Missing my yoga

Over the last few weeks... even thus I know I shouldn't have....  I have decreased my yoga practice!!!

And this is not so good for me... and I am really NOT proud of myself for this!!!

Of course I had all kinds of good reasons...  like we always have when we do not want to do something!!!

I was (and still am) really tired because my neighbours keep waking me up around 3h30 am!!!  Fortunately, there is one more night of that and then I am moving so this will put an end to this excuse!!!

I am too busy...  with my book being release, my day job and the move! Well I should know better...  Yoga gives me energy, mental clarity, peace of mind... all this makes me more efficient in a sense so not as busy!

I don't have time!  Well I did find time to watch about an hour of TV.... most of the time crappy TV.... why not do my yoga instead???

And it is not the first time I do that... and it always ends in the same way... I get to a place I do not like...  why do I keep testing it?  Yoga is really good for me!!!!  I should know by now!

Must I say again, that I am not proud of this...  and I am paying the price of it today!!!  My energy is low, I am stressed, my hands are shaky....  a place I do not want to go for health reasons!!!

As there is not point to actually beat myself up over this, I am deciding as I write this to take up my practice again as of next Monday!!! I usually do not practice over the week end anyway... and tomorrow is moving day so I do not want to say something I may not be able to do!!!

I am forgiving myself for doing this...  as we always should... be forgiving with ourselves!  No one is perfect... and we may jump off the wagon at one point...  but the idea is to realize why... address it, correct the situation and move on!!!  Jump back on as soon as you can!!!

This is true for anything in your life.. any lifestyle change you wish to make or wish to adopt.. be it food habit, sleep pattern, exercise regimen, meditation or yoga practice, juicing, writing....  any goal you set for yourself!

You may not always get there the first time!  But keep trying... I know I need to!!!

My goal is to include 5x1h yoga practice per week...  I will make it... in due time!!!

Be patient with yourself!
Be forgiving with yourself!

Love and peace,
nath
xox

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

I came across this question years ago....  and the answer was very long...  I had a long wish of desire... and I was suggested (by a wise one) to look at that list and analyze every item on it...
one by one - deeply
to see why they were there...
each and everyone of them...

only to realize the following (after months of thinking and meditating):

1) most items were there because they were on other people's wish lists - I had heard it and thought it was cool!
2) a few items were there because I just wanted to have a list
3) very few items were there because they resonated with me...

1) and 2) were scratch off the list! They were never mine to start of with!!!

3) were looked at very carefully...  and I wanted to find the common denominator in them...  what did these items had in common? and why?

This made me realize that all the remaining items were meant to help others... and they were the "ways" I knew I could help others... not necessarily what was achievable for myself!

I started with this huge desire to help others.. and looked at what I like to do:

write
meditate
yoga
walk
bike

The first thing that resonated with me was yoga!  So I tried being a yoga teacher... this was not my real thing!!  I love yoga... but not as a teacher!

Therefore I started this blog a little over 2 years ago... in the hope of having readers I could potentially help... and I started very small... with very few hits!!! and even wanted to give up on a few occasions because I had not enough hit to my satisfaction!
But the people reading my blog kept sending me positive feedback... and I continued, slowly but surely, to get more hits!!!  So I decided to keep doing it!!! Plus I love writing... it makes me feel good! So at one point I decided that, even if it was just for myself, I was learning from the experience... and it was not a waste!

It turns out that I am not the only one thinking that!  Sarah Kathleen Peck wrote a nice blog about writing.  Very inspiring!

From this blog, my desire to write grew stronger, so I started writing more often... and even decided to give it a try with a book...
I think this book may help a few people dealing with difficult times in their own life...  I am sharing with them how I dealt with my own difficult times - giving tips and hint at how to get better! Surely trying to give hope!

I do not know where this will bring my next...  but it is right where I want because I am doing something I love! It is amazing how when you do something you truly like and for the good reasons, things turn out well in the end...  I am nowhere near the end, at least I hope, but things are turning out well....

