tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33589274868185032482011-12-16T23:04:07.925-08:00Thoughts, queries and stories about integrating yoga with life.Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-77119807894422426042011-01-30T16:31:00.000-08:002011-02-08T07:34:30.345-08:00

"It's no mystery. It's no big secret. It's just as easy as one, two, three - eat healthy, exercise and be positive."Jack LaLanneRelentlessly inspiring people to push themselves, Jack LaLanne often did the impossible. His feats of strength, endurance and willpower still defy the imagination. Jack wanted to test himself and to motivate people to get in shape, eat healthfully and feel good.At age 43

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-13424036585142436772011-01-23T08:23:00.000-08:002011-02-02T12:58:50.388-08:00

"So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it."KrishnamurtiTrue listening is not easy. It requires being open to the possibility of change, being open to our beliefs being questioned, and being fully present in the moment.How often do you have

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-27255371054606572832011-01-16T06:52:00.001-08:002011-01-17T11:54:09.243-08:00

Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.Joni MitchellIt is easy to lose something - anything: a thought, an object, confidence, our way, our health, motivation. If it is important, we seek to find that which is lost. But often we have to balance our desire to find something with the acceptance of its loss.The other day I went to my hiking spot in the woods and as I was pulling

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-12081557667777163722011-01-11T15:57:00.001-08:002011-01-13T03:54:28.450-08:00

Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others. UnknownWhen someone is dedicated we can feel it. There is no doubt or questioning. Dedication runs deep and is inspirational to others. It calls to us to aspire to our true potential.There is a true story of dedication and loyalty about a dog named Hachiko who was born in Japan in 1923. He was adopted by Eisaburo

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-53008358851373861412010-12-26T06:53:00.000-08:002011-01-12T05:30:13.728-08:00

Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.Albert EinsteinConsidered one of the greatest minds of modern times, Albert Einstein was a scientist and a physicist who developed the theory of relativity and won the Nobel Prize for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. His curiosity was endless and he considered imagination

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-42898966983632996872010-12-21T10:53:00.000-08:002010-12-22T06:01:35.573-08:00

Something special happens when an alignment of energies comes together in space and time. This year the winter solstice coincided with a full lunar eclipse. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year when darkness prevails. And the lunar eclipse happens on a full moon when the moon, Earth and sun all line up - with the Earth in the middle blocking the sun's rays from lighting up the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-89808656129009594902010-12-12T05:50:00.000-08:002010-12-19T06:13:13.707-08:00

Remember turning your face to the sky to feel the freshness of a gentle rain, the warmth of the sun or a cool breeze on your skin? Have you ever felt the beauty of a sunset fill your whole body as you watch the colors slowly change and the sun melt into the horizon?Walking through the rain or seeing a sunset with our mind on something else or not really paying attention, doesn't give us the full

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-86147290961764066532010-12-05T05:15:00.001-08:002010-12-12T11:42:05.479-08:00

Have you ever seen a flock of seagulls screaming and flying in all directions so that they all appear to be one teaming mass of feathers and sounds? Does your mind ever seem to have this same sense of overwhelm when your "to do" list gets out of control and your mind is scattered in all directions? How do you create a sense of calm amid this turmoil?Like some kind of dark force, overwhelm can

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-38630666716447393622010-11-28T11:51:00.000-08:002010-11-30T06:26:14.263-08:00

Fall down seven times get up eight. Japanese proverbWhen something very difficult looks easy, you know there was a lot of trial and error involved to get there. Artistic creations, athletic performances, scientific explorations and business endeavors all have this in common. We learn as much from what we can't do (at least at first) as from what we can do.Our survival depends on trial and error.

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-76791653271418458882010-11-21T06:13:00.000-08:002010-11-21T20:06:31.180-08:00

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882 American Essayist and philosopherIs it better to give than to receive? Many would argue "yes". But, in truth, one cannot exist without the other, so how can one be better than the other? Every giver must have a receiver.The act of

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-65421179608894453212010-11-14T10:44:00.000-08:002010-11-15T08:29:50.024-08:00

Crows are highly intelligent, amazingly clever and mischievously daring. They can be as raucous as a drunken sailor or as quiet as a meditating monk. They are natural entrepreneurs when it comes to getting what they want. Generally social in character, crows know how to mingle. Their roosts can contain anywhere from two hundred to two million crows.Legend has it that once there was a crow who was

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-58157134092839066772010-11-07T18:39:00.000-08:002010-11-08T18:54:06.700-08:00

Sometimes we have battles to fight in life. These are not physical battles where we harm others. Rather they are mental, emotional or spiritual battles when we need to be strong and have the courage and focus of a warrior to overcome obstacles that limit our potential.The Hindu goddess Kali is thought by some as the goddess of destruction, but she is really the goddess of liberation. From a

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-49750353120490147682010-11-01T07:06:00.000-07:002010-11-02T12:08:41.946-07:00

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.Dalai LamaExiled from his country at 14 years old, and assuming leadership of a persecuted and exiled people at 15, the Dalai Lama, now in his seventies, totally embodies his teachings of compassion. love and kindness. He is revered by the Tibetans as their spiritual and political leader, but the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-21139729797627189462010-10-25T18:25:00.000-07:002010-10-26T06:10:01.100-07:00

