Hello friends, I’m back! Before I begin, I’d like to thank my partner in crime for picking up my slack in this blog writing business and being extra-proactive—she is fabulous. So, after having taken my all too long hiatus from this blog and being rejuvenated from my Bethany-induced caffeine fast (ha!) I have decided that it is time that I start paying the people around me some attention. This morning I endured the frigid cold and traveled to Ping for the 9 am yoga class. After too much “downward-facing dog” and not nearly enough “child’s pose,” I feel that I can safely say that all five of us in the class were feeling sufficiently serene and reenergized by the end. Before we had a chance to roll up our mats and make a mad dash for the swiper, the yoga instructor pressed her palms together and said “Namaste.” Umm…excuse me? Is that even a word? I mean, do they teach yoga instructors a special language along with that freaky ability to bend their legs in 180-degree angles? Puzzled, I decided that my biology homework could wait—I needed to figure out what on earth this woman had said. After much intensive research, I came across this definition from www.yogajournal.com:
The gesture Namaste is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.
It sounds really deep, but the message behind it is so simple. Saying Namaste basically means that you are forming some kind of spiritual connection with another person. So, if I came up to you on the street and was like “Hey, insert-your-name-here. Namaste!” I’d just be finding a short and condensed way to let you know that the same emotions and physical influences that make up you are also inside of me…that you and I really are not that different. Okay, so now that I’ve enlightened you on the true meaning of the word, go ahead and use it! You’ll affirm the oneness of the human family and sound like you know an exotic language. The next time you see a friend or are about to part with a group of acquaintances, just whip it out and see what happens. I promise, you won't be disappointed!
-Nadine
In today’s world of chaos sometimes we forget to take a moment for ourselves to breathe. After the stress of midterms Nadine and I have decided this week to rejuvenate both our minds and our bodies. I have been reading a book titled “A New Earth: Awakening to your life’s purpose by Eckhart Tolle. This book is a great read. I am not finished with the book yet, but I would like to share with you some of the messages I have read about thus far. One of clichés that we would like to consider ourselves a part of is that of popularity. Eckhart Tolle writes about how it is hard for this idea to overcome and how at times we become too obsessed with our egos. Tolle writes “The word ‘I’ embodies the greatest error and the deepest truth, depending on how it is used. In conventional usage, it is not only one of the most frequently used words in the language, but also one of the most misleading. In normal everyday usage ‘I’ embodies the primordial error, a misconception of who you are, an illusory sense of identity. This is the ego.”
With those words in mind, what I think is important to think about this week is what things are you doing in life simply to stroke your ego? What things can you take out that might seem meaningful at the time but when looked at on a more profound level are mere objects of our consumer-obsessed society. Just take this week to evaluate what is most important for you to achieve in school and life and block out that internal voice that is always telling you to be what others want. We encourage you to take some time for yourself, maybe hop on a treadmill or listen to some calming music—just get some alone time and reflect. It’ll be nice.
Also, Nadine and I have decided that this week we are doing a body cleanse to rid ourselves of toxins. Although it will be tough, we have decided to take out sugar, gluten, caffeine, and animal products. Wish us luck on your journey! Until next time (make sure to come back in about a week because we will have video footage uploaded about some of our experiences here at OU) Have a safe but happy Halloween!
Peace and love.
-Bethany
As Nadine stated in our last blog entry “what would you do if could grab n go the perfect guy?” Well, my response to this dire question is “What if you find this guy and he is exactly like you?” I mean think about it, girls are always obsessing “life would so much easier if I could just create my own perfect guy." But do we ever stop and think that maybe it might not be the best idea? I mean, maybe we shouldn’t come up with this perfect guy. If he turns out exactly how you wanted him, then there are no surprises. Predictability is something that I think everyone could agree makes life boring. Also, whether or not people like to say “opposites attract” girls wants their exact counterparts. And, when I say exact, that’s what I mean. So, if you found this guy that was exactly like you, you have to think “how could I keep the relationship interesting?” Regardless if you find this ideal man or not I think that it’s important to realize that you must never compromise who you are to get a guy to like you. Also, just be up front with your feelings if you like someone. If there’s one thing I hate it’s mind games. I think that it’s just best to speak your mind. That’s my relationship advice for the time being.
Ok, on to another subject. I can be a pretty philosophical person so I am going to try to write on a profound level. The other day I realized one of my roommates was upset. After asking her what was bothering her she told me that her friend was diagnosed with leukemia. I think since it is October and yes we all want to celebrate Halloween; I think that we need to stop and think that it is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Since coming to college, I have yet to share even with my roommates and some of my closest friends that my mom passed away from breast cancer on April 23rd, 2007. The reason I am hesitant to tell other people is because the last thing I want is a pity party. Instead what I try to do is count my blessings every single day. Since her passing, although it was definitely the lowest point of my life, my personality has definitely changed. I find it hard to stress about small things and it has definitely changed my outlook on life. Yes, I know that you have all heard sayings like “there’s no reason to be upset because your life could be so much worse” or “you have to make the best out of everyday because you only have one life to live." But, I think that we should all really stop and think about what these sayings are about. I am sure we could all admit that although life really does suck sometimes, it could be so much worse. Forget about regret and just move on with your life. We have all made mistakes. Go out and have some fun! Who cares about what other people might think? On that note, I am going to end this blog entry. October is my fav month and I am ready to live it up! Until my next entry…peace and love ☺
-Bethany
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