For All Your Snow Day Needs - Activities for Indoor & Outdoor Snow Bunnies

Photo by Arthennessey on Flickr

Us New Englanders have been in the thick of winter for quite a while now.  And of course, I'm looking forward to the warmth of spring, and wearing flip flops well before the temperature actually warrants it.  However, there's more snow projected for this weekend, so it seemed like a good time to list some activities for all the snow lovers and those less than pleased with winter's dander.

For rhe Great (Snowy) Outdoors

• Make snow angels
• I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't made snow angels since I was a freshman in college, which really means it's been too long, especially when you factor in how much snow we've gotten this year alone.
• Throw a snowball
• You really can't go wrong with this one... unless you miss your mark. Oops.
• Snowshoe to work (or anywhere you need to go)
• Or to the public transit that will get you to your final destination. It's environmentally friendly, a workout, and makes passersby chuckle.
• Polar Bear Plunge
• Irregardless of the fact that I think people who skinny dip through holes in ice may have lost a few too many marbles, this one goes on the bucket list. May be this year is the year. 
• Snowman scene
• Instead of making a lame and lonely single snowman, create a whole snow family. There's plenty of a snow around, so go big!

The Warmer Indoors

• Hibernate
• Seriously, sometimes it's just nice to nestle in with a blanket, a book, or a whole season of Mad Men or Rome. (Thanks to @hublawer for that last one.)
• Stock up on tea
• A hot cup of tea with honey, lemon or even milk, if you're one of those people (I am), warms you from the inside out. Nummy, yum, yum.
• Build a fire
• A fireplace would be ideal; however, if you don't happen to have one, I hear the MBTA may have a few steel reinforced trash cans they'd part with on the cheap. (Seriously though, do not set a fire in a trash can, no matter how safe it seems. I don't want to get sued. Thanks.)
• Prepare food
• Get your crockpot started in on dinner when you first wake up.  Turn the waffle maker on for breakfast. And get the oven going for all your baking delight. If your food projects don't turn out, you'll probably have heated up the place trying.
• Roll out your mat
• I suppose you could expect this from a yoga teacher, but one of the best snow days I've had this year was largely because I rolled my mat out well before everyone else woke up and rocked a home practice.  And because I had practiced, I didn't mind leading a class in the living room for everyone else a few hours later.  If you don't happen to have a yoga teacher spending the night in your place, there are great resources available online (Yoga Zone on Hulu, MyYogaOnline, and Yoga Vermont on YouTube). 

If we actually get any more snow, how will you pass the time?

The Consistency of Should

I really should practice yoga every day.  I really should write more, blog more, participate more.  In yoga, in social media, in pretty much every sector of my life (personally and professionally, and in all the places that overlaps), I've noticed that I should / could / ought to do more. 

When I think about it, I tell myself that consistency is the big challenge.  And it's something people often write about in reference to branding, blogging, and pretty much everything else.  So clearly this search for consistency is a human endeavor. 

But I'm pretty weary of the word should.  Should usually tells me something funny is going on.  Should usually indicates some sort of judgment call, some sort of negative judgment. 

When I say I should do this, be it practice yoga or write a blog post, what I'm really doing is judging myself for doing (or for the inclination to do) the opposite.  When I say they / he / she should do this, even if it's probably a good idea (like wearing a helmet while riding a bike), I'm usually judging the fact that the person or group of people is doing the opposite.  

Why is it that should seems to be the more reliable constant? 

Resolutions for 2010?

I've been meaning to post my resolutions for the coming year since New Year's. No need to reference a calendar, I know what month it is. What's the hold up, you're probably wondering?

Last time I posted New Year's resolutions was in 2008. Last year, was a year of major transitions but it didn't start it off with resolutions; it was just constantly moving. This year has felt much the same--big changes, constantly reevaluating conflicting moving parts to get the best outcome.

The usual resolutions have felt a bit halfhearted or contrived. Yes, I do want to eat healthier. Yes, I want to be better about saving money (and get myself completely out of debt). Yes, I want to write more (hence the writing project). But the truth is, for 2010, my resolutions involve states of being.

