Sharing

The following three videos found their way into today's life experience and I found them so incredible, moving, inspiring! I think you will too! I always want to remember them.

 

 

The Heart of Non Attachment

 

 

This world is stunningly beautiful, and also a total catastrophe

Whale shows gratitude after being saved

 

Wise words on spirituality and happiness

 

 

 Wow.  I do my best every day to live by these words. This video contains life changing information.  You will never see things the same way again.

 

 Do you have any favourite inspiring videos worth sharing? Leave a link in the comments :)

Real Life Zombies

Another amazing Tiny Buddha exerpt - just in time for Halloween!

“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another—and ourselves.” ~Jack Kornfield

Connection

 When did we substitute busyness for real living? A majority of people out there go through their lives numb, not connecting with the people around them, not enjoying their lives. They simply exist, floating through life. I call them “the living dead” because they’ve allowed so many parts of themselves to die: passion, energy, connection, joy.

They settle for a life of greasy food, distracting entertainment, and the accumulation of possessions.

It’s not enough.

If you suspect that you might be one of the living dead, start examining your life. Do you connect with people, or do you just gloss over everyday interactions? Do you notice interesting and beautiful things about life, or do you go through your day like you are a machine, operating on force of habit and routine?

When was the last time you truly forgot your busy day in the pleasure of a conversation with someone you didn’t know?

Reach out to people. Ask them their names. Make a connection. Forget about your busy day, if only for a second, and try to validate someone else.

Thank someone who has served you well.

If you don’t—if you fail to give attention to waiters, baristas, gas station attendants, and maybe even your coworkers—you’ll start to lose touch with your humanity as well.

Reach out to the living dead

Maybe you make the leap. You try to connect with people and treat them the way they should be treated, but you’re frustrated with the living dead. They seem to stubbornly resist any attempts at communication.

My advice (from years of being a member of the living dead): keep trying. There’s a human down there somewhere, and if you keep working away at their hardened exterior, you’ll get there eventually, and the work will be worth it.

Remember, you have worth

If you’re a member of the living dead, today or often, I’m not saying that you’re worthless, or you somehow resemble a zombie. You’re a human being, you’re unique, and you have incredible worth.

We all have living dead days. Just do your best to start moving out of the pattern of disconnection. Go out of your way to reach out. People are occasionally going to ignore you, be grumpy toward you, insult you. Remember when dealing with them that, just as you have unique worth, they do too.

Treat them with respect, even when they’re not very respectful to you. Why should you do this? Shouldn’t you just be nasty back to them and cut them out of your life? Definitely not. The fastest way to become a member of the living dead is to treat them as sub-human. Keep this in your mind as you live your life: You are unique and have worth.

So does that server that you have the chance to tip.

So does your boss.

So does that Wal-Mart greeter.

So does that surly mechanic.

We all have worth. And we all have a choice to recognize and honor it in each other.

How to Stop Dwelling on the Life You Could Be LivingOn a personal note, I've been feeling a little frustration in the "blog world" lately. I have definitely been busy with studying for my upcoming exam and haven't had the time to post as much as I like.  I started this blog to inspire and motivate myself. Then I kind of got obsessed with my "stats" ; How many people clicked on my blog today? Did they just "accidentally " land on my blog during an image search?", etc.etc.  I began losing sight of what my blog was all about! I wanted to be excited about my next post not "feeling the pressure " where's the fun in that? Staying true to myself and not trying to impress others.  I visit successfull blogs and have realized that blogging is a full time job and a main source of income for most of these women. They promote products (their own or others), encourage me to follow other blogs, or shop here and there... They rely on selling ad spaces.  And while most of the ads stay within the theme of their blog, I sometimes feel resistance.  Like what are the motives behind these posts?

Where is the line between genuine posting and advertising?   Making money and sponsers and ads was never something I knew of when I started my blog. Verve Evolving is about creating a lifestyle of thoughtfullness, presence, Love.  I do have  links to blogs running along the side because I support them and they are worth sharing.  They are not paying me for this "space".  They are my friends in my community. I guess I'm feeling frustrated as to where I "fit in".  I know I want my focus to be of Quality as opposed to keeping up with the pressure of Quantity ... this can be a challenge because I've noticed the more I post, the more hits I get, but with that comes the risk of losing quality due to the pressure of keeping my "stats" up.