Sometimes when we are still extraordinary things happen. One day I was sitting quietly in the woods reading over some notes. It was a warm autumn day and I was surrounded by the rich colors of fall. I had carefully chosen a sunlight spot so I could feel the warmth of the sun with the cool fall air. Amid the lush carpet of golden leaves, I could hear the sounds of squirrels and other small animals

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-27562663135672286222010-10-10T17:55:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:43:24.641-07:00

Air is all around us, but we can't see it. It is always touching us, but we can't reach out and hold it. We know it is there because without it we would die.When air is moving, we call it wind. Seeing movement in the leaves of trees, spray on ocean waves, clouds drifting across the sky and birds gliding with open wings, gives us the illusion of seeing air. We can feel air as we move through it

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-63897276410699787032010-10-03T16:21:00.000-07:002010-10-07T12:07:08.617-07:00

Fire consumes. It can consume like a humming bird sipping nectar from a flower or like a bear ravenously eating as much as he can after the long winter hibernation. A single candle flame gives a feeling of softness, peacefulness and even romance. Inviting people to come together, campfires give warmth and light. Uncontrolled wildfires purge everything in their path with their enormous

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-37641576466840670832010-09-26T19:08:00.000-07:002010-09-30T12:55:43.690-07:00

Not enough rain and your garden with wither and die. Too much rain and your garden will get soggy and rot. Just the right amount of rain and your garden with thrive and prosper. Water is necessary for all life forms. It can create and destroy. It is the right amount in balance that gives us aliveness and productivity.Water itself is indestructible. With its adaptable nature, it can change form

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-881947396077692182010-09-20T11:47:00.000-07:002010-11-18T14:36:26.897-08:00

Most of us have fond memories of squishing mud through our toes. building castles in the sand and digging in the dirt. When we touch the Earth, we connect with the roots of nature. The Earth is fertile and stable. All life forms, as we know them, spring from the Earth. We affectionately call our whole planet Mother Earth.The diversity of the forests, the majesty of the mountains, and the richness

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-53163688315736270622010-09-11T09:25:00.000-07:002010-11-04T13:23:46.578-07:00

Everyone is fascinated by space. To gaze at the stars creates a reverse phenomenon. The tiny stars make us feel tiny. We can feel the distance in space and know that these tiny bright bits we see in the vastness of space are, in reality, huge.Space is limitless and yet it acts as a container for everything we know. It holds the earth, the solar system, the galaxies and beyond. It is a mystery

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-73376585231889838202010-09-06T07:00:00.002-07:002010-09-13T08:43:47.869-07:00

Habits are routines or actions that are repeated without intention or even awareness. They can become almost unconscious forms of behavior. Rituals are actions or routines done with intention and with great awareness. There is often a symbolic or emotional meaning behind the action and it is done with assent.Smoking, drinking coffee, biting your nails. reacting to people or situations, sleeping

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-29044913607578122912010-08-29T05:08:00.000-07:002010-08-29T11:11:57.846-07:00

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.Helen KellerWhen we think of seeing, we first think of seeing with our eyes. But Webster's dictionary defines seeing as something more: "to perceive as if by sight", "to come to know", "to perceive the meaning or importance of", "to imagine as a possibility" are a few of the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-72550276351620251982010-08-22T08:08:00.000-07:002010-08-27T11:19:28.934-07:00

Moving with strength and gentleness, ocean swells often travel thousands of nautical miles before reaching the shore. They are initially generated by wind, but as the storm dies down the waves lose their breaking tops and often combine to form swells that carry a calm, powerful energy on their journey.Water is not compressible, so swells contain the energy that was created from the original storm

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-14606583456481887402010-08-15T06:38:00.000-07:002010-08-26T07:25:59.823-07:00

"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom."GandhiAre we guaranteed at birth that we will be wise in our old age? "Older but wiser" is a common saying. But is it true?Wisdom cannot be faked. We can feel wisdom in another person. It is a sense that they know themselves deeply without excessive ego or self-doubt.Mahatma Gandhi had no military training when he decided to stand up to the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-7456818646735752492010-08-08T18:29:00.001-07:002010-08-13T12:02:47.948-07:00

"To see a world in a grain of sand, and Heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour."William BlakeHow often do you notice the soles of your feet? We tend to hide our feet in shoes and only go barefoot inside or on comfortable surfaces. Our feet are one of the most sensitive places of our bodies with several acupressure points that treat our emotional

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-27052177399271829742010-08-01T18:37:00.000-07:002010-08-08T17:12:50.134-07:00

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. ~Milton BerleOpportunity is around us all the time even if we do not see it. Sometimes it appears as a gift that comes to us effortlessly. Other times it comes in the form of an obstacle that can be transformed into opportunity.A brilliant example of this kind of transformation is the story of Tom Sawyer who was given the chore to whitewash his

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-3975084943617644572010-07-25T07:50:00.000-07:002010-07-27T10:08:12.512-07:00

