Healthy Habits - Day 5

Jamilah did try meditation this morning -- her reflections were that it was really boring. I wonder if we can find a kids version or a way to incent her to take time to be still, focus, and reflect.

Day 5

Fitness

• Morning: 3 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 20 Push-Ups
• Afternoon: Relaxation
• Evening: 2 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 20 Push-Ups followed by 2 x 1min Planks

Mindfulness

• Dawn: 5-Minute Meditation
• Morning: Some People Take Smoke Breaks, I take Walk & Contemplate Breaks outside
  
• Afternoon: Employees Are Also Like Your Trusted Friends -- Enjoy Building a Working and Personal Relationship With Them and Value Them As Friends. 
• Evening: 5-Minute Meditation
• Daily Readings: "I Am Enough"

"Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself.Rise then unto that for which thou wast created." -- Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words Arabic 22

"By assisting in the success of another servant in the Cause does one in reality lay the foundation for one’s own success and aspirations." -- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West. Vol. 6, No. 6, p. 44

Food Log

• Breakfast: Heart Thrive Energy Bar
• Snack: White Cheddar Popcorn
• Lunch: Lettuce Taco Wraps w/ Chorizo and Chicken, Chips & Guac
• Snack: Grapes
• Dinner: Cheese, Seaweed, Edamame Crackers, Strawberries, Mango Slices, Banana, 
• Dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream

Tomorrow, I commit myself to enjoying time outdoors and in the sun as much as possible.

Healthy Habits - Day 4

Jamilah did not want to meditate this morning -- will try again tomorrow though because she expressed interest in the evening. I have to remember that my daughter often likes to observe before trying and often times must observe for a long period of time before trying herself. And when she tries herself, it must be of her own accord/initiative. I believe mediation might help her with enhancing her focus-ability. Will invite her to join me in the morning.

Day 4

Fitness

• Morning: 3 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 20 Push-Ups
• Afternoon: Dancing
• Evening: 2 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 20 Push-Ups followed by 2min Plank

Mindfulness

• Dawn: 5-Minute Meditation
• Morning: Focused in On Priority Project - Set Aside Original Plan - Focus!
• Afternoon: Reflected After Difficult Work Meeting -- Keeping a steady perspective and encouraging those you work with is quite healthy and productive. 
• Evening: 5-Minute Meditation
• Daily Readings: Tests

"Thou hast questioned concerning ordeals and difficulties and catastrophies: "Are these from God or the result of man's (own) evil deeds?"

Know thou that ordeals are of two kinds: One kind is for trial (to test the soul), and the other is punishment for actions. ("As a man soweth so shall he also reap.") That which is for testing is educational and developmental and that which is the punishment of deeds is severe retribution.

The father and the teacher sometimes humor the children and then again discipline them. This discipline is for educational purposes and is indeed to give them true happiness; it is absolute kindness and true providence. Although in appearance it is wrath yet in reality it is kindness. Although outwardly it is an ordeal yet inwardly it is purifying water.

Verily, in both cases we must supplicate and implore and commune to the divine Threshold in order to be patient in ordeals."2

"If thy daily living become difficult, soon (God) thy Lord will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee. Be patient in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hardship with a dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the Merciful. Verily this is the life of satisfaction, the spiritual existence, heavenly repose, divine benediction and the celestial table! Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy straightened circumstances even in this world."6
"Thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee. To the sincere ones, tests are as a gift from God, the Exalted, for a heroic person hasteneth, with the utmost joy and gladness, to the tests of a violent battlefield, but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation. Likewise, an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort, and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master. Likewise, the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test. Consequently, it is made clear that for holy souls, trials are as the gift of God, the Exalted; but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity. This test is just as thou hast written: it removeth the rust of egotism from the mirror of the heart until the Sun of Truth may shine therein. For, no veil is greater than egotism and no matter how thin that covering may be, yet it will finally veil man entirely and prevent him from receiving a portion from the eternal bounty."3

Food Log

• Breakfast: Paleo Egg Muffin & Banana
• Lunch: Santa Fe Salad and Carrots
• Snack: Fruit Salad
• Dinner: Tom Yum Soup & Rice

Tomorrow, I commit myself to a positive perspective and establishing an encouraging environment in the workplace.

Healthy Habits - Day 3

Day 1 of no caffeine was very challenging -- may not quite be ready to cut out caffeine.

