Got Kids? Bitch Here.

Tonight is one of those nights I wonder how I got into motherhood. How? Oh yes, it all happened when I foolishly stopped using contraception! So young (not really), so naive (indeed). I guess you can say my day took a sour turn when I picked up my children at daycare. I walked in smiling (naivety repeats), only to open their agendas, and see a big 'x' over the tornado (FYI - the tornado isn't the daily forecast)! 'La tornade' is the icon that best described their temperament today. It's nice to know they were aligned with Mother Nature. Although I'd rather tip toe out of the daycare, alone, I like the educators too much to leave my brats behind.
Clearly, their capricious behaviour follows me home. The highlights before dinner include: the pout, then whining with repetition, then the eye of the storm peeks with a crying fit. Why, why haven't I ever planned an emergency evacuation for times like these?! I'm breathing, they're whining. I'm breathing deeper, they're whining louder. I'm calling out to the Lord for help, as one is wrapped around my leg and the other is throwing herself on the floor. Calling all mothers and Mr. Moms out there - how do you keep your cool when your hot temper is firing up your blood pressure??
I'm often surrounded by children and I think I'm a mom that's mindful - especially towards other kids. I seem to have a high tolerance for sulking children, that aren't mine. I can sit there for half an hour patiently listening to their side of the story. I encourage them to express their emotions so they don't repress their hurt. But on the home front, it's usually an action packed drama, where everyone takes turns playing the villain and the victim. We've got the emotional mash up: anger, despair, excitement, happiness. I look forward to the day I become the new Kris Jenner, because my kids are talented. My daughter has perfected her dramatic audition by adding tears. My son may only be 2, but he can definitely throw a few punches. He's got facial scars with bruises that just upped his worth. So I've got Hollywood leading characters, but no tabloid coverage. Who needs "Keeping up with the Kardashians" when you can have "Losing it with the Luciferos"?!
Motherhood is like joining the army. You have days where, although you wake up early, you find yourself under the radar. Then you have those days, when you're up early again, and you're dodging bullets from all angles. You're fighting to survive, when playing dead seems like a better idea! I know I'm being dramatic, which is the result of 'one of those days'. That's when I think of the mother I met in a soccer field parking lot, with four young children (including twins) - I pray for her. I swear I do. Whatever it is that gives have the strength to bring all four children to a soccer game, remains an inspiring mystery. To all the other mothers who never, or very rarely, complain about their kids - please don't message me. I don't think we could be friends. There's a strength in numbers, and I'm only connecting with like-minded moms. It feels bloody good to release some steam once and a while. I complain, I cry, I fall down, I breathe, and I start over again. Everything works in polarities. You gotta have good and bad days for balance. It's OK to wish you could hide in the attic every Saturday afternoon. It's OK to spend quite time on your toilet bowl. It's OK to admit you're overwhelmed and unappreciated. Every single mother recognizes these feelings.
For me, anyhow, my daughter Chloe continues to be my most valuable teacher. She keeps me evolving into my mom role every day. It's quiet now, because they're sleeping. This is when I appreciate them the most ;) Sending love and light out to all the warrior moms out there. Praying for an enjoyable long week-end in the trenches of momhood. Actually I'm sending out love, light and laughter (the secret to sanity)! May the force be with you. Namaste.

