The Solar Plexus...you know (or maybe you don't!), that place where your stomach lies, that nook that is right at base and center of your rib cage, your "gut." It's that place that gets all a flutter when we are nervous or anxious. It's the place that feels like a wadded up ball when we are angry, scared, jealous. It's the place that at times makes us feel like we can't take in enough air, and at other times it wonderfully expands with our deep breaths; breaths of relief, breaths of love, breaths of letting go, breaths of faith.
Scientifically speaking, this is a bundle of nerves near our stomach. Spiritually speaking, this is the center where our emotions lie and tell us what's up, even if our brain is in utter confusion mode. It's also where our higher consciousness speaks to us. If we are doing something that is not right for us, we feel it here. This is where we feel guilt, fear, anxiety, but also where we feel relief, higher knowing and intuition.
This Solar Plexus lingo is such a blessing, but it can get murky. See, intuition and fear can feel similar and we feel it in the same place. I can easily get confused what my Solar Plexus is communicating to me. Am I intuiting that I should not send my child on this play date or is anxiety getting the best of me? Am I meant to walk this path or am I letting my ideals carry me away? Sometimes we act on it, and it's right on. Sometimes we act on it, and it isn't, then we choose again. Choose again. What a gift we are given with each opportunity to choose again. Usually a wrong decision is not the end of the world, thankfully.
In my English class this last semester (yes, I'm the 30 y/o mom going back, surrounded by 18 year olds), we did a lot of comparison between classical and romantic type thinking. Classical, being that of reason, and Romantic being that of spirit. Whether you are inclined toward reason, or spirit (I prefer both) there is a higher way of thinking, of being. Whether or not one is a spiritual person does not change the fact that a higher consciousness speaks to us, through our Solar Plexus.
We are all the same. We are not, but we are. No matter who we are, what we believe, where we live, what we eat, how we make or spend our money, we all feel insecure at times. We all get cold. We all have epiphanies. We all get proud, arrogant, jealous, angry, confused, elated, enlightened. We are human and we are equipped with the same set of emotions. We have free will and we choose different paths, we are blessed with different talents, but we all have that voice within us that wants us so desperately to be good people. Some of us may be so damaged, that we are deaf to it. It does not mean it isn't there. Imagine a world where we could feel compassion and love for those who are so hurt that they bury this voice of goodness, because to get to that place in their life may mean facing painful truths that we may not even begin to understand.
We all carry God in this place, this place so near to our heart. This is where God speaks. No matter what you call it, be it God, Goddess, Universe, Jesus, Higher Self, Allah, Yaweh, Jah, Jehova, Consciousness, Great Spirit, it's there, within every.single.person. Whether we believe it, listen to it, or bury it under unhealthy habits, it's there. It is so quiet, so easy to drown it out, but it is never silent. We hear it best in our silence, which is oh so rare in this mommy life. I am guilty of not making the time to sit in silence and just listen to this voice, even though I know how essential it really is to a fulfilled life.
I've heard that God's language is silence. Those who have attained spiritual enlightenment have spent a great deal of time in solitary silence. Our lifestyles are not conducive to silence. We parent, we work, we clean, cook, drive, bathe, feed, and socialize. We can do these things with mindfulness and love and God is just as present there, but when we stop and breathe, shutting off our energizer bunny minds, we allow room for recharging, we allow room to listen, just listen. This takes practice and I am not there, but I am inspired to start.
Do you have a practice? If so, please share.....I always crack myself up when I ask questions on my blog because I have no idea who even reads this thing, but I'll ask anyway.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Zen of Housekeeping
As a mother; the woman of the household, the all around domestic Goddess, the state of the house is often left up to me. I'm the mama, I keep things moving smoothly, or at least I try. This can be overwhelming. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out because of the laundry that never ends, or the mud that gets tracked in 5 minutes after I mopped the floor. Little boys leave something to be desired in the cleanliness of the bathrooms, and the trash fills up way to fast. I get frustrated that "a woman's work is never done," however I do function better when I am in a clear and tidy space.
I used to get so stressed out when the house was a mess and I would clean it in a tizzy. I was uptight and would worry more about cleaning my kitchen than sitting down with my family or friends and enjoying the moment, cup of tea in hand. I had to consciously retrain the way I thought and felt about cleaning, and I still often have to remind myself. There is a medium between stressing out and cleaning and just leaving a mess. I can consciously clean with intention, filling the tasks I do with love. It can actually be a meditation. We are all human and of course I still get completely stressed when I am overwhelmed with the demands of life, but I know I have the ability to change the way I look at these tasks and responsibilities.
