Humility

Tonight I realized something (seemingly obvious to others perhaps), that i have never given much thought to before.
I like to think of myself as tending toward being humble. Maybe it is wishful thinking. Maybe it is positive thinking. Maybe i am just trying to convince myself so that one day i may take this form.
The truth... I suddenly realized is that actually 'being humble' is like finally attaining a certification after a lifetime of studying. It is a constant work in progress and something that is always floundering.


Like just about every other human being on this planet, I am governed by my clumsy ego. A proud, arrogant, very human ego, that shies away from criticism or judgement. Yet it is so often this kind of feedback that offers us the opportunity to better or correct ourselves if we can just learn to take it in the right light, to not get defensive or let our insecurities run a mock. It is in fact an opportunity to grow.

To have people in our lives that can offer us this... is very, very valuable. Recently, i have been taking huge personal risks, continually placing myself in public view in order to publicize the project I am working on. Every time I do this is a little scary... and to be honest it just got scarier... but the fact is, i am doing it, no mater what, and if by doing it my faults become highlighted, then, well... I am going to try very hard to see this as a crash course in finding the better me, to welcome criticism and feedback, to not be oversensitive, but be grateful. I am going to try and see this as an opportunity to actually develop my humility... and actually become the humble person i so wish I was.

Barefoote Bliss

I apologize most sincerely for neglecting my little blog spot , but it has been a very busy month!
I have been coming up with all sorts of ideas for fundraising and trying to put them into motion as well as creating my own little Yoga class!

I also suddenly realized that treehuggersresolution was being dominated by this new endeavor so I had to create a sister site where matters related could have there own home.

So after much toiling (mostly on the part of my extremely generous and patient husband)...

It's up... Tree huggers sister blog... http://barefootebliss.blogspot.com/ is up and running!

So back to basics, I recently received my new shampoo and conditioner... not at all toxic and not at all expensive! It is made by MOP or Modern Organic Products... and its awesome!

i have been re-inspired after attending Adi Carters Detox workshop yesterday... in which she dealt considerably with matters environmental...
for some really scary stats... check out this site...http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Moore-Trashed-PacificNov03.htm

Adi also promotes Pangea Organics... which i look forward to trying i the near future.

My war on plastic has been upped a notch ...  a massive, greedy war is being fought at the moment over oil, most of the crude oil in the world is used to make plastic, a large majority of which we smear on our skin (oh vanity), ingest (via the leaching process occurring within almost all plastic containers) or scatter about the planet...  aren't we a perplex (read: ridiculous) species.

More challenges..

and the bustle continues... my list of ideas to raise money for SEVA, grows and shrinks as I conceive the ideas, send out proposals and then deal with denial.

Every two weeks the participants in the challenge make an international conference call to discuss their progress etc. I have as yet not been able to make this happen but have listened to them on the long train trip home.

Yesterday, one of the participants said..."the hardest part is asking, not hearing the NO", and well I mostly agree. At the moment its all pretty hard. Another mentioned that sometimes we don't necessarily reach our goals the way we had planned... I'm really finding this to be true. The people and connections i think will definitely come through- don't always, and often unsuspecting others do! I think I am happy with this, as long as they balance out!

I continue to find inspiration though, yesterday I was lucky enough to attend a yoga class with Adi Carter, a yogaslacker , and activist. Her class was fabulous and her much needed post class words of wisdom were very appreciated. Next weekend we will be attending 'Redefining Balance' a yoga slackers event in Tokyo, I am guaranteed to find some inspiration there!

This morning (very early), my friend Mike, a great photographer, started taking some photos for what will be my yoga blog, and the site where I will be SEVA related writing... it was freeeeezing, but fun and it looks like he has done a great job.

I am now sorting though pictures so that some may be edited... and really having to look at myself, not always easy i tell you but very valuable. Trying to see yourself through the eyes of others can be very humbling in so many ways (so can asking for money!)

Busy Busy Busy

Since signing up for the SEVA challenge, my life has been a blur of meetings, brainstorming, researching and letter writing! In between all of this however, I did manage to find a small sanctuary of luurrrv!

On Sunday I attended a Thai Yoga Body Workshop with Jonas Westring, and it was bliss.

Learning to give a Thai massage while doing yoga is especially nice because in order to give a massage you have to receive one too, so there is a neat little reciprocation of giving and receiving which I fancy a whole lot!

I also attended a meeting with my dear friend Pete who has agree to help me with my first fundraising event... (which might be a trifle challenging but is apparently feasible nonetheless !). so watch this space

Another morsel of Inspiration!

Finding Inspiration...

Since accepting and posting about my decision to take the SEVA challenge, my feelings have been oscillating between "what the heck am i doing" and "my heart is going to explode i am so excited!"

I have spoken about "inspiration" before but never before has it resonated in me as profoundly as it is right now. A long list of ladies and the phenomenal things they are doing are streaming into my awareness. Last night I was totally captivated by Julia Butterfly Hill and her amazing feat, I listened to series of interviews she did, and something she said actually made me tingle...

"You are everything you need to be right now, you are the perfect person for what you have to do in this life!"

Brene' Brown, another source of inspiration, has dedicated this week to self worthiness... You are worthy! I love how these two message from 2 ladies I so admire came to me echoing one another within 24 hours!

I have sat down and really worked at a plan, i have brainstormed and done some research and I know that i can do this challenge.

Today I received my first donation of $100 and I have set up a meeting for one of my possible events! So far so good :-)

I am inspired!

Mission

Off the Mat, Into the World® (OTM), a program of the nonprofit, The Engage Network, is dedicated to bridging yoga and activism. Founded in 2007, OTM’s mission is to use the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change.

Yoga is a powerful path of personal transformation. At its root, the word means ‘union’ – of mind, body and spirit. Yoga opens our hearts and expands our awareness of self creating space for balance and deep change in our lives.

OTM helps individuals take the path of yoga “off the mat and into the world," expanding the sphere of change outward to local and global communities. We do this by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership trainings, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects. Our work focuses on three core areas of development: