Raising Happy Kids

“Abundance can be had simply by consciously receiving what has already been given.” —Sufi Saying

On the day before Thanksgiving, we are all thinking “Today, I grateful for… (fill in the blank)”.  Our Thanksgiving tradition is spending the day making a grand meal with love for our loved ones.  We join hands, bow our heads, and take turns saying what we are grateful for.  A cherished tradition, we typically only remember to carry out one day a year. 

In my quest of raising happy kids through some scientifically backed research, I have found that happy kids usually come from happy adults.  So what makes all of us happy?  It comes from within, nothing monetary or physical can bring us long term happiness.  It comes from being content with exactly what we have been given.  Being thankful and appreciative for all that we have rather than focusing on disappointment which can lead to entitlement.

So how can we implement this more than just once a year I ask?  With my 3 year old Ethan, every night after a good book and some snuggle time, our bedtime routine now includes the nightly question “Tell me what was good about your day?”  We both reflect on what we liked.  Sometimes his 3 year old imagination will run wild, and he’ll say something inventive like “I liked flying to the moon” or “slaying a dragon”.  But I figure, even if he is being thankful for something in his imagination, this gives me something to be grateful.  Raising a happy, healthy kid with a great big imagination, what could be more satisfying than that?

With that, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you know peace!

Namaste,

Julie

The new smoking

While my parents made the proverbial “bacon”, my brother and I fixed ourselves hot dogs and pizza rolls in the microwave, followed up by Little Debbie’s and diet soda to wash it down.  This type of eating, along with the emotional aspects of weight gain/loss and the impact of genetics led to my being overweight at a very early age.  I remember being put on my first diet in the 1st grade.  I have gained and lost 50+ pounds more times in my life than I care to remember.  While I’ve come a long way, these ingrained behaviors along with the emotional roller coaster that gaining and losing weight has taken a toll on my life and quite possibly my health.  I still have not kicked this monkey off my back.  They say obesity is the new smoking; well I proudly quit smoking 8 years ago.  The difference, however, is I never have to smoke again in my life, never have to learn how to ration myself while not over-indulging, eating is a different story. I have to eat to live everyday, but many days what happens is, I live to eat.  I do my best to embrace conscious eating, follow the yogic path and a bit to my credit, I did just have a baby 5 months ago.  However, I’ve been teetering between 85 and 90 pounds over my goal weight for the past 5 months.  No weight loss since 2 weeks post-natal.  Yes, I should give myself time; yes, I should be patient, but I do not feel comfortable in this body and I desperately want to get back to my goal weight, which is 90 pounds lighter.  It’s about more than just looking in the mirror.  I want to walk up and down the stairs without being winded, I want to be able to fit through the tunnel in the kids play land, in the event my son gets stuck, scared and needs me.  I want my butt to comfortably fit in a chair without squishing and squeezing into it. I don’t want to see people eyeing me up and down when I tell them I’m a yoga teacher with this look on their face like, “you’ve got to be kidding me right?”. 
I hope as this column progresses, people can relate to my story and as I make my way through this life long journey, I may inspire, comfort, support and offer encouragement to others. 

May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you know peace.

Jai Bhagwan!
Julie

An open mind = an open heart

In my former life in software engineering, everything was about zeroes and ones, true or false, black or white, there was no grey.  As a result, there are times in my life when I experience things that I cannot describe as "logical" where I have a hard time keeping an open mind.  Whether it be the latest news headline, or differing opinion, I will be the first to admit, it can easy to be quick to judge.  Perhaps call it passion for my beliefs, but nonetheless it is judgement. 

I have sometimes passed this off as speaking my truth (Satya).  However, in re-reading Patanjali's Yoga Sutras recently, the first Yama really struck a chord.  The particular version I was reading stated, when in question, always refer to the first Yama, Ahimsa or Non-violence: inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, it goes as far as non-violence in thought, word and deed.

Many times I end my classes with 3 OM's to represent a week of peaceful thoughts, words and deeds.  But for some reason the book I was reading is what resonated some of my attitudes and beliefs are in need of some work.

My new intention going forward is to first listen, then remember to breathe and attempt to think from another perspective.  My heart opens and the space I feel tension in my temples clears even thinking this way.  I can't say I will be perfect, but that's why they call it a "yoga practice" not a "yoga perfect" and right here I set the intention to put my open mindedness first and set my judgements aside.

Here's to taking your yoga off the mat and into your life.  Much love, peace and prosperity to you and your family!

~Julie