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. Lou HoltzWhen you truly stop and listen to the birds singing, their songs go straight to your heart. Their songs are as beautiful as any music created by humans. Many composers including Vivaldi, Beethoven and Mozart have used birdsong as a springboard for some of the most enduring compositions of all time.Birds sing to

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-13396306320874417912010-07-18T07:51:00.000-07:002010-07-18T15:43:03.898-07:00

The river has taught me to listen; you will learn from it, too. The river knows everything; one can learn everything from it. — (Herman Hesse, Siddhartha)Rivers are the lifeblood of the earth. Their waters flow from the mountains to the sea offering transportation, recreation, irrigation and inspiration.Even when rivers appear calm and still, they are constantly moving from their source to

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-55544117627064568902010-07-10T17:01:00.001-07:002010-07-11T16:13:05.731-07:00

Although every individual's focus is on the soccer ball when it is near the goal, the real story is how the ball got there. The ball is passed so quickly between players that is impossible to know where it will go next. Of course there is a plan and a strategy but each team is equally determined to score for their team and block the opposing team.It would be almost impossible for an individual

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-3215447965597566392010-07-05T08:59:00.000-07:002010-07-08T11:02:04.730-07:00

John Harlin III comes from a lineage of adventurers. His father, John Harlin II, was a legendary climber who fell to his death climbing the north face of the Eiger which is taller and harder than anything on Everest. John eventually was able to complete the climb that killed his father and fulfill a life-long dream.In the summer of 2010 John made a plan to bike, paddle and climb about 1900

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-12887361092254008552010-06-28T08:02:00.000-07:002010-06-28T14:11:48.248-07:00

Why do people spend so much time planting beautiful gardens, creating beautiful works of art, decorating their homes, deciding what to wear, or practicing a skill? We are drawn to beauty. It makes us feel good and is soothing to the soul.Creating beauty is a process that takes time and love. It is a form of self-expression. When the inspiration comes from the heart, others find their own personal

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-64585881317022086562010-06-20T03:15:00.000-07:002010-06-21T13:09:51.095-07:00

Poetry in motion is all around us in subtle and dramatic forms. We can see it in the dance of leaves in a soft breeze and we can feel it in the performance of top athletes. The dance of butterflies, the synchronised movements of a teeming school of fish, the acrobatic play of otters, the explosive sprint of a cheetah, the flight of the hummingbird, and the spinning of a spider web are examples

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-90729871091725394562010-06-12T07:59:00.001-07:002010-06-17T07:36:10.172-07:00

When I go into the woods time seems to slow down. Stress falls away, my breathing becomes more relaxed and I feel open to the energy around me. I do not have to seek this feeling, it just happens. Time and time again I find comfort, inspiration and creativity in the woods.When we are in the woods it is easy to feel connected to nature. One can feel her magnificence and power. We can often feel

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-52090444480446897982010-06-06T05:31:00.000-07:002010-06-06T15:32:34.964-07:00

Why do you do what you do? What is your cause? What is your purpose? What inspires you? What empowers you? What do you feel in your gut and your heart?The Wright brothers loved learning new things. Although neither of them finished high school, they started their first business together by building a printing press out of broken and recycled parts. Later they became interested in bicycles and

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-74053758547100134882010-05-30T06:08:00.000-07:002010-05-30T09:37:32.531-07:00

We adore chaos because we love to produce order.M.C. EscherIs there more random chance or more predictability in life? Is there security in order and danger in chaos? Or is there boredom in order and excitement in chaos?Do people tend to prefer order over chaos? Some people like to have schedules, they like their lives to be organized and they like to have a plan. They function best this way.

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-13267277862566083872010-05-23T11:19:00.000-07:002010-05-25T06:30:23.352-07:00

We have all felt it at least for a moment. Time becomes irrelevant and there is a sense of being connected with a magical flow. You become so immersed in your activity that there is no separation and it feels effortless. Thinking and feeling come together in a sublime dance. Instead of questions there is a deep sense of knowing. Being in the zone is when the mind, body, and spirit are in perfect

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-24197602767447031352010-05-16T07:49:00.000-07:002010-05-17T12:12:49.577-07:00

Water flows in us, through us and around us. Between 55 to 75 percent of human body weight is water. Our brains are about 70% water.Water seeks movement by gravity, diffusion, wind and pressure. Water is heavy but it moves with grace, power and ease. Seventy percent of the earth's surface is covered by water. Life as we know it could not exist without water. It is constantly changing through

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-75429981992241817142010-05-09T07:56:00.000-07:002010-05-09T09:38:59.955-07:00

There is a parable about a farmer who owned a beautiful white horse. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the man replied.The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it a dozen wild horses. "You are so lucky," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man.When his son tried to

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-5725535841458521862010-05-02T00:09:00.000-07:002010-08-27T16:47:04.616-07:00

Clouds are familiar but elusive and mysterious. From a distance they have a shape but when we are inside a cloud the rest of the world is hidden.No two clouds are identical. The three main categories of clouds are cumulus, stratus and cirrus. Cumulus clouds are puffy, dense and tall, sometimes extending upwards hundreds of meters. Stratus clouds are more horizontal and spread out like a blanket

