MOBILE MEDITATION

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Getting to where you want to go takes effort, flexibility, and consistency. Losing weight when you are no longer young is not easy but it is attainable. It just takes a longer. I finally broke my plateau and I am 2 lbs into my best 10 lbs. I am thinking what my next charity will be. I have decided my 40 lb charity is the virtual baby shower for Project Cuddle, so I need something I can do for my 30 lb charity. I am brainstorming at the moment.

Tonight is my one of my workouts with Mike my personal trainer. We are working out this week tonight and tomorrow. I was away so of course I only had the chance to go walking on my weekend. I really like exercising outside, it makes me feel so centered and whole.I call it outdoor mobile meditation. I took a lot of photos this weekend, and I was happy with them even though I am about 40 lbs from my final goal. I am almost at the half way mark. My husband reminds me of that when I get frustrated. Half way there, almost.

Getting back into a sleep rhythm is important as well, I am just starting to feel like my sleep is back on track. Sleep is so important for health. Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and nurturing your mind are all key for happiness. I believe keeping your creative juices flowing helps with feeling like you are ageless. When you create you feel alive.

Wishing everyone a beautiful day.
Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose

MORETON BAY FIG TREE

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Nature feeds your soul, and this tree was on my bucket list for California. It is the largest Fig Tree in the USA. The beauty and size were unparalleled. I had goosebumps, the same type of goosebumps I had when I saw the ocean for the first time.

You are not supposed to jump the barrier but I did, I had to take photos with my tree. Look how massive it is. 

The Pillars of Wisdom

The trees of life
Inspire to stand tall,
Grow old with grace;
Offer uplifted palms 
To those in need
Of shelter and shade
From the erratic
Elements of earth.
The trees of life
Teach patience;
Tolerance of strangers,
Fighting against prejudices.
All are welcome under
Their emerald canopies,
Be it animal
Bird or human.
The trees of life
Nurture passion,
Opening to all who
Weather their storms.
Embracing the breeze
And the warmth from
The mesmerizing kiss
Of the scorch of the sun.
The trees of life
Show beauty is timeless,
Greenery does not fade
As does fleeting years of youth.
Faith in mother nature,
Every winter is followed
By blossoming months
Of an expectant spring.
The trees of life
Our ancient mentors,
Surviving mortality;
Reaching for the heavens.
I am a mere pupil
Hair swaying in the wind,
Never taking for granted
The life of trees.
(c) Rose Bruno Bailey



I AM GROUNDED

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Last week after my outdoor workout with my trainer Mike, I went to the yoga studio. I was speaking to the kind staff member and he asked me where I work out. When I told him I exercise in the outdoors, he said how wonderful he thought that was. He said working out in the open space of a park is so grounding, leaving me connected to the earth. I could not agree more, I do feel extremely grounded and centered since I started this project last July. The last time I spent time outdoors on this level I must have been under the age of twelve. I have found my inner child, carefree and connected to the soil below my feet. I am doing more than changing my health and body, and helping others. I am evolving my soul. I practice mobile meditation when I work out. The soil is grounding my soul.

I was lucky to have a wonderful weekend. Friday was The Eagles concert, a band who often sang about California and the desert. Their lyrics seem to mimic my new found feeling. We have been in Santa Barbara for the remainder of the weekend, staying at the oldest hotel in California dated back to 1871, The Upham Hotel.  Talk about getting back to roots, it feels as if I have time traveled. I should be basking in the sun holding a parasol and not a computer. The people here are so lovely, and the scenery makes me breathless.

Speaking of getting back to my roots and feeling grounded, I got the chance to visit the largest Fig Tree in the USA, The Moreton Fig Tree in Santa Barbara California. It is a breathtaking sight, the root system is massive and like nothing I have ever seen ever. We had a surprise gift and met up with friends who joined us for the day. This lovely couple really seems to get the bigger picture. I think they were as excited as me to see this tree, they are just as obsessed with trees as I am. I am in awe of the trees here, and seeing this awe inspiring work of art from Mother Nature was such a gift.

I will take this grounded, centered feeling with me as I return home and back to my routine of working out, yoga and life. I shall revel in the simple moments as well as the grand, and I will always have gratitude for life. My husband James told me yesterday he has never seen anyone more full of life than me, which is the biggest compliment a woman can receive from her husband.

Wishing you a very Happy Martin Luther King Jr day. We are all connected to the core that is out humanity, connected to the earth and one another.
Love and Light,
Namaste’
Rose

PHOTOS OF SANTA BARBARA AT THE UPHAM HOTEL

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Hello to all and Happy Sunday and Martin Luther King Day tomorrow. Here are some updated photos of our first weekend away since Palm Springs.James does not always like to be in photos so it is just me.  32 pounds gone, and about 30-40 more to go. I am happy with the results so far but I have a lot more hard work to do. Wishing you a beautiful bright Sunday. Namaste’ Love and Light.
Rose

WEIGH IN SATURDAY

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It is a busy weekend and I have not had much time to post. Yesterday was the Eagles concert at the Forum in Los Angeles and today we are in beautiful Santa Barbara staying at the oldest California hotel, The Upham Hotel. We are here through the weekend, and the building leaves me completely speechless. Right now I am just sitting by a warm fire in the main area of the hotel as I post this blog entry. I could get used to writing in such a setting.

