Life is always full of new adventures

Sometimes we get so busy in our lives that we don't have time to reflect on what is really going on, not until blatant signs from the Universe transpire.  Sometimes stagnation can lead to too much time on our hands. I remember the saying; "an idle mind is the devils playground". Meaning it is the perfect time for many issues to surface and to distinguish between reality, illusions and the truth. Then we start to see the entire painting of truth and its many colours and facets. Only then can the "true observations" begin, and then we can move forward returning balance into our daily life. 

Trust the wisdom within, by focusing on where you want to be in the future is key. Keep focused on the goals which lay closest to your heart while the light shines on your journey.
Life is always full of new adventures!

season of renewal

I have been documenting the growth of a Robbin family that have taken up a residence under my back deck. I watched as mama Robin prepared the nest carefully selecting straw and twigs. I kept watch while she laid her eggs and she allowed me to photograph three perfectly beautiful blue eggs, the colour is the most beautiful blue I have ever seen. I waited and I watched as the eggs hatched and three tiny baby chicks full of down and fluff were born to the world. I kept a quiet watch while mama Robin kept vigil over her young ones, always tending to them, making sure that their little birdy bellies were full and they were kept warm from the cool days of this Spring. This weekend I photograph them one more time, they were young adults they were old enough to fly away. About an hour later I heard a birdy commotion outside. I went back out to check and low and behold the nest was empty.

This last weekend, I had a transformation of my own. During nine months of yoga teacher training I learned so much about myself and I watched as other students as well as myself achieved growth, becoming stronger and more determined, happier individuals. This past weekend was our final weekend for teacher training,. We had a ceremony down at the beach, we broke bread together, we chanted, we laughed as we sat around the fire. We burned the things that we were ready to let go of and we took back the things that we were ready to take from the Universe. We said our declaration to the each other and the Universe. Magical, is how I describe the moment. Now looking at this empty nest I feel a sense of accomplishment. There is a quiet peacefulness wrapped around my house this Monday morning, as I sit here in my office, starting a new day, contemplating the events that have occurred over my last weekend of Yoga Teacher Training at Halifax Yoga. As I look at the photos of the empty nest that I took. I feel a sense of ease and relief, a sense of letting go, a growth and evolving into something different. Such as the birds have grown and flown from the nest I have gone through a journey and a process as well. I have learned, I have grown and I have flown. I realize now that I still have more growth that needs to be done. So much more to work on however, I am happy for this process. It is hard work that I have accomplished over the last nine months and this new person I have become will continue to grow learn and spread my wings and fly.

a revival of sorts

This isn't a new blog but a revival of Slightlyoff-Center. A few years ago I frequently wrote my life experiences on here. I stopped mostly because I didn't feel I had anything to blog about. I recently have experienced a deep emotional change. Lately its like someone who suddenly becomes revived after a profound experience, I became more self aware, spiritual during this emotional transition. Before I begin explaining how this change brought about the urge to start writing here again, I must preface with something important. First, every single day, I'd even say a large part of my conscious time, is spent reflecting and actively becoming aware of my self, psychology, philosophy, and life. In other words, take what I say for deeper than face value with some merit of focused, reasonable thought. Second, though these thoughts are sparked by my experience, I feel like they come from another plain in the universe, through Reiki practice, Yoga and Yoga Teacher Training, as well as Meditation. The feeling is beyond awe-inspiring, motivational, and moving to the point where it has become my fundamental drive. Life started to take shape for me when I started to treat my mental illness. My sense of self-worth and value in action increased. Happiness was a result, but this time more organic then forced. Emotions that came up were felt as what they were on another level, one that transformed them into a deeper, happier Me. Through this, emotional struggle was changed into something remarkable. I have started to live adventurously, and improve myself on all levels. To start on a journey to self-awareness and discovery! I am waking up! So Welcome back!

All that you think is rain is not.

All that you think is rain is not. Behind the veil angels sometimes weep.

-
Rumi

(photo was taken during a heavy rainfall in Tulum Mexico)

Though the destination is important, it is the journey to get there that teaches you. And often, because of what you learn of yourself and the world, you end up someplace different than where you originally intended. But it is where you needed to be.

Positive Affirmations

Positive Affirmations: Do they really make you feel better?
I once red somewhere that people who recited positive affirmations daily actually manifest good in their lives. Is this an example of mind over matter? Do you think it could be effective? It seems so simple.

The close connection between family is strengthened by trust, happiness...

The close connection between family is strengthened by trust, happiness, sadness and love. The ties between us have threads of steel. Most families at one time or another experience their share of ups and down. They are like a web, strong enough to hold on to you when you are struggling but like any web, has it weak points.  They understand that you have your faults and that no matter what you have their support, reason being is that no matter what they too have yours. When you fall and happen to break your family will rally together to help you out and support you.

My family are dear to me. They have experienced the good and have stood beside me during the bad. We have the craziest minds and we opine on each other's lives not necessarily to be heard but to express that we care. Listening to every story ten times only to react the same each time never letting them know we've heard it so many times before.

One day I was thinking about the phrase and how people are 'as good as the company you keep', which made sense to me. I believe my family have a great judge of character and I know they value life and have positive aspirations and work hard to be who they are. They are good people with good hearts and souls. Thinking of the good qualities of my family suddenly made me feel better about myself. I have so much admiration for these people they always make me reassess myself and lead me to find out that those qualities are also within me. My family is far from perfect, as am I, but we are strong and caring individuals and when push comes to shove we don't stand alone. These thoughts are refreshing when they come forward.

Within a Moment

As I sat here on this stone wall with my husband, our feet dangling over the side, my hand in his, the sun casting it's light on the water; in this moment I thought back to my childhood, dangling my feet from the same stone wall. I remembered back to when we were young to the very first time my husband took my hand in his. I thought about our life together and all the good memories we share. I wondered what the future has in store for us.

All within a moment.

Lately something odd has been happening quite a bit. I will be going about life as usual then...
WHACK!

Suddenly I am overwhelmed by the most brilliant sensations both mind and body. It is as if the fog in my head lifts and I become amazingly aware of everything around me.  A moment of enlightenment. Then it's gone.  The grey clouds come rolling back into my head.  If only this sensation weren't so fleeting...  *sigh*

Six Word Story

A Six Word Story is based on the original six word story written by Ernest Hemingway:

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Write your own Six Word Story using one of the following photos for inspiration:

Breathe in contentment, breath out unrest

Breathe in peace, breathe out confusion

Breathe in happiness,breathe out sadness

Breathe in strength, breath out weakness

Breathe in health, breathe out illness

Dear Universe

I am feeling slightly off-center today,
please be kind to me

In this Moment

There is a soft breeze blowing through my open bedroom window. 

Pup is snoozing beside me, everyone is happy and healthy.  

Everything in this moment is perfect and exactly how it should be. 

I am exactly where I want to be. 

I am full of love. 

I realize that things can change is just a heart beat but, for now am just happy in this moment.

we find beauty if the most simple things

Can anyone tell me how do I sooth my "restless soul"?

It always seems that there is never enough time. I am just beginning to realize that it's not how much time we have, it's how much we accomplish with the time we have been given. Make the most of every moment of your life, however long it may be.

Burning Sage

I haven't done much today. Been in my head a lot. I feel my energy is low and I'm out of sorts so I have been cleansing my energy field by burning sage.

Shout outs!

This weeks Shout Outs go to:

Sacred Breath

Heaven's Walk

Not So Simple Housewife

The Girl In Boots

a weekend in August

Road Trip