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-34469730947364713532010-04-25T05:57:00.000-07:002010-04-26T06:04:36.032-07:00

Gardens are a way of working together with nature to add beauty and nourishment to our lives. The more we understand nature and collaborate with her, the more plentiful, healthy, and beautiful our garden can be.First we start with an intention to create, nurture and be open to what our gardens will teach us. Preparing the soil is the foundation of a healthy garden. Timing when to plant the seeds

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-49298804220772404632010-04-18T18:04:00.000-07:002010-04-20T11:47:01.418-07:00

Transformation can happen in an instant or gradually over time. It can be something we create or something that happens to us without our control. It can be subtle or dramatic,When Mount St Helens erupted, the landscape was dramatically transformed in an instant. The forces of nature had been invisibly at work before the eruption but the actual physical change happened without warning and the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-74838727701724574212010-04-11T06:44:00.001-07:002010-04-11T11:10:28.793-07:00

Wake up calls demand our attention. We can be so absorbed in our emotions and habits that in a way we are in a kind of sleep. Wake up calls abruptly make us stop what we are doing and at least temporarily take a look at something that we have been ignoring.For example someone who has smoked for many years may get pneumonia and the doctor tells them if they do not quit they could die. This kind of

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-89744208064184621122010-04-03T06:58:00.000-07:002010-04-06T04:55:38.646-07:00

“Your mind knows only some things. Your inner voice, your instinct, knows everything. If you listen to what you know instinctively, it will always lead you down the right path.”Henry WinklerOur inner voice speaks gently with a deep wisdom. This voice does not nag or repeat itself incessantly. It is more like a gentle nudge to a greater awareness.We have many voices in our heads. Our minds are

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-49486190878137124822010-03-27T11:16:00.000-07:002010-03-27T19:29:33.518-07:00

How can something so tiny and insignificant be so powerful? In the spring, when poison ivy is barely visible, it is still very potent. Its oil, called urushiol, is concentrated in the vine, stem and roots of the plant. So when it appears to be dead or dormant, it has powerful potential. It is said to still be active for five years even after the plant is dead.Kundalini is a dormant energy that

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-53702366659330908222010-03-20T04:26:00.000-07:002010-03-21T10:13:33.668-07:00

Spring is a kind of wake up call in nature bringing new growth, new life, and warmer weather. It is a transitional period between the coldest months and the warmest months. The sun crossing the equator signals the beginning of spring.Weather is often erratic in spring as the seasons shift from cold to warm. Severe weather results from the warm air masses from the lower latitudes colliding with

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-32799783687938337412010-03-12T04:40:00.000-08:002010-03-12T06:15:33.449-08:00

People in countries driven by technology tend to move at mach nine speed. Cars, airplanes, cell phones, computers and internet access allow us to move fast from place to place, process large amounts of information with amazing speed and communicate long distances no matter what we are doing.But what is the true cost of the ease and speed at which we move? Do we become desensitized to the less

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-18545743178667545352010-03-07T05:47:00.000-08:002010-03-07T06:04:01.823-08:00

"I skied with 100 percent heart — I didn't hold anything back. ... It's just awesome. There's nothing else to say."Bode MillerBode Miller was controversial, the bad boy of skiing. He was into partying and making shocking comments to the media. He had won two silver medals in the Salt Lake Olympics but that was disappointing because he was expected to win golds.At the Turin Olympics Bode Miller

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-25208925243308492602010-02-28T07:48:00.000-08:002010-03-03T12:08:15.430-08:00

Athletes who win medals may appear to have it all - the glory, the talent and the gift of loving what they do. But there are stories behind each performance that show the adversities that many athletes had to overcome to achieve their goals.Just two before her free style Olympic skating event, Joannie Rochette's mother unexpectedly died of a heart attack. Joannie was struggling emotionally

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-52738299208978330702010-02-22T06:50:00.001-08:002010-02-22T11:44:04.157-08:00

"If it was all about one jump, they'd give us ten seconds to go out and do our jump not four minutes forty seconds. I was working every moment to put in the extra footwork to rack up the extra points. It was hard, very hard." Evan LysacekWho ultimately deserves the Olympic gold medal, the athlete with the best tricks or the athlete with the most artistry?In the 2010 Olympics this

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-44724704364438006822010-02-14T06:21:00.000-08:002010-02-14T08:48:36.740-08:00

Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author UnknownValentine's Day celebrates the special love between couples. But everyday can be a Valentine's day of sorts celebrating the many loves in our lives. When your life is filled with love it is buoyant and alive.Hug a friend. Express your inner joy. Even if you do

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-53567810427709260752010-02-07T09:06:00.000-08:002010-02-08T09:01:14.956-08:00

... the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred...W.H.MurrayWhy do some commitments soar to amazing heights while others fall by the wayside? Why was Thomas Edison able to invent the electric light bulb, while many people cannot even complete their tax forms? What is the driving force behind

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-9417203059245832352010-01-29T16:27:00.000-08:002010-01-30T15:37:02.341-08:00

We are literally pulled by the power of the full moon. Plants experience a growth spurt at this time. Just as the tides of the oceans are highest at the full moon, our bodies, that are approximately 60% water, respond to the energy of the moon in ways that we may or may not notice.In Asheville, where I live, the past two full moons have coincided with the most beautiful snow storms in decades.

