Breathe

That's it really, just remember to breathe today :-). Deep, cleansing, healthy breaths. Count at least to 4 or 5 as you inhale, then even more slowly as you exhale. No matter where you are or what you are doing, at least three times today, stop and breathe. You'll feel better and be able to get back to the task in a new light. Just breathe!

Knitting and Meditation

Talk about a day of mind, body, spirit, ... and knitting!  The Shambhala Center in DC had a day-long program on knitting, meditation, and a little bit of yoga thrown in also.  It was really a nice way to spend the day, and I feel like I got a lot out of it.  Though not really a part of the program, the first thing I learned was the "Portuguese knitting" technique, which was a breakthrough for me.  It's a method by which you wrap the yarn around the back of your neck (to control the tension) from right to left over your left shoulder and then use your left thumb to flick the yarn around the needle if you are a right-handed knitter.  I guess this is similar to continental or English style knitting.  I found it pretty easy, with a lot of economy of movement.  Now, of course, since you are using different small muscles, I have the feeling there might be some new twinges as a result, but I really enjoyed playing around with this technique.  Crochet will always be my first love, but I'm looking forward to adding some knit elements to future designs.

Next step, slipping stitches!

And It's Already Sunday

Well, the weekend is in effect already over :-(  It's been a relatively productive and happy one though, so no complaints I guess.  In the waning hours left of my Sunday evening, I thought I'd share with you a concept that I've heard a number of motivational gurus talk about -- The Power of an Hour.  Since 20-minute blocks of time seem to be optimal in many ways for starting new and better habits (it's long enough to have a realistic impact, and it's short enough that you can tell yourself that you can stand just about anything for 20 minutes
;-), think of an hour as a chance to kick start three important activities that you want to make a part of your life.  An hour total, again, is not that long of a time.  We can certainly cut out one TV show or net surfing session in order to gain the benefits of the three "good" activities you are going to adopt.  Jack Canfield recommends reading, exercise, and meditation, but perhaps you want to pick crafting, cooking, and reading.  Whatever the activities, 1) decide what they are, 2) grab an egg timer and set it for 20 minutes, and 3) start!

Martha Stewart is a Copy Cat ;-)

Actually, I should be saying "what took her so long?!"  Her Whole Living Challenge today is to take up knitting for relaxation purposes:  http://community.wholeliving.com/profiles/blogs/todays-challenge-knit-1-purl-1?xsc=eml_chl_2010_12_15.  Well, we could have told her that (and did!) long ago.  I wrote an article about the health and wellness benefits of meditation over 2 1/2 years ago, citing Dr. Benson's work into the Relaxation Response.  I've done research specifically into knitting and crochet as forms of meditation and spoke about that during my interview on BlogTalkRadio (see the button to the left).  Not that I'm bitter or anything ;-)  Anyway, I'm glad Martha is getting out the word!

Half Way There!

Well, the taxes are just about done, and new tips have been posted on http://www.crochet.lifetips.com/, so I'm on track there too.  The weather here in DC has been amazing, so we've been trying to enjoy it -- so hard to believe that about 2 months ago we were buried in almost 2 feet of snow!

So, I've been thinking a lot lately about how to pull together all of the "mind, body, spirit and crochet" materials I have into a useful book.  I've been doing some additional research into mind topics, like meditation, because, frankly, that's the area that I have really let slip.  I used to meditate at least 3 times a week (still not considered sufficient, but better than nothing).  Now, if I make myself take a deep breath before b*tching and whining about something, I feel victorious!  It's really dawning on me that the excuse "I have no time for xyz" really is an excuse.  We've got 24 hours a day, and we've got choices about how we want to spend that time.  If you're CHOOSING to spend your time on x instead of y, then don't blame it on not having enough time.  I also think it's easy to get caught up in all of the contradictory information we receive everyday -- "you should exercise for an hour every day" v. "20-30 minutes of vigorous exercise 4 times a week is enough".  What should we do?!

For what it's worth, I'm figuring out that you have to customize your own approach to mind, body, spirit (and crochet :-)  Each of us has her or his own trouble spots (my right hip and my neck and shoulders have to be tended to, or they scream!), and we just need to be aware of them and address them in ways that work for us.  All I or anybody, even the experts, can do is give suggestions and general guidelines, but you have to figure out what works, or doesn't, work for you.  Mmmm, and I guess that's my opening statement for the book ;-)

Today's Thought:  Try this approach to addressing the lack of time in your life -- identify 1 hour a day that you can set aside for yourself (or, if you have to, 3 20-minute segments).  Then, spend 20 minutes of that hour reading.  Catch up on all of those magazine articles you've been putting aside or that novel you've been wanting to start or finish.  But, don't spend it on emails or at the computer -- you're already probably on there way too much!  Use the next 20 minutes to exercise.  Even if it means just walking around the block (you can cover a mile in 20 minutes if you're focused and vigorous), going up and down some stairs, or find a yoga routine (Baron Baptiste has some great 20-30 minute segments that work you from top to bottom) that you like.  Your last 20 minutes, start meditating!  Use the time to sit and quiet your mind, clearing it of all thoughts and stresses.  Having a hard time doing it on your own?  Seek out a meditation center in your town or a "MeetUp" group, or start one of your own.  Just anything you can do to step back and get perspective.  I know it'll be hard to do this every day at first, but believe me, you will start to crave it, and you will find that one hour each day to re-energize yourself, and this blog is all about helping you get there!