Happy Friday the 13th, bloggies! Although I'm not sure I can do much to help cure anyone who suffers from paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th), I do think that even on a notoriously "unlucky" day, we can all invite some good luck into our lives by thinking positively and by pausing to feel a sense of gratitude for all of the beautiful moments that take place each day. One way to do that? Reflect on your week and celebrate your simple joys! So that's what we're doing here :)
Read on for my simple, sensory joys of the week. What are yours?
Read on for my simple, sensory joys of the week. What are yours?
Image via thelavinagency.com
Hear: Podcast of Jonah Lehrer discussing "How Creativity Works"
After writing about my interest in Jonah Lehrer's work a few weeks ago, one of my friends sent me a link to this podcast from the Commonwealth Club of California, featuring a talk that Jonah Leher gave on the subject of creativity. I listened to his talk while I painted yesterday, and found it COMPLETELY fascinating. One of my favorite points he made? The most creative and successful people don't necessarily have a higher IQ than the rest of us, but they almost always have a higher level of "grit"--or the ability to perservere and work harder than the rest. Interesting, huh? As a sidenote, I'm now completely obsessed with podcasts and think that they're going to become my new favorite thing--especially while I'm painting :) And if you have any interest, I definitely recommend listening to this podcast!
After writing about my interest in Jonah Lehrer's work a few weeks ago, one of my friends sent me a link to this podcast from the Commonwealth Club of California, featuring a talk that Jonah Leher gave on the subject of creativity. I listened to his talk while I painted yesterday, and found it COMPLETELY fascinating. One of my favorite points he made? The most creative and successful people don't necessarily have a higher IQ than the rest of us, but they almost always have a higher level of "grit"--or the ability to perservere and work harder than the rest. Interesting, huh? As a sidenote, I'm now completely obsessed with podcasts and think that they're going to become my new favorite thing--especially while I'm painting :) And if you have any interest, I definitely recommend listening to this podcast!
See: Wedzu
Have you seen this website? Am I the last one to be learning about it? I hope all my future brides-to-be out there know about it, because it's really great! It's like a special version of Etsy, but just for indie and handmade wedding items. It's an amazing site to just peruse in order to get ideas, and a lot of the items listed are actually really affordable! Plus, they break the listed items down into categories like "ceremony + reception," "accessories," etc. I think I'll definitely buy a few things from this site--and without a doubt--will use it to get some cute ideas. It's great for those who love handmade, but aren't sure where you want to start. I love the handmade bunting banners and these Burlap & Lace Table Numbers. So adorable!
Have you seen this website? Am I the last one to be learning about it? I hope all my future brides-to-be out there know about it, because it's really great! It's like a special version of Etsy, but just for indie and handmade wedding items. It's an amazing site to just peruse in order to get ideas, and a lot of the items listed are actually really affordable! Plus, they break the listed items down into categories like "ceremony + reception," "accessories," etc. I think I'll definitely buy a few things from this site--and without a doubt--will use it to get some cute ideas. It's great for those who love handmade, but aren't sure where you want to start. I love the handmade bunting banners and these Burlap & Lace Table Numbers. So adorable!
Aren't they pretty, too?
Taste: Easter Jelly Beans :)
Well, I fell for the Easter candy trap this year. I hardly ever eat real candy (besides dark chocolate), and I used to be a candy addict when I was a kid, so it's actually pretty obvious why I wanted to enjoy a bit of Easter candy. But for a moment, can we just talk about how delicious jelly beans are? I hadn't had a jelly bean in YEARS, and then we got some for an event we had at Tranquil Space, and I was so excited (!). I like to tell myself that these are "healthy" jelly beans, since they're from Trader Joes and say that they're made from "18 natural flavors" (and that they're "naturally colored using vegetable and fruit sources") but we all know that that's simply not true ;) Oh well, it was totally worth it because I truly enjoyed eating them!
Well, I fell for the Easter candy trap this year. I hardly ever eat real candy (besides dark chocolate), and I used to be a candy addict when I was a kid, so it's actually pretty obvious why I wanted to enjoy a bit of Easter candy. But for a moment, can we just talk about how delicious jelly beans are? I hadn't had a jelly bean in YEARS, and then we got some for an event we had at Tranquil Space, and I was so excited (!). I like to tell myself that these are "healthy" jelly beans, since they're from Trader Joes and say that they're made from "18 natural flavors" (and that they're "naturally colored using vegetable and fruit sources") but we all know that that's simply not true ;) Oh well, it was totally worth it because I truly enjoyed eating them!
