Judgement, Laughter, Gratitude

Laughter is truly the best medicine!
Photo Credit: Marcus Bernales (Creative Commons)

Picks to Ponder:

A weekly post featuring a few notable items I've found to be thought provoking, and/or a positive influence on my outlook on life. 

{Click here to see where it all started.}

"We condemn in others what we are afraid to see in ourselves."

-Deepak Chopra

On Judgement

I struggle with being judgmental.  I have condemed the materialistic behavior of others with fury and superiority, while watching this video of "Black Friday Mania". I have happily made fun of this pageant contestant without a second thought. And while riding Chicago buses and trains, I have found myself, one time too many, smirking and being dismissive of the behavior of other riders. 

I am not proud of this behavior. Thus, finding alternative view points and constructive ways of thinking about the world in which we live, is vital to my personal growth.

Below I've included some links that inspire me to move toward love and compassion, and beyond judgement. Enjoy!

• Goop Newsletter -November 24, 2011 {a weekly publication produced by Gwynth Paltrow}
• Catherine Forham's Black Friday Letter

On Laughter

It's basically an essential non-negotiable part of life. Here is what I've been laughing at this week:

• Best School Picture Ever!
• Drunk & Brunch. Yes Please!

On Gratitude

Most of my friends do not blog. And most of them lose interest as endless rambles fall from my lips concerning the beauty and inspiration I find among the blogging community. And as Thanksgiving came and went this year, blog posts were filled with candid moving thoughts of gratitude. Thus, I am sincerely grateful for all the amazing bloggers out there. You make me think, laugh, create, and grow.

Want to see some of my favorite blogs posts who helped me get into the Thanksgiving spirit? Click the links below!

• Ashore {A lovely poetic Portland, Oregon blogger who truly has a way with words!}
• the Flybird {Adorable couple, Spencer & Kylie, reveal why they are grateful to be alive via a wicked travel story! Love it!}
• the Daily Muse {If you love animals, this link is for you. No Thanksgiving is complete without an amazingly cute dog video!}

I would love to read your thoughts on this weeks Picks to Ponder. 
Please leave comments & questions below, so we can discuss.

{Missed last weeks Picks to Ponder? Click here.}

Life...

Picks to Ponder:

A weekly post featuring a few notable items I've found to be thought provoking, and/or a positive influence on my outlook on life. 

{Click here to see where it all started.}

On Relationships

This week I was honored to write a guest blog post on Story Wrought. My post addressed my decision to leave Alaska, and the importance of developing deep interpersonal relationships in my life.

The video below features world renowned yoga teacher John Friend discussing the impact deep long term relationships can have on our lives. His words echo my sentiments, and greatly inspires me.

On Lifestyle
The Shelby is a storytelling project created by Todd Shelby. The project works to share stories of creative interesting people {artists, writers, designers, etc.} through video and photographs. Below is a video featuring Rockaway Taco and its co-owener Andrew Field. Field's narrative is an example of living life unconventionally with great quality and meaning.

It is my hope, I can continually find ways to do the same.

{Note: The Shelby recently produced a video for Zara featuring Lucy Chadwick. The video has been quite popular among bloggers. Personally, I absolutely adore it and highly suggest checking it out.}

I would love to read your thoughts on this weeks Picks to Ponder. 
Please leave comments & questions below, so we can discuss.

{Missed last weeks Picks to Ponder? Click here.}

Running is Romantic

Marathon Training Inspiration!

Excerpt from Christopher McDougall's Born to Run

Note: The "Ann" mentioned in the excerpt below, refers to Ann Trason. Trason is an American Ultra Marathon runner. She is considered to be one of the best of her time.

 ...Ann insisted, running was romantic; and no, of course her friends didn't get it because they'd never broken through. For them, running was a miserable two miles motivated solely by size six jeans: get on the scale, get depressed, get your headphones on, and get it over with. But you can't muscle through a five hour run that way; you have to relax into it, like easing your body into a hot bath, until it no longer resists the shock and begins to enjoy it.

Relax enough, and your body becomes so familiar with the cradle-rocking rhythm that you almost forget you're moving. And once you break through to that soft, half levitating flow, that's when the moonlight and champagne show up: "You have to be in tune with your body, and know when you can push it and when to back off," Ann would explain. You have to listen closely to the sound of your own breathing; be aware of how much sweat is beading on your back; make sure to treat yourself to cool water and a salty snack and ask yourself, honestly and often, exactly how you feel. What could be more sensual than paying exquisite attention to your own body? Sensual counted as romantic, right?

