stuck in my head

While taking a break from studying for my last mid-term for the week, I found these lovely images.

this scene

this cold treat

this quote

this yoga pose

these nails

this tattoo

this fun

this photo

they all come from www.pininterest.com

my new favorite site.

home-births and parenting

Is it weird that I read blogs on homebirths and parenting styles and not only am I not a parent; I’m not anywhere close to being one.

I LOVE reading about baby wearing, cloth diapers, doulas, parenting types, techniques, education styles,the psychological make up of a healthy child and parent…you name it.

Whew.

It felt good to get that off my chest.

The problem is…

I'm not a big dater.

And yet, I know one day I want children. And although I’m most impressed by single parents; I don’t really want to be one if I can help it. I believe strongly in the family unit.

Everything about parenting fascinates me. Children are the best version of ourselves I think. And they shape our future. I want to help shape our future, damn-it!

I guess maybe I should start with the personal ads and “how not to be single” blogs.

But I’m not interested.

I’m only interested in reading about parenting and children.

Is that weird?

(okay, I know the answer is yes..but I still just had to ask;)

Of course, a child may not know what he may need to know in ten years (who does?), but he knows, and much better than anyone else, what he wants and needs to know right now, what his mind is ready and hungry for. If we help him, or just allow him, to learn that, he will remember it, use it, build on it. If we try to make him learn something else, that we think is more important, the chances are that he won't learn it, or will learn very little of it, that he will soon forget most of what he learned, and what is worst of all, will before long lose most of his appetite for learning anything."

-John Holt, Teach Your Own

'round here

Happy first official weekend of Summer!

It’s hard to believe it’s only been summer here for 5 days. Some of you might be asking what the heck the last 2 months were?? Oh yeah..just Mississippi hotness. Doesn’t matter what season we’re in, it’s always more hot here than cold. But that’s okay by me. I like summer. I’d really like it if I could lay by the pool like last year. Oh well, maybe in 2014;)

Mid-terms are next week for me. I have a test every day. The funny thing is, I haven’t been nervous or anxious about any tests taken so far. I think the pressure and weight are off. I don’t have to make A’s. but I also don’t have to make C’s. I think I’ll be a B (for Best) girl this go round. And it’s a-ok by me!

I’m still enjoying yoga several times a week. I find it crucial to my over-all well being and mental state. Full time students, if you are reading this, GET UP AND STRETCH! It gets so easy to just move from seat to seat (classroom to study room) that we forget to move! Our bodies would be so thankful if we just did some simple stretches daily. My neck and right side of my back are already hurting. And I have 3 more years of this! So, I’ve made yoga a number one top priority while in grad school--more important than running even. Although I’m still running a good bit too.

Here are some blogs from last week that are MUST READS! I’m serious. Just too good not to take the 3-6 minutes to read.

 our messy messy life: you know you're a birth junkie if you.....

Little Sparrow: the road in between

Marvelous Kiddo: Happy Father’s Day!

Bernie Birney: Ishvara Pranidhana

I’ll leave you with some of my favorite summer photos for this week: Happy Summer, folks!

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.”

~ Ada Louise Huxtable

Vairagya

Last week a theme in one of my yoga classes was non-attachment, or in Sanskrit, Vairagya.

I started thinking during and after class how extremely important this principle is and how little I think about it anymore.

Non-attachment is pretty much the core of Buddhist philosophy and the purpose of life.

Non-attachment is easier to understand than it is to practice.

The simplest way of describing non-attachment is as the process of letting go. We gradually learn to let go of our attachments and aversions, systematically moving subtler and subtler through the layers of attachments in the mind. However, non-attachment goes beyond this; it is not just a practice of letting go, but is a practice of not taking on in the first place. 1

While the principle applies to all the gross and subtle levels, a gross level example will help. Think of two people who stopped smoking many years ago. One is still attached to cigarettes, and when he sees a cigarette, the craving begins. When he resists acting on that desire, and then let's go of the desire, this is the meaning of detachment. The other person also used to smoke, but when he sees a cigarette there is literally no reaction; the desire has completely disappeared at all levels of his conscious and unconscious mind. This is the meaning of non-attachment. The attachment is not released, but is simply not there any more; it is non or the absence of attachment. 2

The more I thought about it the more I realized that the past 2 years I’ve been practicing more non-attachment than I realized. I’ve detached myself from a lot of unhealthy behaviors, unhealthy habits, unhealthy people, unhealthy ideas and concepts.