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-74365369034319853822010-01-23T15:39:00.001-08:002010-01-24T06:58:52.730-08:00

Deep inside each of us is a quiet, calm center. For many of us, it lies buried like a forgotten treasure. Instead we seek the treasures on the outside that may or may not be attainable.Our senses pull us in many directions. Interesting sights, sounds, smells, tactile objects and savory palettes are difficult to ignore. We often live in chaos amid these distractions. We become unaware of who we

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-72820392025796098292010-01-18T18:03:00.000-08:002010-01-22T08:04:16.605-08:00

The foundation comes first. A strong and well-laid foundation is the best investment you can make when building a house. A foundation needs to be level, the cement needs to be dried properly and there must be good drainage. A house built on a solid foundation can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes and other tests of nature. But if the foundation is poorly built that same house could

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-18091979729157272172010-01-10T07:11:00.000-08:002010-01-11T08:48:20.306-08:00

The truth is balance. However the opposite of truth, which is unbalance, may not be a lie. Susan SontagBalance occurs when opposites come together in harmony. Yin and yang, darkness and light, hot and cold all balance each other. When we are out of balance life feels difficult, but it flows with ease when we are in balance.Perfect balance is not a lasting condition. It comes and goes. Effort and

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-9931107423947540782010-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:002010-01-01T15:37:46.409-08:00

Do you control your mind or does your mind control you? Unconsciously our minds are constantly chattering. If left undirected they can keep repeating the same negative, self-limiting thoughts. But we can also choose to direct our thoughts in a positive way.People typically choose resolutions for the New Year. Resolutions often don't work because they feel like something we should do. An example

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-51377958345123824922009-12-26T14:19:00.000-08:002009-12-26T19:46:08.971-08:00

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.Havelock EllisLetting go gives us freedom. It invites new opportunities into our lives. When we let go there is a feeling of lightness and uplift.Sometimes we cling to people or things out of the illusion that we cannot live without them. But we never know what lies ahead. We really only have the present moment. Even the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-18591035188329610372009-12-19T16:50:00.000-08:002009-12-19T17:39:18.580-08:00

Winter solstice marks an end and a beginning. It is the end of the lengthening of nights and the beginning of the lengthening of days. Whenever something ends if paves the way for a new beginning.Even though the days are getting longer, it feels like we are entering a period of darkness. Darkness gives us the opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and go inward. Some people may be afraid of the dark,

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-2683980319559155432009-12-13T17:30:00.000-08:002009-12-17T15:04:29.760-08:00

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. SenecaDaring is an opportunity for growth. For some people being silent is daring because they are uncomfortable with silence. For others talking is daring because they are self-conscious and shy. To dare is to put yourself outside your comfort zone.Proximity flyers dare to leap

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-57786950548320565842009-12-05T13:20:00.000-08:002009-12-06T06:16:22.955-08:00

If we are still and listen deeply, even for a moment, we will know if we are following a path with heart. Jack Kornfield It is not only what we do, but also how we do it, that gives life the most meaning. For example, if you give someone a compliment in a flippant manner, it will not have the same meaning as when you say it with full attention while looking into their eyes. We need love in our

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-67593210061013045382009-11-28T05:45:00.000-08:002009-11-30T06:07:30.419-08:00

Are we born with creativity that exclusively belongs to us or is it a gift that passes through us from some divine spirit intent on sharing this gift with the world? The answer to this question has changed throughout history. Taking all the credit for creativity has moments of glory but also causes isolation and suffering.In ancient Greece and Rome people believed that creativity came from afar

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-38690167320491815052009-11-21T17:31:00.000-08:002009-11-23T10:58:59.200-08:00

During periods of relaxation after concentrated periods of intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight. Fritjof Capra, physicistRelaxation is one of the key components of building strength. Without relaxing we can burn out both mentally and physically. Look at nature. All of nature knows how to relax.

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-77071166200804530562009-11-15T18:22:00.000-08:002009-11-21T04:38:57.988-08:00

-The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert EinsteinArt is full of mystery. It goes beyond the surface of the actual work itself. Viewing art awakens our imagination and takes us on an inward journey. We may remember something from our past, question something we think we know, or see possibilities we did not know

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-47560501286832338262009-11-08T05:34:00.000-08:002009-11-08T10:31:15.755-08:00

Popular belief says that luck is good fortune that is bestowed upon us by chance. Some people are considered to be born lucky because they are successful and happy. We wish people "good luck" before a competition or an important event as if asking some mysterious outside force to help them win or have a desired outcome.Why do some people seem to be so lucky and others so unlucky? Is it something

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-86062027964666654042009-11-01T04:52:00.000-08:002009-11-04T19:00:27.135-08:00

Within the vast diversity of nature there is a divine order. This order can be represented mathematically even though all of nature is living and breathing and changing. The Fibonacci numbers, and the Golden Ratio that is related to them, are part of this divine order.Fibonacci numbers are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 etc. Each number is the sum of the previous two numbers. These numbers are

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-2385552649027205952009-10-25T11:54:00.000-07:002009-10-26T18:49:22.729-07:00

Cats know exactly who they are and they know exactly what they want. Merlin, my feline companion, has a regal air as he trots around with his luxuriant tail held high. He moves with grace and ease. When he snuggles with me and I feel the vibration of his purring, a sense of peacefulness fills me.Merlin has taught me many lessons over the years:Purr softly and relax with the sound of your breath.

