Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ch Ch Ch Changes

"The only thing constant, is change." 
Somewhere deep down we all know this is true but when things in life are "good" we think they always will be so we're disappointed when something changes.  The opposite is also true.  When things seem "bad" we think they'll always be that way and we may feel sad, desperate and helpless.  It helps to know that everything in life is ALWAYS changing.  Constantly.  The earth is moving, our blood is flowing, we are growing.  Every move we make, every thought, every experience we have, changes us.
That being said, you have to know what I'm going to tell you next is true:
I haven't always been the way I am now.
Whenever I think of the life I live now and the life I used to lead, it kinda blows my mind.  Currently, I practice yoga and meditation everyday, I am conscious of what and how I consume, on what and where I spend my money, what I eat, where it came from, how it was prepared, I keep my house simple and tidy, keep my kitchen sink free from dirty dishes, and use only baking soda, vinegar, water and essential oils to clean everything. 
This is all a FAR cry from the way I lived 5 years ago.  I don't even know how to describe it but I went through a "phase" when I would eat a double-quarter-pounder meal EVERYDAY, I always waited until the next day (or more) to clean dishes left in the sink, and thought nothing of cleaning with pure bleach.  But each day is a learning experience.  When I became pregnant, obviously a lot of things changed for me.  I wanted to learn more about how what I did affected the baby growing inside me.  And that caused a chain reaction.  What I did not only affected myself, and my child but it has the potential to affect everyone around me.  And I have been very lucky to have know many very smart people who have helped me to educate myself on not only food choices, but health and wellness, and environmental issues.  I didn't just "know" how to make these changes, I listened, I read, I discovered all sorts of new things and then implemented them into my life.  And it has been a process, and it is still evolving.  I never thought that I couldn't change.  I welcomed it.  I ran with it. 
And so a note to those who are changing and moving toward a healthier lifestyle.  It doesn't happen over night.  But every moment you have choice.  You can choose to choose the same thing you always have.  Or you can choose something else.  Something that  might bring your body, mind and spirit more joy.  And each time you make a positive choice it starts to become less of a chore and more of a habit.  Just like yoga, or and instrument, or a sport, life is a practice.  We try, we learn and we get better at it.

"We don’t get to choose whether we want to make a difference or not; we get to choose only if the difference we make is negative or positive."

10 comments:

  1. Excellent and uplifting. But also inspiring for me as my goal is to keep working for that healthier lifestyle and its good to have that reminder about practice xo

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  2. Love it, Mandy! Just this morning I was considering starting a blog, not sure if it was a good idea for so many reasons, and I've also been much more conscious about everything I eat, everything I do really. So this has come at such a great time & I love what you're doing and that you're sharing it with others! Kudos!

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  3. Thank you guys!
    Kathleen, it helps to remember that doesn't it? Then we won't be so hard on ourselves.
    Meg, glad to know you liked it! If you've been thinking about starting a blog and you have something to share, then share it! Besides, everybody's doing it...lol
    Lots of love to you two!

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  4. Thank you for bringing to light something I've been thinking about for a while and have struggled to articulate. Life IS a practise!

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  5. Could you share some of your eco-friendly cleaning methods in a future post? Thanks! Love your blog! I look forward to each new post. I find it beautifully written, thoughtful, and inspiring! Love you!

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  6. Thank you everyone! I love the comments!
    And yes, Sarah, I will do that! xoxox

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  7. This was so nice to come home and read, Amanda. You're right, most of us do know this, but need to be reminded. I certainly do. Look forward to more! Thanks :)

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  8. Dear friend, this is the post so far i think most full of spirit and love (they all are but this one is just exploding!). Thanks for all your sharing, it's like one of our great chats from 3,000 miles away!

    honoring the light in you as always, love Caroline

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  9. Thanks you guys! It is so nice to know you are reading and enjoying!

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  10. Great post... but HOLY MOLY that pose is amazing!

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