Toolkit for Life

SelamatHari RayaIdul Fitri (4).jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54f65c4ee4b07f4325c0f8c9/1505949586666-QVJXPZK8EEXGL7YM3MU1/SelamatHari+RayaIdul+Fitri+%284%29.jpg?format=1000w] One of the things I have been experiencing lately is that there can be more than one way. More than one truth. That what we think is the right way doesn’t make the other way wrong. Let me give you a couple of examples. Chogyam Rinpoche was a leading Tibetan Buddhist teacher I remember when I first heard about him. A friend was telling me that he was a great teacher but he was openly drinking, doing cocaine and sleeping with some of his students. I felt completely discouraged to read his books or learn more about his brilliant legacy. Recently I did a course and one of the required books was his book “Cutting through Spiritual Materialism” and my view completely shifted. It was not either or. He drank and was a great teacher. Why couldn’t he be both? I think most of us have a hard time with this concept of accepting many truths. This happens usually when we feel very passionate about something. But what if there is no right or wrong? Just something in between. Our partners are the best teachers- because we are constantly right and they are constantly wrong and there is only space for one truth in the table. My husband and I have been talking about having children. He doesn’t want them yet for a number of reasons. All those reasons sounded like excuses to me and what was real for me was the fact that I’m getting older. I have done a ton of internal work around it. So much so that I can share this with you today. I did Tonglen, the practice of breathing somebodies pain and giving them our love for like a month. Being open to breathe in his reality has shifted and given a depth to our relationships we didn’t have before. I remember once sitting just listening to him talk, which is pretty unusual because as you can imagine I'm the talker and when he finished he hugged me and thanked me so much for listening. I really hadn't listened to him before that day. I have created space in my heart for both of us. One of the things he believes is "the world doesn’t need more people, we are very happy and don’t need anything else in the world" and I believe "we are so happy we should share our love and the world needs more good people" (which is what I hope we can make) But what if we are both right? As I give this space in my life to hold more than one truth and trust deeply. I’m sure things will settle the way they need to settle and it just doesn't feel as painful anymore. So my invitation today is to create space in your hearts and minds were two ideas that might contradict each other can hold a place. Try skipping the labels. xx

SelamatHari RayaIdul Fitri (2).jpg [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54f65c4ee4b07f4325c0f8c9/1503514826137-1FPIKPUGV9ELVPIS72ZT/SelamatHari+RayaIdul+Fitri+%282%29.jpg?format=1000w] Today’s episode is all about the wisdom of the body and how we can calm our mind by using our body as an instrument. You will learn: -          How body movement began for me -          How to quiet the mind using the body -          Using the body as a tool for insight and wisdom -          Getting to know the body to aid the mind. Practice: Play a song as loud as you wish and start moving your whole body, you can dance, jump or act like a crazy person. Whatever feels good. When the song stops playing, stand and freeze there dropping into your body if something comes up just acknowledge it. Don't try and analyze anything. If you try it out send me a comment. Love hearing from you guys.

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54f65c4ee4b07f4325c0f8c9/1502210674114-8TQ5PDZG1DN2WG407XJR/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w] The beautiful Elise Carr is on the Toolkit for Life today! She is the voice behind Stella Muse and the pioneer behind "Yoni, Heart and Mind" Awakening from within through Sacred Guidance, Sacred Sexuality, Spirituality & Soul. On this episode we are talking about: - What is the Yoni? - How we can awaken our power - Healing the space of the Heart - The cycle of giving and receiving - Pure Love- what it is and how to access it - Attracting people that meet us where we are - A practice for clearing our chakras - Putting down our shields - Sitting down with our feelings - A centering practice to opening up and creating a channel of conversation with ourselves And much, much more To learn more about the work of Elise you can find here: http://www.stellamuse.com/ Thank you so much for listening to this episode. I'm so grateful to have you here and would love to hear your thoughts on this episode you can leave me a comment below. If you liked this episode, please share it with someone you know that might benefit. You can also support me by leaving a 5-star review on iTunes so more people can learn about Toolkit for Life.

