PREACH

I'm going on a preaching rant, stepping to the pulpit. 
I'll tell ya, working out and eating right are the key to life. Enjoying nature and the countless activities offered by it make every season exciting. Every time I go snowboarding, hiking, running, climbing, etc., it is a new challenge and a totally worthwhile experience. I'm no daredevil and I find it difficult to let go of my insecurities and doing these things help me to break out little by little. Making it a group adventure is even better than going it alone! I love everyone I have gotten to know through being active and I have some of my best memories from the times I've had with other people.

Being healthy makes everything else easier. Sickness becomes a rarity, the mind thinks more clearly, depression can be overcome and confidence rises.

I'm not perfect, but I am proud of my health choices these days. I have always wanted to be healthy, but didn't fully act on my goals until this year at SUU. I have tripled my daily running mileage, I go to the gym 5-6 days a week, I have learned countless workouts from classes and I manage a pretty good diet.

Today I ran both at the gym and around campus, did some biking, went to the usual aerobics class I do four days a week and then finished off with weights. I also talked wellness with my roomie and we discussed food and nutrition. We always get so into these conversations!! I love this stuff. I'm on the path to wellness. I love my body, mind and spirit. I don't think I could ever get bored with this ever-progressing life.

I Like Making Lists

slrrrr
yoga mat
running shoes
water bottle
open mind
positive outlook
diversity
good friends
a cozy bed


All I need.

My Hair Length Really Matters To Me

This is what I call progression and satisfaction. I cannot wait for my hair to be long like Rapunzel's.
After one year of awkward hair lengths (mid-length hair in between long and short is NOT awkward guys. Cut all your hair off and you will see that too.) and tempting hair dressers trying to get me to dye and style my hair all sorts of ways, I have succeeded to get my hair back into an even length and back to its natural color. YES!

This is going to be my hair in a few years

VVV

Just Some Things I Want

I miss my camera. I want a dalmatian. I crave France and my college degree. I want to live free and liberated; Above addiction and beyond materialism. I need the mountains and to be with myself. I have a lot of reasons to cry and a lot of reasons to love. I am vomiting words onto this monitor. Nobody can tell me how to live my life, what will make me happy, or what I should do. I know myself. I am strong and capable. I am a dreamer but I am reasonable. I can have the things that I want and nobody can stop me. I can live the way that I like and nothing can sway me. vomit vomit vomit.

Yoga

“Know thou the soul (atman, self) as riding in a chariot,

The body as the chariot.

Know thour the intellect (buddhi) as the chariot-driver, 

And the mind (manas) as the reins.

The senses (indriya), they say, are the horses;

The objects of sense, what they range over...

He who has not understanding,

Whose mind is not constantly held firm-- 

His senses are uncontrolled, 

Like the vicious forces of a chariot-driver.

He, however, who has the understanding of a chariot-driver,

A man who reins in his mind--

He reaches the end of his journey,

The highest place of Vishnu.”

-the Sutras of Patanjali

This is what Yoga will do for you. It helps me in every area of life, stimulating my mind, spirit and body both during and after my sessions. Who wants to join me for classes in good old SLC this summer? 

How Often

How often do you feel the need to recreate yourself? Or just to change something about yourself? How often do you think, "I need to be better at this and this and this.." so that you can feel happy? These thoughts cross my mind every single day. I always need to be healthier, I always need to look prettier, I always need to act happier and I always need to try something new. Wanting to improve is a healthy notion, but it can be weary. I am often impatient and not so good at forgiving myself when I don't succeed at my goal right away. Other people seem so content with themselves. Maybe that's because it's a personal conversation.. I'm not sure. I'm struggling. I don't hate myself, but I want so badly to be better.

LOTR

Gandalf is one sassy wizard.
And I quote:


[Stuck in a snowstorm and trying to stay hidden in secret]


"But though they had brought wood and kindlings by the advice of Boromir, it passed the skill of Elf or even Dwarf to strike a flame that would hold amid the swirling wind or catch in the wet fuel. At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and then with a word of command, naur an edraith ammen! he thrust the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great spout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood flared and sputtered.


'If there are any to see, then I at least am revealed to them,' he said. 'I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.'


[Still stuck in a snowstorm]


'If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he might melt a path for you,' said Legolas. 


..'If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the Sun to save us,' answered Galdalf.