| It’s part 2 of my Not-So Patient Patient story. Yeah, believe it or not. Now I’m going on 8 weeks of having some sort of bug – I would seem to be almost over one ailment, and then I’d catch something else. I believe that I’m just about over this cycle. But the journey has deepened again. My new-found patience led me to explore my internal attitudes. What thought was I holding onto in my consciousness? What could be behind this perpetuated illness? Then I got angry with my husband about revisiting an old argument I thought we had put to rest. And angry with my daughter about not cooperating when I asked her to pick up her marbles. And I just hate being sick. I’m sick and tired of it! Uh oh. Did I really just think that? How often have I been thinking that I’m “sick and tired” of it? Could that be behind why I’ve been feeling sick and tired? Yes, it just might be. So I’ve been working with my thoughts. And I found that, in both subtle and overt ways, I’ve been holding that energy of being “sick and tired.” My body finally seemed to agree. That’s a problem. Our thoughts are powerful. We can create, transform, and manifest much of what we desire in life. We can also create what we don’t want, too. If we’re focused on what is a problem and what we don’t want, we may find ourselves experiencing more of it. Are we focusing on problems, or solutions? This doesn’t mean to be in denial about the problem, but to be very intentional about how we approach it. I am recognizing what is problematic for me in my life, and looking at how I can change it – both on the internal level of my reactions and perceptions, and the external level of my behaviors. I’m also changing the mantra of “sick and tired” to “I’m Healthy and Trusting”. I’m trusting the process, by being patient and recognizing the purpose for my experience. It is changing the way I respond to life in a positive and empowering way. Through this extended illness, what has carried me through has been the Niyamas – the spiritual disciplines of yoga (in particular Svadhyaya – Self-Study, and Ishvara Pranidhan – Surrender to the Divine). You can explore the 5 spiritual disciplines with me this Saturday from 3-6pm at Mind-Body Zone in my workshop on The Niyamas: the Spiritual Disciplines of Yoga. Register here (click on Workshop), or read more details below. Here are my Thursday Blog posts from the last month: Be Like a Bird and Pause and Be Present. Plus my article on April Fool’s Day: In Defense of Fools! Have you been “sick and tired”? What’s the mantra you’ve been repeating? What do you want to change it to? Share it here. Blessings,Connie |
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| Contents:- Announcements
- Event Calendar
- Blog: Pause and Be Present by Rev. Connie L. Habash
- Awakening Self Radio Show Schedule
- Spiritual Quotes
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| AnnouncementsThe Niyamas: the 5 “Observances” or Spiritual Disciplines of YogaPart of the Yoga Teacher Training at MIND-BODY ZONE, Fremont, CASaturday, April 12, 2014 3-6pm The Niyamas are the five “observances”, or inner practices of Yoga. They deepen your connection to something greater, and enhance any spiritual or religious tradition because they are universal. Learn to apply them through asana and pranayama practice, meditation, group exercises, and inner reflection. Please bring a notebook and pen in addition to your yoga mat and cushion. $35 To register, visit the Mind-Body Zone website! Other upcoming workshops in the Yoga Philosophy and Lifestyle series at Mind-Zone with Rev. Connie L. Habash:Yoga Ethics and Practical Applications of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Saturday, May 17, 3-6pm Sacred Journey Women’s Spiritual Psychotherapy GroupMONDAYS – 3:15-4:45PM Do you long to uncover your authentic self? To awaken your awareness and vital energy to serve your purpose and be fulfilled? To live vibrantly in the present moment? To connect more deeply to the Divine? All in a community of loving, supportive women? Sacred Journey is for you! This is a place to bring it all, knowing you’re accepted and embraced in your unique spiritual and personal path. This is a Sacred Journey. See my website for more details. Located at my office in Menlo Park. If you feel called to this group, Contact me for further questions or to schedule your one-on-one initial session. Counseling via SkypeYes, I can do Individual and Couples Counseling and Psychotherapy with you via Skype from anywhere in California. (and of course, I have my office in Menlo Park for those of you local to the area) Also, I can do Spiritual Mentoring with you via Skype from anywhere in the world! Interested? Contact me and begin the exploration. Yoga Quest Returns!Look for my upcoming Yoga Quest workshops to return this fall. Details in next month’s newsletter. “Like” my new fan page on Facebook!Have a look at my new fan page, Awakening Self, where I post inspiration all week long! If you like what you see, please click the “Like” button… and share with your friends! Subscribe to Awakening Self – If a friend shared this newsletter with you and you’d like to receive it, click here to subscribe |
| Every month, you can click this link to view my Calendar to see what is coming up! |
| Blog – Pause and Be Present
I have this painting you see here on my stairway. It’s a print of a watercolor of my spiritual teacher, Amma. I fell in love with it a few years ago, and knew it would look lovely on the landing of our stairs. Every day, as I descend the 7 steps at the top of our staircase, I pause facing her image. Her eyes are closed and she has radiance beaming from her third eye in the center of her forehead. She holds her hands reverently, just above her solar plexus, in some sort of mudra – similar to folding them in prayer, but the tips of the little and index fingers touch. Every time I come down the stairs, I take a few moments to pause with her image. I, too, close my eyes, and take a mindful breath. I put my hands in the mudra, and imagine the light at my 6th chakra. I silence my mind, if only for a moment. Read more. |
| Awakening Self Radio Show Schedule(online on BlogTalk Radio)All shows can be listened to from the links below, during or after the broadcast… or from your phone at (347) 843-4408. Listen to any previous Awakening Self Radio shows on my Radio Show Page! No Scheduled Shows (still takin’ a break, and waiting for the next vision!)See my Radio Show page for over 40 previous shows!Do you know someone who would be great on Awakening Self? Send me an email and you may just hear them on an upcoming radio show! |
| Spiritual Quotes“It has been proven now scientifically that,
an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful
than a negative thought.”~ Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith “Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than material force, that thoughts rule the world.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust |
| Rev. Connie L. Habash, MA, LMFT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Interfaith Minister – Spiritual Mentorship
Menlo Park, CA
650-996-2649
http://www.AwakeningSelf.com
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