Day 3

Fitness

• Morning: 2 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 20 Push-Ups, 2 Sets of 10 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 10 Push-Ups
• Afternoon: 5K on the Treadmill in under 29min, Lunges, Crunches, Wall-Sit, Lat Press Machine
• Evening: 2 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 2 Sets of 20 Push-Ups followed by 2min Plank

Mindfulness

• Dawn: 5-Minute Meditation
• Morning: Stand-Up Desk keeps me alert and able to react more smoothly to people approaching my desk
• Afternoon: Took a stroll outside while reading e-mails on phone to try get fresh air and enhance productivity 
• Evening: 5-Minute Meditation
• Daily Readings: Human Nature

"The spirit that animateth the human heart is the knowledge of God" --Bahá’u’lláh

"Give ear to the sayings of the Friend and turn towards His paradise. Worldly friends, seeking their own good, appear to love one the other, whereas the true Friend hath loved and doth love you for your own sakes; indeed He hath suffered for your guidance countless afflictions. Be not disloyal to such a Friend, nay rather hasten unto Him. Such is the daystar of the word of truth and faithfulness, that hath dawned above the horizon of the pen of the Lord of all names. Open your ears that ye may hearken unto the word of God, the Help in peril, the Self-existent."" --Bahá’u’lláh

Food Log

• Breakfast: Paleo Egg Muffins
• Lunch: Chop Salad and Chips
• Snack: Angie's Salted Caramel Kettle Corn
• Dinner: Gluten Free Pasta with Broccoli and Chicken Sausage
• Snack: Chips and Salsa

Tomorrow, I commit myself to releasing any insecurities and barriers to freedom and happiness. I commit myself to humility, self respect, and adaptability.

Healthy Habits - Day 2

Energy levels are contagious. High and positive energy leads to collective productivity and mindfulness allows one to balance out the peaks and valleys in energy and positivity.

Day 2

Fitness

• Morning: 3 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 3 Sets of 20 Push-Ups
• Afternoon: 20 Push-Ups
• Evening: 2 Sets of 20 Sit-Ups w/ 1 Set of 20 Push-Ups followed by 2min Plank

Mindfulness

• Dawn: 5-Minute Meditation
• Morning: Deep breaths, calm composure during challenging work meetings
• Afternoon: Set-Up My Computer Outside -- Worked in the Fresh Air!
• Evening: 5-Minute Meditation
• Daily Readings: Human Nature

"In short, man is endowed with two natures: one tendeth towards moral sublimity and intellectual perfection, while the other turneth to bestial degradation and carnal imperfections. If ye travel the countries of the globe ye shall observe on one side the remains of ruin and destruction, while on the other ye shall see the signs of civilization and development. Such desolation and ruin are the result of war, strife and quarrelling, while all development and progress are fruits of the lights of virtue, co-operation and concord." -- Abdu'l-Bahá

"Man is in the highest degree of materiality, and at the beginning of spirituality—that is to say, he is the end of imperfection and the beginning of perfection. He is at the last degree of darkness, and at the beginning of light; that is why it has been said that the condition of man is the end of the night and the beginning of day, meaning that he is the sum of all the degrees of imperfection, and that he possesses the degrees of perfection...Then if the divine power in man, which is his essential perfection, overcomes the satanic power, which is absolute imperfection, he becomes the most excellent among the creatures; but if the satanic power overcomes the divine power, he becomes the lowest of the creatures. That is why he is the end of imperfection and the beginning of perfection. Not in any other of the species in the world of existence is there such a difference, contrast, contradiction and opposition as in the species of man. Thus the reflection of the Divine Light was in man, as in Christ, and see how loved and honored He is! At the same time we see man worshiping a stone, a clod of earth or a tree... In the same way, knowledge is a quality of man, and so is ignorance; truthfulness is a quality of man; so is falsehood; trustworthiness and treachery, justice and injustice, are qualities of man, and so forth. Briefly, all the perfections and virtues, and all the vices, are qualities of man." -- Abdu'l-Bahá (For Full Article: http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/saq-64.html)

Food Log

• Breakfast: Paleo Egg Muffins
• Lunch: Spinach Salad w/ Strawberries, Blueberries & Feta Cheese
• Snack: Angie's Salted Caramel Kettle Corn
• Snack: Dried Mango
• Dinner: Gluten Free Pasta with Broccoli and Chicken Sausage

Tomorrow, I commit myself to no caffeine, lots of water, and running my 5K on the treadmill. I commit myself to serenity, detachment, friendliness, and flexibility.

Healthy Habits - Day 1

When exploring health and wellness, establishing habits is half the battle -- especially replacing unhealthy habits with those which you know are healthy. It takes a certain amount of faith that so long as I commit myself to these habits and repeat daily, in no time these habits will take hold and be part of regular daily life.

