Terre Pruitt's Blog

In the realm of health, wellness, fitness, and the like, or whatever inspires me.

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Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

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Goodie Jar – Check In #31

Posted by terrepruitt on September 27, 2013

I remembered the Goodie Jar check in!  Yay!  How about you?  Are you remembering to put good things in that jar?  I know that some weeks are easier to find good things than others, but that is part of this — to find good things to focus on even in the midst of the things that bring us down or try to keep that smiling from surfacing.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle YogaMy birthday was last week so I received a few cards.  As I was pulling the cards out of the envelopes to display — yes, I put up my cards — I realized what great goodie note paper the envelopes would make.  As you may know not only am I filling my goodie jar, but I like to use colorful paper to document my good things.  I like different shapes and sizes and textures.  So to me it was a good thing to realize I could use the envelopes as paper for my jar.  Yay!  Now I will have bright pink, red, and yellow to add to the jar!  And do some recycling!

Fun stuff.

One of the good things I have added to my jar is my Nia students — again!  I know, huh? — this week the traffic was stopped as I tried to make my way to my Nia class.  When I looked on the freeway as I was getting on I thought it was just slowed for a bit because there were signs that said, “Shoulder work”.  The actually direction I need to travel is not visible from where I make the turn on to the entrance ramp.  When I made the turn onto the actual road to enter, it was stopped.  So I just got right back off.  But every single street I drove on had construction.  So at times two lanes were reduced to one lane.  Every time I was near a freeway entrance I thought I would get on the freeway there, but, nope, the traffic was backed up.  So I slowly made my way all the way across town via city streets.  I kept thinking I would make it to class on time or really close to it, so I didn’t pull over to call.  But finally I stopped to call and tell them I was on my way even though I was already late!  I finally made it, I was twenty minutes late!  And guess what?  My students were still there!  WOW!  I was so humbled and grateful it was JUST what a person needs after spending over an hour on the road to make a 20 minute trip.  My annoyance and embarrassment at being late was washed away by my understanding and eager-to-dance students.  They said, “That’s ok.  Let’s dance it away.”  And we did.  So grateful.  Definitely a GOOD THING for my goodie jar.

I hope that you use this check in as a reminder to take a moment and think of the good things that you have experienced this week and make a note.

Well, how many were you able to think of?

Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Goodie Jar – Check In #30

Posted by terrepruitt on September 20, 2013

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle YogaEEEEKKKK!  I cannot believe I forgot two check ins a row!  Wow!  My Thursdays got a little busier with the addition of the morning Nia class.  Definitely a good thing, but my schedule got a bit off.  Even though it has been almost a month since the first class, I need to work on my schedule a bit more.

This is a reminder about the Good Things Jar!  Ya know where we put notes of good things that have happened throughout the week?  Are you putting things in yours?  The reason we are doing this is to keep the good things at the forefront in our minds, in our hearts, and in our lives.  Yes, there are things that we can easily let bring us down . . . . believe me, I know, but that is when it is most important to remember the positive.

I am not a believer that you have to be positive all the time.  I believe that it is important to feel your feelings.  If you are sad go ahead be sad.  If you are angry go ahead be angry.  If you are frustrated go ahead be frustrated.  Experience all the emotions that you have.  BUT . . . . my point is don’t deny the good.  Don’t let all the things that CAN bring you down, bring you down and KEEP you so low that you don’t recognize the good stuff.

It could even be a matter of having to look at your Goodie Jar . . . . look how full it is and realize that there are a lot of good things that have happened.  Maybe you are struggling to find a good thing NOW, but that jar is full of good things . . . . and that in itself is a good thing, right?

Well . . . . . even though I forgot to remind you, are you still filling up that Goodie Jar?

Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Bozo The Clown

Posted by terrepruitt on September 19, 2013

Some of you might remember Bozo the Clown.  He was a clown character in the 1960’s.  There have been a few people who played the Bozo the Clown character.  Seems as if Larry Harmon might have been the most popular or recognizable.  I honestly don’t remember watching a TV show with Bozo.  But I do remember the name Bozo the Clown.  I grew up with it being used as a phrase as in -doing something (your walking/talking/acting)- like Bozo the Clown.  I do remember a Bozo the Clown toy.  I don’t remember if I owned it or where I experienced it, but I do know I have punched it way back when.  It was a toy that was three or four feet tall and made of blow up type of plastic.  It was shaped like a long skinny potato, but with a wider bottom than top.  And the bottom was weighted.  It had sand in it.  It was a punch “bag”.  It sat on the ground and you punched it and it would “fall” backwards, but then pop right back up.  I was reminded of it recently when I decided I normally was like that.  Ya know where things just come at you, and you might go down for a second from the initial “punch”, but you just pop right back up with a smile on your face.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle YogaIt is not always easy to pop back up with a smile, especially when it seems as if there are a lot of “punches” in a row.  Or a lot of BIG life changing “punches”.  But I generally try to examine a situation then focus on the positive.  With so much positive I don’t feel it is appreciative and in the correct spirit of things to just remain negative for a long time.

In my examination of things I usually look at it, I might do some research I might learn somethings I might have been happier not knowing.  Then my exam could include crying about it or yelling about it or dancing about it or talking about it.  Whatever.  But I try to let it go or let it be, or accept it and really focus on all the great things going on.  I also don’t like to have one negative moment or happening dictate my day and say it is a BAD day.  Recently though, I just had a day when I decided to take the day off.  I decided to stay down.  I wasn’t going to pop back up with that smiley face.  I still did not label my day as a bad day, but I just didn’t fight against the grump and the negative and the rude and the annoying and the inconsiderate.  I just said, “Today, I am not going to be Polly Positive.  I am not going to pop up smiling.  Today I am gonna kinda pout about the crap that was thrown on me.  I am just gonna let it stick and just go about my day all stinky.”

It was interesting.  I am not going to say it was good or bad, just interesting.  I will say that I felt it was a lot less exhausting.  I mean fighting against all the crap everyday, all the time . . . .whew, gets tiring.  But as I type this I am reminded that I don’t do it by myself.  I do get energy from other sources so that helps.  The same sources that are the energy on some days can be the source of the “punches” on some others days, again, normally, that is fine  – but it was nice to have the day off.

I woke up the next day back up and ready for some more “punches”.  It was kind of a little reset.  As if the sand got off to one side and stuck Bozo down.  But the day off was the shift and here we go again.

How about you?  What do you think?  Ever have a day where you just decide to let it stick?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

I Smell Something

Posted by terrepruitt on September 12, 2013

I have mentioned that I have been using essential oils for aromatherapy. I put a few drops of the oil in an unscented tealight and let it burn. While I believe that is not the best way to diffuse the oil, that is one way I do it. One of the popular brands of essential oils that I am familiar with sells diffusers, but they are – in my opinion – very expensive and at this point, way out of my budget. I believe that diffusing them in the air via steam is the best way. So I had been looking for one that was affordable. I found a decent one on Amazon.

After reading the reviews on some diffusers I decided it was important to have one that indicated when the water was low. Also I wanted one that held a good amount of water and could diffuse for hours.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle YogaThe reviews on the one I ended up getting were mixed, as often in the case. A few people said it was cheaply made, well, it was a very inexpensive product compared to some that I had been seeing. But even a cheaply made product should work, or why bother? Reviews are funny aren’t they? There are usually people who LOVE the product and ones who HATE it. Well, this product was no exception. There was one review that kept me from buying it, but, then when I thought about how much oil I was wasting burning it in candles that same review actually made me take a chance.

The person had said they had bought three. Two worked and one didn’t. So I figured it was kind of a crap shoot. I figured the people who said it didn’t work probably got one that didn’t work or they didn’t use it correctly. I figured my chances were good of getting a good one. And I was going to be very careful and use it correctly.

Some people had said it didn’t diffuse the aroma in a large room. Well, I was planning on using it in a small room. What I find is that it works great in the small room and that the fragrance actually travels into the big room. There are two settings for different sized rooms. I usually use the “small room” setting, but that still gets the scent around. But I find that the “large room” setting works good in the big room too!

I am happy with my purchase. I think it does a great job with diffusing scent of the oils.  It acts as a humidifier.  It even has a light that rotates through several colors.  You might be able to see the steam rising out of it in this picture.

