Breathe.......

It has been a CRAZY week! I feel like now I can breathe. Doesn't that always happen? I have a bad habit of looking over my to do lists and the things I have coming up and then deciding, essentially, to hold my breath until it's over. The problem with that is that I become miserable until the task is over, the week is done, the behavior consult is finished, the plan is written, the lesson has been taught, the house is clean, etc (you get the picture). Why can't I just breathe through the stressful times? Like, audits, for example. I just did a bunch of stuff, and held my breath. I subconciously held my breath until I could get through the paperwork and then, I'll relax. That's how it always goes. I'll breathe when _______ is over, or when I can get through _________, then, I can breathe.I believe when I hold my breath, it keeps me from living. But...when I breathe, I live. I take in the life around me. I remove the junk from inside of me. My body gets replenished. I have recently been reminded of yoga breathing. When you come upon a difficult position in yoga, you are challenged to focus on your breath. To keep the breath the same while your body is under stress, because the quality of your breath will reflect your mind and body and vice versa. If you keep your breath relaxed and deep, your body...and your mind will follow. And you will get through it. Peacefully. Yeah, easier said than done. Lots of practice required. Thank goodness I have plenty of opportunities to practice ;)

AUDITS ARE OVER!!!! YAY!!!

Friends are the best!

Well, I have to publicly thank some people who helped me through a rough couple of days. Things have been really stressful at work (audits) and I was in crisis mode at the office yesterday and thank goodness for friends. I vented to Misty and Kim a ton yesterday and they helped me get regrounded and get good perspective. Likewise, I was able to help another friend by doing the same thing for her today. You know, I've always been a pretty private person in terms of sharing my inner self. In the past few years, I've been able to put myself out there some more and feel more comfortable with being vulnerable around others (thanks to my wonderful girlfriends). It started by sharing with some amazing girlfriends who have supported me through some tough times and continue to love me despite my failings and are always there for me (you know who you are)...and little by little...I have learned the value of close, wonderful friends...Now I need to work on letting them know how much I appreciate them. I love you girls!

On Achiving Balance...physically and mentally...

Those of you who know me know that I've dabbled with a good amount of yoga and a teensy bit of meditation in the past. This brought me peace and tranquility during times when I felt in the middle of a storm. Well, as years went by, motherhood creeped in, and there was less reason (and time) to give my all to the Eastern methods of achieving balance...until recently. Well, the past few months have been once again tumultuous. In the past few weeks, however, I have been feeling once again lighter (not physically, of course) but emotionally and a little more balanced. And wouldn't you know it? I feel the urge again to re-enter yoga-ness and meditation. This time with a little more meditation than in the past. Why now? Why, when I'm finally feeling like I can breathe? Who knows. The point is, once again, those who know me, know that I tend to follow my instinct alot and "go with the flow"- if that includes yoga "flow" and asana poses, so be it. I recently started yoga again, albeit "remedial" yoga, but, hey, it's something. A few weeks ago I read Eat, Pray, Love and a lot of the book is about the author's experience with meditation and how much it enriched her life.

My friend Lori (yeah, you) recently gave me a Shakti Gawain guided meditation cd. I started it today. Wow! I feel fantastic. Now, I'm not promising to get so in touch with the earth and the universe that soon you'll see me headed for an ashram in India, but I'd like to once again incorporate this into my life in a realistic, BALANCED way.

Tag, you're it!

1. Your Rock Star Name: (first pet & current car) Francois Forrester
2. Your Gangsta Name: (favorite ice cream and favorite cookie) Vanilla Sugar
3. Your “Fly Girl” Name: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) Vjim
4. Your Detective Name: (favorite color, favorite animal) Green Dog
5. Your Soap Opera Name: (middle name, city where you were born) Pittsburgh
6. Your Star Wars Name: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Jimvi
7. Your Superhero Name: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The” in front) The White Sprite
8. Your Nascar Name: (the first names of your grandfathers) Miguel Luis
9. Your Stripper Name: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Style Snickers
10.Your Witness Protection Name: (mother’s & father’s middle names) Genoveva Guillermo
11. Your Hawaiian Name: (the first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of your middle name, the letter i, double the 4th letter in your last name, the letter a) Viigga
Okay. Now all the rest of you have to do it, too.