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-67629382759738844762009-10-17T05:24:00.000-07:002009-10-17T05:54:47.020-07:00

Resilience is necessary for survival. It helps us adapt to change. Life is not always easy. We are going to fall. We are going to fail. We do not know what will happen as the future becomes our present. But if we can pick ourselves up, if we can weather the storm, if we can come back from adversity, that is the practice of resilience.Turtles have been around for 215 million years. They are a

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-14218810540717787582009-10-08T07:31:00.001-07:002009-10-08T11:11:59.974-07:00

Reaching for the roots allows you to reach for the sky. First you need a solid foundation, then you can soar! Sometimes you need to look where you do not expect of find what you seek.Roots support all plant life. Although they are typically hidden underground, roots always send shoots above the ground. It is the roots that bring nourishment and support to the biggest of trees. A tree cannot live

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-51054099131553826302009-10-04T05:18:00.000-07:002009-10-05T08:44:44.693-07:00

Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.Oscar WildeWho are you? A dancer, a teacher, a carpenter, a banker? Or is who you are something deeper, something harder to define, something that is unique to each individual?Being yourself sounds easy, but try it! It is easy to wish you were someone else, someone who has more talent, more intelligence, more money, more wit or more beauty. We are

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-68462157622382979412009-09-25T17:20:00.000-07:002009-09-26T17:39:02.822-07:00

Shane Hart balances stones. He spends hours using gravity and friction to create sculptures that seem impossible. "It's a meditative art that evokes a sense of amazement, focuses our attention in the moment, and challenges us to examine our attachment to the material world", says Shane.The key to creating these fleeting sculptures is locating the cracks and crevices in the stones. He says, "Sit

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-57086822194664874432009-09-19T14:35:00.000-07:002009-09-22T09:57:14.047-07:00

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."TS EliotTaking risks is almost as necessary as taking a breath of fresh air. It gives our lives meaning and exhilaration. Risks do not guarantee success, but they do guarantee knowledge. We learn from risk-taking. We learn about our strengths and weaknesses. We learn about our limits. We can often surprise

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-86309591352256159352009-09-12T17:09:00.000-07:002009-09-12T18:59:34.356-07:00

Life can be overwhelming and chaotic. When your mind is going full blast it is difficult to feel peaceful. How do we find comfort and quiet when we feel exhausted and full of uncertainty?Just as hurricanes have a calm, quiet center surrounded by raging winds and powerful rains, we too, have tranquility in our deepest core. Inside each of us is a quiet center, a place where we are connected to a

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-2488491297953258302009-09-07T08:06:00.000-07:002009-09-09T07:18:38.547-07:00

Some stories can truly inspire us to realize that we can make a positive impact in our lives and in the lives of others. Greg Mortenson's story of building schools for the children in rural Pakistan touches the heart of all who learn of his dedication to this cause.After spending 2 months weathering terrible storms at high altitude and a failed attempt to reach the summit of K2 in northern

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-60097477795647165082009-08-23T18:19:00.001-07:002009-08-29T20:30:27.485-07:00

Kindness feels good. It is contagious and totally renewable. There are scientific studies done about the health benefits of kindness. Endorphins are released and stress-related health problems improve after you perform an act of kindness.There is a true story about a man that held a sign on a busy street corner saying, "Free Hugs". At first people passed him by pretending not to notice. But then

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-46707985773331569122009-08-21T07:32:00.000-07:002009-08-21T09:12:24.693-07:00

"From naive simplicity we arrive at more profound simplicity."Albert SchweitzerSimplicity isn't always simple. At first something may appear to be simple. But as we learn more, it becomes more complex. When we simplify something that is complex, it becomes profound.Some might say that simplicity is inferior to complexity. Simplicity implies that something is easy to understand. If a person is

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-85017979927132640552009-08-16T09:31:00.000-07:002009-08-20T10:23:48.317-07:00

"Contentment is natural wealth. Luxury is artificial poverty."SocratesRecognizing our innate goodness, our divine nature and how we are all connected and supported by a higher power is the root of contentment. Contentment is like the bed of a river. The water flows, rises and falls, shifts happen but the bed of the river gives shape, support and constancy to the river. Contentment is part of who

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-76014835832407694402009-08-09T08:16:00.000-07:002009-08-10T13:21:15.737-07:00