One new oil I bought was Bergamot.  Even though Bergamot is a type of an orange, it does not smell like an orange at all, to me.  That could be the brand I purchased.  This essential oils is associated with the throat chakra and the sacral chakra.  According to Wiki, Bergamot is a common top note** in perfumes.  Multiple internet sources say that bergamot oil is an analgesic, an antidepressant, an antiseptic, an antibiotic, an anti-spasmodic, a stimulant, a relaxant, a sedative, stomachic, calmative, cicatrisant, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, vermifuge and vulnerary.

And can be used to treat depression, stress, tension, fear, hysteria, infection (all types including skin), anorexia, psoriasis, eczema and general convalescence.

At this point I am still only using my oils as aromatherapy – as in using their scent in the air.  I do not usually (except once) put them on my skin.  And I do not ingest them.  I strongly recommend that if you plan on using them on your skin and/or ingesting them you enlist the aid of an experienced Aromatherapist.

I thought I would give you a heads up on an affordable diffuser.

**Top notes are the most volatile and will evaporate first on your skin.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Ylvis Is Correct

Posted by terrepruitt on September 10, 2013

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoI know this is very far from health and fitness.  I know this is not even in the realm . . . . but it is in my head.  It is stuck.  I get songs stuck in my brain and they just play over and over.  Does that ever happen to you?  Do you get that ear worm?  Right now I have two songs stuck in my head this one (The Fox) and one that is in the Nia Routine I am current learning/”teaching” in my Monday and Wednesday morning Nia classes.  The song is Sexy from the Nia Routine Oshun.  It has no words, as this group/woman often “sings”, no words.  But the woman makes noises.  She hums, moans, groans, hisses, and vocalizes.  It is a hauntingly addicting tune and you I find myself moaning and vocalizing along with the song or just singing it out of the blue.  But I always find it odd to “sing” the non-words.  I had, at one time, a link to a video of it, but I can no longer find that.  But the The Fox is all over the internet, including in my last post.  In regards to lyrics, “The Fox” also has a lot of “non-words” but I guess that is because that is what the fox says.  Because really that is what foxes says, according to recordings made by researchers.  The recordings can be found on The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library website.

The the information regarding the one recording states it is a recording of Red Foxes in Ontario, Canada.  It can be found here:

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/55363/vulpes-vulpes-red-fox-canada-ontario-william-w-h-gunn

I think the voice on the recording says, “Young cross fox or black fox still in the puppy stage.”  The recording is labeled red fox, but I it really sounds like he say black fox.  I think the sound the foxes make is more comparable to the “Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!  Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!  Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!”  Although the Wired blog post titled “What Does the Fox Say? The Viral Music Video Isn’t Totally Wrong” states it is “clearly  . . . . a low-key version of Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow”.

The recording of a female and male arctic fox sound to me like a mixture of Ylvis’ Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow and Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!   On this recording the fox noises stop at 1:18 then the researching talks about the foxes and the conditions of recording.

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/138274

Whereas I think the common gray fox recorded in Sierra County, California is saying “A-hee-ahee ha-hee!  A-hee-ahee ha-hee!”  That recording can be heard here:

http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/60087

Devon Maloney, the author of the Wired Post I mentioned above, and I don’t exactly agree on what the foxes on the recordings say in connection with what Ylvis says, but I do believe we do both agree that Ylvis was onto something.  They did get “What the Fox Say” pretty darn accurate.  Hopefully my obsession with this song will be done by week’s end.  But I won’t be surprised if it resurfaces.  It is just so very funny.  Very entertaining.  I think the two that make up Ylvis are really interested in knowing what their guardian angels are saying.  They asks “what is your sound”, but I actually think they have the sounds down pretty well.  I am happy that their longing to know what the fox say has led to such hilarious entertainment.

So have you seen the video yet?  What do you think?

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

I Give Up, What Does The Fox Say?