---------

All too often, vigorous exercise is only discussed in juxtaposition to weight and beauty. If you want to look like THIS, you must do THAT {and it isn't going to be fun, let alone romantic}. Having been a victim of this thinking myself, physical activity has felt like punishment; a curse rather than a blessing.

Thus, finding people who can convey a different narrative are nothing short of heroes to me. 

McDougall's Born to Run is filled with passages that describe running as an intimate beautiful experience. I LOVE thinking of the act of moving my body in this way. It stirs-up an overwhelming sense of gratitude in my heart. Gratitude for having time in my days  to cultivate a mind, body and soul connection . Where trivial worries and hang-ups fall away. Some days it's just me and the pavement. Other days it's just me and my yoga mat. And on a great day, it's both.

Be sure to check Underlined and Bold tomorrow! A second passage from Born to Run that's been inspirational for my marathon training will be revealed!

Until then, 

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Clueless about my marathon training? Click here and here and here to learn more!

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 4

The Final Post.

There are no happier people on this planet than those who decide that they want something, define what they want, get hold of the feeling of it even before its manifestation and then joyously watch the unfolding as, piece by piece by piece, it begins to unfold. That's the feeling of your hands in the clay. 

- Abraham Hicks

I want to travel. 

I want to see the world;

its diverse landscapes and people.

I want to taste unknown fruit

and hear sounds for which I have no words. 

I want my nostrils to know confusion 

and eyes to stare in wonderment and awe.

I want faraway sands to filter

through my fingers

-- upon arrival home

find it swishing around in my shoe.

I want to witness the sunset 

at a thousand angles, 

slowly watching the night stars fill the sky 

with brightness. 

I want to listen to the rain make peculiar noises 

under an unfamiliar roof.

I want to travel

I want to see the world.

As an adult, I have found deciding what I want is not a simple task. 
For me it ceases to be simple because there is so much I want and yearn for. I only have so much time in a day. I only have so much money to spend. Understanding these facts, despite my best efforts to ignore them at times, I know decisions must be made. I know I must move certain interests aside, allowing others to take center stage and come to fruition.


One of those decisions I've made is to travel. A choice that involves scrimping and saving for such experiences. Forgoing luxuries of a car, new clothes, or even a fun night out with friends. And sometimes that is hard. But I know something harder. Not buying the plane ticket. Not climbing the mountain. Not visiting faraway friends. Not eating my first lobster roll. Not flipping the truth I've known on its head. Not seeing how others live out their day-to-day lives. That would be much harder for me.


So onward I continue.


Below are the last remaining highlights of my Northeast Adventures. 
If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, Part 3A click here, Part 3B click here, Part 3C click here.


And be sure to visit Underlined and Bold tomorrow as I reveal my next travel destination! 


Happy Wednesday Everyone!!


Light and love,
Abigail 


Local. Local. Local.
Unique small local businesses are on every corner of Portland, Maine. Placed prominently in front window displays are "buy local" signs. Guides books to "Keep Portland Independent" are easily located throughout the city. As American landscapes are taken over more and more by big corporations, Portland shows a strong stance against that norm.

I LOVE THIS!

Click here to see the work of a talented local artist.

Yoga is for everyone.

Yoga is an integral part of my life. A source of spiritual guidance. A light where darkness lingers mentally and physically. I believe it can serve as such in anyone's life.

My goal: to visit at least one yoga studio everywhere I travel.

In Boston I had a delightful experience with Back Bay Yoga Studio.

In Portland, I attended a one hour "Mixed Flow" class with Shannon at Lila East End Yoga. Shannon is a hands on teacher with strong cuing. Her presence is light and fun, making me feel right at home among her regular students. After class we spent an hour chatting about yoga, and her journey to becoming a yoga teacher. She truly has an amazing spirit! If you are in the area, drop into one of Shannon's classes and tell her I say "hi".

Shannon!

Camping with a porcupine.

As day slipped into night, a porcupine decided to join Betsy and I at our campsite on Hermit Island. Running around our tent with baby in tow, it eventually decided to sit on the branch directly above our tent. She kindly reminded us of her presence by pooping and dropping tree bark all night.

Embarrassing Fun Fact:  As Betsy and I hid in the car, I called my boyfriend Chris to ensure we were not going to be viciously attacked by a porcupine. He informed us, to our relief, that porcupines are docile creatures.

Bathroom Wisdom.

Henry Ford and I shared a meeting of the minds while I tinkled in the Hilltop Coffee Shop bathroom. 