I came across a piece of literature today that talked about cleaning and caring and what a difference caring for what you are doing makes.There is a story of a monk who lived in a monastery. He was "quite simple" and therefore was given the most menial tasks, such as washing the dishes and sweeping the crumbs off the floors. He did not mind. He did all the chores lovingly, all the while pronouncing little prayers: "Dear God, as I wash this dish, please send your angels to wash my heart and make it pure," or "Dear God, as I clean this floor, please help me, that every person who walks on this floor may be touched by you." For every chore he had a prayer and continued to work this way for many years. The legend says that one morning as he woke up, he was enlightened, and people came from very far to listen to his wisdom.
We have the ability to love what we are doing, even when it's the hundredth load of laundry we've done this week. What a blessing to have running water, appliances, clean clothes, and a clear space. When things go in their place, we feel clearer and calmer, but we can remain clear and calm during the process of getting things in order as well. We are caring for our environment and nourishing ourselves in the process. I often want to sing or listen to music when I clean.
Cleaning can be such satisfying and enlightening work if we can only change our attitudes about it.
I used to get so stressed out when the house was a mess and I would clean it in a tizzy. I was uptight and would worry more about cleaning my kitchen than sitting down with my family or friends and enjoying the moment, cup of tea in hand. I had to consciously retrain the way I thought and felt about cleaning, and I still often have to remind myself. There is a medium between stressing out and cleaning and just leaving a mess. I can consciously clean with intention, filling the tasks I do with love. It can actually be a meditation. We are all human and of course I still get completely stressed when I am overwhelmed with the demands of life, but I know I have the ability to change the way I look at these tasks and responsibilities.
I came across a piece of literature today that talked about cleaning and caring and what a difference caring for what you are doing makes.There is a story of a monk who lived in a monastery. He was "quite simple" and therefore was given the most menial tasks, such as washing the dishes and sweeping the crumbs off the floors. He did not mind. He did all the chores lovingly, all the while pronouncing little prayers: "Dear God, as I wash this dish, please send your angels to wash my heart and make it pure," or "Dear God, as I clean this floor, please help me, that every person who walks on this floor may be touched by you." For every chore he had a prayer and continued to work this way for many years. The legend says that one morning as he woke up, he was enlightened, and people came from very far to listen to his wisdom.
We have the ability to love what we are doing, even when it's the hundredth load of laundry we've done this week. What a blessing to have running water, appliances, clean clothes, and a clear space. When things go in their place, we feel clearer and calmer, but we can remain clear and calm during the process of getting things in order as well. We are caring for our environment and nourishing ourselves in the process. I often want to sing or listen to music when I clean.
Cleaning can be such satisfying and enlightening work if we can only change our attitudes about it.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day
Whether you are a environment loving democrat or a global warming disbelieving republican, a Pagan or a Christian, and environmentalist or capitalist, you love the earth. We all bask in the glories of spring, the taste of a tomato picked fresh from the garden, the smell of lilacs and apple blossoms. The earth is a wondrous, magical place, no getting around that one.
No matter if you believe the earth is just doing what it does and is shifting, or if you are die hard believer in global warming and its affects, there is not doubt that we humans are hard on our planet. We use her resources like there is no tomorrow and we all have room to simplify our lives. We have so much in our world, in our country especially, that is unnecessary. We eat food that is laden with stuff that isn't even meant to be ingested, such as artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.These are chemicals that we put into our body for no reason. Real strawberries blow strawberry flavor and red #40 out of the water! We walk the aisles of the grocery store and buy what is brightly colored and appealing to the eye, because we were brought up in a society that looks for instant gratification. We want to gratify our kids, so we by them the fruit snacks loaded with junk in individual packages with their favorite characters on them. We lead busy lives and we pay for convenience.....we pay for it up front, and then we pay for it later in ways that many of us don't even link back to ourselves.
Whatever the reason; for the earth, for our health, for simplicity, or to save money, we need to step back and separate what is essential to our well being and what we could definitely do without!
No matter if you believe the earth is just doing what it does and is shifting, or if you are die hard believer in global warming and its affects, there is not doubt that we humans are hard on our planet. We use her resources like there is no tomorrow and we all have room to simplify our lives. We have so much in our world, in our country especially, that is unnecessary. We eat food that is laden with stuff that isn't even meant to be ingested, such as artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.These are chemicals that we put into our body for no reason. Real strawberries blow strawberry flavor and red #40 out of the water! We walk the aisles of the grocery store and buy what is brightly colored and appealing to the eye, because we were brought up in a society that looks for instant gratification. We want to gratify our kids, so we by them the fruit snacks loaded with junk in individual packages with their favorite characters on them. We lead busy lives and we pay for convenience.....we pay for it up front, and then we pay for it later in ways that many of us don't even link back to ourselves.
Whatever the reason; for the earth, for our health, for simplicity, or to save money, we need to step back and separate what is essential to our well being and what we could definitely do without!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Is it just mine......