Posted by terrepruitt on September 7, 2013

This past week there was a video posted on Youtube that went viral.  And I am just giving in and posting about it, because, honestly, it is stuck in my head.  It was posted on September 3, 2013 and it has over 7.5 million views.  Wow!  It is hilarious.  It was posted on Facebook, that is where I saw it.  A fellow Nia teacher posted it.  Then several of my friends posted it.  As I mentioned, the first one I saw was a Nia Teacher , she was daring other Nia Teachers to create a dance using it.  It already has some great choreography.  It is one of those videos that you watch the first time in total and utter disbelief.  It starts out as funny, then it just gets more and more funny as it goes on.  Then you have to watch it again because it is just so hilarious.  Then you just watch it again because you can’t believe it.  It is just funny.  I honestly didn’t even notice the dancing until about the fourth time.  The first time I almost choked on my lunch.  Then next two times I was laughing so hard I couldn’t see.  I also was staring at the words.

In case you want to sing the song without the video playing:

Dog goes woof
Cat goes meow
Bird goes tweet
and mouse goes squeek
Cow goes moo
Frog goes croak
And the elephant goes toot
Ducks say quack
and fish go blub
and the seal goes ow ow ow

But there’s one sound
That no one knows

What does the fox say?

Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!

What the fox say?

Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!

What the fox say?

Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!

What the fox say?

Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!

What the fox say?

Big blue eyes
Pointy nose
Chasing mice
and digging holes
Tiny paws
Up the hill
Suddenly you’re standing still

Your fur is red
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you meet
a friendly horse
Will you communicate by
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?

How will you speak to that
ho-o-o-o-orse?
ho-o-o-o-orse?
ho-o-o-o-orse?

What does the fox say?

Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!

What the fox say?

Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!

What the fox say?

A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!

What the fox say?

A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oooo-ooo!

What does the fox say?

The secret of the fox
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the woods
I know you’re hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You’re my guardian angel
Hiding in the woods
What is your sound?

Buppawaydo
Bubitty upupwaydo
Buppawaydo

Will we ever know?

badabapbopwaydo

I want to . . .

bababydmadom

I want to . . .

I want to know!

abittybopbopbaydom

All brought to you by Ylvis, a pair of Norwegian variety show brothers.  They have their own TV show.  And this video . . . shows you why.  Pure entertainment.  Hilarity in every second.  I can’t get enough of it.  And, obvious, neither can anyone else . . . over 7.5 million views in fours days.

Well, I hope this helps stick it in your head as it has been stuck in my head for the past few days.  I also hope to see the creative choreography out on the dance floor, from some of my fellow Nia teachers.

Here is the link to the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE

And their Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/IkveldmedYLVIS?fref=ts

Ahh, as I said, I hope this sticks in your head.  My husband believes that the only way to get rid of an earworm is to give it to someone else.  Maybe this will help me.  Maybe you will get it stuck in your head and I will be free.  Fre-e-e-e-ee!   Fre-e-e-e-ee!  Fre-e-e-e-ee!   Ahhhh!!!

Have you seen this yet?

 

In case you are interested in hearing the fox for yourself:  Ylvis Is Correct

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Goodie Jar – Check In #29

Posted by terrepruitt on August 30, 2013

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoYou might have read that our cat is sick.  She has been diagnosed with a chronic disease.  Unfortunately to get to the point of knowing there is an issue and having it diagnosed the cat has to be really sick.  The disease involves the digestive system and most of you know or can imagine what that means.  So in order to keep any “messes” that might occur contained we had been confining the cat to the bathroom when we leave the house and while we are sleeping.  This allowed for peace of mind on our parts and much easier clean up.  As things started to improve and certain “messes” became less frequent, we would confine her to my office.  I put cardboard over most of the carpet so that clean up would be easier.  While the litter box visits were normalizing and become less frequent there was still some vomit issue.  But in my office if the weather is not too hot, I would leave the windows open and there is just more room for her.  Even though it was somewhat risky, in that any mess would have been more difficult to clean I thought it was nicer for her to be in a larger room and have windows.  At first I left her in her only while I was teaching, but then we started allowing her to stay in my office overnight.

I just looked at my notes and it has not been as long as I thought.  I thought we started confining her at the beginning of July, but it was the beginning of August.  So it progressed faster than I thought.  Either way, I think she was tired of having to stay in one room.  Although she does it anyway on her own, not having a choice is always frustrating — even to a cat.

Anyway . . . . this long story just to say that last night was the first night since the beginning of August that we let the cat stay out.  She was free to roam the house.  I doubt she did much roaming, but at least she had the opportunity.  So far she has not thrown up and I think we are on our way to controlling her symptoms.  She has been eating a very healthy amount and I do believe gaining some weight.

