Random Tuesday Tidbits: Interesting Articles of the Week

Since I haven't done it in quite a while, today I wanted to share just a handful of interesting articles that I think are truly worth reading--especially the first one by a favorite actress of mine, Ashley Judd. Take a look below for a quick recap of each piece, and check out the links provided for the full article...

Image via thedailybeast.com

Ashley Judd Slaps Media in the Face for Speculation Over Her 'Puffy' Appearance from The Daily Beast

In this article, Judd responds to the recent media frenzy about her "puffy face." The media has speculated that she has had plastic surgery done (and/or that she needed to!), that she has gained weight from not working out, and even that her husband is going to leave her because she's no longer as beautiful as she once was--when really, she's been sick and has been on multiple rounds of steroids in the past few months (!!!!). 

 In response to this speculation, Judd has written a strong, poignant piece about this media conversation--not because she cares what the media thinks--but "because the conversation was pointedly nasty, gendered, and misogynistic and embodies what all girls and women in our culture, to a greater or lesser degree, endure every day, in ways both outrageous and subtle. The assault on our body image, the hypersexualization of girls and women and subsequent degradation of our sexuality as we walk through the decades, and the general incessant objectification is what this conversation allegedly about my face is really about." She goes on to question our culture when she says, "how does this symbolize constraints on girls and women, and encroach on our right to be simply as we are, at any given moment?" 

This article is a must read for any of my female readers. As women, we need to stop judging each other and instead, start lifting each other up. Thanks for writing this, Ashley!

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Image via huffingtonpost.com

Lululemon: Why Are Women Willing to Spend So Much Money on Workout Clothing? from Huff Post and, How Lululemon Brainwashes Women into Spending $98 on Sweatpants from Business Insider

Given the post that I shared last week, I thought that both of these articles were extremely interesting and relevant. In a similar vein to what Ms. Judd mentions in the article above, both of these articles claim that Lululemon is so successful because women want to dress up and look good for other women, not for men--and that it's our culture of "competition and insecurity" among females that drives women to pay lots of money for workout clothes. However, Huff Post also mentions that young women have become a great force in the consumer world, and that "women in their 20s and 30s aren’t just spending money on workout gear because they feel a need to impress their peers -- they’re spending the money because they can."

As you all know, I love Lululemon's clothing and honestly do feel that it's the most comfortable clothing to practice in, but I also agree that I feel more confident in how I look when I'm wearing it...I wonder if this has to do with our culture of insecurity among women? A very interesting conversation and definitely something that brings up a need for some self-reflection....

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Image via mindbodygreen.com

The Shaky Side of Stillness by Dave Kidney (a Tranquil Space teacher!) from MindBodyGreen

In this article, Dave discusses his journey as a yogi and teacher with a hereditary "essential tremor." He has had shaky hands and tremors in his body his entire life, but his amazingly wise take on the subject is extremely inspirational. My favorite thought comes at the end when he writes:

"I believe my unique touch is meaningful because it’s who I am. It’s me, and it’s real. I only have to look at my hands to know that I am different from most people, that every student is different, and that I cannot limit myself as a yogi and teacher because of an obstacle like a tremor. Perhaps shaky hands are a gift, and it is not the trembling touch that is important. The intention is what truly matters. No matter what, I can build positive, reinforcing relationships with my teaching and touch, and enjoy every moment of doubt, insecurity, confidence, joy, and all the ups, downs, and all-arounds that come with the process. And just like my shaky yoga practice, I am glad it is not always a steady ride." 

Beautiful, Dave! Thanks for sharing with us. 

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Image via impactlab.net

A Suvival Gude for Beating Information Addiction by Leo Babauta, from Zen Habits

A simple article on finding more balance in your life and letting go of your "information addiction," a new and very common phenomenon in our socially-networked lives. Although it's often overlooked, I think many of us do have an addiction of sorts to being "connected," and I think it's extremely important to take some time away from our devices and "just be" on a regular basis. 

Babauta says this about finding balance: "The goal isn’t to eliminate all information sources and be shut off from the online world. It’s not to throw out your iPhone or laptop. These tools are incredibly useful and powerful — obviously I make my living using them, and they have changed our lives in so many positive ways. The idea is simply not to be controlled by them, and to have a balanced life that includes other activities." 

He also says we should get more sleep, that we should "make rest a priority." Amen!!!


I hope that one--or all (!)--of these articles made an impact on you in the way that they did for me. Nothing like good writers to get us thinking and reflecting, huh? 

So here's to a thoughtful day for us all :)

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

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