Day 1

Fitness

• Morning: 5 Sets of 10 Sit-Ups w/ 5 Sets of 10 Push-Ups
• Afternoon: Ran the 5K on the treadmill in under 30 mins + Inner/Outer Thigh Machines
• Evening: 5 Sets of 10 Sit-Ups w/ 5 Sets of 10 Push-Ups

Mindfulness

• Morning: Stand-Up Desk
• Afternoon: Set-Up My Computer Outside -- Worked in the Fresh Air!
• Evening: 5-Minute Meditation
• Daily Readings: Sacrifice

"Until a being setteth his foot in the plane of sacrifice, he is bereft of every favour and grace; and this plane of sacrifice is the realm of dying to the self, that the radiance of the living God may then shine forth. The martyr's field is the place of detachment from self, that the anthems of eternity may be upraised. Do all ye can to become wholly weary of self, and bind yourselves to that Countenance of Splendours; and once ye have reached such heights of servitude, ye will find, gathered within your shadow, all created things. This is boundless grace; this is the highest sovereignty; this is the life that dieth not." -- Abdu'l-Bahá

"In order to understand the reality of sacrifice let us consider the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is true that He sacrificed Himself for our sake. What is the meaning of this? ...Nevertheless, that Holy Soul accepted calamity and death in His love for mankind. This is one of the meanings of sacrifice... For the soul which acquires divine perfections and seeks heavenly illumination from the teachings of Christ will undoubtedly live eternally. This is also one of the mysteries of sacrifice... As to the third meaning of sacrifice, it is this: If you plant a seed in the ground, a tree will become manifest from that seed. The seed sacrifices itself to the tree that will come from it... As to the fourth significance of sacrifice: It is the principle that a reality sacrifices its own characteristics. Man must sever himself from the influences of the world of matter, from the world of nature and its laws; for the material world is the world of corruption and death... On the other hand, man must acquire heavenly qualities and attain divine attributes. He must become the image and likeness of God... Every man trained through the teachings of God and illumined by the light of His guidance, who becomes a believer in God and His signs and is enkindled with the fire of the love of God, sacrifices the imperfections of nature for the sake of divine perfections." -- Abdu'l-Bahá (For Full Article: http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/PUP/pup-132.html)

Food Log

• Breakfast: Gluten Free Pancakes
• Snack: Angie's Salted Caramel Kettle Corn
• Lunch: Spinach Salad w/ Strawberries & Feta Cheese
• Snack: Dark Chocolate w/ Toffee
• Dinner: Nachos

Tomorrow, I commit myself to another 100 Push-Ups and Sit-Ups and 5-Minutes of Meditation. I commit myself to joy, detachment, self-confidence, and compassion.

Mind: Soar

You fly free
I'll follow in your shadow
You see me
Smiling back at you

A smile of encouragement
A laugh of joy
Sends you leaping
With a strategic ploy

And you soar
Just a little faster
Maybe more
Just a little farther

Circling your goals
Enraptured with a vision
Destiny in view
Exploring each decision

You belong to the realm above
But walk humbly on solid ground
Embracing the path
A clear way to be found.

Body: Firm Foundation

Grounded and strong
I lay a firm foundation
Thick but not so long
A lunging sensation

Deep in my thighs
I want to feel the burn
Right before your very eyes
I press, pivot, and turn

Building from the bottom up
Often finding oneself down
But always getting back up
With a smile, not a frown

One squat and one squeeze
Aware of that base from which you grow
With thanks and a please
You will reap from the seeds that you did sow

Soul: Honor That Place

I honor that place in you where the entire universe resides
The place that has been open to the callings from all sides

That space so freeing yet filled with being
A portal to that which is immortal
A door needing neither ceiling nor floor
That fort fit for a royal court

I honor that place in you that lights up and shines through
The place that allows me to experience the real you

That time has no limit and that hour felt like a minute
A connection with distinct selection
A smile that seemed to go for a mile
That energy was not required and that everyone else was instantly fired.

Mind: Creative Valentines - 2013

This year's bahai-inspired valentine includes the quote, "Let your heart burn with loving kindness" taken from an original quote by Abdu'l-Baha:

"Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.” Abdu'l-Baha - Paris Talks.

Easy enough for a 4-6yr old to make themselves with limited help.

Instructions:
-Print quote hearts onto pink card stock
-Cut 2-3" squares of tissue paper (orange and yellow) with a slight cut in middle
-Slide dum dum lollipop through yellow and then orange tissue paper squares for flame.
-Foam star (or you could use different shapes) -- place two horizontal cuts in middle and about half inch vertically between for the dum dum lollipop to slide through.
-Glue heart quote on the half inch space that lollipop went through/behind.
-Write or glue a to/from on back or front.
And... Voila!
Enjoy!

 

 

January 2013: Grateful Moments

Grateful for Jan 2013

Kicked off the year with a good night's sleep
And a rebuild of confidence, a climb so steep
Was aided by the strongest of staffs
Providing comfort, support, and lots of laughs

Sometimes I found myself leaning upon it
And other times it gave me a nudge and kept me fit
But mostly, it helped to guide and shape the flock
Our prized jewels for which we would give up both shoe and sock.

For frost, for snow, for ice to skate upon
For business ethics, a stance against a con,
For homes away from home that are restful,
And for first time with fro-yo, I am grateful.