Sick.

Ugh. Right now I am feeling very much under the weather. And being a person who's a little opposed to cough medicine and syrups and such (partly because they make me GAG), I've been trying to find nice ways to combat this little hiccup. So I've upped my water intake to flush it out, started eating more vegetables and fruits to get my vitamins (which is in conjunction with my new found thoughtful eating exercise) and I am starting to incorporate a little aromatherapy into the mix. I've always been drawn to it, and find that even on a basic level, it at least relaxes and allows for pause.

One particular scent I am drawn to right now is Lemon. Or anything Citrusy. Thinking back on paying attention to the body, I wonder what is it inquiring/requesting. Citrus is commonly associated with healing colds and sore throats. Many over the counter drugs for coughs are either cherry flavoured or some form of lemon/citrus flavour. I am supposing that the astringent properties of citrus fruits 'dry up' the body and rid it of the flu, unlike salt which may dry up the body but it also dehydrates which can be damaging to tissue. But that is a guess. I should look into that.

I've also started taking acidopholus and Salmon oil to help out my IBS. I should have been doing this way longer. I can hear my Grandmas voice in my head now when I was 12: Take your Acidopholus, it's good for you! Take this Cod Liver Oil! Good For YOU! Drink this Apple Cider Vinegar. GOOD.FOR.YOU! Who knew that over 15 years later it is highly recommended and almost mainstream for a person to take such supplements. I guess she was really on to something. But we will see, and I'll keep you posted. Maybe I will discover a great home remedy for this sore throat, and I'll share.

Whoa.

Hmm, third post today. What does that say about my 'Free Time' at work? Actually, I was compelled to post for a few reasons. I am trying to find a good Yoga school to take my teacher training at in the next 6 or so months. But I can't believe how much it costs!

Actually, yes. Yes I can. I certainly understand that there is a need for money as this is most likely a means for the teachers to maintain their facility, pay the bills, pay the employees, etc etc. But it is so much! And I don't know, the places look opulent, some of them. Almost a little too posh? And also, don't forget the amount charged per drop in, or class. Doesn't that count towards the basic maintenance? I guess that's what you call good business.

Believe me, making a living and being comfortable and all that is not lost on me, and besides. The Idealist in me believes that the people who run these places have good hearts and donate money to various places or what have you, or contribute... I suppose teaching is the way they contribute? I am also sure that there is the one place out there that thinks the same way about how much it costs to do yoga these days, let alone learn it to become a teacher. And it is certainly not lost on me that yes, one day I will teach and I will see exactly why it is this way in the first place. But I am still horrified at how much it costs.

Some of these posh schools do offer student loans and such, and I suppose that is reassuring, except of course if you decide to maintain your life up until you go to school, you know, work and continue to pay those bills you have etc, you wouldn't qualify for the loan, because you made too much money. It's uncanny and a little disheartening. I guess its a good thing then that I am giving myself about 6 or so months (probably longer now) in order for me to even begin to consider doing my training.

This isn't very Zen of me is it.

Food for Thought

I have recently discovered that my body is having adverse reactions to some of the things I normally would consume on a regular basis. Now of course these things aren't healthy things anyway, so it is an incredibly good thing.

But it is amazing how the body, if you are in tune with it and listen carefully to it, will tell you when enough is enough. The trouble is we are so disassociated with our bodies, so disconnected that we don't see these warnings until it is far too late.

So, in honour of my body, and in light of an article that I read last night with regards to eating mindfully - that is to be mindful of what you eat, not in just in the sense of being aware of what you are eating like 'Oh there are tomatoes in this salad!?', but being aware of what you are eating and how your body responds to it - I am taking a moment to pause on what food I am about to ingest, and how it feels as I ingest it, AND how it feels afterwards. It'll take some time getting used to I imagine, mostly because who has the time these days to be focused on the tomato in their salad, but I am going to try it.

Who knows, maybe I will discover something amazing. Maybe the tomato will have some wisdom. Tomatoes are pretty wise I hear.

New Beginnings.

I completed my Level 2 Reiki on Saturday. It was a real interesting experience, and one that will probably have a profound affect on my life. One of the things I have been working on lately is trying to discover my lifes work. I received a great piece of advice from my Reiki Teacher, Rick. He basically told me that everything we do everyday brings us closer to our lifes work. The crappy job you have, brings you closer. The blissful moments with your partner, that too brings you closer. All steps you take in whatever direction, all are towards your lifes work.

I felt an amazing shift in my being. Although I came down with a bit of a cold a day or so after the course, I feel that this is my body getting rid of whatever toxins (on any plane) so that I may begin with a clear head and proceed to the next step in working towards my lifes work.