I've been reading more non-fiction lately than fiction and most of us are used to the non-fiction text books we had to read and study in school. BUT, the non-fiction I've been reading of late actually tells a story - or two.
The most recent book I'm reading is by Dr. Andrew Weil and titled, Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future. I'm only into the first chapter but already Dr. Weil is telling a story, and a very important one at that. He's telling the story of how the health care system in America is near it's breaking point, if it hasn't actually hit it already. Another author, Malcolm Gladwell writes about tipping points and how little things can make a big difference.
The book I finished just before picking up Dr. Weil's book is by Judith Lasater titled Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life.
In my group for fiction writers we often discuss finding our voice as a writer and I think that is true for non-fiction as well. While reading Judith Lasater's book I found myself drawn into her story about her evolution with yoga and it was because of her ability as a story teller that her non-fiction teachings came across so strongly, at least for me. Based on what I've read so far of Dr. Weil's book, I suspect the same will be true for his work as well.
I'm grateful that those non-fiction writers who seek to share their knowledge with others do so by actually telling stories throughout their written works. It just goes to show you that nothing beats a good story, especially when it is told in a genuine and honest voice.
So, what story do you have to tell?
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Life Resolutions
While everyone else seems to be making those pesky resolutions for the New Year, I'm working on some life resolutions instead. It's just going slightly slower than I expected. I have some good reasons for this but then everyone usually does because they generally fall into the category of life happens.
Mine include an unexpected business trip, my 16 1/2 year-old dog is ill and may not recover, the pace at work seems to continue to increase, and - well, you get the point. Life Happens!
I did write down some goals, or resolutions, such as: write more, travel more, better organization at work and home, yoga everyday, enjoy life wherever possible, and so on, and so on. I've come to the conclusion, however, over the many years of making New Year's resolutions that what I need is Life Resolutions - in other words, add/subtract things from my life that make sense for the rest of my life.
One of those "things" is yoga. I like the philosophy of yoga and the opportunity for growth and awareness. With New Year's resolutions, a very small percentage, including me, are able to keep them. I've always felt like a failure by February because for the most part, the resolutions weren't reasonable and didn't take into account that life happens.
With yoga and it's many forms of practice, the fact that life happens is part of the process. Besides, it's more workable to fit my goals above into the rest of my life instead of a year.
Happy writing everyone.
Mine include an unexpected business trip, my 16 1/2 year-old dog is ill and may not recover, the pace at work seems to continue to increase, and - well, you get the point. Life Happens!
I did write down some goals, or resolutions, such as: write more, travel more, better organization at work and home, yoga everyday, enjoy life wherever possible, and so on, and so on. I've come to the conclusion, however, over the many years of making New Year's resolutions that what I need is Life Resolutions - in other words, add/subtract things from my life that make sense for the rest of my life.
One of those "things" is yoga. I like the philosophy of yoga and the opportunity for growth and awareness. With New Year's resolutions, a very small percentage, including me, are able to keep them. I've always felt like a failure by February because for the most part, the resolutions weren't reasonable and didn't take into account that life happens.
With yoga and it's many forms of practice, the fact that life happens is part of the process. Besides, it's more workable to fit my goals above into the rest of my life instead of a year.
Happy writing everyone.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Namaste
I’m involved with a number of writing groups and events one of which is the Love is Murder Con (LIM CON) held during the first weekend in February. We’ve held it annually until now, taking a break in 2010 to reorganize and the decision was an appropriate one for the board, the conference and the attendees. Just wait until you see what we have planned for 2011.
We had our most recent board meeting last week to go over a variety of issues that conference boards usually discuss and I left the meeting feeling quite excited about the 2011 LIM CON. As we continue to hear of other CON’s folding or taking even longer breaks than just the one year we did, it’s becoming clearer that our 2011 LIM CON will be a well-attended and high-energy event.
We’re working on a new web page so check the website from time to time, especially in Jan 2010 for updates. The url is www.loveismurder.net.
In the meantime, I’ve been happily working and writing and cooking. I’m working on a cookbook that I’m very excited about and hope to have it available for the 2011 Holiday Season. I continue to plug away at my fiction and have started writing more poetry and short stories.
I say happily working because I do have a good job. It’s hard and challenging work, but I’m happily and gainfully employed with benefits and I have a job that is as about as guaranteed as they come. Given the cost of my daughter’s education, a recent divorce and so many other issues, I doubt I’ll retire anytime soon, but that’s okay since I do actually enjoy my work and I receive bi-annual feedback during reviews that my work is appreciated. I count my blessings each and everyday.
