Too Much Caffeine...

Too much caffeine after 3 p.m. has me:
writing my blog entry for the day at 12:14 a.m.;
doing laundry;
cleaning the kitchen;
obsessing over what to wear tomorrow;
choreographing projects in my living room, while binge watching Bloodline on Netflix;
eating almond M&M’s that my mom left out the coffee table;
sharing cat videos from YouTube to Twitter.

I Make Lists

I’ve just crossed four major tasks off of my list;
The only thing that remains on the list, is to let go of making lists.
...It’s a process.

If Only...

I woke up in a positive mood;
After only 6 minutes on the phone with AT&T my entire demeanor changed.
If only I could lose weight as fast as the rage that ensues when dealing with random fees on a phone bill.

Fake It; Positively

A forced smile is the best start to a change in mood;
Positive energy doesn’t take much momentum––and will always lead to a brighter day.

Truth on Tour:

There isn’t enough Starbucks coffee or Advil in the world that can prepare me for my day.

The Good With the Bad

On hold;
I sit annoyed, waiting for a human.
While waiting for contact with life,
My computer reminds me that it’s time to check in for my flight.
It’s a friendly reminder alert that reminds me: technological advancements can be frustrating... but sometimes they can save you from a middle seat on Southwest.

Trust The Path...

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
This statement––uttered my countless inspirational mentors and leaders––has been a reoccurring sentiment in my life.
I have dedicated my entire adult (and most of my teenage years) planning, training, preparing, studying, working, fighting––waiting for the opportunity.
I have been blessed with a bountiful amount adventures as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and now author; yet I continue to fall victim to the need to push for more.
Is it the human condition?  I don’t know.
I am certain that I have sufficiently laid the foundation for my future––whatever it may bring––and I could stand to trust, a great deal more.
What good is Faith, if you can’t count on in unconditionally?
What I’ve remembered (again) today: when I focus on the creativity, and nothing else, the opportunity will eventually come... and I will be ready.
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” ––John Lennon

Seasons

There is a time to plant the seed;
There is a time to water and nurture the seedling;
There is a time to sit back and watch the stalks grow tall;
There is a time to harvest the crop;
Everything has a season––I’m finally grasping the importance of step three; I plant and plant and plant and plan––yet I fail to watch my work grow.
It’s okay––it’s necessary––to step back, breathe, and appreciate the work.
It used to feel like I wasn’t accomplishing enough in those moments, that I should be doing more, but I understand how valuable rest is now.
From every valley and new mountain appears––I must give myself a fighting chance to make the climb.

Need?

When I let go of needs,
I have so much more room to breathe;
Suddenly the space to be creative, adventurous, and in the moment––is everywhere.

Hawaii Day 6

Seriously, I cannot get to the beach fast enough;
I woke up early to work––on vacation?!
Yes, even on a holiday, I have to answer emails.
Fortunately, in paradise, zen is only a breath away.
Now that my checklist is complete,
I’m going to enjoy the heat at the beach!
Aloha!

Find Yourself

There are plenty of people who will tell you why you won’t be able to accomplish a goal;
Even more who will remind you of your limitations––they see them as flaws––and believe they are helping you.
There is no use correcting their judgments––and even less use in proving them wrong;
Instead, surround yourself with people who inspire you––challenge you to do more than you think your capable of; the reward is not in achieving the victory, but in the pursuit of finding yourself in the dream.

Automated Call Centers!!!

The rage I experience when dealing with automated call centers is un-chartable.
Testing the growth and knowledge from every inspirational book and zen–yoga–mind–body–soul practice I’ve ever encountered.
There is no breath deep enough to help me move past the faux-human MONSTER that refuses to have a conversation with me;
No, I don’t want to press one––and thank you for pressing every boundary I’ve attempted to create, so as to stay in a happy place.

Now and Zen.

My morning used to start with caffeine;
Now it starts with a deep breath in and an inspirational thought––and then a big cup of caffeine!
I think any Zen master would agree: Balance is everything.

You Are Here Now; Again

I started to over plan for my day tomorrow;
Until I remembered that it was today.
I quickly dropped my pen and took a breath.
The moment I become aware of my present––I allow the opportunity for a greater experience than anything I could plan;
I make space for life to happen, as it is supposed to: in the NOW.

Wipe It Away...

I woke up feeling pumped;
Ready to greet the day with positive energy.
I looked around my room and saw dust and dirt everywhere, my house is under construction and it looks like a tornado struck.
I started to get angry and then I remembered how blessed I was:
A. That my house was not actually hit by a tornado.
B. That we have the resources to renovate our bathrooms.
Finally, C. That I can either get up and clean the grim away, or stay in bed anxious and overwhelmed.
Sometimes the choice to be happy is as simple as wiping away the debris.

Faith vs. Frustration

When you have expectations you’re bound to be disappointed;
When you have Faith––you know you will succeed regardless of the circumstances.

Remember

If you’re looking for a reason to be upset––you’ll find one.
If you want to spend the day in a bad mood, that is a choice.
With less energy than it takes to be negative; you can take a deep breath, release that moment, and smile.
We always have the choice; why let five minutes of frustration evolve into a full day of negativity?

Surrender

When you cannot change a circumstance,
You can always surrender to it.
Sometimes it makes more sense to release the need to control;
And completely let go.
Similar to that moment you’re on a roller coaster and you’re near the peak––the panic builds and you question, “Why did I get on this ride?”
All you can do is raise your hands, close your eyes, and scream like hell!
Once you surrender––the fear dissipates and the journey is once again fun.

Uncomplicated Zen

The path to enlightenment begins with a deep breath and ends with an exhale.

Calm

The anxious mind seeks answers;
The peaceful mind seeks stillness.