Cherry Blossom Soup

Monday, January 30, 2012

 

This morning I was in yoga class, watching the instructor demonstrate a beautiful handstand. He looked like he was floating. (I usually have this grimace on my face, willing myself to somehow stay vertical — even with the wall propping me up so solidly!)

During that demonstration, I happened to start focusing on my breath. I noticed that I was able to take these deep, wide breaths and it felt really really good. I was kinda giddy, standing there and breathing while my yoga teacher floated in his handstand. And suddenly the word "abundance" popped into my head. Just like that. Abundance.

I realized that these deep, full breaths certainly were a form of abundance. They were riches at my disposal. Every single breath was a gift. And I know that sounds all trite and new agey. But what the heck, it also happens to be true.

Today, just for a few minutes, could you turn your attention to this idea that your breath is your abundance. That you are truly rich with life? I'm doing it right now. Silly grin on my face.

 

P.S. Photo copyright istock. That cute girl is not me. But she sure looks happy to be breathing.





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Friday, January 27, 2012

 

This morning my good friend Suki sent me a link to a movie trailer, along with a simple note that said, "I know you are going to love these women."

The movie is called Advanced Style and is a documentary about stylish seniors in New York. These women are fabulous!

Love 'em? Oh yes. I adore them. I love their color. I love their vitality. I love their style. I love their chutzpah.

Here is my favorite quote from the trailer: "I dress up for the theater of my life everyday."

I was also so inspired reading the comments below the trailer. I feel like we're all hungry for self-expression and that feeling of being truly ALIVE. Just watching this four-minute trailer is a booster shot. Check it out. And be sure and let me know what you think.

 

P.S. If you're reading this via email, click here to comment. I realize that not everyone is on Facebook and I apologize for the FB-only comments. The blog was getting spammed left and right and this solved that problem for the moment. Until I figure out something else, if you aren't on FB and want to comment, simply email me your comment and I'll post it for all to see and appreciate!

 

Image copyright Advanced Style

 

 



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Friday, January 20, 2012

Ever hear of backlash? It's that conk on the head when we're not looking. It usually comes shortly after a moment of feeling really good and expansive — when like life is opening up.

Yesterday I wrote a post about not being a naturally happy person. About how I don't bemoan that but instead celebrate the fact that I've been given all these tools to create joy. I meant that when I said it.

But today, whoah. It's another story! Give me that happy gene. Please.

I think it is backlash. It's like some evil being rubbed his bony hands together in glee after reading my post. "She thinks she can create joy, eh? Let's see about that! Mwahahaha."

Because today I woke up into this free-floating anxiety and distress like you wouldn't believe. While I was meditating shortly after I awoke, monkey mind was doing its darndest to keep me from focusing on my breath. It was telling me how I need to worry about money. It was telling me how I'm not good enough. It was telling me that I will never accomplish the things I want. It was telling me that my hair is a mess and I'm gaining weight and how I haven't been to yoga class and how I don't eat healthy enough. It was pointing out new wrinkles on my face and in my life. You name it; monkey mind was trying using it to taunt and torment me.

Here's the most evil of its tricks: it wants me to believe that I can't let anyone know about these fears/anxiety. It wants me to believe that I need to present "Cardboard Sherry" as the spokesperson for Simply Celebrate. That she's got to have it all together— with sassy hair and super confidence, with pretty painted nails and a painted on happy face.

No thanks!

I may wish I were that happy gene person. But I'm not. "I yam what I yam," as I said to my son last night in a horrible Popeye impression.

And what I yam in this moment now is someone who is getting a ton of backlash in the form of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Well okay. There you go. Now what? I could let it take over my whole day. Or, I could simply turn my attention to what I want in my life. To how I want to live.

This is the real beauty of Simply Celebrate. It's why it is so powerful in my life. Because it isn't about changing anything. It is about choosing to focus on what makes me feel most alive and loving. That's it. It really is that simple. (But not easy!)

So I'm someone who wakes up with anxiety and fear. So what? It doesn't have to keep me from listening to the sound of the rain on the pavement outside. It doesn't have to keep me from savoring the smell of fresh coffee brewing. It doesn't have to keep me from writing a thank you note to the CEO of Success Magazine for inspiring me. It doesn't have to keep me from gently squeezing my tabby cat and delighting in her purr.


Monkey mind's got nothing on the beauty of real life.

 

P.S. Whoops. Thought I posted this earlier today, in the morn. But I didn't. Oh, well. Here goes ... now!