............or does every little boy morph into a super hero when ever he gets into his underwear?
I get to see his superpower kung fu moves each time he gets dressed or undressed.
I get to see his superpower kung fu moves each time he gets dressed or undressed.
brotherly love
There's the kind of brotherly love that exists between buddies who have known each other since birth.
And there is the kind that makes a mothers heart melt. Here are my own sweet boys, who as much as they whine, tattle, fight (both physically and argumentatively), and annoy each other, there is a deep love and bond that nobody else will ever be able to replicate.
And there is the kind that makes a mothers heart melt. Here are my own sweet boys, who as much as they whine, tattle, fight (both physically and argumentatively), and annoy each other, there is a deep love and bond that nobody else will ever be able to replicate.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Mamavism bookclub
So, I totally stole the word "mamavism" (meaning mama activism) from Jen over at The Evolving Homemaker. I saw the word over on her blog (which is totally inspiring and up my alley) and it just stuck with me.
I am starting a mamavist book club. I think it will be a great way to 1. get mamas together to discuss something other than laundry and preschool options, 2. Inform and inspire us to create change, and 3. give us some structure and support as we broaden our mommy role from just our own babes, to children and mothers world wide.
Our first book is going to be A Thousand Sisters by Lisa Shannon, founder of Run for Congo Women. My last post is about that organization.
The Congo is referred to as the worst place on earth to be a woman, with rape being released on every girl from babies to grandmothers. Head over to the Run for Congo Women site to get all the info. or better yet read A Thousand Sisters, Lisa Shannon's stories from the women of the Congo, maybe even start a mamavist book club of your own in your town!
If you live in my community and are interested in this book club (hopefully starting the last week in April or first week in May), please let me know!
In Spirited Partnership, let's change the world!
I am starting a mamavist book club. I think it will be a great way to 1. get mamas together to discuss something other than laundry and preschool options, 2. Inform and inspire us to create change, and 3. give us some structure and support as we broaden our mommy role from just our own babes, to children and mothers world wide.
Our first book is going to be A Thousand Sisters by Lisa Shannon, founder of Run for Congo Women. My last post is about that organization.
The Congo is referred to as the worst place on earth to be a woman, with rape being released on every girl from babies to grandmothers. Head over to the Run for Congo Women site to get all the info. or better yet read A Thousand Sisters, Lisa Shannon's stories from the women of the Congo, maybe even start a mamavist book club of your own in your town!
If you live in my community and are interested in this book club (hopefully starting the last week in April or first week in May), please let me know!
In Spirited Partnership, let's change the world!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Run for Congo Women
I have come to love this organization.
I am actually inspired to start running....and I HATE running. Please note: I don't use the word "hate" lightly.
If these women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can live with such fear and devastation, I can surely last through a sweaty unpleasant hour a day of running....especially if my comparative suffering can alleviate some of their real suffering.
Check out the site, and the runs near you. You can also walk or bike.
Definitely be sure to check out this awesome blog post from my favorite newfound blog, The Evolving Homemaker.
Over at the Evolving Homemaker, every Monday is Mamavism Monday. Be sure to head over there on Mondays to check out some ways to take action and make the world a better place for all of us.
I am actually inspired to start running....and I HATE running. Please note: I don't use the word "hate" lightly.
If these women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can live with such fear and devastation, I can surely last through a sweaty unpleasant hour a day of running....especially if my comparative suffering can alleviate some of their real suffering.
Check out the site, and the runs near you. You can also walk or bike.
Definitely be sure to check out this awesome blog post from my favorite newfound blog, The Evolving Homemaker.
Over at the Evolving Homemaker, every Monday is Mamavism Monday. Be sure to head over there on Mondays to check out some ways to take action and make the world a better place for all of us.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
This Moment
As I sit in the midmorning sunshine, typing some deep thoughts on my laptop, I'm feeling utterly amazed at how many things are happening in this moment. My melancholic and compassionate side immediately go to all the suffering in the world, but I also realize all the amazing, miraculous things that happen simultaneously with the suffering. It's all happening. Right now.
Right now
Someone is entering the world
Her mother rejoices as she emerges healthy and safe.
Another is entering the world
Unwanted by his parents.
He is bound for foster homes.
Someone is leaving the world
Having lived an amazing and full life.
His loved ones give thanks for all he gave and received.
Someone is dying, alone
At the hands of oppression.
His family may never even know if he is dead or alive.
Some young teen-aged girl is being sold or kidnapped or led astray.
She will become part of the devastating sex trafficking trade.
Some where else, maybe not so far away
A young teen-aged girl is painting her nails
And gossipping with her friends about boys.
