Summer is Almost Here - Get Ready!

For us on the mid-Atlantic coast, summer is pretty much knocking on the door.

Make sure your mental health is as robust as your summer plans. Read my new article for Parle magazine: http://bit.ly/parleonselfimage

Are you following me on Twitter? You should: @shemiahw

B is for Bikram

Over the past several weeks I have been working to put many elements of my life in order. A part of this is obtaining and maintaining mental and physical balance. This led me to the thought of returning to yoga, specifically bikram yoga.
The basic tenets of bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga or hot room yoga, is the practice of core yoga postures in an environment that is between 95 to 105 degrees for the duration of the yoga routine.
I did a basic Google search and found a studio that offers bikram yoga specifically. Classes are an hour and a half long and a total of 26 yoga poses are covered in a 105 degree environment. I was looking forward to it but it became quite an entertaining experience.

Like a good yoga student, I arrived 20 minutes early and was greeted by an instructor who we will refer to as "Vlad". No disrespect to my European brothers and sisters, the name just fits. He also had a very pronounced Russian accent so you can imagine where I'm going with this. Here is how our initial conversation went:

Vlad: So, have you done yoga before?
Me: (enthusiastically) Yes!
Vlad: No. No you haven't.
Me: Um, okay.
Vlad: Have you done bikram yoga before?
Me: Yes (a little less enthusiastic this time)
Vlad: Where?
Me: In Chicago, where I'm from originally. It's been a few years but ----
Vlad: No. No you haven't. Forget everything you think you know about yoga. Forget what you think you know about bikram. You have not done yoga or bikram yoga until you have done it here. Take your shoes off, get a mat and prepare yourself.

If he wasn't so intense, I would have cracked up, right then and right there. It felt so classic and could have easily been a scene from a really funny sitcom. Nonetheless, I "prepared myself" but I have to admit I wasn't prepared for what Vlad had to offer. It was as intense as he is, without a doubt. And more intense than any other bikram yoga class I've done before so I guess he was right about that.

Bikram yoga is a matter of preference. To be honest, when I'm doing it - I hate it. I'm uncomfortable, I'm hot, I'm drenched in sweat, I'm thirsty and I think I'm going to die. But, it's strange. When I'm done, I'm so glad I did it and look forward to going back. I guess life is interesting in that way. Well, I lived to tell the tale so I didn't die and yes, I will be returning soon.

~S

Time

Time and I have been having a love-hate relationship. Generally, I need more of it and it's nowhere to be found. I've been working on a number of exciting things which take up a lot of my time and the more I work, the more inspired I am. ALL GOOD THINGS!!

Thanks for hanging in there with me and soon enough everything will come together. Stay tuned!

~S

First Date Don'ts

Spring is here and so is your new love interest. Before you go on your first date, read my article on things you should avoid on your first date. http://bit.ly/parlefirstdonts

The Concept of Service

I have had the distinct pleasure of growing up and being surrounded by others who value the concept of giving back and sharing themselves with the world. I touched on this in my recent article "Hey Young World" for Parlé magazine.

This value blossomed for me as I found myself working for several non-profit organizations and now in the public sector. No job was or ever will be perfect but every now and then you get those soft reminders of why you are doing what you're doing. True to form, my schedule right now is tied up with practically everything imaginable and I am somehow trying to find a space to incorporate this element of service. I've thought about mentoring or assisting with fundraising or helping to plan events but the reality is, now is not the best time for me. And I'm okay with that.

Honestly, for a moment, I felt a bit disappointed; as if I wasn't fulfilling an unspoken promise. However, after some thought I realized I had to change my thinking. Service is not about a grand gesture and although it can be, it shouldn't be all about boosting your résumé either. Service is a simple action that we can take every day. It can be as simple as offering a smile or complimenting someone. I believe calling someone just because or sending an email because you are thinking of them, all count as service. Personal service from one person to another. No holds barred, no frills, just a basic offering of yourself to another person.

Personally, I am working on changing my thinking and being more positive because as Jamaal often reminds me, "it could be worse". In trying to strive for better and accomplish more, it can be very easy to forget what really matters. When things are going well for you, your ability to share that contentment with someone else shows your commitment to service. Someday you will need to borrow that same content to keep you motivated during a challenging time.

No one is perfect, myself included. For now I'm attempting to remain positive, stay motivated, value those who truly deserve it and enjoy life. Find some time in your day to exercise the concept of service. It helps you and recipient of your service and helps the days go by a little easier.

Happy Monday,
S

New Article!

Check out my new article for Parle Magazine on the roles and importance of mentoring. Visit http://bit.ly/parleonmentoring.

Stand By...

It's been a busy few weeks but I'll be back soon to tell you all about our recent trip to L.A!

Trying to get a read on things...

In March 2009, (almost two years ago) I blogged about making a conscious effort to read more. Well, life happened and I didn't quite stick to that goal. My best friend bought me "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" for Christmas. Not only did I start reading it right after the New Year, I finished it before January 31!

I tend to shy away from things that are "all the rage" but I have to say, not only did I love the book, I actually finished the book. This may have been due, in part, to the couple of days we didn't have electricity after 8 inches of snow, but that's not the point. The point is that I finished the book and look forward to reading more.

That's always how things happen. They don't always happen when you really want them to, they happen when they're supposed to. I am collecting book recommendations so if you have a good one, leave it as a comment or send me a message on Twitter (@shemiahw).

Happy Reading!
~S

New Article for Online Mag

To add to my ever-growing list of things I'm doing, I have also begun writing for the online magazine, Parle.

Check out my first piece: http://bit.ly/parlefindlove

Happy Monday!
~S

Life can be much simpler...

I recently had the distinct privilege of participating in before-bed story time with some friends and their children. In addition to just observing how dynamic the children are, I was struck by an interesting notion. Authors of self-help books sell millions of copies of their books to adults. In many cases, you will find that after buying and reading these books, chances are that you already had the answer to your question or knew what path of enlightenment you should take. But, for some reason, it's still comforting to hear it from someone else.

This particular children's book was giving the rundown on what to do when you face obstacles. For example, if someone is being unfair or mean to you, you don't have to return the favor and you're not required to play with them. Instead, you can find your own happiness and play by yourself with the toys you like and have a great time.

This example illustrates a simple notion that becomes lost in the adult world. Adults encounter obstacles practically everyday. And adults like to make things complicated sometimes. I admit that I am guilty of this. When faced with an obstacle, it would be so much simpler to just walk away and find an alternate solution or find others who are willing to play nicely. However, the good in me wants to work with the mean kids to find a resolution. Although, their goal is to keep things unresolved. Meanwhile, the human part of me wants to tell them where they can go with their issue and their unresolved resolution, and in not-so-nice terms.

As adults, we know that there are an infinite number of obstacles in the world. Yet I encourage you to take a page from this book (pun intended) and utilize some of those developmental principles in your adult life. Things don't have to be so complex all the time.

Colors are fun. Do what makes you happy. Treat yourself and others well. Find things that bring you inner and outer peace. And take turns on the swings.

~S

Back in the Game

After much consideration, I have decided to revive my blog. Primarily due to the fact that I still feel just as passionately about the same reasons I wanted to start it. And I miss it!

So much has been going on and I won't even attempt to try to recap it all. It's a new year (which is crazy), and I look forward to sharing all the new and exciting things with you.

Check back often for new content. If you would like to subscribe to the blog and receive each blog post in your email Inbox, tweet me (@shemiahw).

Happy 2011 Everyone!

~S