.

The goal of blindfolded is the same. The only difference is, for me and others I have spoken with, we experience a much deeper meditation. There is never a moment when I am thinking about the next moment. Actually, that’s true throughout the entire class. It’s all about the NOW. And NOW, is a fabulous place to be. That in itself was a most wonderful discovery.

If you’re frazzled, scattered, feeling too much is going on and you can’t seem to shake the energy that seems to be pummeling you – take a yoga class – then, when you feel ready, go for the blindfolded yoga. You will be so glad you did.

Blindfolded yoga is not for the beginner. I believe you need to have a bit of experience in the practice of yoga before taking blindfolded yoga – if not, you may become confused and frustrated and that is not what yoga is about at all. Yoga is to be experienced – it’s not a workout – it is a practice and once you get that, the benefits of the practice only increase when you put the blindfold over your eyes.

If you’ve been doing yoga for a while and you want to try something different, then please, take my suggestion and get thee to a blindfolded yoga class.

Find a place that offers blindfolded yoga or, do what I did, present it to your own yoga instructor as an additional class that he or she may want to consider adding to their repertoire.

I believe once you try it, you will want to attend a class every week. I know I do. Unfortunately, it’s a once a month offering in my area right now but that’s okay. I look forward to the next class and quite frankly, I close my eyes way more often in my regular yoga classes than I ever did before.

Let me know what you think after you attend a blindfolded yoga class.

Namaste!

Intending a Peaceful Thanksgiving to All

If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is "thank you," that would suffice. Meister Eckhart.

To everyone who has touched my life in any way, shape or form - Thank You!

To anyone whose life I have ever had the opportunity to touch for the better - Thank You!

To anyone whose life I have ever touched, in even the most smallest of ways, that caused heartache, hurt, pain, suffering, anger or fear, please forgive me.

To everyone who has crossed paths with me while on this journey of life - I thank you and I love you.

It is through all of life's encounters that I have grown. It is because of all of you that I am where I am and who I am.

I am truly grateful.

I intend peace to all.

Today is World Kindness Day!

"When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world." – Harold Kushner

Someone, somewhere decided there needs to be a designated day to remind us to be kind to others.

It’s a sad state of affairs when we need to be reminded to practice common courtesies. However, in this world, remind ourselves we must.

In reality, when you spread kindness, you’re really helping yourself immensely. When we give to others, without reservation, ulterior motive or expectation, we are truly giving of ourselves which opens up the floodgates allowing wonderful things to manifest in our own lives.

Yes, it does indeed boomerang right back to us and our individual life. Our spirit soars when we practice random acts of kindness. We are living our authentic lives because we are giving freely from our hearts.

I know I am blessed. I recognize that I am most fortunate as I do acknowledge the many kindnesses I have received in my life, as most people do when they put just a bit of thought into it. I also realize we all have had not so very nice or kind things occur, but let’s not dwell on those. The kindness memories are much more pleasurable.

See if you can do something kind for someone today and you will see you are doing yourself a kindness as well. Practicing random acts of kindness every day affects major changes in your life.

Keep a log if need be. Start with today, think of 10 things you could do over the course of the next week and do only one a day . . . just one. Making a list of 10 gives you choices over the next 7 days. Here’s a list to get you started.

1. Simply saying, “Thank you” and “Have a nice day” to a cashier, receptionist or some stranger, doesn’t cost you a thing. We have no idea what is going on in someone else’s life – these words may be the only kind offering they receive all day. Say it sincerely, with complete intention – you never know how it will change their life.

2. Notice the trash in the road, parking lot or somewhere that allows you to stop and pick it up? No one is telling you to stop in the middle of the highway – pick up the trash you see as you go about your day and recycle it or throw it away. This is an act of kindness that affects each and every one of us on this planet: water ways, plants, animals, people, everything.

3. Is there someone with a carriage trying to put children in the car while getting the groceries loaded? Return the carriage to the carousel for that person – you’ll get a huge smile with a very warm and sincere thank you. Makes your own heart feel so good!

4. If you’re in good health, and are able to walk, park at the far end of the lot rather than taking a space near the door. Leave that space for someone who isn't as able as you.

5. Share your umbrella – it’s thoughtful, it’s kind and hey, you never know, you just may make a new friend. Of course, you do need to carry an umbrella with you so you can share.

6. Let a fellow driver in line ahead of you – watch in your rear view mirror as this dominos. It’s amazing. When others see you let someone in line, they start to do it, before you know it, the traffic is flowing at a nice pace.

7. It doesn’t matter, male or female, hold a door open for someone else. Yes, we’re all in a hurry. When someone does that for me, it makes my heart smile just to know someone actually acknowledged my presence. It allows me to stop, even if just for a nanosecond, take a deep breath and move forward more positively.

8. Surprise someone by putting a quarter in the meter before you pull out of the parking space.

9. Buy flowers at the grocery store and give one away, make someone's day.

10. Not using all the coupons you have? Give them to someone else rather than throwing them away or putting them in the recycle bin. It’s a recycling random act of kindness – a two for one if you will, good deal for everyone!