So I have a few things to put in my good jar.  In addition to our cat improving, the Nia class the Nia students asked for which started two weeks ago on Thursday mornings is doing well.  Our weather this summer has been awesome.  Although it is going to be hot over the Labor Day Weekend least it has not been hot all summer long.

So how is your Good Things Jar doing?  Is it getting full?  

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Goodie Jar – Check In #28

Posted by terrepruitt on August 23, 2013

I did it again.  I forgot to post a check in last week.  Ya see our cat has been sick.  Last week she was so sick I thought we were facing putting her to sleep.  I was so sad I wrote a post about it.  I felt as if I was going to have to Kill My Best Friend.  The first thing I wanted to do Friday morning was call the vet to get an appointment.  I had been communicating via e-mail with one of the vets and she mentioned a “re-check”.  So first thing I did before I even got out of bed on Friday was call the vet.  They had an 8:30 am appointment.  Which to me translated to coffee and go.  I didn’t get to finish my coffee before I had to go.

Anyway . . . the trip to the vet was very much worth it because they gave the cat a vitamin B12 shot.  Apparently this is like the miracle vitamin (not really, but) it really helped the cat a lot.  PLUS the vet said that even though she looked really skinny and IS really skinny she is not yet at death’s door, as her father and I thought.  So . . . I came home and was busy doing other things and I forgot to post my check in.

So here I am calling this #28 because I am only counting them as I do ’em.  And now the cat has other issues.  Anytime you administer drugs there is a chance of other issues arising.  That is why I like to try other avenues and other things before resorting to medication.  While it might help mask some symptoms it usually bring up other ones.  Crazy.  But there are still many things that are good.  And that is one reason to have a good things jar.  It is to help remind us that even where there are things going on that are sad there are still GOOD THINGS!

One of the things I put in my jar is Walking the Labyrinth.  And, of course that our kitty is better than she was earlier in the week.

How about you?  Did you add to your jar?  

Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Walking The Labyrinth

Posted by terrepruitt on August 17, 2013

In Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoGreek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure so cunningly designed and built that he who did so barely escaped it after he built it . . . .so sayeth Wiki. If that were the case, to me it sounds more like it was a maze then what I know to be a labyrinth. Seems as if there are some typical patterns of labyrinths. There are Medieval labyrinth patterns, Classical Labyrinth patterns, Christian Labyrinth patterns, etc. Seems like they are found in many cultures and places. As I mention in my post about my first Sound Healing and Labyrinth Walk, the walk you take on a labyrinth is your own. It is your own quiet time. The time could be a meditation, could be a prayer, a time for you to give gratitude, a time for reflection, a time for planning, a time for a good ol’ heart to heart with yourself. You could be reciting a poem or signing a song . . . . whatever it is it is what you want to do. Walking the labyrinth is what you make it.

The walk could be a mental journey, an emotional journey, or a spiritual journey. While I am walking I like to add in a bit of physicality. Of course, I am walking the pattern, but as I go in addition to whatever it is I am doing either mentally, emotionally, or spiritually I like to move in different ways. At times I might concentrate on my feet, careful to roll through my ENTIRE foot. Mindful of the outer edges of my feet. I like to walk on my toes. I like to take a few feet side-stepping. I shuffle, I walk backwards. I face outward and inward. I take huge steps. And there are some moments when I take teeny tiny steps. I crouch low and stand tall. I also stop. The walks I have been on include Crystal Singing Bowls, so there are times when I stop to sense the songs. When I am not moving I can better feel the vibration of the bowls. Whatever I am thinking about and reflecting on and however I am moving I do it in silence. If you know me, I am not often quite. I did not speak for almost two hours today. Normally I am bursting with words, but today, I realized I was fine being silent.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoThe labyrinth we walk for these events has a placard that says the labyrinth is an ancient symbol for the spiritual journey. It also explains that some think labyrinths were used to teach stone masonry and mathematics, while others say it was used in place of people actually having to travel to Jerusalem for a Pilgrimage. It further explains that the one we walk is based on the medieval labyrinth that is in the floor of the Chartres Cathedral outside of Paris, France.