Image via washingtonpost.com
Smell: The scent of excitement--or, signing up for Artomatic 2012 (am I stretching the sensory detail a bit here? Maybe ;)
Even though it doesn't really fit into this category per se, I'm so excited about this that I had to share (it's a major simple joy for the week!). Since I moved to the DC area in 2009, I've been hearing artists talk about "Artomatic" and how wonderful it is. When I first moved here, everyone kept saying, "they do it every year in DC and you MUST do it this year!" So I signed up online to receive the updates and emails, and never got one--Artomatic took a 3 year hiatus right when I got here :( So, imagine how excited I was when I got an email in my inbox on Monday that it's back on and will be happening this May! I immedietely signed up and have already begun making mental preparations. What is it? A HUGE art show that runs for over a month in a large building in DC. Hundreds of artists participate, and in order to do so you must also volunteer to work a few "shifts" while the show is running (has a great co-op feel!). If you're an artist in the DC area I definitely recommend signing up--just be sure to do so soon! More details on the Artomatic website, here, and you can read an article in about the reemergence of Artomatic in the Washington Post, here. Can't wait!
Even though it doesn't really fit into this category per se, I'm so excited about this that I had to share (it's a major simple joy for the week!). Since I moved to the DC area in 2009, I've been hearing artists talk about "Artomatic" and how wonderful it is. When I first moved here, everyone kept saying, "they do it every year in DC and you MUST do it this year!" So I signed up online to receive the updates and emails, and never got one--Artomatic took a 3 year hiatus right when I got here :( So, imagine how excited I was when I got an email in my inbox on Monday that it's back on and will be happening this May! I immedietely signed up and have already begun making mental preparations. What is it? A HUGE art show that runs for over a month in a large building in DC. Hundreds of artists participate, and in order to do so you must also volunteer to work a few "shifts" while the show is running (has a great co-op feel!). If you're an artist in the DC area I definitely recommend signing up--just be sure to do so soon! More details on the Artomatic website, here, and you can read an article in about the reemergence of Artomatic in the Washington Post, here. Can't wait!
Image via tranquilspace.com
Touch: Teaching Level 1 Teacher Training
This week, we hosted our first "Spring Break" Level 1 Teacher Training at TSA. I was able to take part in the training by teaching two of the sessions, and I had an absolute blast. It's such an amazing environment to be a part of, and I find it so invigorating to spend time with a bunch of new teachers who are eager to learn more about yoga. Their questions always get me thinking, where they are in their teaching journey always gets has me reflecting on my own path, and their excitement and passion for the subject always gets me really energized. It was a wonderful week! Oh, and I filed this one under touch because a big part of this training is getting the teachers used to giving physical assists, and to touching people (in a soothing, therapeutic way, not a "creepy way," as we always say! Hehe!).
So there you have it! The simple joys of a very full, yet very enjoyable week. Other extremely happy moments? Visiting a friend who just had a PERFECT baby in the hospital (and meeting her little one!), celebrating with a friend who just defended her dissertation and became a DR (!), getting back to CrossFit after a short break, and getting back to painting (still finishing up a big commission!).
Take a moment to reflect on your week--what made you smile, or brought a sense of joy into your life or body?
I hope your weekend is full of the simple pleasures in life :)
Namaste,
Mary Catherine
This week, we hosted our first "Spring Break" Level 1 Teacher Training at TSA. I was able to take part in the training by teaching two of the sessions, and I had an absolute blast. It's such an amazing environment to be a part of, and I find it so invigorating to spend time with a bunch of new teachers who are eager to learn more about yoga. Their questions always get me thinking, where they are in their teaching journey always gets has me reflecting on my own path, and their excitement and passion for the subject always gets me really energized. It was a wonderful week! Oh, and I filed this one under touch because a big part of this training is getting the teachers used to giving physical assists, and to touching people (in a soothing, therapeutic way, not a "creepy way," as we always say! Hehe!).
So there you have it! The simple joys of a very full, yet very enjoyable week. Other extremely happy moments? Visiting a friend who just had a PERFECT baby in the hospital (and meeting her little one!), celebrating with a friend who just defended her dissertation and became a DR (!), getting back to CrossFit after a short break, and getting back to painting (still finishing up a big commission!).
Take a moment to reflect on your week--what made you smile, or brought a sense of joy into your life or body?
I hope your weekend is full of the simple pleasures in life :)
Namaste,
Mary Catherine
