#reverb10 - December 18th

Prompt: Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn't go for it?

This one's had me stumped for a while now.  Mostly because 2010 was a great year for me trying new things:

- working out regularly

- being more aware of the things I put in my mouth and the words that come out of it

- meditation (can't say I succeeded with this one)

- thinking more positively and in the present moment

- making writing a focus and necessity in my life even if it's only 750 words a day

Starting all these things has made my life so much more fulfilling and made me a much happier person.  It's amazing that we spend so much time avoiding doing the things we love and hating ourselves and our lives because of it!  Crazy!

There are a lot of things that I wanted to try in 2010 but due to present circumstances can't, such as:

- joining a local Buddhist sangha

- joining a yoga studio and practicing there a few times a week

- writing for online newspapers

- eating more vegetarian and organic food

- saying 'yes' to more social activities

- starting dance and voice classes

- continuing my studies of the Spanish language

Although I've done a lot this year, I wouldn't say I've reached my goals.  Therefore, 2011 is going to be about fulfilling these hopes and from the looks of it, it's going to be a great, balancing and exciting year full of more of the things that bring passion into my life than I've ever allowed myself to experience at before!

#reverb10 - December 12th

Prompt: Body integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

I've practiced yoga with lackluster on and off for several years now, but suddenly this summer my appetite for the practice exploded (mostly due to the following: yoga today, yogamazing, Maya Fiennes and the amazing Shiva Rea) and now I practice almost everyday.  My love and need for yoga has grown so exponentially that I'm even seriously considering working towards  teacher training in Kundalini Yoga (which blows my mind).  I've never felt so integrated with my body as I have started feeling this year.  I have more control over what I put into my body (less compulsive eating, more healthy choices) not because I'm restricting myself, but because suddenly I have clarity that what I've been doing to myself is insane.  What i've done to my body with a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits, I would not do to my worst enemy.
I really don't know what prompted this mental shift - I can only guess it's part of the process I'm going through in my mindfulness practice.  In this way I'm experiencing more moments in which my mind and body are fully present and connected.  There's less attachment to the past and future, and therefore less attachment to destructive behaviors that have led me down the wrong path in the past.  I can finally sit back inside myself and feel my way through the present moment to make better decisions.  But don't get me wrong - sometimes that decision is to say yes to the chocolate bar!  It's just that now I am more fully aware of making that choice and can adapt the moments that follow to balance everything out.