October 14, 2008 at 11:55 pm (Joy, Life, Musings, One Minute's Worth of Wisdom, Spirituality)
One of the concepts that is written about in Jamie Sam’s Sacred Path Cards is Sacred Space. The idea that all people, animals and plants have a field of space around them that should only be entered wtih their permission.
Lately I’ve been cultivating awareness of these little energy fields. It’s easy to sense your own “comfort zone” or that of another human, but what about animals? Like when you want to take a picture of a bird, you can feel the line where, if you take one more step, that bird is going to take off. As I walk to pick up Samantha from her kindergarten class on Wednesdays, I’ve been making a practice out of me walking around the little animals nearby. Some squirrels are calmer than others, and don’t require you walk quite so far away. It feels so good when I see them watching me and as I move away they feel comfortable enough to hold their ground.
It’s just a thing of respect for other creatures. Just something to think about trying.
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October 14, 2008 at 11:51 pm (College, Life, Personal)
I have so many ideas and thoughts I want to share with you all (believe me!) but right now I am so busy I hardly have time to sleep…which is okay because I love the things that I am doing but still, it’s a bummer that it hasn’t left me time a) to update this blog, b) to respond to the wonderful and thought-provoking comments it has generated.
That said, I’d like to let you all in on what I’ve been up to lately. 2 years ago this time I was partying and couldn’t keep up with the 11 units I was enrolled in and my single job. Now two years later, here I am:
Tutoring at Las Positas (Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, English, and English as a Second Language) about 8 hours a week, babysitting for three different families on a weekly basis, four counting another that occasionally need me for date nights. I open Cosmic Dog Yoga Saturday mornings at 7:30 and try to make it to at least 2 yoga classes every week. I am enrolled in 15 units at Las Positas, including *winces* Statistics. I have a lead role in a short student film. I am an active member of Psi Beta (community college pyschology honors society) and Alpha Gamma Sigma (community college honors and community service society). All while trying to maintain some semblance of a normal social life and occasionally doing the dishes at midnight for mom and dad.
Phew. It even looks like a lot…no wonder I’m tired.
But ya know what? Lounging around is overrated. I went to the AGS Northern California Regional Conference today, and one of the workshops was about stress management. One thing he said was that without stress, we’d probably just lounge around all the time. He compared stress levels to a violin’s bow. Too taught and you risk snapping, too loose and you go flat. I’m trying to find that just-right pitch.
The activities in my life are bringing me so much joy and laughter. Being involved in theater and film, as well as my babysitting jobs, provides me with opportunities to goof off, so just because I’m always busy doesn’t mean I’m always stressed out and serious. Even when I’m doing one of my less favorite jobs, or sitting through a dull class, I’m learning to accept the moment. Because the moment is all we have. If you’ve been on the internet for an hour already and you’re reading this, maybe consider doing something else. Is there a book you want to read? A friend you’ve been meaning to call? A plant or pet that needs tending to? Go outside and get some chilly fall sunshine!
I am very passionate about continuing my blog. I love that I have a place to share my thoughts with the people I love. I’ve got a bunch of ideas so you can look forward to some new posts just as soon as I finish this next midterm…until then….
Peace and Love,
Katie
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