I realized that all the things I like support each other...  I like to do yoga and bike because I spend lots of time sitting down and writing so it feels good with my body.  I like to walk and meditate because it slows me down and also give me ideas for what to write next...
I like to write because it helps others...  or it feels like it!

Last week end, I was at Chapters and I came across this same question again: "what would you do if you knew you could not fail?" and the answer was automatically: write a book - only to realize that I had just done that!  It made me smile... 

I kept thinking about it on Saturday and Sunday... to see if there was not anything else.... and I could not find... I am doing what I want...  I am really happy! And I seriously think that doing something you love puts more chance on your side of succeeding - only because since you love it you will not stop until you do!!!

There is no secret!!!  Find what you truly love... what vibrates with all of your being.. and just DO IT!!!!  over and over again!!! and you will NOT fail!!!

What about you?  What would you do if you know you could not fail???
Please let me know...

love and peace,
nath
xox

On being a published author

Hello everyone!!!

I am happy to announce that my book, Life Happens,  is now available for buying thru iUniverse at the following link:

http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000561983/Life-Happens.aspx

I am really exited about this!!!
It has been a great experience!!!
A challenging one.... but one with which I got to know myself even better...

I had never wrote a book before...  but my husband insisted that I try and do this... and he was right!
I did it!!!

And now people can buy it... hopefully.... and read it... 

which is a little freaky!!!  I was do busy writing and then working on the publishing of it, with all that it entails, that I forgot to get ready for that aspect...

I wrote it for people to read it of course....  but I did not realize that people I knew and saw everyday might want to read it!!!

This book is an autobiography... about my experience with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and it is not always fun or pretty... obviously it end well as I am fine today...  but I went thru very difficult and challenging times for many years and these are mentioned in there. 

And most stuff not many people know.... even in my close surrounding!  Now they will!  Which is what worries me!

I tried for many years to "forget" that part of my life and by writing this book I am doing the exact opposite!  Which is OK... I will deal with it...

The desire to write it was greater than the fear I have today...  because the purpose of the book is really to help people that are having a hard time...  I wish to share my discovery and hopefully help and inspire them to look for their own solutions!  This book is a message of hope!!! No matter what you are going thru there is hope! You just need to find that ray of light... like I did... in order to start searching for solutions!

love and peace,
nath
xox

One of everything

Recently I have come up across a few blogs or articles that claim that having one of everything is great...
And I have been thinking...  as always!

In my minimalism quest... which I somehow always think is coming to an end... (but somehow is not!!!) I have given away many many things I had in duplicate (or even more)...  not necessarily identical items but that somehow served the same purpose!

Keep in mind that there is only 3 of us in my apartment...

We have:

one table for meals
one bed for my son and one for my husband and I...  no extra bed!
one set of sheet per bed
one extra warm blanket for cold days per bed - I do live in Montreal
one chest drawer each to put our clothes
one blanket close to couch for those cold nights
one bath towel each
one pool towel each
one couch that can sit comfortably the 3 of us
one rocking chair in bedroom
one leather chair in living room
one TV
one computer
one iPod/iPhone station
one of each required pots and pans in my kitchen
one of each utensils required for cooking - except for wooden spoon which I have 2 of
one bicycle each as a mean of transport

so I think this is not too bad however, there are some areas where it causes me problems...

1) 4 chairs at the kitchen table - thought about the possibility of having only 3 chairs (one each)but did not made my mind up yet... it could be possible as we have other chairs elsewhere in the apartment anyway if ever we are to have visitors ... but the table is so small that I cannot sit more than 4 anyway!  The fact that the table is round is convenient to having only 3 chairs

2) dishes, glasses, mugs and bowls... I decided right before Christmas to keep 3 of each.... and a few extra mugs as some I was not ready to part with... which I did and my kitchen cabinet feel much better that way!  However, at Christmas I got 4 really nice Le Creuset mugs which made me part with some of the extra mugs I had kept...  but it also makes me want to get the 4 matching desert plates and bowls...  but that would be 4!  It brakes my 3 rules...  I do not see why I should have 4 of something so one will always be left out!  I thought about getting only 3 plates and bowls..  which is probably what I'll end up doing... and keep the extra mug...  as an extra!