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54f65c4ee4b07f4325c0f8c9/1501608143050-AL6GBKR5ABW2DBKQYK83/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w] Couldn’t be more excited to have you join me for Season Two of the Toolkit for Life Podcast! If you are new to the podcast game, let me change your life. A podcast is basically a radio show that you can get online, so you can listen anytime you want.  You have two options: You can listen to a podcast through the website (by clicking on the link) or you can listen on your smartphone (which is super convenient to do while driving) If you have an iPhone use the Podcast App it’s a purple app (it actually comes installed on newer devices). In the Podcasts app, you search for Toolkit for Life and then hit subscribe. If you have an android or tablet download try Stitcher app from Google Play. Some of my favorite podcasts are: -          Optimal Daily Living -          Dear Sugars -          On Being -          Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert -          Toolkit for Life (thought I should mention myself) During this first episode, you will learn what’s a spiritual trap is, how we get caught up in the fixing and seeking and the power of pause. Pause exercise Take three mindful pauses during your day where you stop what you are doing and become fully present. Use your senses- what do you hear, see, smell, taste.

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54f65c4ee4b07f4325c0f8c9/1496770332606-0GHHT97LPIR3DRUIYIAP/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w] Season One of Toolkit for Life Finale You guys! It’s the end of Season 1. That is cray, cray the first podcast I ever recorded was a voice note on my iPhone as I was talking I thought to myself "oh this is good, this is really good". I had that Felicity energy in me as I continued to talk. So I borrowed a mic from my neighbor, watched a couple of youtube videos on how to record a podcast and the next day my podcast was live. I didn’t overthink it or marry myself to the idea. I just began. Some days it took me hours to record an episode, other times it was completely organic. My heart skipped a bit when I realized people were listening but to be very honest I do this because I see no other option than to share what I learn in a world that needs extra mindfulness and to stay inspired to learn more from others. Today I listened  back to a couple of the first episodes and the audio was off, the music is super loud, you can hear some background noise, some "ums" and "likes" got in the way (I'm working really hard on this one) To be very honest I felt like erasing them but I think I will keep them as a reminder of where I started and how far we will come. Here are some of the highlights from the last 13 episodes. Let me know if something else stuck my heart keeps skipping a beat when I hear from you. ·       Change your mood by being grateful, doing a backbend and taking a cold shower. ·       Stop Comparing yourself to others by using social media less, comparing yourself only against who you were and not only to the bits and pieces of other people, redefining the word success (more of this on season 2) ·       Heal your relationship with food “When you are trying to change the way you look you will never be able to have a healthy relationship with your body. It's like telling a friend you hate them you wish they would change but then tell them to come over for movies. It just doesn’t work that way. The vicious cycles end when love walks through the door.” ·      When feeling nervous or suffering from insomnia try writing without reading back, at least 3 pages. Use this as a mental purge to clear your mind. ·       Craniosacral with Michelle taught us the power of using our eyes to access a part of our brain that stores memories and trauma. How juggling can be a great way to booth meditate/concentrate and use our eyes. ·       Monotasking: The importance of slowing down and doing one activity at a time. ·       Josh Vincent taught us how what we work for on the mat is not a metaphor, we are working on those things off the mat as well. Slowing down and taking the time to explore our bodies with curiosity. ·       Inner Bullying: Recognizing the four voices of fear that show up – the victim, worrier, critic and perfectionist and how they might be keeping you from reaching your goals. This might have been one of my favorite episodes because it was very research based. ·       Use the question- Can you be happy right now? In this moment? When you are feeling overwhelmed and you will notice that 80% of the time the answer will be YES. ·       Build resilience by facing your fears constantly. ·       View your partner as a teacher somebody you can learn from and keep an open heart. ·       In difficult situations become present and offer actionable help. ·       Maring Higa taught us the importance of creating space for our creativity how it allows us to be more receptive and might be what we are missing in our lives. What you can expect on Season 2 better music and audio. More interviews I have my eyes on several guests. Less "um" "literally" "like". More engagement on my Facebook group please join here [https://www.facebook.com/groups/277620922692581/] if you haven't. I promise to try and keep inspiring you. Thank You for tagging along in this Journey.