Chaos & Harmony..Week 1 Ramblings

Well, sometimes if things aren't changing where you are you need to make a leap to a new venue, and that's what I've done. I've moved down to the Virginia Beach area for a milder climate in hopes to spend more time outdoors being active, and finally kick this weight issue. Though this was originally a tri blog, and I hope for it to get back there, right now it is a mish mash of what I need to do to integrate body, mind and spirit to prepare myself to be in the physical place to reach all that my spirit wants to experience.......

Arrival:

After a winter of over 7 feet of snow at home, I knew it would still be chilly in Virginia, but did not expect a snow storm the evening I arrived, and the five days of ice that followed. Neither did I foresee my debit card declining for fraud prevention after 14 hours on the road, the scary bug in my room, the sketchy neighbors, nor my last paycheck not arriving. I truly felt I had planned everything out perfectly for once. The best laid plans....

I started thinking about how people say: "It's the journey, not the destination...", or how "the universe conspires to help you achieve your dreams" and wondered what it was that I was supposed to learn, and why the universe seemed to be putting obstacles in front of me, instead of assisting me on a journey that I felt was worthwhile.

The blessing was I realized once again, what amazing friends I have. Friends who listened to me and helped me gain perspective suggesting that overcoming the roadblocks would make achieving my goals even sweeter, and help keep me determined as I get closer to my goals. Would I really want to give up after having pushed through so much?

I also had to be reminded of the law of attraction and how the more I focused on the little annoyances, the more I would attract events that bring on those same uncomfortable feelings. Though not completely successfully, I've tried to look more and more at the beauty of the positive experiences I have had since I've been here.


Finding Home:

I found a haven here in the Association for Research and Enlightment, often referred to as the Edgar Cayce Center. Each day, regardless of the speed bumps I encountered, I have a place I can go where I am guaranteed to find some peace. I know we can look within and at certain times in life I could reach that love and harmony within so quickly, but sometimes we need some assistance, and I've found that help, and the reminders I need here.

The A.R.E. is a wonderful place bridging spirituality, science, health, and so much more. In addition to wonderful conferences that are held so often, there is something you can do every day of the week. Seven days a week there are daily meditation, and at least five days a week there are lectures, tours, and movies offered for free or a donation basis. Being able to have a place where I could learn, and be around like-minded people any day that I want to, has been a huge help. It made me realize the importance of having places like this available everywhere.

At home, I have a place like the A.R.E. in my church. Years ago after struggling with a loss, and coming out of substance abuse, I found spiritualism, and my spiritual home in my church in Swampscott. There I found peace, and family, and really learned to find the joy inside of myself. It was a magical time. I could not spend enough time there. I took classes, went to services and fundraisers, and got involved in anyway I could. I was welcomed with open arms, which allowed me to open up my heart in so many areas of life and helped me to have the confidence to move forward in many different areas of life. I think I started to take that for granted over the years, knowing it was always there. Now that I am apart, I know I am still connected with my many friends there, but it is interesting how you can yearn for a place. I have also realized how much I don't want to take it for granted in the future. Having left and been in need in a new place, I realize what a difference a spiritual sanctuary can make in someone's life, and how important it is to have people committed to taking care of such a place, providing support, strength and love to keep it going.

Week 1 Overview

Getting my body moving (Pain in places you forgot you have)
Bitching and Moaning(Thanks friends and family for hanging in there with me)
Meditation, Meditation, Meditation(Feeling the love!)
Classes: Spiritual Symbolism in Ancienct Egyption Art, Meditation, Psychic Experience, Western Yoga for Everyone
Movies: What the Bleep-Down the Rabbit Hole, Abraham: The Secret Behind the Secret, a really inspiring animated film that mirrored my experience, that for some reason's name escapes me, also the movie with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman, that was funny, and showed what a great comic actress Natalie can be!
Books:Drugless Therapy, There was a River.
7 1/2 hour job interview. Still waiting to here, but WOW do these people invest in the process.
Found a great rental 2 houses from beach for after hotel stay is up.
Weight/Health: Down a size in jeans, but only lost 2.5 pounds.

Week 2 goals:
Yoga at least 4 times.
Daily cardio and begin weight training.
More experimentation with Cayce Diet
Finish book.
Take 3+classes.

Be well all. Will check in next week.

Love,
April