Strengthening Friendships.

There is something truly magical about visiting friends who no longer live near. Details of their new locale may penetrate your imagination via phone, e-mail and/or Facebook. But there is nothing like seeing where they walk, where they sleep, and with whom they find companionship with in person.

I have had this experience repeatedly in my life.

 I feel immensely blessed.

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 3C

Scrapbook: Exploring Maine's Natural Elements

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. ...I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.  

-Anne Frank

For me

Only as an adult

I've Learned 

Turning to nature

Inspires 

And helps heal even the deepest of wounds

Providing

Clarity. Stillness. Quiet. Love.

What places provide you healing and/or inspiration?

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here , Part 2 click here, Part 3A click here, Part 3B click here.

Otherwise, check back in the next few days for Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 4.

It will be the final wrap up post of the series!

(I'm a little sad about this. It's been extremely fun to daydream and revisit the pleasures of my vacation as my days fill up with the more practical aspects of life -- you know -- laundry and paying my rent.)

Travelin' Tuesdays - Four

A Quest for the Spiritual.

"Where have you traveled that has provided you a deeper connection with parts of your life your extremely passionate about?"  

I posed this question two weeks ago in my Travelin' Tuesdays blog post.  Days after clicking the "publish" button on the post I found myself thinking about this question quite a bit. I began to look through old photos and day dream about some of the places I've visited over the years. Through this process I stumbled upon a video (view below) I took in Morocco in December of 2008. The video was taken during adhan, the call to prayer. Morocco is a Muslim country, so adhan is heard five times a day proceeding the daily prayers fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam. Traditionally adhan was shouted by a muezzin in the minaret of a mosque. Today, most mosques are armed with a recording of the call that blares through a loudspeaker. 

Light sleepers, or those sensitive to noise, may be less than enthusiastic about adhan, as the first call of the day is around 4:30am. But as I traveled to different cities throughout the country, I found myself looking forward to the call to prayer. I found myself listening for the call, stopping briefly to remember how grateful I was for the opportunity to travel to such a beautiful country.  I would even go as far to say I was envious, as I would day dream about what it would be like to have adhan in my everyday life.

 Upon reflection, I think part of my envy and love of the call to prayer stemmed from my tremendous passion  for the Christian religion during that time period of my life. I was very passionate about Christ's message concerning serving others and loving ones neighbor. Having the call to prayer (contextualized within Christianity) in my daily life would mean I would be reminded of Christ's message everyday several times a day.

Three and half years removed from my time in Morocco, I am quite skeptical of religion. Despite my skepticism I still cling to some of the messages concerning social justice, service, love and compassion that I began to understand more fully during my time of great devotion to Christianity. I also cling to the notion that we (humans) are spiritual beings. Therefore I find religion to be one of the more fascinating facets of the world in which we live, as it has played a large role in many people's expression of spirituality throughout history.

 If I went back to Morocco today, I am confident I would find adhan as amazingly beautiful as I did in 2008. My reasons would be different, but I have no doubt that I would love its presence. During my travels in recent years, the more ethereal parts of the human experience seem to have had the greatest impact on me.

Looking toward the future, my list of possible places to travel is also dominated by the theme of spirituality and my fascination with otherworldly experiences. Some destinations on my list are explicitly spiritual like studying yoga in India, visiting the biblical sites of Jerusalem, and walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Other destinations are more implicitly spiritual, with specific focus on immersion into nature and/or deepening my connection and understanding of my fellow (wo)man. Nature, I discovered during my year living in Alaska, can be far more ethereal than any man-made structure or institution devoted to the ideal. Connecting to my fellow brethren, whether a close friend or stranger of another culture, are my teachers of generosity, love, compassion and humility.

Despite my spiritual path veering away from Christianity, I am passionate about continually cultivating gratitude in my life and seeing the interconnected nature of all things. Therefore I am grateful for experiences like adhan while traveling, that bring me closer to that passion in which the heart of my spirituality lies.



The video below was recorded in December of 2008 outside the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (one of two mosques in Morocco that non-muslims are allowed entry). The audio features adhan. The images featured include the mosque's minaret and the my fellow travelers. Towards the end of the video my two friends who are muslim are featured. They are heading into the mosque to pray. 

Continue to join Underlined and Bold every Tuesday for inspirational travel content. Tuesday will be set aside each week to inspire us all to get out of our comfort zones, plan our next adventure and be open to whatever we find along the way. If you would like to see how "Travelin' Tuesdays" got its start on Underlined and Bold click here.