Deep in the woods there lived a fox with no front legs. A man living nearby saw the fox and wondered how it was able to survive. Then one day while watching the fox, the man saw a tiger approach with fresh game in its mouth. Lying on the ground the tiger ate his fill and left the rest for the fox.The next day the fox was fed by the same tiger. The man began to think, "If this fox is taken care

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-76158840594189585982009-07-31T07:39:00.001-07:002009-08-02T11:10:56.283-07:00

The Wind and the Sun were having an argument about who was stronger and more powerful. Suddenly they saw a traveler with a heavy cloak walking down the road. The Sun said, "Whoever can get the cloak off the traveler shall be considered the strongest". The Wind agreed to the challenge and the Sun retired behind a cloud while the Wind began to blow with all its might. The harder the Wind blew and

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-61121747918441686262009-07-25T04:39:00.000-07:002009-08-02T11:25:08.698-07:00

Mysterious and captivating, spirals are everywhere. Spiral algae (spirulina) has existed on the earth for over 3,500 million years. Odd spiraling gorges are etched deep into the polar ice caps of Mars. They are one of the earliest examples of human expression and can be seen in the art of all ancient civilizations.Galaxies form the largest spirals with stars expanding outward from a concentrated

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-81836405742209054742009-07-17T06:01:00.000-07:002009-07-18T05:26:23.512-07:00

Once there was a man who carried water daily from a stream to his house. He carried it in two large pots hung from a pole slung across his neck.One pot was perfect and always arrived at his house full of water. The other pot had a crack so it was only half full when he arrived home.One day the cracked pot told the man he felt ashamed that he failed to deliver a full pot of water to the house.The

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-73866508227320034182009-07-12T08:03:00.000-07:002009-07-12T06:46:19.527-07:00

Six blind men were curious to know about elephants. So they journeyed to visit an elephant and discover what an elephant really was.The first blind man leaned against the side of the elephant and said an elephant was like a wall.The second blind man felt the round, smooth and sharp tusk and concluded the elephant is like a spear.The third blind man was near the trunk of the elephant. When he held

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-72146129021663930412009-07-04T13:14:00.000-07:002009-07-25T05:49:15.059-07:00

What is freedom? Is it lack of restrictions or constraints? Is it the ability to do what we want, when we want? Or does the true meaning of freedom lie at a much deeper personal level?Christopher McCandless wanted to find freedom by seeking adventures and going to live in the wild in Alaska. He wanted to escape the restrictions of society and expectations of his parents. He sought to live off the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-34006902167280452452009-06-27T12:23:00.000-07:002009-06-28T19:35:15.759-07:00

Quieting the mind and being totally present in the moment is a subtle yet difficult art. We have the illusion of control and try to accomplish tasks by willing our way with effort. The idea of allowing whatever we are trying to accomplish to reveal itself to us might seem absurd. Yet in the stillness of the moment is when we receive our greatest gifts.Eugen Herrigel went to Japan to learn the art

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-64192173628698454432009-06-21T08:36:00.000-07:002009-06-28T19:34:35.372-07:00

Summer solstice is a celebration of the longest day of the year. It is a time of light, but it is the beginning of days becoming shorter and moving toward darkness. Light and darkness are opposites but they work together. We cannot know light without knowing darkness and we cannot know darkness without knowing light. These opposites complement each other in a symbiotic way.There are four times in

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-34392654559992988772009-06-14T07:08:00.000-07:002009-06-14T15:49:25.763-07:00

The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyon are probably the fastest long distance runners in the world. Christopher McDougall is a runner who was constantly injured from running and decided to live and study with the Tarahumara Indians. They run barefoot or in the simplest shoes and are extremely healthy and joyful. His experiences are documented in his book "Born to Run".When asked what

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-28121935988055146862009-06-07T09:59:00.000-07:002009-06-07T16:01:30.860-07:00

What does empower mean? It's oldest meaning is "to bring into power". But today empower has many meanings. We can empower ourselves and we can empower others. So rather than having power over others it is about coming into your own power and helping others do the same.When we are empowered we feel confident, free and energized. Empowerment means we believe in our capabilities. We believe we can

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-818521259113968062009-05-29T06:06:00.000-07:002009-05-29T18:23:08.543-07:00

Designed for speed, the cheetah moves with the perfect balance of muscular and organic energy. Recognized as the fastest land animal, nature has endowed the cheetah with large nostrils. lungs, liver, heart and adrenals to handle top speeds. Its bones are light and vertical collar bones help to lengthen its stride. Its spine works as a spring for the powerful back legs to stretch out almost

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-82106142910545963552009-05-24T08:53:00.000-07:002009-05-29T06:16:06.632-07:00

Our perceptions are shaped by the two sides of our brains that are separate and very different. They communicate with each other and are connected by the corpus callosum. One side is typically more dominate than the other. Each hemisphere thinks and cares about different things.The right hemisphere is all about this present moment and thinks in pictures. Our senses are experienced from this side

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-20242943297481238872009-05-14T08:14:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:48:02.980-07:00