Super Soul Summah

Vasisthasana in super soul sunshine

It's officially SUMMAH! For me, summer is way more exciting than starting a new year. I'm removing layers of clothing, exposing my feet to grass, and lovin' the sunlight (especially after 8 pm). Our Canadian climate has us living in darkness for roughly 105 days! How can I not make a big deal outta summer?! Time to put on your party visor and hook up with nature.
Summer isn't only about sunkissed cheeks, pedicured feet, and sangria mixes. Step outside, look up at the sun, and say cheers to natural light. Commit to making this summer your best yet by nourishing your mind, body, spirit.
Super-Soul-Summah: Mind
June is perfect for a mental detox and the remedy is meditation. Now, I'm guessing sitting crossed legged, with your eyes closed, listening to birds chirping, isn't for you. So before you click off this page, allow me to enlighten you on meditating. If you never thought you could meditate, than you're in for a surprise with "Marisa's Mindful Method". Summer is the best season for juicy fruits. Disconnect from technology, grab an orange, sit outside, and get ready to be mindful. Close your eyes and smell your orange. Touch it. Feel its texture. Is it smooth? Soft? Does it have any noticeable scars? With your eyes still closed, begin to peel it. As you peel away the skin, reflect on the life path of this orange. The journey began on a tree somewhere down south. Someone nourished the tree to ensure it grew to be healthy. Consider all the love this orange was given as it travelled across the globe, eventually landing in the aisle of a grocery store. You then walked in and selected the very orange you're peeling. Now you may open your eyes. With the peel removed, you can see its core. Just like us, our exterior might be flawed, but the best part is the inside. Close your eyes again. Take a bite and chew your orange with mindfulness. Pay attention to its taste. Notice if it's sour, sweet, juicy, or even cold. Now as your body is being nourished, send love and gratitude to all the people who contributed to the journey of this orange. Be grateful to this delightful fruit for all the nutrients it's providing your body, as well as your mind. Open your eyes. You just experienced a visualize meditation.
Super-Soul-Summah: Body
Though being in the dark about half the year has its pros (trying to be positive), nothing beats the blues like the sun. Sunlight is the best form for obtaining Vitamin D, which is created by the skin when exposed to UV rays from the sun. Not only is Vitamin D beneficial for bone health, but it's been proven to be an immune system booster. So before you lather on tons of sunscreen, give your skin 15 minutes (for thousands of units of vitamin D) of natural sunlight.  While your skin is feasting on Vitamin D, go pick some dandelions! Walking barefoot on these weeds is very therapeutic, but consuming them is even better. Dandelions are a fabulous relief for water retention, so before you start blaming the heat for your swollen feet, drink up some dandelion tea. If they're pesticide free, you can literally pick 'em and toss them in hot water. Voila, a dandelion tea party!
Super-Soul-Summah: Spirit
No one likes to be left in the dark. Summer is the ultimate time to honour light. It stimulates the organs of sight, allowing things to be visible. I do appreciate the dark because that's when the body rests. However, light awakens us, not only literally, but spiritually as well. From a metaphysical perspective, light represents faith. It serves as the bright side of things, the light at the end of the tunnel, optimism, reliance, security. On our darkest days, we rely on that crack of light to remind us that we're OK. No matter what hardship you're living, know this: "Darkness cannot drive out light; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that" - Martin Luther King Jr. Let this summer calm your mind, nourish your body, brighten your spirit.
Love&Light

I Feel. Therefore I am.



Reflecting in Ardha Chandra Chapasana

Did you read the quote, by Abraham Hicks, in this picture? How true is this statement?! Think about it - when someone makes you happy, it's because they're connecting to a part of you that recognizes that joy. And when someone makes you so angry you want to bitch slap them, it's because they're poking at anger that already exists in you. No one 'makes' you feel anything. Contrary to what you may believe, you have complete control over your feelings. The only thing that others can do, is awaken feelings that already exist within you. So when your bitchy boss throws you under the bus in the board room, (causing you to feel hurt, mad, undervalued) your feelings are simply reflecting her actions. Your re-action speaks much louder than her action. Do you get that?  What I think of you has everything to do with me, and very little to do with you. If I label you as judgemental, insensitive, unreliable, it's because somewhere in my life, I've put those labels on myself as well. Within all human relationships, we'll discover people who love us and people who hate us. The most valuable lesson to retain is, that in either circumstance, don't buy into someones opinion of you. Whatever they think of you, they think of themselves - good and bad. Now that you know this, think of someone you love and someone you strongly dislike. Describe what you love about your fave person and then clarify what irritates you about the other. Explore the emotions they awaken within you. Send gratitude out to both people in your life. After all, they show us what we need to learn, ONLY when we're open and ready to see that truth. People will guide us through emotional enlightenment. Be mindful of what they awaken and grow from what you discover.