Perhaps she is dreaming of how she can help her fellow sisters
Who live in oppression.
Right now, my own two sons sit playing sweetly in our great room.
Right now, boys my sons ages are fighting in a war,
Living in an orphanage,
Working in the fields or in a factory.
Starving.
Environmental devastation is occurring
While the trees are budding.
And the birds are singing
And the tulips and daffodils show their beautiful colors.
I am cozy and warm and safe.
My worries for today are getting my house clean
And planting some potatoes.
In the Congo, a woman is collecting firewood in the bush
Afraid for her life.
Afraid for her children.
The sun shines on me as I dream of adopting siblings from Africa.
The sun shines on the many parentless children in the world who still feel joy and love.
Right now
Someone is praising God in a mosque.
Someone is praising God in a church.
Someone is praising God in a temple.
Some of us live and let live.
Some of us insist our way is right.
Some of us even turn to violence in the name of God.
We judge.
We blame.
We compare.
We make ourselves superior.
But also
We grow.
We open.
We soften.
We act.
We see.
We love.
We carry the seeds of violence and peace within us.
We choose which ones we will water.
Right now
Someone is entering the world
Her mother rejoices as she emerges healthy and safe.
Another is entering the world
Unwanted by his parents.
He is bound for foster homes.
Someone is leaving the world
Having lived an amazing and full life.
His loved ones give thanks for all he gave and received.
Someone is dying, alone
At the hands of oppression.
His family may never even know if he is dead or alive.
Some young teen-aged girl is being sold or kidnapped or led astray.
She will become part of the devastating sex trafficking trade.
Some where else, maybe not so far away
A young teen-aged girl is painting her nails
And gossipping with her friends about boys.
Perhaps she is dreaming of how she can help her fellow sisters
Who live in oppression.
Right now, my own two sons sit playing sweetly in our great room.
Right now, boys my sons ages are fighting in a war,
Living in an orphanage,
Working in the fields or in a factory.
Starving.
Environmental devastation is occurring
While the trees are budding.
And the birds are singing
And the tulips and daffodils show their beautiful colors.
I am cozy and warm and safe.
My worries for today are getting my house clean
And planting some potatoes.
In the Congo, a woman is collecting firewood in the bush
Afraid for her life.
Afraid for her children.
The sun shines on me as I dream of adopting siblings from Africa.
The sun shines on the many parentless children in the world who still feel joy and love.
Right now
Someone is praising God in a mosque.
Someone is praising God in a church.
Someone is praising God in a temple.
Some of us live and let live.
Some of us insist our way is right.
Some of us even turn to violence in the name of God.
We judge.
We blame.
We compare.
We make ourselves superior.
But also
We grow.
We open.
We soften.
We act.
We see.
We love.
We carry the seeds of violence and peace within us.
We choose which ones we will water.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
hometown tourists
Wow. It's April 8th (happy birthday nephew Jack...9!) and this is my first post of the month. I don't know who's expectations I'm trying to keep up with in this blogging world, but I often feel like I should blog more. Anywho....last week before I left for NY, the boys and I pretended to be tourists of our own valley for a day.
We took the bus to the bigger city from our small city. My car is currently broken, and until we have time and money to fix it, we'll be walking/biking/bussing. It's all good, most of what we do, we walk and bike to anyway, we live in a small city and everything is pretty close. I only miss my car if I want to go the really big city (Denver) or for my occasional trips up and down the valley for special events. We have a great bus system, we just have to allow for some extra time. The boys were so excited to bus it 12 miles.
We looked out the window at the stellar landscape. We live in a beautiful place.
J showed us his long neck.
The boys got some gummy worms from the health food store and snacked them on our walk from the bus stop.
We walked over the pedestrian bridge, over the river and over the hot springs pool.
And we went to our favorite recreational spot, the pool! My boys love to swim and I always feel so refreshed when we leave there.
I had a total blast in the big city, but truly appreciate and love where I live. We are blessed.
We took the bus to the bigger city from our small city. My car is currently broken, and until we have time and money to fix it, we'll be walking/biking/bussing. It's all good, most of what we do, we walk and bike to anyway, we live in a small city and everything is pretty close. I only miss my car if I want to go the really big city (Denver) or for my occasional trips up and down the valley for special events. We have a great bus system, we just have to allow for some extra time. The boys were so excited to bus it 12 miles.
We looked out the window at the stellar landscape. We live in a beautiful place.
J showed us his long neck.
The boys got some gummy worms from the health food store and snacked them on our walk from the bus stop.
We walked over the pedestrian bridge, over the river and over the hot springs pool.
And we went to our favorite recreational spot, the pool! My boys love to swim and I always feel so refreshed when we leave there.
I had a total blast in the big city, but truly appreciate and love where I live. We are blessed.
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