I resolve here to be happier in 2010.

That looks simple in text, but sounds particularly difficult. The marketer in me is asking how I'm going to measure that. I don't have an answer for that. How do you count smiles per day?

It's a matter of mindset. A friend of mine used to quote High Fidelity on a regular basis, "How hard is it to decide to be in a good mood and be in a good mood ... ?" It's really easy to get wrapped up in the drama of every day life; it's a lot harder to remain consistently upbeat. I used to think it was contrived when I'd see people behave as though everything was fantastic; now it seems like a fake-it-till-you-make-it mentality. Why not be happier?

Again, easier said then done. Here's how I intend to do it:

• Laugh Often
  
• Let Go of Things Quicker -- This one will probably be the hardest for me, as my clan tends to hold onto things for a long time (physical and emotional).
  
• Accept Things as They Are -- I have a strong desire to promote positive change that can sometimes hinder my own happiness.
• Stay Active -- Movement helps clear your head. And it makes you feel better physically (yay, yoga!).

I'll keep you posted on my progress.


The photo is a shirt from Threadless.com called "School Taught Me a Valuable Lesson; I'm Still Paying for It."

Daily Gratitude, A Twofer

11/24/09
Yesterday, I was grateful for community. Yesterday, it was my yoga community. Everyone came together to look out for someone, cover for and guard the reputation of someone. Community brings safety. Community also encourages growth and learning. The communities that I'm party to encourage the sharing of ideas, innovation and creation. In my communities, the social media scene, the yoga and alternative healing community, I've found nurturing and unique knowledge.


11/25/09
Today, I'm grateful for reruns. Something to put my mind to when I'm pushing off tedium.

Where does the time go?

What would your life be like without a weekend?  Well, I now know.  You just don't have any time.  

I'm training to be a yoga instructor.  And my classes are 12 hours each Saturday and Sunday until it's done.  I have three more weekends left, then I'll have more time for writing, reading, watching TV and thinking too.  

 

I've got lots of updates and thoughts to share though--I've got a running list.  So as soon as there's more time, I'll crank through.  

In the meanwhile, how's it going out there?  I hear Spring is almost here.  :-)

108 Sun Salutations for Underserved Women

This Sunday, I will be downward dogging it up for a good cause, and I hope you'll support me as I do it!

What exactly am I doing for underserved women?
Saluting the Spirit is a fundraising event, much like Relay for Life, where you do a repetitive activity (in this case sun salutations) and have friends sponsor your hard work. Participants feel a physical relationship to the organization their working for; sponsors feel connected to the organziation through their support for an individual.

Saluting what spirit? Why am I doing this event?
All the proceeds from Saluting the Spirit support two organizations: Pathways and yogaHOPE. Both provide alternative avenues for those in need of help and healing. I chose to particpate when I met the founder of yogaHOPE, Sue Jones. She saw the healing power of yoga and wanted to bring it to underserved women in our community to empower them to make change and take space for themselves. Sue works with women who have fallen victim to domestic violence, sexual abuse, substance abuse and homelessness.

How can you help?
In a down economy, people stop giving. Stop that and click here (or check out that fancy widget) to help a sister out!

Be Your Own Best Friend

Yoga, generally speaking, is a great way to de-stress and detox, and remember self compassion. When you're forced to consider your breathing instead of how quickly you can check items off a list, you have an opportunity to relax, maybe bring a sense of purpose to your day. It's a very happiness through doing sort of philosophy.

But the other day, the yoga did little good. I was angry, frustrated and tired. I left the studio in the middle of class. I tried savasana in the hallway. When that didn't work, I tried to sleep a little. I was angrily calling myself names. I was running through every imperfection, every failing.

After class, I got to talking with my yoga instructor at Prana Power Yoga. I told her that I was beating myself and she asked me a question that really put the whole thing into perspective--would you speak to your best friend like that?

When you're in your head, arguing over the details, the what went wrongs, the shortcomings, it's really easy to be mean, to treat yourself with something less than compassion, treat yourself in a way you wouldn't dare treat another person. Why is it so hard to be kind to the person you spend the most time with?

Be your own best friend.