3) 2 desks to work on... one was in my son's bedroom to do his homework and one for my in the corridor...  however when we move in a week, the apartment even thus smaller is layed out differently... and I will keep only one desk where my son will do his homework (not in his bedroom as this is not ideal for sleep purposes) and I can also work on it... we do not really need it at the same time anyway!

4) clothes - as you can see in a previous post I do not have much clothes... and I am very happy about it!  Most of them are not duplicate.. yes I may have 3 long sleeve t-shirt but that are different color... so technically it is one of each!  I do not have 3 white t-shirt and 4 black for example!  My area of concern is my 2 pairs of black pants...  but they are what I wear to work almost all week...  and my 3 pairs of jeans...  I don't think I can do without any of them as they are all very different: one is skinny and fits well in my boots, one is larger and is perfect for my somewhat bohemian look and one is torn which I love but is not appropriate for work and in some other situation.. so I really feel like I have to keep all of them!

5) CDs and DVDs - I am in the process of putting all my CDs on my iPhone so that will be resolved soon... (I may have only 6-7 left and in the process of doing so I only keep on my phone the songs I like) and as for DVDs (maybe 20 of them) they are mostly my son's... gotta check with him before I pack them away if he wishes to keep all of them!

6) books - we have very few books...  including my nutrition and yoga books, it may add up to 30 - 35... which is the bare minimum I am willing to have now!!  I look at 90% of them on a regular basis... just a few novel (6-7) that I am keeping because I read them recently and I am not ready to part with.. even thus I know I should as I never reread the same novel!!!

However, I must say that for the 1st time in years, I am spending the winter with only one winter jacket and one pair of boots!!!  I also have only 2 hats and 2 scarves - depending on temperature and need to wash!

So all in all, I am getting quite close... and the "Only one" does sound extremely appealing!!!

What about you?
Would you consider giving away stuff that you may have double off???  or even more???
How much stuff do you REALLY need???? Aside from them having sentimental value and collecting dust?

love and peace,
nath

Modifying a turtleneck

In my last post, I was mentioning how I do not like my electric blue turtleneck!  I love the color but came to realize that I cannot wear turtleneck!
So here's my turtleneck before:

Now I have measure 3cm from the sewing of the neckline all around and with sharp scissors I've cut it!

So here are the tools required: (and a lovely assistant!)

And here's the result!!!

And because this is made of cotton (like a t-shirt basically), there is not need for sewing!  The neck  line will remain as it is now... perhaps it will roll a little but it will still look good!!!

See with a little imagination, very minimal tools and 5 minutes what you can do?

First 3 months of project 333 are over

Well...  I have gone 3 months of just about with less than 33 items of clothing!  This is amazing!  Technically my 3 months will be up end of January but because I am moving on February 1st, I will not be able to update you guys on that project on time....  so I'd rather do it sooner than later!

Here's my current list:

That I will keep as is for 2 more months - I will update my items in April when the spring season will be coming!

2 black pants - one straight, one flare
1 red Cotton skinny pants
3 jeans - one skinny, one torn straight leg and one flare
1 black skirt
1 velvet burgundy skirt
1 black dress with mustard flowy sleeves
1 LBD - a must very simple and very me!!!
1 purple dress (with fuchsia and grey imprints)
1 navy dress (with mustard yellow and beige polka dots)
2 sleeveless top (grey, mustard)
4 fancy t-shirts (beige, red, grey/navy/mustard, old pink)
1 electric blue short sleeve blouse
4 long sleeve t-shirt (2 beige, 1 black, 1 gray)
1 electric blue turtleneck1 black long sleeve fancy top
1 green long sleeve fancy top
1 pink and purple blouse
2 jackets (corduroy- beige, brown)
2 cardigans (grey, mustard)

So there it is...  my list of 31 items... 
The ones in red might actually be too big for me as I lost weight with all the walking implicated in not having a car!  I will have to see if I can get them fix!
The ones in green I do not wear so much because they end up being more "spring" but I still keep on my current list as potential items to use!
The one in fuchsia I love the color electric blue... but turtleneck actually drive me crazy...  I think I will update this item tonight...  stay tune for pictures!  I will probably cut the neck part and turn it into a boat neck t-shirt!

