Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Things happen



It's Tuesday!

Sep 27, 2015 we had a very rare occurrence. So rare, it only happens once every number of years. In fact, the next appearance won't be for another 18 years. I am talking about, the Blood Moon http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/facts-lunar-eclipse.html. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you should be familiar with what I'm talking about. It's only been televised, posted on face book, Twitter, Instagram and more.

The Blood Moon: very rare, and very spectacular. I, like many others I know, spent the better part of last week waiting in anticipation for Sunday when the Blood Moon was going to make its grand entrance. There was just one slight problem when Sunday finally came. Down South, where I am, it was extremely overcast, and being able to see this Blood Moon wasn't really looking to good. In fact, that night, the moon did present itself, there where just clouds blocking the view the whole night. So, sadly, there was no blood moon sighting for us folks down south. Maybe a few, but not that much. In other words, all that  waiting, and no moon to see. Silly clouds...



Isn't that something, you build and build something up only to have the universe interfere, and you get let down. For me, I get bad about anticipating events, and when they don't turn up or go as I imagined, I get let down. So now, I'm down, in a bad mood, and not having a good time. Therefore, everything is a bust...or is it?
Hear me out. 

There was no moon to see, and yet, I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be. Why? Mainly because I made the most of it. You see, though there wasn't a blood moon to see, it was still a nice night. The air was a good temperature, there was a steady breeze, if you had no idea the blood moon was showing itself, it wouldn't have mattered. 



There is a point here. What I'm trying to get across, is that we as humans, sometimes build things up to a point that if anything we have built up is obstructed, we automatically go into bad mood mode. But does it have to be that way? Why not just take a second to know that things have changed, what you thought was going to happen isn't, and make the best of the situation. Now, I understand that sometimes you'll find yourself just incapable to do this. I get it. However, it is possible to make the best out of a bad situation, and when you do, your mood goes up. No more negative thoughts. You have now successfully put yourself in a positive head space.

Congratulations!

Nicole


Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Your TRUE SELF


I had a very wonderful women give me this quote that I felt compelled to share with all of you.

" Today I had a conversation with my TRUE SELF.
 She asked me why I had abandoned her, why I had ignored all her constant ADVICE.
 And then she reminded me of all the things I had FORGOTTEN.
 And never once did she say, 'I TOLD YOU SO' "

Monique Duval

Nicole

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Fear be gone


Fear is fuel.      www.TylerYoga.com www.SadieNardini.com:

This is a good one. Fear. What exactly does fear mean to you? Are you one of those people who refuses to try certain things because you have a fear of them? Or maybe you are one of those people that already has a fear of something you've already set your mind to. Perhaps you are one of those people that had a traumatic experience with something years ago,  now you have a fear of it that has/will plague you for years. The point is, we all have some type of fear. 

Fear is that friend at a party who you can see across the room. All night you basically keep them in eye sight but at a very far distance.

One of the ways I view fear, is as a challenge. Like, tackling a project I was afraid to attempt, but did it anyway. It always starts the same, at first I'm apprehensive, nervous, and of course scared. Usually I'll look for advice from friends I respect and trust, take in what they said and compute the information and thoughts they gave me. After that, that's when I have my own inner self and conscience formulate a plan of action, which always morphs into something that shows me just the kind of person I am. There's always a voice somewhere inside telling me, "Nicole, I know you really want this, and yes at times it will be scary..but hey, what is it that you're really scared of?" Nonsense. All those 'what if' questions you have are just nonsense. Just go for it! If you fail you fail, but hey, at the least you can say you tried, and you did it.

Does it work all the time? No, but guess what? That's life, the cards won't always be in your favor. However, even though I've faced my fears and jumped when I didn't want to, I can look back and say that I have had more success tackling my fears then not. My point is look, I mean really look at the fears you have in your life that are holding you back from whatever is standing in the way between you and something you want to accomplish. Are they really that big, or are you making them that way? By making excuses, you just give more life to your fears.


 Releasing the Fear // thought provoking post by @Katy Widrick on facing your fears, and taking the power back:

Fear is something we all possess whether we admit it or not. The choice to move past it or keep letting it consume you is in your hands. Admitting and acknowledging your fear is the first big step you can make for yourself.

Nicole

Thursday, September 10, 2015

"Practice on"

Hello!

The other day, I went to a yoga class. Right at the beginning of the class we went through a series of stretches to get our bodies warm before really diving into all the tough stuff. One of the exercises required us to use a yoga prop, which was a yoga block.  For those of you out there that are unfamiliar with what a yoga block is and what it is used for, here ya go:

 http://www.yoga-addict.com/what-are-yoga-blocks-used-for  

Blocks can be really useful in the practice for both the beginner and  seasoned yogi. Click below to read more.:  

 Yoga poses using blocks <div class="pinSocialMeta"> <a class="socialItem" href="/pin/294915475573144323/repins/"> <em class="repinIconSmall"></em> <em class="socialMetaCount repinCountSmall"> 1 </em> </a> <a class="socialItem likes" href="/pin/294915475573144323/likes/"> <em class="likeIconSmall"></em> <em class="socialMetaCount likeCountSmall"> 1 </em> </a>:


We were lying on our backs holding the yoga block right over our heads, and moving it as far as we could go and then moving it in front of us as far as we could go. Basically we were creating a see- saw with our arms moving them back and forth while holding the block.

Well, before we started this little exercise, we are all holding out the block above our heads, and I noticed something. Imprinted on the block, was a small message, "Practice On".

"Practice On"....