This morning I did weigh in, and I stayed exactly the same. Well, I lost about a half of a pound but that is it. I am happy with it, since last week I did lose four whole pounds. My weekend will consist of walking since I will not have a chance to workout or do yoga.

There is something so serene about sitting in a room dated as far back as the 1800’s. They have tea, coffee, cocoa, and milk and cookies set out for the guests. I think I am in wholesome heaven. I just want to sit here all night and write til my heart is content. Right now James has retired back to the room and I am still sitting in front of the fireplace. I am soaking in every last ember, my soul is all warm and fuzzy.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. I believe tomorrow is never promised so live life now. Get out there, do what makes you happy. Make others happy. Give in, give back, give a care to how you spend your days. Less complaining, more gratitude. Appreciating the simple as well as the grand moments in life. Life is a gift, so live it now in the present.

Namaste’
Love and Light
Happy weekend
Rose

PEACEFUL EASY FEELING

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Sometimes you hear a phrase in a particular setting that can have relevance in life. I work out with my trainer Mike and he taught me to breath into it when I am stretching. It is similar to what Nicole my wonderful yoga teacher taught me about the difference between pain and sensation. I think the phrase “Breath Into It” can have an impact in all arenas of life. Having a bad day? Slow down, breath into it, catch yourself before you fall. It can make all the difference in the world when you get out of your body and into your heart. I would say get into your head but unfortunately sometimes our minds move all too quickly and it may be hard to breath when your thoughts are racing. Find your heart center, and breath into it. Everything is will be fine if you just breath.

I am excited beyond measure, James and I are attending The Eagles concert tonight at the re-opening of the Forum Theater in Los Angeles. ironically enough this concert will leave me breathless, but in a good kind of way. I am moved easily and the Eagles are such an Iconic Band. They traveled to Joshua Tree State Park in California to get inspiration, and their cover photo of one of their albums was shot there. If you listen to the lyrics of Peaceful Easy Feeling you can get a sense that the inspiration came from that moment in the desert. I cannot wait for tonight. Hotel California here we come.

                                                     Peaceful Easy Feeling”

I like the way your sparkling earrings lay,
Against your skin, it’s so brown.
And I wanna sleep with you in the desert tonight
With a billion stars all around.

‘Cause I got a peaceful easy feeling,
And I know you won’t let me down
’cause I’m already standing on the ground.

And I found out a long time ago
What a woman can do to your soul.
Oh, but she can’t take you anyway,
You don’t already know how to go.

And I got a peaceful easy feeling,
And I know you won’t let me down
’cause I’m already standing on the ground.

I get this feeling I may know you as a lover and a friend.
But this voice keeps whispering in my other ear,
Tells me I may never see you again.

’cause I get a peaceful easy feeling
And I know you won’t let me down
’cause I’m already standing…
I’m already standing…
Yes, I’m already standing on the ground
Oh, oh
                                                                  The Eagles



DIVE INTO LIFE

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DIVE INTO LIFE



I saw a viral video today on the Internet, it is of a man in  Speedo doing aerobics on the beach. He is really getting into the moves and is obviously having a blast, with not a care of what others think of him. I know what you are thinking, Speedos are so tacky but he was shaking his thang with not one care in the world.  He was in his own space, moving and having fun and at the same getting healthy. It made me smile from ear to ear because we should all live our lives this way. We should get into a non judgemental space, for others and our selves. Live like a kid, who cares who is watching. Have the time of your life. Life is short so live it now, with freedom and abandon.

This video reminded me of a visit to Coney Island with James. We were standing on the pier watching the waves and doing a little people watching. There was this boy, he must have been around twelve and he was running in and out of the waves in only his underpants without a care in the universe. He was enjoying the waves and did not give a hoot if anyone was watching. We should all ride the waves of life without the silly worry of what others may think of us. Dive in, get wet, be silly, just live.

Today is my second workout for the week with my trainer Mike. I am sore in places I have not been sore in a long while and that is good.  I remember Last July when I began this project I did not know Mike very well and I worried what he thought of me. I was overweight and I felt awkward with the exercises. Shame on me for worrying about how I appeared to others. I was getting healthy and helping others. We all need to not care what people think, it is our own opinion that matters. Not that Mike was judgmental, actually he is probably the furthest thing from judgmental but in the beginning that is how I felt weighing close to 200lbs. Never again will I worry what people think of me, I shall live like a kid without a lick of a care of others thoughts.  Lesson learned from a dancing man on the beach wearing only a Speedo.

