After 4 days of ice, snow and very little sun shine there is hope!  The sun is out, the temperature today is predicted to be at least 40 degrees and I can hear the a steady stream of water off my roof, proof that the snow and ice is melting.  After 4 straight days with temperatures in the 20’s I am ready for arctic blast 2011 to melt away!  There is talk of more cold temperatures and ice/snow in the week ahead, for now though I will rejoice in the sun shine and soak it in.

I have mixed feeling about the forced 4 day winter-cation!  Added time to rest, welcome; more time to do detailed cleaning around the house, necessary; time to catch up on reading, loved it; enjoying beans and cornbread, yummy and finally the very real possibility of rolling black outs, but didn’t happen at my house, grateful!  Being cooped up inside with only so much to do with a 4 year old and husband, challenged by hazardous road conditions (just to get to the store), canceling a full weeks work, constant water running to prevent frozen/bursting pipes and a heater that struggled to keep us warm inside; scary, nerve-racking and costly!

The reality is this is an act of nature and beyond anyone’s control!  To worry over lost income, fruitless.  To allow the stress of being stuck inside to linger, pointless.  To worry about the expense of water, gas and electricity, useless.  The only worry I will give any credit to is the healthy sense of fear that kept me safe on the road.  Knowing that conditions were hazardous motivated me to drive slower, keep a greater distance between my car and others and the insight to know when to get out and when to stay home.  What lingers is  faith, that all is how it should be.

What I take away from my winter-cation is another lesson in surrender, simplicity and slowing down.  An experience that allowed me to relax indoors with my wonderful family and read, read and read some more.  I found myself one afternoon completely alone (thanks to my mom who lives down the street and took my son for several hours).   As a working mom with a young child I get very little alone time, something I had just mentioned last weekend at dinner with my husband and a friend.  What comes to mind in this moment, ask and you shall receive.  I envisioned alone time on a beach surrounded by ocean and I received a quiet house and time to relax with a book, do yoga and time to myself.

I am grateful for all of the extra time that came with being iced/snowed in.  I often express a need for more time and lament at how fast time does go by or how little of it have for doing more of what I love.    Hopefully this gave us all a little more time.   My hope for all in the Dallas area and those around the country forced indoors by inclement weather is more time to do what you love and more time to rest.   It may not look like what we initially envision and it may not be convenient or easy to accept.  However, it is important  to slow down, to rest, to be with family, to let go of our plans and worries and to just accept the experience given to us.  Trust and live in the present moment.  Allow yourself time to rest, to counter the stress of daily living, it’s a necessity.  Let this experience carry over into your future.  Slow down, simplify and relax more!  From my heart to your.

Filed under: my thoughts on living by Cortney
13 Comments »

I wanted to share this, it had a profound effect on me a few Sundays ago at church when our pastor, Blair Richy, shared it in his sermon.  Each week he is incorporating inspirational readings, because who doesn’t need inspiration.  Especially when making changes that move us in a positive direction.  Regardless of your faith or spiritual beliefs I hope you find encouragement in the passage below written by Bill Burch.

2011… A TURNING POINT…

Today – I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering. I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my direction is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purpose with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s Glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word.

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven. I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possession, position and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running with me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission focused so I cannot be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is Yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord – Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”

Bill Burch
The “Plus+Factor” Connection

Filed under: 2, Scripture, my thoughts on living, religion/Christianity by Cortney
5 Comments »

In the spirit of the new year I feel compelled to share my thoughts on new years resolutions and even some thoughts that friends and students have recently shared with me.  For the last several years I have not made a new years resolution because so many times I have failed in the past.  Another reason I do not make resolutions is my tendency to regularly focus inward and notice those areas in my life that need work  and try earnestly to make those changes throughout the year.  Thankfully  my love for my yoga practice, nature, animals and my Faith in Christ all propel me towards positive change.  This leads me personally to think why make a resolution on January first to change, when every day and truly every moment is a new beginning?  Yesterday a yoga clients and friend responded to this thought with, “The date in time/calendar helps to motivate people and helps people to track their progress and for some inspires change because they see the first as a new beginning (first of the year, month, birthday, whenever, it is the visual reminder)”.  That makes perfect sense to me and if it works for you, use it!

With that said, it seems to me that many people make new years resolutions from a place of self loathing rather than self love.  They know or think they should or shouldn’t be doing something and because they dislike something about themselves they set out to change it.  Just to be clear I am all for positive change and people growing in a healthy, more loving and altogether better version of themselves.  I think instead of making changes because you look in the mirror, hate what you see and then finally decide to exercise and eat better is not necessarily the best way to move forward.  Why not go inside to that quiet place that is “you” and discover what is wonderful and amazing about you.  What are your gifts to the world, we have purpose, we are all here for a reason and that reason is here to serve others for the good of all.   And we all bring something unique to the world around us.  Why not start there from a place of love and acceptance for who you are and what you have to share and then set out to be the best version of you.

From a place of self love, rather than self loathing, changing old habits or adding new healthy habits will flow out naturally into your daily routine because it is motivated from your heart or spirit.  Because you know you have value and you treat valuable things (especially people) with love and respect.  It has been my experience that change for the better and honoring ourselves is not always the easy path.  It takes thoughtful reflection, it may take planning and rearranging your schedule, it will probably be uncomfortable at first because it is new and it may take setting boundaries (internally and externally).  Find sources of strength and inspiration to draw on.  A friend, an accountability partner, a mentor, a therapist, a teacher, a parent, a support group, a book or blog, music, a reward system, church, yoga, spiritual practices, meditation, the list could go on.  Let people help you!  When you feel better, physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally, the motivation will come from within, but it will likely take time, so be patient.  If you are anything like me, patience does not happen without effort.  Be kind to yourself and focus on the successes, rather than the set backs.  Just keep moving forward!

On a humorous note as I was sharing this motivational (hopefully) message with my yoga class last night one of my, long time, students (and friend) said, “So getting into my $300 ski pants in a month isn’t good reason to make a change?!”  We had a good laugh and it made me think, we are all motivated by different things and seasonally these motivations change.  I will still encourage her and everyone to first accept yourself where you are in any given moment, you can always buy new ski pants.  Listen to that quiet inner voice and follow your innate wisdom.  This may be your intuition talking, it may be the quiet still voice of God directing you, all I know is, that message is far more valuable then anything money can buy and will always lead you in the healthiest direction and to your true self.

Filed under: Breath and Meditation, Nutrition and Diet, my thoughts on living by Cortney
1 Comment »