Whimsical Wisdom

"Your Majesty, please... I don't like to complain,

But down here below, we are feeling great pain.

I know, up on top you are seeing great sights,

But down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights.

We turtles can't stand it. Our shells will all crack!

Besides, we need food. We are starving!" groaned Mack.

This weekend we celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss and my newsfeed was full of some pretty fantastic quotes, pulled from the beloved books of my childhood. As I began to think fondly on those books, I was struck by the things they (secretly) taught me about people and the world. The Lorax made me remember the environment. Green Eggs and Ham taught me to try new things. The Grinch made me question, "what if Christmas doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."  

To be clear, I didn't learn all my life lessons from these books, but children can learn lessons without knowing that is what they are doing. Adults, on the other hand, have a harder time.   As I was considering Seuss' birthday, I contemplated my favorite Seuss book. It wasn't one that I read as a child. Rather, my high school boyfriend gave it to me as a gift. I cant exactly remember if it was for my 18th birthday or for Graduation... but my senior year of high school I was given Yertle the Turtle.  

But I didn't read it at 18.
Or 21.
Or 23.
But the year I turned 25, I moved. And I found Yertle.  

At 25, I was a different person than I had been at 18. Much different. My faith beliefs were different. My political beliefs were (much) different. My attitude about people was different. And there I was, 25 years old, being taught a very important life lesson from Dr. Seuss.  

If you haven't read about King Yertle, you should. It can change your life, if you let it.
Or, just maybe, it can cause you to change someone else's.  

"And the turtles, of course... all the turtles are free
As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be."

 

Dresses and Desserts

Last week was a hell of a week. I know I don't usually use words like that, but it's the only way I can think to describe it. I worked 14 hour days. I had huge meetings- some went well, some did not. Two major projects I am working on came to a head. At the same time. You know- that kind of week. I could barely afford to step away from my computer for meals and I absolutely could not afford to take a day off.

But that's exactly what I did.

My friend, Lauren, is getting married and, as all women know, when a bride goes wedding dress shopping, it's some girl rule that you bring an entourage. I'm not sure why; who really wants all those opinions?! But I guess the fear of being trapped in 29 layers of tulle is enough to make you want a team with you. (For those of you who have been with me a while, you may remember that a bridesmaid dress once tried to kill me...)

And so, I hunted for dresses and put them on hangers. I stuffed them in garment bags and fought off the static. I took pictures of different dress details and gave moral support or honest feedback as needed. And after it was all over, I drank a glass of wine and ate a big fat piece of chocolate cake.

Because that's what girlfriends do- dresses and desserts. Lauren will only be married once, and spending those moments with her, tearing up over dresses, laughing over chocolate. That's what life is really about. Nothing I could have done at work was more important than those moments. Nothing.

Friends. Family. Occasions. That's what makes a life.
And chocolate cake, of course. :)

Namaste

In college, I practiced yoga. Four days a week.
Since college, I've practiced yoga. Four times total. (or there abouts)

I love yoga. I love the movement. I love the stillness. I love the general practice of body and breathing. But I havent had time for it.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I pulled out my yoga mat, and downward dogged my way back into the practice. I realized I am not as limber as I used to be but my muscles still remembered the poses. As a result, I slept better and I felt better.

Exercise is often one of the first things to slip off my list. Because I dont "have time" for it. And because I dont generally like to do it. However, by making some time, I remembered that my body needs the exercise, my mind needs the calm. And while I may never be a master yogini, I can take steps to shaping my body and mind to a healthier zone.

Plus, who can resist the "Happy Baby" pose?! :)

Namaste,
Amanda