HOWEVER, while I do my best to limit the amount of time I spend "plugged in" , I have really been trying to (again) focus on following quality blogs that resonate with ME and my lifestyle. Lately I've discovered some lovely blogs like Roots and Feathers//Violet Bella and Bohemian Kate.   

WHAT I DO LOVE: Bloggers who DIY DIY DIY, create their own sellable pieces, who share their true feelings,  And don't get me wrong, I love my style (eyecandy) blogs too! Doesn't mean I'm about to purchase their latest look. It will however inspire me to get creative with what's already in my closet, or go on a Value Village spree (aka Savers in the US)

 I feel overwhelmed in this world sometimes like everyone is  trying to sell you something. I just want to stay true to myself and not lose myself. I do have something amaing though it's called Free Will.  We are ALL exposed to all kinds of ads all the time but we can choose what we want to "let in", what to click on, what to "follow" or "like", etc.  There's room for all of us and we can choose what we want to expose ourselves to, but I encourage myself (and you too) to always question the "why".

There are 24 blissful hours in a day. And many of those hours are filled with basics like sleeping, eating, going to work.....what we do with the rest of those hours is up to us. It's nice to check in with myself once in a while and truly question my motives and why we do the things we do.

I'm ready for bed now! xo

(And if you're reading this, I would love and encourage you to share your thoughts!)

lness Tips

Baby Steps

"Even when it's hard to move, take small steps forward.  Because every step will lead you farther away from where you were yesterday."

Confession Alert. I haven't been exactly sticking to my "strict schedule" from this post.

I've been doing well on the self-care train (yoga most days, eating well, taking supplements every day..)

It's the whole "getting back into studying" that was taking it's time.  Last week flew by - before I knew it I had packed my entire week with exchanges. (when I have a friend over for 60 minute massage, and in exchange they offer a treatment of their own - for example Reiki, Yoga, even food - my favourite!)

When I had realized what I'd done - left myself with zero study time - I made a pact with myself. No more exchanges. No more social anything. Just until after the weekend of November 17th.  OF course I will emerge from my study rock to partake in Halloween festivities this weekend! 

I even changed my facebook status. Totally serious now when you announce it like that :P

I am happy to announce that today was the day! I conquered a chapter (all about blood, if you're wondering!) and wow did it feel good to really get going!  I often catch myself - anxiety creeps up at the idea of having to "re-learn everything" but I am getting good at reminding myself to stay present.  This morning it was all about the blood and tomorrow the heart.  The title of today's blog is "Baby Steps" because that seems to be what is working best for me! And remembering to not be too hard on myself - give credit where credit is due.

Whenever I say "baby steps" it reminds me of one my favourite movies growing up "What About Bob"

Here is an exaggerated, silly, Bill Murray version of exactly what I've been talking about!

  

 "All I have to do is take one step at a time and I can do whatever I want!" heehee!

 

“Take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.” ~Daisaku Ikeda 

A Tiny Buddha story : 

This, I have realized, is one of the most effective ways to do anything that scares us: focus on one step at a time without dreading how we’ll feel later in the process.

If you put too much attention on things that could go wrong later, you limit your effectiveness right now. That’s not to say you shouldn’t plan to avoid potential problems. It’s just that if you function in a state of constant anxiety, it will eventually cripple you.  

Whatever it is you want to do, it doesn’t need to be this massive, overwhelming goal. Instead, think of it as a series of steps, some simpler than others, and commit to completing some every day.

Absorb yourself completely in each phase of the process, giving them your full attention, as if nothing else matters but what you’re doing right now—as if showing up for each part of the journey is in itself the goal.

It doesn’t matter if you’re on a hard path. It doesn’t matter if the odds are against you. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t making progress as quickly as someone else would.

All that matters is that you take a step, and keep taking them, even if you don’t know where they’re leading.

Jumping into something new can be terrifying. You never know for certain where you’re going to land until you get there. And it’s hard to silence your fears about just where that may be.

