I am in a weird mood. Kind of still. Sitting hear on my couch. TV’s on (watching Superstar Hair Challenge…). This is one of those days when I have to just write for myself. I have to block out the MILLIONS of eyes (heh) that land on this page EVERY DAY, and just write whatever comes to my mind. Hopefully, it’ll be aiight. But, the idea is that it doesn’t matter. Hopefully, I won’t divulge too much — unguarded as I am in this blocked-out state. Hopefully, it’ll make sense. There’s no going back. This is stream of consciousness. Some things I’ve been thinking about today….

I’ve been thinking a lot about how my path has suddenly shifted. I’ve reclaimed my old spiritual self — the one I lost when I was battling my pregnancy depression. I really think teaching yoga again has brought me back to this state of being. And, I’m so grateful. Because I’m now going to raise kids with this spiritual awareness, positivity, creativity, AND my cheaty little monkey does a MEAN tree pose!


Yoga Girl, by Jennifer Brinley.

After my yoga class today, I bumped into some friends who gave me some wicked-arse news: “Eternal Moments Bookstore is having a sale — up to 80% off — TOTALLY go check it out!” No one really knows this, but, I LOVE this store. It is one of my FAVOURITE places….

You go in there, and you get a STRONG WHIFF of incense — usually lavender (my favourite…not that I’m a huge incense fan, but I do find lavender fabulously calming). And, there are shelves upon shelves of the most inspiring and interesting books. I LOVE going there for my yoga books…. Just today, I bought one of my faves AT reduced price….

I’ve had my eye on this book for a while now, BRIMMING as it is with wonderful insights and information…. And, now, IT’S MINE. HAAARRRRRRR!

I also found this little gem at a CRAZY low prize. Crazy enough for me to…buy it.

self-esteem cards kids

It’s a set of “64 affirmation cards” for kids 6-12, by Susan T. Howson. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Since I rediscovered the ole’ spiritual side, I’ve realized I grew up with NO SELF-ESTEEM. I mean, like, ZERO. It’s sooo not my parents’ fault. It was a combination of things. Anyway. Having no self-esteem is DETRIMENTAL to a young girl in so many ways. So, of course, my main goal as a parent is to cultivate my kids’ self-esteem (I’ll talk more about this later this week on Recommends.) Anyway, these cards are the perfect tool! Each card has an affirmation (and illustration) — “I Am [something]” — and on the back of each card is a statement (and illustration) that reinforces the affirmation. The illustrations on front and back are so cute and colourful, and they, too, reinforce and solidify the affirmation. I think it’s totally brillers.

children self-esteem cards self-esteem cards kids

self-esteem cards kids self-esteem cards kids

self-esteem cards kids self-esteem cards kids

One of the best cards for the monkey right now is this one: on the front, it says, “I am Safe”; and, on the back, it says, “I am surrounded by people who take good care of me.” The poor thing’s afraid of EVERYTHING from spiders to the handheld shower head to fluffs to worms, caterpillars and, alas, GERMS (and I don’t know WHO gave her that fear — unless she REALLY was listening to her mama’s OCD ramblings when she was in the womb…).

I took out the cards this afternoon, and monkey responded as I’d hoped. She LOVES them….

Alas, the reason all the beautiful things in Eternal Moments are on sale is that this secret spiritual haven of mine is going out of business…. I’ll just have to find another….

I know a lot of people think the whole spirituality thing is “hocus pocus” (a phrase a friend of mine used once). A lot of people literally shoo away the idea of yoga when I suggest it to ease headaches or stress or arthritis or whatever, and I’m, like, “okaayyyy.” I just really believe more than ever that we all need to include some sort of meditation in our lives — either in the form of yoga, breathing, visualization, or even walking outside, painting, golfing, or doing any activity that brings us into the here-and-now and renews our perspective on life…. BUBBLEBATHS! CANDLES! MASSAGES! FACIALS! All that counts!

I looked around the room at the end of the yoga class today. Some of my students had taken a seated pose. Eyes were closed and palms were on their knees facing up. They looked so still and peaceful and intent on MEDITATING. They were taking it seriously. I was honoured and so happy to be among these everyday yogis….

Time for bed. This felt good. Journal writing — BLOG writing — another form of meditation…. Fun. Honest. Enlightening. Hopefully, it was aiight for the MILLION eyes…!

(And, hey, did you know there’s a hott contest happening over at Cheaty Goodies? Go enter for a chance to win one of THREE $100 gift certificates to my fave online beauty store!!!)

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