The Power of Now

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Good morning!  I’m pretty pleased to report that my abs are NOT sore this AM from my mini-ab workout last night.  Considering the last time I did crunches was oh…. 6 weeks ago!…. this is quite a feat.  Maybe I’ll even try to do some more tonight. πŸ™‚

 

I’m determined to have a better outlook on today than I did yesterday.  I just feel overwhelmed between work, the wedding, my commitment to running, the holistic website, and Future Husband’s busy schedule (does it make sense that his busy life makes ME feel overwhelmed?!). 

 

I read a few passages from "The Power of Now" last night, and it definitely uplifted my spirits.  If you haven’t read this book yet, YOU SHOULD!  A particular passage struck home for me, and I’d like to share it with you:

 

"The greater part of human pain is unnecessary.  It is self-created as long as the unobserved mind runs your life.  The pain that you create now is always some form of nonacceptance, some form of unconscious resistance to what is [the Now]…. The more you are able to honor and accept the Now [as opposed to the illusion of the past and the future], the more you are free of pain, of suffering — and free of the egoic mind."

 

"If you no longer want to create pain for yourself and others, if you no longer want to add to the residue of past pain that still lives on in your mind, then don’t create any more time, or at least no more than is necessary to deal with the practical aspects of your life.  How to stop creating time? Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.  Make the Now the primary focus of your life. … Surrender to what is: Say "yes" to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you." 

 

Breakfast – Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal

 

I woke up absolutely CRAVING oatmeal.  I think I had the pot cooking before I was even actually awake.

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My oatmeal contained:

 

  • 1/2 cup (dry) oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 slice banana
  • Toppings: 1 – 2 tablespoons raisins, 1 tablespoon Grape Nuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon

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Today might be a two-cup coffee kind of day, but so far, one cup is doing just fine!

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Oh yes, and I was tagged by a few of you lovely ladies over the weekend!  Here are the rules:

 

  • Link back to the blog that originally tagged you
  • Post the rules on your blog
  • Tell your readers 7 random things about you
  • Leave a comment on your chosen blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged
  • Let your tagger know when you’ve posted your entry

 

So here are my facts:

 

  • When I was 13, I was obsessed with the X-Files and even went to an X-Files convention. I’m a loser.
  • Witch hazel has been helping my breakouts! No more zits!
  • Our dogs are named Margaret Britney Spears Thatcher and James Barack Obama Bond.  James was given his middle name last week. πŸ™‚
  • I have been to Europe three times (on my own dollar, mostly) and have traveled to:  England, France, Spain, Czech Repulican, Hungary, Austria, Italy, and Germany.   London was the best.
  • I hate to be touched while I sleep. 
  • My middle name is tattooed onto my hip.  It’s also my mother’s name.
  • Our first daughter will be named Claire, and she will share my middle name.

 

I tag:

 

 

Do you have a favorite philosopher?  I love Eckhart Tolle (the author of The Power of Now) because he’s so modern and young.  Plus, he doesn’t subscribe to any particular religion, so I can really identity with his writings.

{ 27 comments }

 

  • Balance, Joy and Delicias! November 11, 2008, 5:39 am

    good morning! glad that you’re in better mood today (as I do too)!

    I share with you the fact that you don’t like to be touched when you’re sleeping. Plus I hate to be wake up by someone/something.

    and your last fact is so sweet! ^_^

    have a nice day!

  • VeggieGirl November 11, 2008, 5:54 am

    Hooray for feeling great and having a positive outlook!! You can do it!! πŸ˜€

    Love those oats!!

    Great facts!!

    Favorite philosopher = Kierkegaard.

  • ashley (sweet and natural) November 11, 2008, 5:59 am

    Thanks for sharing that quote! Focusing on the present is something I’m definitely trying to work on. I always catch myself living in the future – figuring out what goals I should set and how I can reach them, worrying about things I have no control over, thinking about what I want to do with my life, etc. I’m going to make an extra effort today to be as completely in the now as possible.

    Have a great day!

  • lauren November 11, 2008, 6:08 am

    I love LONDON!! and Claire is a great name…really like that.

  • Erica November 11, 2008, 6:12 am

    thanks for the tag πŸ˜‰ I love your facts and I <3 your dog names! We need more pictures of your babies! The morning oatmeal looks so good! Hope you have a very wonderful day!

  • monica November 11, 2008, 6:20 am

    I might have you beat on the geek front. I liked X-Files, but I loved Star Trek even more. Went to conventions. WORE the uniform. I’m blushing as I type.

  • biz319 November 11, 2008, 6:33 am

    Glad you are feeling better today! Just take things one day at a time!