While I’ve hits some bumps in the road these past two years, 2010 and beyond is shaping up to be incredibly rewarding on all fronts and I have to say that I’m excited about it, especially the time I’ve been able to carve out for my writing. Interestingly enough my yoga practice has facilitated this more than anything else. I’m a yoga cheerleader these days because the yoga process and philosophy has provided me with a foundation to accomplish many things I only dreamed about, and more importantly, helped me through some difficult times.
So, as I continue to be busy with work, writing, and living my life, I’ve finally found a peacefulness that I’ve never known before and a sense of living consciously that has kept me safe from some very negative energy from people that have unpleasantly surprised me of late. To these individuals and everyone else out there I wish only good things and positive energy and will genuinely end this entry on a yoga note - Namaste.
We had our most recent board meeting last week to go over a variety of issues that conference boards usually discuss and I left the meeting feeling quite excited about the 2011 LIM CON. As we continue to hear of other CON’s folding or taking even longer breaks than just the one year we did, it’s becoming clearer that our 2011 LIM CON will be a well-attended and high-energy event.
We’re working on a new web page so check the website from time to time, especially in Jan 2010 for updates. The url is www.loveismurder.net.
In the meantime, I’ve been happily working and writing and cooking. I’m working on a cookbook that I’m very excited about and hope to have it available for the 2011 Holiday Season. I continue to plug away at my fiction and have started writing more poetry and short stories.
I say happily working because I do have a good job. It’s hard and challenging work, but I’m happily and gainfully employed with benefits and I have a job that is as about as guaranteed as they come. Given the cost of my daughter’s education, a recent divorce and so many other issues, I doubt I’ll retire anytime soon, but that’s okay since I do actually enjoy my work and I receive bi-annual feedback during reviews that my work is appreciated. I count my blessings each and everyday.
While I’ve hits some bumps in the road these past two years, 2010 and beyond is shaping up to be incredibly rewarding on all fronts and I have to say that I’m excited about it, especially the time I’ve been able to carve out for my writing. Interestingly enough my yoga practice has facilitated this more than anything else. I’m a yoga cheerleader these days because the yoga process and philosophy has provided me with a foundation to accomplish many things I only dreamed about, and more importantly, helped me through some difficult times.
So, as I continue to be busy with work, writing, and living my life, I’ve finally found a peacefulness that I’ve never known before and a sense of living consciously that has kept me safe from some very negative energy from people that have unpleasantly surprised me of late. To these individuals and everyone else out there I wish only good things and positive energy and will genuinely end this entry on a yoga note - Namaste.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sign of the Times
Everyone it seems is having financial difficulties. We can't turn to any form of the news without hearing about how bad the stock market is, how much trouble small businesses are in or how much more heating and medical care will cost. So what's a person to do?
I've often talked about how I grew up without much of anything. I started working at eleven years old to buy my own clothes, food and lots of other things but I don't remember worrying as much about medical care as I do today for my daughter. Don't get me wrong - we often didn't receive medical care because we didn't have the money but it wasn't as disruptive as it seems to be these days and obviously I'm alive to talk about it. I actually remember as a young child when I was ill that the doctor made house calls. I also remember my mother taking me to the doctor and the office visit cost $10.00. That wasn't the co-pay, that was the cost. Even then my mother still had to work out a payment plan because after all there were seven of us - children that is.
Now, I'm only 52 so we're not talking that long ago - not really - but it makes one wonder as to what happened to our medical system and living environments that it costs so much money to receive any kind of medical care and that we need so much of that care. Interestingly, clinics are popping up in pharmacies and other places to offer more convenient and affordable care to the masses. Now there are critics of this system of course, but I'm a fan of my local convenient care medical facility, especially on the weekends. I always followup with my primary doctor but then I have health insurance and a stable job AND I live in a community that has lots of resources.
Whatever the reasons are that we have the medical care system we have, something needs to be done about it. It's gotten to the point that people are afraid to retire, not only because of the economy and the loss in their retirement funds, but because most companies no longer offer medical care into retirement. So, if you retire prior to 65 (when you're first eligible for medicare) you have very limited and very expensive options. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years, but I'm significantly disappointed that we've reached the point we have. I think there's lots of blame and responsibility to go around, including with each of us.