 

Illustration © Can Stock Photo Inc. / prawny



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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Are you naturally happy or do you work at it?

(There's no right answer!)

Last week I mentioned in a blog post that I am not a naturally optimistic person. I got some notes from folks wondering whether this was really true. And I've been thinking about it a lot. I am optimistic about many, many things. I have a tremendous amount of joy in my life. I have a rich and delightful life. But I am not naturally optimistic. Nor am I naturally happy.

I usually wake up with anxiety. And throughout the day I have tons of monkey mind chatter full of doubt and fear. I'm often lethargic and would love nothing better than to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head, hiding from the endless karmic list of things to do and be. I've got a tough judge inside my head whom I have to keep a close eye on because he'll tear me to shreds given half a chance.

This whole Simply Celebrate world grew out of my desire to transform anxiety, fear, and depression into something else. I started creating practices for a joyful life eons ago, when I was a kid. It's been a lifelong practice of mine to seek ways "out of the dark room and into the light room" as my teacher, Cheri Huber would say.

So while I wish I were one of those people who was lucky enough to get the "happy gene" and who dances out of bed each morning with a grin on her face, it's okay that I'm not. I got something else. I got the good fortune of learning that optimism can be created. Energy can be created. Joy can be created.

In my life, joy is a practice. And rather than bemoan the fact that it doesn't come naturally, I think I'll practice being grateful that I know where to find it.

I'd love to hear whether you got the happy gene or whether you practice, too!

 

P.S. If you're reading this via email, click here to comment. I realize that not everyone is on Facebook and I apologize for the FB-only comments. The blog was getting spammed left and right and this solved that problem for the moment. Until I figure out something else, if you aren't on FB and want to comment, simply email me your comment and I'll post it for all to see and appreciate!

PPS: The artwork on this post was created by my son, Kayne. And it is a perfect example of practicing joy. On New Year's Day I made him to watch the sunset with a group of folks. He really didn't want to go. But he brought a book he really liked. And he ate a bunch of raspberries while there, which he loves. He also told some jokes to make everyone laugh. When we got home, he created this "sunset" artwork on the iPad. It truly illustrates the practice of moving from pain to pleasure. Thanks, Kayne!

 



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Friday, January 13, 2012

I've always loved Friday the 13th, ever since the 7th grade when a boy I liked asked me to roller skate at a skate party the evening of Friday the 13th. That one was in January, too! (And when we held hands, I didn't get too sweaty!)

This morning, when I awoke and remembered that it was Friday the 13th, I wondered what kind of fun things would happen today. And I was suddenly reminded of the other morning when I was about to take a short walk to the postal box and said to myself, "Wow, what wonderful things will happen on the way?" As I was walking, I noticed a couple laughing and holding hands. I saw a gorgeous reflection of the sun in a window. I felt grateful for the ability to walk. I saw a woman's whimsical yellow shoes.

I'm not a naturally optimistic person. So I need lots of extra oomphing-up to make the days feel good. The truth is, I spend A LOT of time focused on actively turning my attention to things that make me feel good. Otherwise, it likely I'd fall into depression, anxiety, or worry. That just seems to be a more natural state for me.  (I've got an extra special active monkey mind!)

But what's so amazing is that it actually WORKS to consciously look for what is working. It FEELS GOOD to consciously look for what feels good. It is FUN to consciously look for what is fun. And as you might guess, it is like pumping water: once you get going, the stuff just flows.

So lots of folks believe Friday the 13th is a bad luck day. And I bet if they look for it, they'll find lots of dark and gloomy stuff to support that belief. But I encourage you to join my camp.

Can you consider that Friday the 13th is a lucky day for you? Will you look for good things throughout your day to support this belief? Heck, who knows, maybe you'll even ask someone you like to roller skate (holding hands!) today. Then you'll be someone else's good luck for Friday the 13th. And maybe they'll remember it for 35 years, too.

P.S. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Or what good fortune you stumble upon/create today. If you're reading this via email, click here. Otherwise, if you're live on the blog page, just scroll down.



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About Us

Sherry Richert Belul
Cherry Blossom Soup is the online writings of Sherry Richert Belul, founder of Simply Celebrate. Sherry lives in San Francisco and is dedicated to finding joy, color, connection, and celebration in everyday life. Nothing wrong with special occasions, bubbles, and hoopla, but Sherry's real passion is finding celebration in the ordinary and unexpected. Or even —gasp! — the dark.

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