So it shows that I am really wearing 25 items....  so you can dress with very little items!  And I am not bored at all!!!   I love my new way of dressing.... and how everything match with everything else!  And how easy it is in the morning to get dress!!!  I use to be "late" because of trying to figure out what to wear!  I do not have that problem anymore!!!

I love this project!!!  Made my life so much simpler!!!

Definitely will keep on doing this for a long time... even if I will not be making list or counting items anymore!  There is not need too!  I do not feel like adding anything to my wardrobe...  because it would mean that I would wear less the items I have now!  I will replace stuff as deemed necessary but that is it!!!  Project 333 has cured my from my shopping addition and excessive consumerism!!!

Thank you Courtney!

What is going on

I have this urge to write but I have not specific subject in mind...  I do know that writing is very soothing to me... and as my Vata nature is quite active recently, perhaps writing will somehow tone it down!

I have lots going on.. nothing really major but lots of thing in my mind.... and lists for many things to come...

To give you an idea... 

As you may know I am moving soon....  it will be the first time I move after going car less.  At first I did not think it would make things any different but it does!  I have moved a lot over the last years (and I hope I can settle at this place!).  I am not the type to pack up everything in boxes and put in a truck and go... I usually spend the week before doing a few car trips for stuff I'd rather transport my self in order to make sure the are not broken during the move.  Unfortunately, this will not be an option this time as I do not see myself doing several bus trip with fragile stuff.... or rent a car so often!  So I will have to pack more diligently my stuff!
Yes I did hear of bubble wrap - but it is plastic... and I'd rather stay away from it!  So I am left with "silk" paper used to gift wrap... I have quite a few of those as I refuse to throw them out... my mom also gave me some... I did use some of those! I can also use Scott towel... but then I feel like I am wasting paper...  but then again it is always useful once you get to the new place and you are looking thou boxes to find clothes to wash stuff!  I started putting some frames in between blankets and towels...  this should work out! 
I should be doing more packing this week...
Packing also gives me an opportunity to do another round of all my stuff and see what's a keeper or not!
This move will be my most environmentally friendly yet!!!  Smaller truck, less car trips...  not buying any furniture but rather figuring out ways to use what I have in a different manner if need be!

I have to finalize plans for spring break for my son... it is coming rather quickly...

Need to find someone to sublet my place!

My friend Yasmin is launching her new Yoga DVD series soon - can't wait for that to go and see her!!!

I am working really hard on my finances to streamline them... I have big projects coming up (more on that when the time comes) and I need to be in good financial shape to attack them!

I am also working on the final draft of my book which is due to be out somewhere between end of February and mid-March!

All this is keeping me really busy... and my mind too...  It's a good thing I have my yoga and meditation practice if not I could go insane!!!

What do you do to keep yourself calm in time of business?

love and peace,
nath

Moving - again

Well...  point #2 on my previous list has already been checked off!!!

Lass week I was actively looking for a place to live as where I am now is not working out at all!!!
I won't go into details here but our mental and physical health were at sake so I needed to urgently find something...

Last week I was also going back to work after the holidays.... so in the morning before work I would surf the web, send emails to make appointment...  lunch time would be dedicated to confirming or not appointment... asking question or getting answer to the questions I had been asking in regard on an apartment.  After work I would meet my husband some place and we would visit apartments.

It  seemed like a long week but finally on Friday we came to an agreement with the owner of a duplex in an area we like.

