tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34345249597578918242011-11-27T17:41:08.265-07:00(alt. Creating A Life) A blog about living.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-81019111087965813942011-10-17T22:25:00.000-07:002011-10-17T22:25:23.012-07:00

I drafted the title of this posting several weeks ago, knowing I'd come back with some content later.  Almost magically, it has! I know when I'm "onto something" when that magical serendipitous feeling emerges. "How did I know this topic would be so profound for me...?" It scares me, the unexpected, that is. There's an element of blogging about life (notably my life) that scares me too. Like,

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-27411892000403324742011-03-24T09:21:00.000-07:002011-03-24T09:21:06.413-07:00

Today's quote courtesy of Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project speaks volumes to me and has me appreciate my spouse more each day and it also puts a level of empowerment upon the strife and challenges that come up in life. I have grown to realize the truth within this quote over the last year of marriage: "...the faults of married people continually spur up each of them, hour by hour, to do

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-77721339561256521472011-03-23T06:45:00.000-07:002011-03-23T06:45:20.205-07:00

Ok, so I'm really the last person EVER who would say early rising is worth it.  It's a harrowing experience for me...but I've realized it's only short term.  The last few weeks I've noticed that for the most part, my mind has been stuck in "muck".  Mucky brain, is essentially a state of mind where you are not in tune with your creativity.  You allow distracted thoughts and habits that don't suit

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-18647305480518663262011-01-28T09:00:00.001-07:002011-01-28T09:00:01.422-07:00

One of Gretchen Rubin's recent happiness quotes of the day struck me as refreshingly optomistic:  "In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high." — Henry David Thoreau Cartoon from Savage Chickens This Thoreau quote reminds me of a famous chef quote that my husband often spouts when talking about always

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-9338021661973787612011-01-27T13:59:00.000-07:002011-01-27T13:59:17.194-07:00

I've spent a lot of time in my life attached to certain outcomes. Of course we all want what we deem the best possible outcome in any situation. It could be as huge as a life milestone or as small as the next moment's desire.  What struck me today, and has struck me many times before, is that wanting and being attached to what we want are totally different things -- causing totally different

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-46051816856714403652011-01-24T13:22:00.000-07:002011-01-24T13:22:13.246-07:00

A few evenings ago, while falling asleep, I had a strange thing happen.  I suddenly had a memory, a faint one, of a smell from my past. I can't really describe it here, but that's not really the point.  The smell triggered in me not only a memory of a certain age range (teenage), but also a certain set of emotions.  I'd never really remembered a smell before, typically it's the opposite. At least

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-26390309548980713772011-01-20T09:46:00.000-07:002011-01-20T09:46:12.578-07:00

Yesterday I didn't get around to patching in here and jotting down a post. Oh well. You know, I really put unnecessary pressures on myself sometimes. I appreciate that my intention to write consistently for a 21 day period has kept me more in tune with my writing. I don't think I will be doing it daily, however. Daily writing is a goal, but it's a goal that is totally fine if it causes me to

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-83119297861762381662011-01-18T16:45:00.000-07:002011-01-18T16:45:34.248-07:00

Lately I've been acknowledging and thinking upon how I'm not always graceful in the face of criticism. It harkens me back to days as a child when other kids, or my same-aged cousin would unfairly tease me or lie about me.  I can see how it can make others crazy when anything you say to them that is remotely negative is fired back with a defense mechanism.  However, I always seem to get hooked

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-10662999822079502452011-01-17T20:29:00.000-07:002011-01-17T20:29:08.015-07:00

I realized my 21 day writing assignment is flawed. For one, currently with a busy weekend schedule, I literally have almost no coherent time to do personal, meaningful writing. Second, creating a habit doesn't mean you do the same thing every single day. It means you set a pattern and stick with it.  Therefore in correction to my desire to create a steady, fulfilling writing regimen, I'm going

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-78336631246842432352011-01-15T22:32:00.000-07:002011-01-15T22:32:20.838-07:00

Last week I heard an inspirational interview with Buddhist nun Pema Chodron done by Oprah Winfrey on her Soul Series XM radio show. The discussion is also transcribed in an here on the Oprah website. I'm touched by how simple life can be if we can agree to put ourselves into a realm of acceptance rather than resisting anything negative that comes up.  Her advice to simply notice when you're "

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-84872873546335147262011-01-14T09:42:00.009-07:002011-01-14T10:31:26.519-07:00

I recently checked in at Danielle LaPorte's blog and found many gems in her two part series on money. The first one pertains to personal money practices, the second about business. I felt really inspired especially when reading about the personal money practices. Many things Danielle shares I already do. Yet many more, I do not.Reading the personal money practices posting, I thought, yeah...