It’s okay to feel scared. Just know it doesn’t have to control you—not if you choose to focus on where you are, and put your heart into the step of this moment.

For years I told myself I wasn’t who I wanted to be because I felt so scared. I’ve since realized it’s not my fear of falling that defines me. It’s the fact that I’m willing to make the climb in spite of all the feelings it brings up.

What small, manageable step can you take today toward that thing you want that scares you?

The Power of Today

 

Today is the best day...woke to the pitter patter of rain and it hasn't stopped since.  I'm feeling quite blissed out at the moment, as I've JUST received a Reflexology treatment...Not much on the agenda other than practicing the bliss of staying present, groceries followed by dinner, quality time with my love....

 

I've been reading Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living", as I tend to be a worrier..(yes! It's true!) Sometimes I can be so overwhelmed by a "day off" and my never-ending to do list - I fall victim to the classic "inactivity due to fear of failure"....I will save some of Carnegie's ways to conquer worry - for another post. I can tell you that I just LOVE when one book I read is totally on the same wavelength as another. In this case, Carnegie echos Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, in that we tend to worry and feel anxiety when we are thinking of the very near (or very distant) future.   Remaining present and doing my best to do one thing at a time is a definitely a challenge but is all so rewarding. 

 

 AND if I am going to allow myself those moments of pure laziness, I must really revel in it, stay completely in the now, be there, enjoy it. No thoughts of "what needs to get done after this" ....simply "THIS moment, NOW. Today"  (my favourite day!)

 

This is the audio version PART ONE - if you are interested, simply get comfortable for 15 minutes and have a listen. I like to have this on in the background when I'm cleaning up or apartment, etc. If his words resonate with you, I highly recommend continuing on to part 2, etc...

 

 

Tolle Appreciation on Tuesday

Eckhart Tolle that is. I've mentioned him and his book that I am in love with "The Power of Now". I have been practicing staying present as often as I can. You can devote your total energy into what you are doing NOW. No anxiety creeping in about "what I have to do later..or next week" and no uncomfortable feelings about the past because it is just that. The Power of NOW has really shown it's value in my interactions with other. I do my best to be completely present with them and really listen. How often have you felt that the person you are interacting with is not really listening? Are they texting away, are they making eye contact, are they simply "waiting for their turn to speak" ?

this quote is touching on the pain body I mentioned,  which can often present itself in our romantic relationship. 

He has also introduced me to the PAIN BODY. More specifically, my pain body. I can dedicate an entire blog post to the Pain Body and my experience with my own, but for now I will leave you with a link to his website if you're intrigued! www.eckharttolletv.com

Creating a New Earth Together

Every little thing is gonna be alright...

           “Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose.”

~Eckhart Tolle

It would be easy to say that mindfulness is the answer to worrying. If you’re truly immersed in the present moment, there wouldn’t be any reason to fixate on what might be coming. But I suspect that it’s inevitable we’ll do that from time to time. We’re only human, after all.

Maybe a better suggestion is a combination of being in the moment and trusting in the one to follow.

We can’t always control what it will look like, but we can know that more often than not, it will lead to something good if we’re open to it. When it doesn’t, we’ll get through it—and faster if we haven’t already overwhelmed ourselves with what-ifs and worst-case scenarios.

On the other side of worry, there’s trust. We can’t always trust in specifics, but we can trust in ourselves.

(tinybuddha)

Every time we use the present to stress about the future, we’re choosing to sacrifice joy today to mourn joy we might not have tomorrow

Oh So Grateful!

I've been working on getting into the habit of keeping a "gratitude journal".

Every night, I write a list of all the things I am grateful for on this particular day.

The key to adding new and wonderful things to your life experience, is being grateful for what you already have, focusing on all that I have, never focusing on the "lack".  I have adopted this "attitude of gratitude"overthe last few years and it has slowly but surely become part of my everyday thinking.

Of course I definitely have those "ungrateful" moments because, well, I am human, but I am getting better and better and noticing these moments (by using my "emotional guidance system" - see previous post ;) and doing a lovely 180!  This attitude of gratitude has brought the most amazing people and experiences and opportunites into my life, those who feel the same way. Live the same way. Like attracting Like.