I decided several years ago that I needed to be my own advocate when it comes to health care and many, many other aspects of life. I've been modifying many areas of my lifestyle in terms of nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional awareness, and overall quality of life. I often tell people the best way to stay afloat in retirement is to stay healthy and happy. One of the best ways to do that is with exercise activities such as yoga. I'm declaring myself an unofficial cheerleader of yoga - except no pom poms. (I actually had pom poms in high school when I was a member of the school drill team but these days they seem to have a very different and cruder meaning. Okay, so I have those too!) A sense of humor is also extremely important in living a healthy life.
I attend two different yoga classes right now and have two different instructors and sometimes there are substitutes for my weekend class. But I especially like my one instructor during the week. His yoga class is one of the highlights of my week. He just has that right blend of knowledge and funness (okay, so that's not really a word - is it?) that makes the class a pleasure. Sometimes it's a painful pleasure depending on what he has us do to include attempting to stand on our heads. I strongly believe that with something like yoga one has to make it a part of their lifestyle for the rest of their life and having an instructor one can emotionally and mentally connect to is, well priceless.
So, get out there and take care of yourself. This financial crisis will pass. It may take a few years but hopefully we're all learning something about ourselves and our world as a result, and that we will make the changes we need to make to live a life that can withstand the ups and downs that are always going to be a part of it. My prescription? Take two yoga classes and don't call me in the morning!
Stay healthy and happy.
I've often talked about how I grew up without much of anything. I started working at eleven years old to buy my own clothes, food and lots of other things but I don't remember worrying as much about medical care as I do today for my daughter. Don't get me wrong - we often didn't receive medical care because we didn't have the money but it wasn't as disruptive as it seems to be these days and obviously I'm alive to talk about it. I actually remember as a young child when I was ill that the doctor made house calls. I also remember my mother taking me to the doctor and the office visit cost $10.00. That wasn't the co-pay, that was the cost. Even then my mother still had to work out a payment plan because after all there were seven of us - children that is.
Now, I'm only 52 so we're not talking that long ago - not really - but it makes one wonder as to what happened to our medical system and living environments that it costs so much money to receive any kind of medical care and that we need so much of that care. Interestingly, clinics are popping up in pharmacies and other places to offer more convenient and affordable care to the masses. Now there are critics of this system of course, but I'm a fan of my local convenient care medical facility, especially on the weekends. I always followup with my primary doctor but then I have health insurance and a stable job AND I live in a community that has lots of resources.
Whatever the reasons are that we have the medical care system we have, something needs to be done about it. It's gotten to the point that people are afraid to retire, not only because of the economy and the loss in their retirement funds, but because most companies no longer offer medical care into retirement. So, if you retire prior to 65 (when you're first eligible for medicare) you have very limited and very expensive options. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years, but I'm significantly disappointed that we've reached the point we have. I think there's lots of blame and responsibility to go around, including with each of us.
I decided several years ago that I needed to be my own advocate when it comes to health care and many, many other aspects of life. I've been modifying many areas of my lifestyle in terms of nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional awareness, and overall quality of life. I often tell people the best way to stay afloat in retirement is to stay healthy and happy. One of the best ways to do that is with exercise activities such as yoga. I'm declaring myself an unofficial cheerleader of yoga - except no pom poms. (I actually had pom poms in high school when I was a member of the school drill team but these days they seem to have a very different and cruder meaning. Okay, so I have those too!) A sense of humor is also extremely important in living a healthy life.
I attend two different yoga classes right now and have two different instructors and sometimes there are substitutes for my weekend class. But I especially like my one instructor during the week. His yoga class is one of the highlights of my week. He just has that right blend of knowledge and funness (okay, so that's not really a word - is it?) that makes the class a pleasure. Sometimes it's a painful pleasure depending on what he has us do to include attempting to stand on our heads. I strongly believe that with something like yoga one has to make it a part of their lifestyle for the rest of their life and having an instructor one can emotionally and mentally connect to is, well priceless.
So, get out there and take care of yourself. This financial crisis will pass. It may take a few years but hopefully we're all learning something about ourselves and our world as a result, and that we will make the changes we need to make to live a life that can withstand the ups and downs that are always going to be a part of it. My prescription? Take two yoga classes and don't call me in the morning!
