August 30, 2013

Switching to Love

Being in the middle of launching a food product is at times a consuming endeavor. Logistically, and emotionally. Sometimes I feel like a little cricket with either excitement or anxiety, depending on the day (or hour). It has really been a practice of being in the moment, and not worrying about all the what-ifs. Of just taking it one day at a time. Of putting one foot in front of the other, and living in a place of not knowing. Trusting the mystery. The process of it, of whatever it might be.

Of knowing that in any situation I will hopefully choose the best route or at least learn from my mistakes.

We can apply this to so many situations in life.

On another front, you know that feeling in your body when you are experiencing lack of ease? When you are worried or are being judgmental of those around you? Like when you just want to split and go read a book? I had this experience again recently of being in an uncomfortable situation. I decided in my head to just throw the love in my heart at it, without even saying anything-  instead of paying attention to all the mish-mash that was going on in my head and making me tense.

My dad use to say "just love people."

Dropping the ball worked like a dream. It was like I put down my emotional dukes and dropped the bone. Changed the channel- from one of judgment- to that of love.

It kind of felt like I had popped a pill. What were the pills stressed-out housewives use to take in the 50s? Just had to google it....oh yes: valium.

Switch to love.

It's kind of like taking a valium :-)

xo

August 20, 2013

On My Stairs


I am heading off on a road trip with my eldest daughter to take our youngest to her first year of college in Pennsylvania.

A 10 hour drive each way.

Goodness. ( but I say this in more than one way, I hope).

Happy that Jet Blue flies to Boston inexpensively the next four years,

to bring her home to me.


I miss her warmth already.


It was just yesterday that she was a content little baby sitting in her baby chair,

happily listening to classical music.

Parenthood really is an exercise in letting go. Over and over again.


Anyway,  I thought this is an appropriate time to post the message that has been living above our stairway the last few months.

A daughter fairy put it there.

Keeping the peace.


Peace be with you too.

August 17, 2013

12 + 8 = Heaven


A few weeks ago I set a bedtime for myself for first time ever. I read recently, once again, how important it is for our bodies, minds, and spirits to get a good night's sleep. Being the perennial night owl that I am however, this has always been a challenge for me. I love the quiet of the night. It feels so blissful.

So lately I've been getting into bed at 11:00'ish and giving myself an hour to read or whatever. Lights out at midnight. Eight hours of sleep. Heaven.

The old me might have been in bed by midnight but frequently it was 1AM or even later until I hit the hay.

It's strange, but I can't tell you what a relief it is to have a bedtime. Being better rested I feel better in numerous ways. I am sure the cool, dry nighttime air this past month has helped too.

For as long as I can remember my mom has taken a 20 minute nap in the middle of the day. She sets the timer on the stove for 20 minutes and stretches out on a couch. She has said it's the perfect amount of time to rejuvenate herself. I have always found it remarkable that she does this. To do it within the chaos of the day.

Also this week I wanted to share the id/ego chart that my friend Cindy sent me. I love this chart as it's such a great reminder what to focus on, and not focus on, for optimal happiness.

As I've said before, we are what we think about.

What we think about, we become.

Hope you're all enjoying the last weeks of summer. xoxo, Louise.




August 09, 2013

One Taste

"One taste" is a Buddhist expression. Just as the ocean has one taste, the taste of salt, so does the taste of liberation. The taste of truth.

Early in June I posted about the Tantra workshop that Tom and I did for our 25th anniversary. My 91-year-old mom was recently reading Lines of Beauty and mentioned that she had read the post. She was curious if anyone had contacted me about it. I said that they had not. I said that I knew that I was sticking my neck out a little on the post, and perhaps I lost a few readers with my honesty. I also assured her that Tantra is an age old practice that originated in medieval India and reassured her that Tom and I have a committed relationship with each other.

I also explained that the topic of sex is no longer a taboo one. In fact it has sadly gone to another extreme I feel with the younger generation.

But at the heart of this subject is a very natural, healthy, wonderful thing, and as Nicole Daedone, founder of One Taste, says in the TEDx video below, many women are hungry for something they can't quite reach. They work too hard, eat too much, diet too much, drink too much, shop too much, and give too much. The western women's mantra she calls it.

A sense of hunger that can't seem to be touched.

Without explaining any more, have a listen to this when you are folding laundry, or driving in the car.

I doubt you will be bored or wish that you hadn't.

xo,
Louise