Now make a list of a few kindnesses you have received in your life, just a few. You can do it – my list includes:

1. A neighbor, before she became a close friend, had just come back from Ecuador and brought me the most gorgeous, long stem red roses I had ever seen. They were so tall. I had only met her a week before at a garden club meeting and yet, she felt to bring me roses, just because. This gesture meant so much to me then. I think about it often still. It wasn’t the first time either.

2. Years ago, walking through the Boston Public Gardens with two friends, a young gentleman came running up to me with a bouquet of red roses, he hurriedly pushed them into my hands saying, “Here, you look like you deserve these” – I will never forget that, I was stunned, as were my friends. It was so out of the blue. I then turned around and shared them with my friends – we each got 4 roses. That man, unknowingly I believe, performed a double random act of kindness. You never know how far a kindness will go.

3. While driving back from a conference in Vermont in 1997 I skidded on the highway, did two 360's and flipped over the guard rail landing my Ford Explorer, drivers side down, on the top of Birch Trees. Birch Trees! Do you know how fragile birch trees are? I managed to crawl through the broken glass, past the crushed roof and out the passenger door window when a hand appeared and pulled me up the side of the mountain. It was a gentleman who attended the conference, saw what happened and stopped to help. The roads were very icy and slick from the snow/sleet mix that was coming down heavily and there were many accidents occurring all over the state. He called the police, since I was not bleeding and not visibly injured, which was amazing, the police were tending to the more severe accidents leaving no one available to come to this scene. This dear man drove me an hour out of the way to the nearest police station to pick up accident reports and then drove me home to Massachusetts – a 5 hour ride. He lived two towns away from me. How lucky was that? Or was it luck at all? No, I know it wasn't luck - it was meant. On the way home, as we talked, we learned we shared the same birthday – different year, same day, and our birthday was only two days away. I remember his act of kindness every year on “our” birthday and I say a little prayer for him. Shout out to Chuck – you were a Godsend, I know that – thank you so much!

There are many other acts of kindness I’ve received in my life, some too personal to mention, they’re for me and my memories only.

Whether big or small, we all have memories of kindnesses we’ve received. For me, those memories make me want to share kindness with others.

I intend you many kindnesses not just on this day, but each and every day, and continue to both receive and give kindness whenever and wherever you are able.

11/11/11

We’ve heard it everywhere: TV, radio, print - this date won’t come around again for another one hundred years.

Okay, I get that.

Of course, 1/1/01, 2/02/02, 3/03/03, 4/04/04, 5/05/05, 6/06/06, 7/07/07, 8/08/08, 09/09/09, 10/10/10 and next years’ 12/12/12 won’t be seen for another one hundred years either.

Is it really a big deal?

Isn’t it more important to realize we will never see ANY day again, EVER?

It’s not about the sequence of the days’ numbers, it’s about the time we’re given.

Just as each of us is unique, each day is unique. Each one of us is a gift and each day we get to participate in is a gift as well.

Few of us who are here now will make it to 11/11/11 of the 22nd century and those who do will hardly remember much about 11/11/11 of this 21st century.

Go forth and enjoy 11/11/11 in whatever way works for you. I’m a firm believer in celebrating everything – and I do mean EVERYTHING – every LITTLE thing too.

Just remember to make the most of all your days – celebrate all your days because you will never see any  of those days again either.

As the saying goes: Each day is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present!

The Sound of Silence

I LOVE snow. I LOVE snowshoeing. I LOVE the sound of the silence I hear as it falls. It's a silence like no other. For me it is a whisper from God, 'All is well. All is right with the world'. No matter what is happening in my life, no matter where I am, when the snow falls, even on the busy streets of New York City, I hear the thunderous silence. It's different. It's beautiful. It's mesmerizing.It's meditative.If you just listen, you too, will hear the silence.

This year, the snow arrived very early. I thought it too early, afterall Halloween is still two days away. I spent the day going outside every few hours to sweep the trees of snow so the limbs would not break. Pushing the broom against the heavy branches, I shook each limb and received my own personal snowfall. Heavy and wet. I Loved it. I smiled at how this snow makes me feel: childlike, renewed, refreshed, grounded and at peace. There's a real sense of serenity in being out in the snow.
Snow changes the entire landscape. It cleanses the very air we breathe and shifts the forces of energy that surround us. My inner landscape changes too. It allows me to see who walks on the land I so selfishly refer to as mine. The tracks left by all the creatures who walk across this land: rabbit, deer, chipmunk, squirrel, fox and bear remind me that this is most certainly not MY land at all. They were here first and graciously allow me to share their space. The snow reminds me of that. I see all the tracks, I know who they are, where they live and I bring them food so they won't go hungry - they, too, did not expect this early snowfall. No, none of us were prepared for this unusually early snow event.

There is a stepping stone in my garden engraved with the word: LISTEN. Though it is covered by snow now, I see it in my minds eye - and I do, I listen., closely, but there is no effort in this listening. It is quite simply there for anyone to hear.
Just listen. Allow yourself those moments, they are all too few and far between. They are spectacular and ought not to be missed. Listen. Don't miss the opportunity to hear the beauty of the snow fall, the whisper of a greater power, the perfection of the sound of silence.