The speed in which you walk is your own. Of course, it is best to be respectful of the others walking it too. No tailgating or rudely passing. I had thought this labyrinth had an in and an out, but the path out is the same as the path in.

I had a great walk. It was nice to stroll the pattern and contemplate things.

It was also so, so, so great to witness the singing bowls again. After the walk Cecilia let me hold every single one of her bowls and I sensed the different vibrations. It is amazing the different energy and power that comes from each different bowl. Just amazing. I am so very grateful that she and Jessica share their beautiful bowls and energy with us.

While I don’t know when the next Sound Healing and Labyrinth Walk will be, one of the women who shares her bowl’s singing with us is planning to start a once-monthly Sound Healing/Meditation gathering on the fourth Sunday of each month. As soon as I get details I will share. While it will not include a labyrinth walk I am certain it will be fun.

If you every have the opportunity to walk a labyrinth I strongly encourage you to do so. Before you begin pick something to focus then open your heart and take that first step. I have faith that you will not regret it and you will find it to be time well spent.

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? Where? What was it made of?

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Killing My Best Friend

Posted by terrepruitt on August 15, 2013

When I was young I thought you could only have one best friend.  Made sense to me that you have a friend that is the BEST.  Only ONE can be the BEST.  You can only have one.  One.  Best.  Friend.  As I got older I realized you could have more than one best friend.  Each friend could be best at something or you could have a best friend who is best at everything but the title of best friend is not regulated to one.  So now as an adult I am very blessed to have more than one friend that is best.  I have a few best friends. And now sadly, heartbreakingly, I might have to kill one of my best friends.

How how can I do that?  How do you kill your best friend?  Some say it’s humane, it’s the right thing to do. But if it is the right thing to do why does it feel so wrong?  When I hear the turmoil in her tummy, I think, “Poor girl.”   When she has very bad litter box trips, I think that’s really no way to live.  But when I look in her eyes and ask her if she’s ready to go I don’t think they are saying she is ready.  When she lies by the open door and she is so still I think she is near death or already dead, then there is the tiniest noise outside and she jumps up to sitting position to see what it is, I don’t think it is right.

How do you kill your best friend?  It might be different if there were words and they were asking.  But to make the decision to decide my best friend would be better off dead – gone forever – how?  How can I kill my best friend?

My heart has always broken for those who were faced with that decision and did it.  I have always believed them to be so strong . . . . because I always knew I wouldn’t be.  She is a cat and I have different beliefs regarding animals, than I do people.  I believe many people I will see again, but I was taught I would not see my pets again.  I somewhat feel their death is permanent, whereas people are passing onto another place.  (And by somewhat, I have come up with an idea, but that is for another post.)  While I miss the people who have died I have steady faith that I will be with them again . . . but a cat?  A dog?  A rabbit?  A bird?  And to be the one RESPONSIBLE for having ended that life.  Being the one to make my best friend go away FOREVER.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYoI just realized today that I have the most simplistic goal for life:  I want to wear a hole in my cat’s head from kisses.  I want to at least make a bald spot.  If she is gone, I won’t be able to complete that goal.  This post is taking a long time to write because I keep going downstairs to work on that goal.  Or at least check on her.  I put a mirror behind the TV where she has been lying lately.  That way I can see if she is there before I get all the way down the stairs.  Then I stare unblinkingly the entire time I am walking down the stairs towards her — I want to see if she is breathing.  If I don’t see her reflection in the mirror then I know to start my search elsewhere.  The picture in this post is from the stairs, the ceiling is in the frame up at the top along with the dining room light fixture in the upper right.  I only have to go down a few stairs to check on her.

I know this post and all my post about our cat aren’t fitness related.  But they are health and wellness related; this is me releasing some of my heartache in hopes that it will help get me through.  Don’t know what tomorrow will bring . . . . but I know that I am not ready to kill my best friend.  I hope it does not come to that.  But (sigh), I hope that if, or more probable — when the time comes I will be as strong and able as many, many of you have been.  For now, this is the stage I am in.  This is how I feel.  I am not ready to throw in the towel and give up on her.

We are going to begin a new treatment shortly (as soon as it arrives – which will hopefully be VERY soon) and maybe that will allow us to see some progress.  We will see.  This is me sharing.  Thanks for listening.

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