self-compassion: go easy on yourself

I believe self-compassion is one of the keys to unlocking a healthy, happy life. With that being said, I continue to have to work on a daily basis to keep my type A personality in check and treat myself compassionately. Here is a short New York Times article that once again reiterates the importance of going easy on ourselves:

http://nyti.ms/foOHha

I love the idea of writing a letter of support to yourself! And, we all know, I am a big believer in writing and reciting affirmations/mantras. Over time, these little changes can make a big difference!

Another resource that has helped me tremendously on this self-compassion journey is Tara Brach's book Radical Acceptance. I read it just over five years ago, and it really changed my life. Tara Brach is fabulous, and she also has a podcast where she lectures on topics such as mindfulness, self-acceptance, living in the present, etc. Definitely check her out if you are interested!

Hope you're having a self-compassionate weekend!

Peace, Love, Lipstick,
& Namaste'
Leslie

energy

When I think about energy and how it operates in life, I am excited, amazed and in awe. I don't often talk about this subject, as I don't want anyone to think I'm living in my own little "woo-woo" world. Even though I don't discuss my strong belief in the importance of tuning in to the energy in our lives, I know I radiate a certain energy that others can probably pick up on, and so they might just believe I'm in my own little "woo-woo" world anyway.

I recently began reading a fabulous book, Positive Energy by Judith Orloff, M.D., and although I realize I'm risking the "woo-woo" title here, I felt compelled to write about this subject today. First, as I was reading, I realized that I fit the description for an intuitive empath in many ways. Essentially, this means I pick up on and easily absorb the energy of those around me. Orloff describes intuitive empaths as people who are highly sensive and often don't like to be in big crowds because of the energy they absorb. For me, I am fine in crowded situations, (although I do crave alone time), in that I don't feel like I absorb the energy of others unless I am interacting directly with them. I now know this is one reason my first year counseling was so very difficult for me: I would take in all the negative energy of the people I was counseling. As a result, I felt drained, depressed, fatigued and at some points, hopeless. To this day, I am still working on not losing my energy by absorbing that of others.

Here are some questions Orloff provides to help you figure out if you, too, are an intuitive empath:

"Ask yourself:

• Have I been labeled as overly sensitive?


• If a friend is distraught or in physical pain, do I start feeling it too?


• Am I drained in crowds, going out of my way to avoid them?


• Do I get anxious in packed elevators, airplanes, or subways?


• Am I hypersensitive to noise, scents, or excessive talking?


• When I see gruesome newscasts, does my energy plummet?


• Do I get burned out by groups, require lots of time alone to revive?

Discovering you're an empath can be a revelation. Putting a name to a very real intuitive experience legitimizes your perceptions. It also pinpoints where you're losing energy so you can regain it."

Orloff goes on to explore the importance of getting in touch with our intuition, our wise inner voice. Today it is all too easy for our intuitions to get drowned out by the busy, multi-tasking, workaholic world:

"Do everything you can to find intuition. Whether you're following your gut, scoping out someone's vibes, or grounding yourself in the midst of turmoil, be fierce about your inner listening. From that center point, feel your life's rhythm. Synchronize with it and watch your positive energy grow. Resist the rhythm and see how your energy dwindels. The art of living is to listen to signals. There's an ease to letting your insticts guide. Intuition isn't a luxury; it's mandatory for a joyous life. Risk trusting it. I guarantee: your energy will flourish."

"Intuition isn't a luxury; it's mandatory for a joyous life." When was the last time your listened to it?

Namaste'
Leslie

new summer yoga read

I just started reading Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat by Richard Faulds and Senior Teachers of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. I am only through the first chapter, but I am already loving it! I definitely appreciate the focus on taking yoga off the mat and using it as a way to stay present and peaceful in the midst of daily life.

Here's a yogathought from the book:

"With your mind focused on what's happening here and now, you can respond to life directly, free of past baggage and worries about the future. Being present empowers you to make conscious choices about what you want--and don't want--to create in your life. When you are present in your body, you live with a natural ease and grace."

Namaste'
Yogadiva