Stay healthy and happy.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
When Life Gets in the Way
Many writers long to quit their day jobs and write fulltime. Sometimes I'm one of them but often I struggle with whether or not this would really suit me and the way I live. I like my job and the security it brings as well as the medical and retirement benefits. To write fulltime right now I'd take a huge paycut that I can't afford.
Even though I like my job it's a demanding one and most of the time when I go home at the end of the day I'm tired and I just want to relax and veg in front of the TV. Not very thought provoking or stimulating but that's the point. I like to get lost in the world of dialogue, character development and plotting techniques from shows that I really enjoy such as Dexter, The Closer, In Plain Sight, Criminal Minds, just to mention a few.
I aslo have a running and yoga workout schedule that I committed to for a variety of reasons. I'm running the Chicago half-marathon in less than two weeks. I ran it for the first time in 2006 - this will be my second half-marathon, having skipped the one last year. The yoga? Well, that's for general and mental health. I made a commitment to yoga for the rest of my life and I'm so glad that I did. I've dabbled in yoga on and off over the years but this time it's as much a part of my day as eating the right foods, taking my vitamins and getting a good sleep at night.
I can't recommend yoga enough for everyone and definitely for writers. I've accomplished more in my writing schedule because yoga is a part of my life. I've learned to stretch myself in more ways than I thought possible - both literally and figuratively.
So where's my commitment to my writing? Believe it or not I do most of my writing these days on the train commuting to and from work. Having grown up and attended college in Los Angeles back in the 1960's and 70's I have to say how wonderful it is to be able to commute by train. Even when some poor fool decides to committ suicide by train and delay us for up to 4 hours, I'm still glad to have the commuter train available.
I get on the train, pop open my laptop, put on my head phones and immerse myself in my writing. When I mention this to folks their immediate response is there isn't enough time to write on a commute that is essentially 40 minutes each way on the train. I disagree. A paragraph here, a page there all adds up and I'm ecstatic with my progress everyday. I do work on my writing at home but that's icing on the cake because at home I'm either vegging out after a long day, running, in yoga class or doing house chores. By compartmentalizing my writing on the train I actually write and achieve so much more.
Those shows I mentioned in the beginning of the blog - watch Dexter on DVD without commercials - it's so much better than what they're airing on the non-cable channels because they had to cut some material to make it more accessible to the network. Dexter is a Showtime program that was licensed to the networks around the time of the writers strike in Hollywood - or so it seems. It's a strong program in terms of writing, character development, plotting, and social commentary. The blood splatter and forensic aspect of it may be a turnoff for some people but I just think this program is outstanding in all the ways mentioned. Kudos to all the writers and people who work on the program.
In the end I try not to let my life prevent me from writing but also I try not to let my writing keep me from enjoying my life. It's nice to have balance although some would say I'm off-balance for enjoying Dexter but then again, I've had a long-time fascination with the Jack The Ripper case. Oops, maybe I've revealed too much!
Even though I like my job it's a demanding one and most of the time when I go home at the end of the day I'm tired and I just want to relax and veg in front of the TV. Not very thought provoking or stimulating but that's the point. I like to get lost in the world of dialogue, character development and plotting techniques from shows that I really enjoy such as Dexter, The Closer, In Plain Sight, Criminal Minds, just to mention a few.
I aslo have a running and yoga workout schedule that I committed to for a variety of reasons. I'm running the Chicago half-marathon in less than two weeks. I ran it for the first time in 2006 - this will be my second half-marathon, having skipped the one last year. The yoga? Well, that's for general and mental health. I made a commitment to yoga for the rest of my life and I'm so glad that I did. I've dabbled in yoga on and off over the years but this time it's as much a part of my day as eating the right foods, taking my vitamins and getting a good sleep at night.
I can't recommend yoga enough for everyone and definitely for writers. I've accomplished more in my writing schedule because yoga is a part of my life. I've learned to stretch myself in more ways than I thought possible - both literally and figuratively.
So where's my commitment to my writing? Believe it or not I do most of my writing these days on the train commuting to and from work. Having grown up and attended college in Los Angeles back in the 1960's and 70's I have to say how wonderful it is to be able to commute by train. Even when some poor fool decides to committ suicide by train and delay us for up to 4 hours, I'm still glad to have the commuter train available.
I get on the train, pop open my laptop, put on my head phones and immerse myself in my writing. When I mention this to folks their immediate response is there isn't enough time to write on a commute that is essentially 40 minutes each way on the train. I disagree. A paragraph here, a page there all adds up and I'm ecstatic with my progress everyday. I do work on my writing at home but that's icing on the cake because at home I'm either vegging out after a long day, running, in yoga class or doing house chores. By compartmentalizing my writing on the train I actually write and achieve so much more.