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-28982659757410549282011-01-13T15:46:00.004-07:002011-01-13T16:23:19.534-07:00

After perusing through my previous posts, taking stock in how I haven't posted since August, and speaking to a friend about her active blog use, I just can't help but feel like a big fat failure when it comes to my lack of writing in this space.Maybe this isn't a big deal.But maybe it is.I said writing in my blog was important to me, but then I neglected it. I can flog myself about this all day

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-51217677907083705042010-08-14T08:30:00.005-07:002010-08-14T08:54:24.337-07:00

When I look upon my failure to really be a real blogger, which is rolled into following my passion for writing and thoughts on living -- I think "I cannot repeat this history, as it simply doesn't define me." Perhaps it did. Yet it doesn't. Defying history is a matter of not allowing oneself to focus on (or even take an extended peep to) the past. When I focus on the past, thoughts of

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-19840998743114850562010-02-22T22:11:00.004-07:002010-02-22T22:24:46.729-07:00

I've been having trouble lately staying focused on my personal goal to attend graduate school for becoming a community counselor. I don't doubt for second that this career is an ideal and rewarding path for me. Yet...I haven't made it real enough yet. I'm guilty of letting it slide. Taking the easy path. Or so I tricked myself into believing.The path I have historically taken which leads me to

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-56946299931092352262010-02-18T21:40:00.004-07:002010-02-18T22:01:54.714-07:00

So much has gone on...I've gotten caught up and neglected to commit to an important act that nourishes me, what pleases me. I'm certain I have something useful to share in my writing, but yet, when in the midst, I simply don't commit to doing so.I’ve done a lot of writing over the last few weeks, just none in this blog. Which, kinda goes against my proclamation several weeks back to really hunker

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-19473073964348454992010-01-18T09:57:00.003-07:002010-01-18T10:09:35.319-07:00

This morning I've set out to finalize graduate school applications and I'm feeling a strong case of the blahs. I've done everything BUT work on my application work this morning. So now my work on working on myself over the years has me asking if it's a true "blah" feeling or is it the feeling that overtakes one about to embark on something great...one risking failure along the way? Perhaps I am

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-84905151230361576752009-12-19T12:58:00.002-07:002009-12-19T13:10:38.215-07:00

Thanks to Kelly Diels and her funny fabulous blog, an inspirational reminder type of quote just became sacred to me:Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.- Harold WhitmanThis quote is a summation of the purpose of my blog. Thanks Kelly!

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-55770421706945112852009-12-17T21:26:00.004-07:002009-12-17T21:40:12.340-07:00

I notice when I drag myself to yoga class -- yes sometimes it is really like pulling the dead weight of my body -- I am always happy I went. In fact, I’m always happy right when I arrive. The vibe is very pleasant, the lighting is almost always nice (barring the strange yoga class I once attended at a YMCA gymnasium! Eeek! I won’t even start on the horrible acoustics), Arriving to yoga class

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-6153931875578941672009-12-08T16:33:00.003-07:002009-12-08T16:50:02.896-07:00

Reading today's post on Pamela Slim's Escape From Cubicle Nation today struck a nerve for me. I venture to say it even struck a chord. A whole chord of nerves. Pam not only speaks to me in my recent endeavor to kick my ass back into regular yoga and exercise practice, but also in her very compelling outline of how getting back on the treadmill (so to speak) is akin to the practices to use

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-23383020095809376372009-12-04T17:09:00.002-07:002009-12-06T22:04:55.642-07:00

Today upon walking the dog in mid-30 degreeish chill, I found myself wishing. Wishing for that sunny spot. Wishing he would pick a sunny spot to do his business so I didn’t have to stand and shiver in the cooler shade. Thankfully here in the desert, we still seem to have sun no matter what (minus an occasional rainy day), but the winter sun is scarce anyhow. For certain it is not always present

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-19874704321684713552009-12-03T20:57:00.001-07:002009-12-03T20:57:17.932-07:00

Thank goodness there is yoga. I challenged myself to show up and there's something about that...always turns out good.