  • Oh She Glows November 11, 2008, 6:58 am

    Thank you for the quote from The Power of Now. I really needed to hear this today because I have been super anxious about things at work.

    Glad your abs aren’t sore!

  • Laura November 11, 2008, 7:33 am

    I don’t have a favorite philosopher. I’ve been wanting to read The Power of Now but it seems like it’s quite an undertaking, so haven’t started it yet. I listen to Oprah’s XM radio station at work a lot. She interviewed him a while back and I remember being quite impressed with most of what he was saying.

  • teacherwoman November 11, 2008, 8:02 am

    I love how your share your middle name with your mother, and you plan to do the same with your daughter. Claire is a lovely name.

    Different from you, I feel like I have to be surrounded by pillows in bed. I sleep with five and like to prop them up behind my back when sleeping on my side. I think it’s a form of comfort. I don’t know. LOL.

  • RhodeyGirl/Sabrina November 11, 2008, 8:02 am

    how did you pick the name claire? is it someone special to you?

    have a fab day

  • Caitlin (see bride run) November 11, 2008, 8:05 am

    rhodey girl – nah, we just really like the name claire. πŸ™‚

  • Meg November 11, 2008, 8:26 am

    Yum! Love cinnamon raisin oatmeal!

    I loved learning more about you!!!

    Love your positive outlook!

  • Claire November 11, 2008, 8:33 am

    Claire is a great name! πŸ™‚

  • amanda November 11, 2008, 8:38 am

    I am with you on The Power of Now. I read it this summer and it really helped me to kick my eating issues. I realized that everything I was dealing with was brought on by me. I was the only one holding me back!

    I should definitely re-read my little highlighted passages, but my boyfriend is reading it now!

    Keep your head up today and stay in the moment! Everything that you seem to be stressing about are actually really exciting things πŸ™‚

  • Bridget November 11, 2008, 8:53 am

    Wow that passage from the book was very true, I hate when I get into bad moods…it’s just not me. I like being a happy person, but you can’t help it once in a while.

    I’m jealous of all your Europe visits…I’ve been once to Italy and Paris…AMAZING, can’t wait for trip #2 for the honeymoon!

  • kirsten November 11, 2008, 8:54 am

    your dog’s names are so funny. I love both britney spears and barack obama so good choices πŸ™‚ Can you put up some pictures of your dogs?

  • Allison November 11, 2008, 8:56 am

    My middle name is Claire too! My mom chose Claire because her maiden name was EauClaire and she wanted part of her name to be passed down πŸ™‚

  • bitesoflife November 11, 2008, 9:22 am

    Good to see that you are feeling better today. It’ll pass, and your positive outlook helps!

  • tfh November 11, 2008, 9:39 am

    I am now on a mission to get some witch hazel– thanks for the tip!

    It’s completely normal for you to be overwhelmed but at least it sounds like you have some very healthy ways for dealing with it.

  • seeleelive (for the love of peanut butter) November 11, 2008, 9:47 am

    x-files??!! oh man!!

    I love those passages, thank you so much for sharing. And there is nothing like a satisfying bowl of oats my girl!

  • Halie November 11, 2008, 10:18 am

    Those oats look very yummy! Great way to start your day and glad you are feeling good with a positive outlook!

    I love the fun facts! As for me, I couldn’t get into the X-Files, I was a little younger than you when it was big and it scared me! I think there was one were rats or bugs or something were invading and coming out of toilets or something and it freaked me out!

    It’s so great that you’ve been able to travel to Europe so much!

  • Mrs. LC November 11, 2008, 11:14 am

    Thanks for the tag, I just saw it! πŸ™‚ I definitely agree with living in this present moment and not being so focused on the future. Goals can help, but when you get so caught up in reaching your goals and living for your future, you lose a lot of the meaning of your today. DEFINITELY know this from experience. πŸ™‚

  • Melissa G. November 11, 2008, 7:55 pm

    Caitlin! I read your blog often but never comment but I had to today! My middle name is Claire as well, and my Mom’s middle name is Claire also! And that’s what I want to name my(unborn) daughter too!! Ahh that’s too crazy!!

  • Emily November 12, 2008, 1:11 am

    Thank you for the quote! I have just started his other book – A New Earth. I will have to go find Power of Now when I’m done πŸ™‚

  • Caitlin (see bride run) November 12, 2008, 5:14 am

    melissa – that’s crazy! and awesome! i love the name claire.

    emily – i want to read ANE next!

  • Katrina March 7, 2012, 12:54 pm

    I followed a Ò€œYou May Like ThisÒ€ link to this update a few weeks back. Now, IÒ€ℒm wondering if this was foreshadowing/spoilers to your current gender prediction! Regardless, if you do have a girl, itÒ€ℒs a wonderful name. πŸ™‚

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