getting back in the groove

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running on the beach

Being in the warm sunshine inspired me to get moving again.  Each morning I showed up on the beach, barefoot and ran for as long as the beach allowed.  It was divine.  There was no watch to tell me how fast I was going and no mile marker to tell me how far I ran.  I just listened to the sound of my breathe, splashed my feet in the ocean, and moved my body.  It felt so good!  

Back in NJ the weather is chilly but the sun is shining after work.  That alone is motivation enough to lace up my sneakers and move my body.  On Monday I tackled Airmount for the first time this year.  While training for the NYC Marathon Airmount and I met often and never truly became friends.  It wasn't until during the marathon that I grew an incredible appreciation for my time spent running up that monstrous hill.  

I realized that all the time I spent on that hill made me stronger.  It pushed me to my edge and made me realize that I can do things I never thought I could.  It also prepared me for the challenges I faced during the marathon.  

So here I am getting back in the groove.  Showing up again and again even though it feels challenging.  I am pushing myself forward even when my breathe is labored and I am struggling.  It feels good to be back!  

giggles from the couch :: your inner critic

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Today I am back with another episode of giggles from the couch and I talk about reigning in your inner critic.  It is not any easy thing to do but your inner critic definitely does not have to rule you!  

My inner critic showed up just when I shared this video everywhere and I noticed that I spelled critic wrong.  Ugh!  The universe has a funny way of making sure we learn our lessons.  So I put into practice what I speak about in the video and I talked to Flow.  I told it was ok that I spelled it wrong.  That critique could work as well.  Then I sent her on her merry way and I kept on sharing the video anyway, even with the spelling error.  For it is a reminder to me to keep showing up and being open to making mistakes.  For it is in our mistakes that we learn and grown.  

How do you handle your inner critic?  Have you named her?  Do you say something special to her?  

Let us know in the comments below because what you do may really help someone else.  Together we can learn how to live with our inner critics and do it anyway.  

do over

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flower.go back again

If I could go back and do it all over again I would spend more time building myself up then knocking myself down.  I made it so much harder than it had to be.  Seeking ways to fit in instead of finding what truly moved me.  I would worry less about what other people thought and care more about what made my heart sing.  I would accept my mistakes and not travel deep into the depths of their dispart.  I would love myself more, speak to myself with kindness and compassion.  I would take time to see the love that was being extended to me.  I wouldn't push it away, but lean deeply into it.  

If I could back and do it all over again I would choose me first.  Before the boy, the party, then night of mischief.  I would show up only where I wanted and let my true light shine.  I would allow myself to sink into the darkness.  I would ask for help, and seek out guidance.  I would be so much kinder to myself.  Tend to my heart and lean deep in.  

Yes, it would be all about love if I could do it over again.

shining brightly

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It is here in the sunshine that we relax deeply into one another
The everyday nuances of home have been left behind
We do not have to make the bed or clean the dishes
We can sink deeply into the space between and love each other up
There is no schedule to adhere to
No where in particular to be
We are just here, together, in the moment
It is here where we fall deeper and deeper in love
Seeing so clearly what we appreciate about one another
The laughter comes easily
The conversation is fluid
We stand side by side and each feel how perfect the moment is
The sun shines brightly and we smile wide