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-57319524350673321642009-11-24T06:23:00.002-07:002009-11-24T06:32:34.567-07:00

It's been over two months since I've posted. I've had plenty of things to say, to be sure. I've been entrenched in taking on some small writing projects, which now seem to have temporarily subsided. More importantly though, I've also been mucking around in my own messes in life. Only recently noticing that I haven't been consistently paying attention to me and what energizes me. Fluctuating

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-89986708640349390932009-09-17T11:13:00.002-07:002009-09-19T09:34:13.929-07:00

Being intelligent is not being studious. It's knowing how to be fulfilled in all circumstances.-Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-55452444231137647282009-08-11T19:06:00.002-07:002009-08-11T19:12:51.940-07:00

I've recently become reacquainted with Havi Books' blog, The Fluent Self. Not only do I like her whole purpose and concept of "unstucking" yourself from unhelpful patterns in your life, I really like her approach and communication style. Not only is this the type of influence I needed to find right now but I also find her to be personally inspirational and motivating. I downloaded her free

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-6820809866186789782009-08-06T15:54:00.005-07:002009-08-06T20:48:24.832-07:00

After publishing my post yesterday about my great triumph over fear and self-doubt...I sort of felt like a fraud. Not in the sense that I wrote anything untrue, but I felt I did not give enough credence to the very real self-esteem blow and discomfort my fear-induced inner critic caused me for several days. I also failed to mention that I had no real clue about my own effective recovery process

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-71439564236512170122009-08-05T19:40:00.007-07:002009-08-05T20:59:12.002-07:00

Putting my feelers out into the universe and turning dreams into actions has caused me a lot of great feelings....and then some not-so-great sensations. As for the great, I'm finding there is plenty of opportunity out there for success. As for the not-so...well, upon getting myself involved with a potential gig to build up some experience (while also supporting a good cause), those old familiar

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-85567158021957210622009-07-26T21:53:00.005-07:002009-07-26T22:14:48.140-07:00

Since giving up my control over the question of where to flow my creative writing endeavors -- I've been getting glimpses into possibilities like never before. Things are still formulating for me...and this is good. I've been thinking on this process, since think is what I tend to do!Have you ever been like me at times and thought you could outsmart the laws of nature, so to speak? What I mean is

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-67804170879752633252009-07-22T13:37:00.009-07:002009-07-22T16:45:19.997-07:00

Or so I think...This posting here on Copyblogger accidentally fell into my lap when perusing Danielle LaPorte's ever-wise, uplifting , and inspirational blog and subsequent twitter site. The Copyblogger posting talks about the motive of one's writing, specifically when blogging and about how it can come from either a self-serving motive or in service of one's audience. Though I don't necessarily

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-50798281506116676122009-07-22T09:03:00.005-07:002009-07-22T16:59:05.758-07:00

Living out my professional life for 10 years has brought me to the distinct conslusion about what I enjoy most. Creating with words is where it's at for me. I know I'm not the best at it, and have a ton to learn, but I really feel at my peak-- and most invigorated through the act of writing (and from the finished product). Yet that leaves me with an important question. Just what is it that I am

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-73405183048373421732009-06-19T15:13:00.006-07:002009-07-22T16:45:58.615-07:00

Today the toast ejected out of one slot and landed squarely in the other. I saw it out of the corner of my eye....wishing I'd seen it directly but it gave me a morning giggle once again. Thanks magic toaster!

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-10371579987641244022009-06-10T16:44:00.006-07:002009-07-22T16:50:12.024-07:00

There's nothing grumpier than me first thing in the morning. By "first thing", I am referring to approximately the first 1.5 hours I am awake. Could be an exaggeration, but for those unfortunate enough to have known me in the early mornings...it's my most unpleasant time. This morning was not much different, until my english muffin flew out of the toaster and landed with a small "plop" right onto

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-28452914764794824162009-06-01T21:56:00.005-07:002009-07-22T16:46:38.381-07:00

A small commandment I spotted on the Happiness Project Toolbox gave me a lightbulb moment. It said to "be the person you want to be with and fall in love with" (emphasis added). I love two aspects of this commandment: 1)It focuses on being as the active means of "having"...a truth in life I've found hard to comprehend at times, but impossible to avoid; 2)I can't think of a better motivation to be

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-57808676714416828692009-05-26T16:37:00.008-07:002009-07-22T16:47:04.199-07:00

A post I came across on White Hot Truth today reminded me of a Buddhist meditation called tonglen. I've practiced tonglen before, but was rekindled by Danielle's description and encouragement of the practice. My current area of focus is being present, and what's more enabling of present-making than a meditation practice? Perfect timing.So the deal with Tonglen (if you haven't already linked over

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-5596365363844116692009-05-18T15:57:00.002-07:002009-07-22T16:47:28.800-07:00

Getting up at 5:30 to make time for yoga is definitely do-able! Summer's early light makes a difference. Namaste!

