Jan 19, 2012

Organized and Affirmized Giveaway

Alright.  I know "affirmized" is not a word.  But I have just created it.

I seem to be waking from my long Winter's nap - just in time for the blizzard of '12 to hit.  Although any sensible hibernator would go back to sleep, I decided instead to take a couple snow days and get myself organized.

I finished a few projects, fussed about with the layout of this blog (note the new Page Tabs at the top) and am working on my Materia Medica/Materia Magicka (basically a herbal scrapbook of sorts that lists the herbs I love and their medicinal and magickal uses.)

I'm making an effort to do some yoga every day again and it's amazing how much better I feel with just a half an hour of stretching each morning.  I've also gone back to my affirmation practice. 

Affirmations (I'm sure you know) are statements that assert or affirm that something is true.  We use these to help us break the habits of negative or destructive thoughts.  It's very easy for me to slip into the "I should be.." train of thought.  I should be thinner, I should be prettier, I should be more successful are all thoughts that stand in the way of my well-being.  So my affirmations are things like "I am healthy and full of vitality."  And "success and prosperity flow to me to enjoy and share." 

There are quite a few I try to say daily.  It seems silly at first, but I incorporate them into my yoga practice and say them while I'm holding a pose, or in between poses, and they make a difference in my mental state the rest of the day.

Now that I'm feeling affirmized, I think you might want to try it to!  So here's the deal: I'm giving away the queen of affirmation - Louise Hay's - Power Thought Cards!



These cards have some great affirmations on them and will get you started thinking about your own too!

All you have to do to have a chance to win these happy cards, is leave a comment and make sure I have a way to get a hold of you (by your blog or email address) if you win.  I'll draw the name of the winner in one week, on Thursday, January 26th.

Good luck - and happy affirming!

Jan 8, 2012

Hide and Sweep



Happy first week of January!  Or as I like to call it, "the time of year the Valley gets cold and dark and I struggle to function at a semi-normal level and not just hide for a month."

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that January is tough month for me.  While December brings small joys with the bustle and holiday insanity, January is quiet and cold.  The wind whistles against the windows, and although we know that the light is returning, we still wake to darkness and the sun seems to ride too swiftly through the sky.

While I work on my wellness this Winter, it's important for me to remember that my energy has seasons too.  January and July will never be my peak months.  Giving myself a break, and realizing I don't have to be a perpetually bubbly ray of sunshine who magically gets all things done in perfect time with poise, is my mantra for the month.  (Yes. It is a rather long mantra.)

Instead of tackling new projects when my creativity is low, I'm using my little energy in other ways.  Organizing, going through my clothes and giving away those that I just don't wear anymore, cleaning the forgotten places (the top of the refrigerator, behind the desk,) are all small ways of making space for new energy to flow.  So when inspiration does hit, I'll have whatever I need at my fingertips and be ready to go!

The above photograph of Dexter hiding in the Maiden's Grass was taken two days ago.  The weather here in Southern British Columbia has been stunningly mild for this time of year.  New grass is coming up, buds are plumping on the trees, and I have a few little lettuce seedlings coming up in the garden (we had a hot spell last Spring after the rains and my lettuce bolted and must have left seeds behind.)  Although it snowed last night, the forecast is for more mild weather. 

With the weather so forgiving this Winter, I'm hoping my hiding spell will be short.  I'll endeavour to pop in as much as possible, but if my blogging falls short this month, you'll know why.  Thanks in advance, as always, for your amazing support!