The mind-body connection is very powerful and often overlooked in our society. We get caught up in our heads: thinking and planning, running from one activity to the next, figuring out what we want and solving problems that arise.It is easy to forget about our body or not to listen to our body. When we push it beyond its limits, we get injured. This injury can be instantaneous or it can

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-43399564416112674032009-05-09T08:05:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:48:54.190-07:00

Life is like a puzzle in many ways. As we move through life we find bits and pieces of the puzzle along our path. Some of the pieces fit together easily. Other pieces seem unconnected. And sometimes we may find ourselves looking for a missing piece.At times we may feel clear about the "big picture" but at other times we may wonder what life is really about. Why are we here? What is our unique

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-233287802547067372009-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:49:31.249-07:00

Starting as a tiny pearl-like egg, the butterfly goes through various transitions before spreading its wings and finding the freedom of flight. From the egg, the butterfly-to-be transitions to a caterpillar with a voracious appetite shedding its skin multiple times during this rapid growth phase.Eventually the caterpillar goes into hibernation as a pupa, a cocoon-like stage. Here the caterpillar

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-92067353117907563482009-04-26T07:36:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:50:25.563-07:00

There was once an old woman who spent all her days crying over her two married daughters. The older daughter was married to an umbrella salesman. The younger daughter had married a noodle maker.When it was sunny the old woman cried for her older daughter thinking no one would buy umbrellas and surely her daughter would be poor and not have enough food to live.On rainy days the old woman thought

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-13955085605375106962009-04-19T19:53:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:51:22.711-07:00

Dandelions burst forth in the spring with an energy that seems boundless. They show up almost everywhere. Although small in stature the dandelion possesses powerful qualities. The French origin of the word - dent de lion - means tooth of the lion. The power of the lion is behind its soft outward appearance with strong healing medicine in all its parts.The leaves are extremely nutritious

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-32285951529660303452009-04-10T18:20:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:52:41.088-07:00

A young man was serving as an apprentice to a wise zen master desiring to learn the ways to enlightenment. Part of the apprenticeship was taking care of the master - making his meals, keeping the house clean, and various other daily chores.However while the apprentice was sweeping the floor or making a fire, he would suddenly feel a swift blow to the back of his head from the stick of his master.

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-56217099930503345212009-04-05T18:53:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:53:25.699-07:00

Deciding to be creative, I started sculpting one of the bushes in front of my house into a spiral shape. I had no experience in topiary but I had a vague idea of what needed to be done. At first I was a bit hesitant taking a few snips here and there, not knowing for sure what to do and doubting that I would really complete the transformation of my bush.Soon I realized I had to fully commit to

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-20858129695337145092009-03-28T17:40:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:54:36.137-07:00

The lotus flower emerges from darkness into light with grace and beauty. It lives part time in the murky water where it thrives and replenishes itself. The lotus needs the murky waters to stay alive. It is not afraid of the dark. It honors the power of darkness and the power of light.As a sacred symbol it represents strength, perseverance, resilience, prosperity and beauty. It symbolizes the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-11331064923781854512009-03-22T19:15:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:55:12.236-07:00

The Vernal equinox marks the first day of spring. The days and nights are of equal length - a perfect balance. What a special day of the year! When our life is in balance things are easier. There is a lightness in our hearts and our physical body feels better. However perfect balance never lasts. It is a place we seek but it is impermanent. We feel the balance, but then we shift to imbalance. The

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-20832659326495803972009-03-15T10:13:00.000-07:002009-05-22T05:55:46.996-07:00

Obstacles can be annoying, a challenge or an absolute blast. On the river a rock creates an obstacle for the flow of water. Depending on how close the rock is to the surface of the water, there are various features that are created. A rock way below the surface might create a small wave. A bigger rock closer to the surface can create a bigger wave. When the rock is just below the surface of the

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-84279762529343674172009-03-12T06:49:00.000-07:002009-03-12T07:04:54.307-07:00

Pigeon is a great hip opening pose.Basics of Pigeon:1. Start in Down dog. Bring right leg forward with right knee stretching toward right wrist. If possible keep the right knee wider than the right hip. If this causes pain, bring the right knee in line with the right hip. (But the right knee should not be to the left of the right hip.)2. Extend the left leg back a few inches making sure the back

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-19871752851519683172009-03-07T18:13:00.000-08:002009-05-22T05:56:28.036-07:00

Last Sunday snow flurries were coating the earth with soft white snow. The temperature dropped, the roads were icy and the trees shimmered against a penetrating azure sky. Now one week later the temperature touched 74 degrees, the snow has melted and gardens are being planted.Change is constant: in subtle ways and in ways that are too obvious to miss. But the commonality is the inherent beauty of

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358927486818503248.post-65264270458360021252009-02-20T12:43:00.000-08:002009-05-22T05:57:14.428-07:00

Do you believe you can make a difference? Or do feel overwhelmed and powerless to change something you really care about? We may think that our actions do not matter, but they always matter. Commitment with love to a cause starts with an intention. Then we must take the first step of action.Julia Butterfly Hill was only 23 years old when she committed to saving a 600-year old redwood tree named

Gayle Jannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00637271336232832652noreply@blogger.com1