Here's a list of criteria we had and were met by this apartment:

Top floor
Washer and dryer installation
Duplex building
Old construction for the building itself
Within our price range
2 Closed bedroom each with a window
Accept cats
Close to public transit
Room to store our bicycles during winter
Non smoking apartment
Clean
No carpet

Here's a list of criteria that are not met:

Closer to my son school - but we are not further either...  same time to commute
Big terrace outside to enjoy summer - planned by owner to be done in 2014!
Includes appliances - will need to buy my own

Here's a list of criteria that exceed our expectation:

Newly renovated kitchen
Newly renovated bathroom
Hard wood and ceramic floors
Clothes line
Access to backyard to make compost and a garden
Freshly painted white all over so I have nothing to do when I move in!

So all in all...  this is like hitting Jackpot!!! 
Honestly I did not think I could find something like that in that price range so I am really exited...
Plus owner is really nice... 

So now I have to plan my move...  change addresses, reserve a moving truck, make boxes (not that there is so many - but still need to be done!)... decrease my food supply so that I do not have too much food to move...

But I have been moving so much over the last 5 years that this is not complicated at all anymore!!!

Honestly both my husband and I REALLY hope that we can settle down there for a few years...  to catch our breath and concentrate on other projects we have!

All those move have allow us to narrow down what we like or not and be more strict with our choices....  thus allowing us to find a very nice place to live! It also has allow us to further decrease our number of possession.... each move we seriously consider everything we pack or not... every furniture we bring or not... making it easier each time... 

This time we do have more storage but the place is even smaller in square footage but designed differently... so we will be able to keep everything - and I think I am pretty much at a minimum now anyway for a family of 3 anyway.  All in all it would look more aerated... 

I will be moving in 25 days and will let you know how it goes moving during winter!!  That I never did yet!

What is your take on moving?  Do you enjoy it?  Do you do it a lot or not?

Going from 2012 to 2013

Hello all!!!

I know I haven't wrote in a long time...  I was taking a real Holiday...  it felt good!  I got to enjoy time with my son and my husband!!!  It was great.

Obviously, there was the obvious Christmas and New Year's day...  but besides that we had plans... which where turned upside down by the snowstorm we had here in Montreal....  nonetheless... we had a blast!    Plans are there to be turned upside down aren't they? 

Not being as busy as we expected (not that we had packed our schedule...  we had 3 planned activities in 7 days!) has given me time to reflect on 2012...  boy a lot did happen on that year!

1) I have finally resolved my habit of over consumerism
2) I have downsized even more - I should be done by now...  but somehow I am not quite sure... everytime I think I got enough stuff out of my house I get surprised a few weeks later with wanting to get rid of even more...
3) We moved closer to downtown
4) I have lost my job and found another one
5) Husband started a new job
6) We gave up our car
7) My son started high school
8) I wrote a book
9) I was completely vegan for 3 months - and then back to vegetarian

and, I cannot forget that I had to put my dear Zoe to sleep... 
and I lost a lovely aunt unexpectedly...
but these cannot be numbered.. the were THE 2 events that touched my the most...

Now one cannot reflect on the past year without thinking of the upcoming one...  I do like like to make resolution as they are more likely vanished by the end of the month if that...  but I like to make plans...  I am a big planner... 

So for this year my plans are (and there are not set date for all of them - these are just things I would like to work on for this year):

1) Get my book published
2) Find a decent place to live - my current apartment doesn't suit me anymore
3) Take my first car less vacation
4) Spend a week with my husband at Spa Eastman
5) Increase my yoga practice to at least 1h per day 5 days a week
6) Decrease time spent in front of TV from 2h per day to 1h per day
7) Go debt free finally - I only have a small amount of one credit card left
8) Increase juicing
9) Increase my vegan diet from 75% to 90%

hey guess what? without even thinking about it, there was 9 items last year... and I am planning 9 for this year...  we'll see what happen!!!

And you, my readers, what are you planning for this year?  You can put it down as a comment...  I would be curious to see...  and sometimes when we tell people we are working on something, it makes it even easier to commit to it... or makes us more accountable for it!!!

We could work on this together as a team...

Happy New Year 2013!!!!