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-44008337957790294152009-05-05T09:09:00.006-07:002009-05-05T10:35:14.122-07:00

I became inspired today when reading a recent post on White Hot Truth on the "I don't know conspiracy". I would be a complete fraud if I didn't admit I've been my own victim to this very downfall many times. When looking at my own life, and recent surge of happiness and empowerment, where previously I found little, this is one of the areas that's really made a difference for me.So you come across

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-36406788394152921672009-04-28T13:56:00.004-07:002009-04-28T14:41:33.631-07:00

Today I activated the blog via text feature...I plan to text over short (one-liners) of wisdom, gratitude, or things that just plain make me smile. I often think of things to share with the blogosphere; or merely just to remember, throughout the day. I figure this will lead to not only more regular updates, but more spontaneous bursts of goodness.Share your uplifting one-liners with me!

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-81422863912221577312009-03-30T21:52:00.006-07:002009-07-22T16:47:53.369-07:00

With a title "Finding Happiness" looming above, you must think this entry must have some magnificent, yet simple, gems of human wisdom in it. I doubt that, but I will say that rehearsing happiness does have it's privileges. I haven't got an entry in this whole month...but many life-blog thoughts have been appearing in my daydreams and journaling, so it's time I shared.When I think on rehearsing

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-71794295596827902022009-02-24T22:06:00.005-07:002009-07-22T16:52:40.475-07:00

The topic of focus I'm closing out with this post is the yogic principle of concentration practice, or dharana. A good write up on dharana can be found here. When first evaluating this principle, I could readily find examples in my life where my concentration on yoga asana and breathing practice has been able to seep into my "living life" in a positive way. During yoga practice, the opportunity

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-74190289142797815912009-02-03T14:27:00.007-07:002009-07-22T16:53:06.651-07:00

Practicing loving kindness towards oneself is an easy practice to forget. The last two weeks I found myself often forgetting this concept entirely and inevitably delved into the self-inflicted pains of blame, self-doubt, and frustration. However, the times I did remember the practice were well worth noting, as evidence to keep this principle alive no matter what. Though many times in life we can

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-42064722449293632702009-01-14T20:13:00.003-07:002009-07-22T16:48:50.714-07:00

I subscribe to Daily Candy emails, and usually a fun or informative email comes in each weekday. They don't yet have my city as a specific focus area, but I appreciate their product information, fashion, and travel stories. Today's struck me as quite appealing because it's all about meditation getaways. Doesn't that sound nice? Given the state of things, I think I'll be opting for the guided

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-16523761945843408782009-01-13T21:55:00.007-07:002009-07-22T16:52:52.168-07:00

The first two weeks of the year I was still formulating my process for this blog. I think it all began at the closing of 2008 when I was reading one of my favorite blogs, The Happiness Project. Gretchen’s piece on creating your own commandments as New Year’s Resolutions struck a chord for me. Instead of making all these specific goals to fulfill an obligatory New Year’s tradition that most people

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-41032368923309366722009-01-12T20:47:00.009-07:002009-07-22T16:49:48.790-07:00

Every two weeks I will focus on a specific principle. It may be a spiritual, philosophical, or some sort of pop-psychology principle, to be determined by me. Each posting may or may not consist of my observations on the current principle, but the majority of them will be.The reasoning behind choosing to select such an ambitious goal for myself is that I’ve found life to be better, even easier,

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434524959757891824.post-47416960684408473402009-01-11T17:12:00.012-07:002009-07-22T16:49:23.613-07:00

I spontaneously got this idea to create a blog that will serve as a forum to share my experiences in taking on a purpose-driven life; which I’m beginning anew for this year. Sure I’ve taken seminars, been coached, and gone back to school for classes more times than I can count. All those times have been learning experiences that have gotten me to where I’m at today. What makes this time different

Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10679191625471431775noreply@blogger.com0