Those shows I mentioned in the beginning of the blog - watch Dexter on DVD without commercials - it's so much better than what they're airing on the non-cable channels because they had to cut some material to make it more accessible to the network. Dexter is a Showtime program that was licensed to the networks around the time of the writers strike in Hollywood - or so it seems. It's a strong program in terms of writing, character development, plotting, and social commentary. The blood splatter and forensic aspect of it may be a turnoff for some people but I just think this program is outstanding in all the ways mentioned. Kudos to all the writers and people who work on the program.
In the end I try not to let my life prevent me from writing but also I try not to let my writing keep me from enjoying my life. It's nice to have balance although some would say I'm off-balance for enjoying Dexter but then again, I've had a long-time fascination with the Jack The Ripper case. Oops, maybe I've revealed too much!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Acceptance
I just finished watching Primetime's hour long special about Randy Pausch. I needed to watch this program. I'm going through an unexpected and painful divorce. I had a very intense therapy session last night going back to the trauma of my violent childhood and I'm very, very raw. I knew I had to watch this program. I craved watching this program.
Why?
Because I wanted to be inspired by the incredible strength of this truly genuine human being and his family - people I've never met - but people who truly speak to the human spirit. I wanted to refocus, adjust my attitude and learn to accept and appreciate all over again.
I haven't felt sorry for myself but understandably I've been battling a mild case of depression. Oh, I go to work and enjoy it. I run and go to my yoga classes and write - all these activities bring me great satisfaction and I keep reaching further and further and doing more and more. I have much to be grateful for. Still, it's easy to get bummed when life seems to let you down.
It's easy to slip into a rush of anger at those who have let you down in your life and as a child there really are people that have a responsibility to take care of you. But as adults we need to be careful about how much we expect others to caretake us. So much is truly rooted in our childhoods but I'm at a turning point in not wanting that childhood to control me anymore. I've logically embraced this for many years but I'm just now truly learning how to integrate this into my heart as well. Balance! What a concept.
So, Randy Pausch - a person I've never met but someone who now means so much to so many people who also never met him. He's known for his last lecture - a hit on You Tube and he transitioned out of this life last Friday and Primetime aired a celebration of life in his honor.
His wife, Jai, talked about acceptance and it really touched me. Acceptance! Not to be confused with making excuses for something or someone, not to be used as a means to keep ourselves from griefing and healing. Acceptance - just something that allows us to find peace with ourselves and our lives so we can live each day to the fullest. Sounds easy doesn't it? But so many of us struggle to acknowledge the act of acceptance, let alone accomplish it.
We're all going to die eventually so here's to Randy Pausch for showing us how to live.
Why?
Because I wanted to be inspired by the incredible strength of this truly genuine human being and his family - people I've never met - but people who truly speak to the human spirit. I wanted to refocus, adjust my attitude and learn to accept and appreciate all over again.
I haven't felt sorry for myself but understandably I've been battling a mild case of depression. Oh, I go to work and enjoy it. I run and go to my yoga classes and write - all these activities bring me great satisfaction and I keep reaching further and further and doing more and more. I have much to be grateful for. Still, it's easy to get bummed when life seems to let you down.
It's easy to slip into a rush of anger at those who have let you down in your life and as a child there really are people that have a responsibility to take care of you. But as adults we need to be careful about how much we expect others to caretake us. So much is truly rooted in our childhoods but I'm at a turning point in not wanting that childhood to control me anymore. I've logically embraced this for many years but I'm just now truly learning how to integrate this into my heart as well. Balance! What a concept.
So, Randy Pausch - a person I've never met but someone who now means so much to so many people who also never met him. He's known for his last lecture - a hit on You Tube and he transitioned out of this life last Friday and Primetime aired a celebration of life in his honor.
His wife, Jai, talked about acceptance and it really touched me. Acceptance! Not to be confused with making excuses for something or someone, not to be used as a means to keep ourselves from griefing and healing. Acceptance - just something that allows us to find peace with ourselves and our lives so we can live each day to the fullest. Sounds easy doesn't it? But so many of us struggle to acknowledge the act of acceptance, let alone accomplish it.
We're all going to die eventually so here's to Randy Pausch for showing us how to live.
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