However,

There are still many areas in my life that need to be detached.

To me, non-attachment and acceptance go hand in hand.

If I don’t practice acceptance on a daily basis—and surrender to the here and now, I become more and more attached to things that don’t serve me. I become mentally and physically attached and it is extremely difficult (once attached) to let go.

Basically, the more I cling to people, things, places, ideas, concepts, etc….the more un-evolved I become; the more irritable, restless, and discontent I become. And it’s harder to let go. I don’t believe that a person can be stagnant. To me, either we’re moving forwards or we’re moving backwards. If I’m not practicing acceptance and non-attachment on a daily basis, then I’m moving backwards. I’m regressing.

The art of non-attachment (or Letting Go) still seems a bit distant and vague to me.

But at least I think I’m headed in the right direction.

And of course the question beckons…

What are you attached to?

Can you let go?

It’s harder than it sounds. 

my dad

This Father’s Day was extra special.

All 4 of us (children) were home.

and one precious grand-baby.

We enjoyed church together even though we were 10 minutes late and made quite a fashionable entrance into our very full church;)

We enjoyed lunch together.

But most of all, we enjoyed….

Riding the Tandem Bicycle together!!!

My mom got my Dad this great tandem bike from Hudson’s and we all had so much fun with it.

I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. My stomach still hurts.

As most of you know, my Father is my hero. He is the reason that I am alive and he is the reason that I have purpose and direction in my life today.

My Dad has always demonstrated what it means to truly have unconditional Love.

No matter how much I messed up, how disappointing my behavior was, how many ridiculously stupid stunts I pulled, my dad was ALWAYS there with open arms, encouraging words, and a hand to pull me back up.

I was not an easy child. I was headstrong, strong-willed, hyper-curious, convinced I knew more than he did—convinced I was in charge of my life.

The funny thing is…my dad never told me I was wrong. He never once belittled my dreams or put me in my place. He patiently smiled and listened to my ridiculous notions and lofty ideas.

I’ve only ever heard my dad raise his voice twice in my life that I can remember.

My dad is a family physician (for those of you that might be reading who don’t know my folks).  He’s been Meridian’s number 1 primary care Doctor for multiple years now.

My dad is a TRUE example of humility and wisdom.

My dad drives a 1989 Toyota Previa. It has no air. and hasn’t for years. I believe the radio went out about 8 years ago.

I’ve never heard him complain once about it.

Infact, all he’s done is make sure all 4 of us children have working vehicles that are MUCH nicer than his.

My dad doesn’t buy himself new clothes or shoes or gadgets. He doesn’t have any expensive vices. He runs long distances and reads history novels for fun.

I’ve never heard my dad mention anything he really wants (material wise) or been upset when something breaks or falls apart.

My dad is never in a bad mood. I don’t ever remember him being cranky, pessimistic, or angry.

I think one of the main reasons my dad is such an amazing person is because of his strong faith.

My dad is a born-again believer.

He spends quiet time in the morning reading the Bible and praying. He’s done this ever since I can remember.

He’s taught me a LOT of things…but the 2 things I remember most are this:

1)Trust in the Lord
2) ALWAYS tell the truth

I’ve always said (since I was a little girl) that I will never change my last name when I get married. and that’s because I honestly don’t believe that any guy will ever hold a candle to my Father. This could also be the reason I’m still single;)

He’s the most generous, compassionate, and humble person I know.

I thank God everyday (literally—EVERY day) for my dad. I don’t know how I got so blessed. I really don’t. but I know for sure that God knew exactly what He was doing when He put the two of us together.

Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that I am where I am, and who I am because of my Dad.

 below are random pics from the weekend

Getting ready for church in mom’s bathroom.

 

Tullah and Irwin

This photo sums up the 2 youngest perfectlyJ

Dad opening his gifts. 

My mom LOVES to hula-hoop! Thanks, Tara for the hoop! 

heaven

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers ~~Malachi 4:6

hot town, summer in the city

I’ve lived in the dirty south my entire life. And yet every year I seem to forget just how hot it gets.

It seems like it gets worse every year.

But it probably doesn’t.

It might not be the heat as much as the combo of heat + massive humidity.

The past few days I’ve been super lethargic; apathetic; restless.

I crave cold things all the time.

mainly this

and this

I have continuing reoccurring dreams of this….

And yet despite my whining and complaining I’m reminded of a quote by Henry James..

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”