Wishing you a day of abandon, freedom, and fun.
Love and Light.
Namaste’
Rose



HITTING MY GOALS

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Opening up my back with yoga and workouts


Sometimes progress is slow, and then all of a sudden there it is. My dance instructor back in college would yell every time I would hit a turn on point. I would double or triple pirouette and she would get right in my face and say “there it is. ” Of course it took a lot of hard work to get there, but when I did it felt like a surprise gift. 

All of a sudden I feel like someone is yelling at me, “there it is.” I am hitting my goals like I used to hit my turns, and it is definitely a surprise gift. My workouts with my personal trainer Mike are evolving, and he has figured out ways to help me loosen up my quads. It is this issue that keeps me from being able to get into dancers pose or mermaids pose in yoga and I have been frustrated. I want to get there, but I have struggled with it. I think I am on my way, and I am grateful for his expertise and time.We are now working out Tuesday’s and Thursdays. I am going to hit those poses like I used to hit my turns.

My Body is my temple, and I will never let it go to garbage again.

NOW


THEN


10 WAYS TO FIND YOUR ZEN

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Stop and smell the flowers



1. Go to bed early and wake early every day. I learned this lesson in NYC. Burning the candle at both ends just snuffs out all of your energy and leaves no time to cultivate a happy life. Make sure you have enough time in the morning for breakfast and coffee, and wind down time at night. I look forward to my daily routine. I make the time to begin my day and time to reflect on it as the sun sets. If you work a job with odd hours, try to find your routine on your own time.

2. Take some time to be outdoors daily if you live in a mild climate. Breathing in fresh air and feeling a warm breeze does amazing things for your psyche. If you live in a cool climate and cannot handle the cold, find a zen place like an indoor heated pool or a sauna. When the weather warms, walk in the rain and soak in the splendor of the sun.

3. Use water as therapy. Buy a home water fountain with running water or youtube the sounds of the ocean. Live near water?  All the better. Get to the beach and just listen to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing on the shore. Do not take Mother Nature for granted. I like to call her Mother Nurture because getting out in nature nurtures the soul.

4. Surround yourself with positive people who make your spirit soar. Your friends should be your biggest cheerleaders and you theirs. Trust me on this one, I have the most inspirational friends. 

5. Find your passions and don’t be afraid to chase them down. Reinvent your visions and rediscover yourself. Believe in you, never know who you may become. Do not define yourself by a number. I have decided to live with no fear and feel ageless.

6. Routines are important when setting goals,  but when a special occasion occurs do not be afraid to be spontaneous. 

7. If something is making you unhappy, do not complain, change. Do not be afraid to take that leap of faith, you will always land on your feet. The universe has your back.

8. Do something altruistic. Giving back to others fires off neurons in the brain that helps alleviate stress symptoms. It is good for others and good for you. Everyone wins when you lend a helping hand to those who need it most.

9. If you do not exercise regularly and feel you do not have the time to begin, try walking 15 minutes a day. It is good for your mind and body and you may find you crave more movement.

10. Is life feeling predictable and boring? What did you love in school the most? Field Trips!! Take an adult field trip. Take a day trip to a nearby city or go visit a museum or two. Get creative, the things you can do are endless. Fun is just as important as work.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE

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It is Tuesday morning, and I tonight I work out with my trainer Mike. We have been working out since late July 2013 and I am really seeing results now. Yoga, walking, some running and workouts with Mike have made a big difference in my changes. My diet has been over hauled as well. I no longer diet for a few days and then undo all of my hard work going out to dinner. I am consistent, and I will not give in or up. My confidence is soaring.

I feel amazing and very youthful, and I am grateful my confidence has returned. My Poetry Book is finally in the works and I feel this is the right time and place to do it. It is amazing how confidence affects other arenas of your life. 

So I am losing weight, returning to my former fit shape when I danced and giving back to others. I am getting so much more out of this than I anticipated. My life is changing for the better and I am so grateful for it all.

So, to quote the film The Sound Of Music and Julie Andrews singing

What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what’s the matter with me?

I’ve always longed for adventure
To do the things I’ve never dared
And here I’m facing adventure
Then why am I so scared

A captain with seven children
What’s so fearsome about that?

Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don’t I just know I’ll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I’m worthy
And while I show them 
I’ll show me

So, let them bring on all their problems
I’ll do better than my best
I have confidence they’ll put me to the test
But I’ll make them see I have confidence in me

Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children (Heaven bless them!)
They will look up to me

And mind me with each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They’ll have to agree I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn’t lie in numbers
Strength doesn’t lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up — Wake Up!

It tells me all I trust I lead my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
(Oh help!)

I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rogers