Here is my Gratitude List for today:

Today (and everyday) I am grateful for my partner, who this morning made sure

I was awake beforehe left for work. And his sweet embraces..

 I am grateful for the friendly folks at Bridgehead Coffee, for taking care of me everymorning!

I am grateful for the studying I got done this morning

and for my teacher for doing a spinal adjustment

 on me and how much better my back feels! 

I am grateful for the support of my fellow students..

this spring weather, Sage Wellness (I can't believe I look forward to going to work!)

I am grateful for Friday night saunas and lounging with my girlfriends on the shag carpet, just chilling and eating and massaging each other - bliss!

And as ALWAYS, I am grateful for my Health, my Strength, flexibility. My home, Good food! Family! Friends...Love...I could go on and on...!

  

 The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle) talks about negativity, which is really just resisting what is, and that there really is no point in resisting what is because it's already happening..If you find yourself in a less than desirable situation, you have choices: you can remove yourself from the situation, change it (if posibble), or accept it totally.We really are the masters of every situation, (and our lives!)

This all ties into being PRESENT in each moment. Living the NOW.

And of course, tuning into what feelings are going on inside of us.

If you could CHOOSE your feelings...which ones would you choose?

Would you choose anger? despair? Joy?

Gratitude? We DO have that choice!

And we get this one, glorious life to make these decisions.. 

Here's an experiment: see how often in ONE DAY you catch your self complaining.

About anything. Big or little. Aloud, or to yourself. 

I notice a lot of the time people use complaining as almost a bonding mechanism, or maybe even just a topic of conversation? Once you are aware...you will begin to notice it all around you...you may even notice that there isn't much to say..because resisting what IS has become normal behaviour...makes me think of that old saying

"if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"

Lately, my favourite mantra is this:
"Appreciation for what is, and excitement for what's coming"
A mantra for a lifetime!

Balance & Breath = HAPPINESS

After 10 glorious holi-days, I went back to school yesterday.

 I am studying to be a Massage Therapist and am 5 months away from graduation!

I am Excited!  And also Nervous....

I admit it doesn't take much before I feel overwhelmed when I think of all that there is to accomplish. But I am so close!

This will be one of my greatest accomplishments and the best part is:

I AM FOLLOWING MY BLISS

I AM TAKING THE STEPS NECESSARY TO LIVE THE LIFE I WANT TO LIVE

IT IS NOT EASY. BUT IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE!

This morning's "Power of Now" session (see previous post) reminded me to constantly 'check in with myself'. He asks you to look inside of yourself and ask:

"Am I feeling at ease in this moment?"

  

Nope. I was NOT feeling at ease in that moment, upon 'checking in' I noticed that it was difficult to take a full deep breath. An all too familiar feeling to be honest.

It's a lack of true presence which creates this "un-ease"

Eckhart Tolle explains that this unease comes from our mind being in the future or the past.

Why would I worry about things that haven't even happened yet?

Make the habit of observing the feelings inside of yourself, just as often as we observe what's going on around us.

It is not easy but I am working on making this a habit, as I've always been a bit of a 'fretter'.

For example in an hour I start my very first shift working at Sage. Am I worrying? Of course-hahaha-what if I screw up or no one likes me or what if the phone rings and I'm not sure how to help a client? Wow it sounds silly when I write it out like that..really what is the worst that can happen..le sigh! Precisely WHY I should stay in the NOW and tackle these issues when or IF they even come at all :)

Every day I will work on creating a balanced life.

My life at the moment consists of the following:

class from 8-1- Monday -Friday

Student Clinic Tuesday evening 6-9

receptionist 4-8 on Mon/Wed/Friday and 9-4 Saturday 

 studying studying studying

in between the above responsibilities I do my best to :

spend time with my love and loved ones

eat a balanced high protein vegetarian diet

keep our lil' home clean & tidy

Yoga practice & meditation 

building strength in general (I'm a tiny gal & massage takes alot out of ya!)

making appts to massage my friends to build my skills

study study study some more