 

I hit on the topic of "practice" and its importance the other day, and I'm finding myself continuing with this theme. During my speeches, I have a small section where I talk about my education in the arts. One of the biggest things I learned from my education in the arts is that anything worth having is working for. You have to work work, you have to practice, practice, and try....try again. Never give up on yourself.

I guess in my mind I believe that if you want to be good at something for yourself, you have the ability to do so. Just keep working at it. Sadly, this doesn't happen over night. It takes time, and it takes Practice. Though, through all the hard work, all the practice...it will eventually reveal itself to you when you least expect it, and when it does, you'll realize that Practice really does makes perfect. Take it from one who knows :)

 

Nicole





Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Push it, push it!!!


Ever heard the song "Push it" by Salt n' Pepper?

Push it realllll good!:  


I think Salt n' Pepper were onto something when they wrote this song. Personally, pushing myself to do specific things such as finishing a project, cleaning, etc, isn't always easy.

Right now, I've been trying to workout everyday. This is no easy task. I know I need to do it in order to maintain my health, stay in shape, and function better, but  sometimes it's just hard.

As I said in my previous post, I've been taking yoga as much as possible and also revealing that I'm not perfect. Well yesterday, it was definitely one of those days (Labor Day),  where I just did not want to go to yoga. There was no particular reason why, I just didn't want to go. I had absolutely no desire, but I did it anyway, and surprisingly I finished feeling invigorated and with a new attitude.

 When I was in school, I had a theater professor tell my class that, it's when you don't want to do things when your morale and attitude is low that  that's the time you need to push push push and do it anyway. He was referring to stage combat, and the importance of practiceing everyday.

 Just keep pushing and stay focused. The hard work will pay off. - Sports Motivation Quotes #motivational #Inspirational:

Oddly enough, I try to apply that same mentality to my everyday life. Practice makes perfect, push yourself to go that next level, that extra mile. It's listening to that little voice inside your head that says "keep going...you can do it!" 

Or in this case, it's listening to Salt'n Pepper. They say "push it", and I'm going for it!

Nicole



Friday, September 4, 2015

Generosity, curiousity, hope...


I'm not perfect, sorry: I'm not perfect, sorry
Happy Friday!

I've been taking a lot of yoga lately and found that it is extremely beneficial for my body. All the stretching, bending, and twisting keeps my body active while gaining muscle, and muscle memory. Needless to say, I am one happy camper.

Each class I go to is different, and each instructor is different. I love each instructor I go to, but I have one teacher in particular though, Tracey Duncan, whom I'm really drawn to. Before each class she gives a brief speech allowing us insight into her world but also she incorporates different intentions for each practice. For example she might say, " this week I've found myself really curious towards things. So today, give yourself the freedom to be curious with your practice and also when you go on with the rest of your week. Try something new you've always been curious about. Are there any positions that  you're really curious to try? Invite them into your practice." You get the drift.

Every time I take this class it gets me thinking. At one point she talked along the lines of looking at yourself from the outside and really looking at the thoughts you have about yourself, others, your body/practice, etc. On this particular day, it really got my mind jogging. The class was great, and after it was over  I remember I was in the bathroom staring at my reflection. There were so many thoughts and things I saw staring back at me.
 sorry - i'm not perfect, i make mistakes, i hurt people, but when i say sorry, i really mean it.: sorry - i'm not perfect, i make mistakes, i hurt people, but when i say sorry, i really mean it.

One of the first thoughts I had was, "I'm not perfect." The fact that that was the first thought I formulated in my brain made me smile. Why? I smiled because that is a huge statement to form for yourself. Being right, and believing that when bad things happen it's everyone else who is at fault or it's all the worlds fault is easy. Admitting to yourself that perhaps you are in the wrong and not perfect, well...that's no easy task.

We/I, hate it when I'm wrong. I especially dislike it when someone else was right about something when I swore up and down I was.

Not being perfect is a tough revelation. But it's ok, cause guess what? Nobody is. It feels good to know that. Therefore, try to strive to be the best you can be. Oh, you'll make mistakes, that's inevitable, but we all will. Even some of the best people you know aren't perfect.

 I'm a very stubborn person but When I'm wrong I will tell you or if I've wronged someone and didn't mean to Or even realized I did I will tell you I'm sorry that's just how I am. I know not everyone's going to like or respect you but if I'm wrong I will say I'm wrong regardless of the situation!!: I'm a very stubborn person but When I'm wrong I will tell you or if I've wronged someone and didn't mean to Or even realized I did I will tell you I'm sorry that's just how I am. I know not everyone's going to like or respect you but if I'm wrong I will say I'm wrong regardless of the situation!!

My thoughts/advice is try to not always judge a book by its cover or put someone up on a high pedestal because once again, no ones perfect. Of course that's why we are who we are...unique individuals...and PROUD of it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Nicole

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Back on the good foot


Well, well...it's been awhile. 

School is back in swing, the weather is still warm yet we're starting to see the Halloween decorations displayed and it's off to another exciting year. 

This past Sunday I reached my 7yr mark. Meaning, it has been 7yrs since a pretty horrific accident almost took my life. It gives me goosebumps just to write it. 

Who would have thunk it? You know, if you were to tell me at the age of 22 that I would be falling off a six story building in a few years and that I'd survive, I probably would have laughed in your face. Well, technically I'm laughing a little, but not because I fell but because...so far this has been one heck of an adventure, and trust me, I/it doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.  

So, since it's a new year (for me at least), it's time to get back on the ball and back on this blog. Time to take action and start making things happen!