Some definitions of custom and tradition are ; an inherited pattern of thought or action or a practice of long standing. One of the things I have had to do as I have walked through the various stages of my life is come to a place of self awareness that allows me the opportunity to investigate thought and behavioral patterns. In order to actually stay in line with my goals and desires I  need to regularly practice self examination. The systems I have used to do that have varied over time and place becoming traditional and then shifting into new customs as the old practices no longer suit my changing lifestyle or values. 

Movement is one way to enrich that process and practice. I have incorporated various mindful movement techniques over the years to help implement my self investigation practices. For example: the act of mindful walking brings me back into right relationship with my breath and my body, thus calming my mind and helping me formulate my questions to myself regarding my actions and attitudes.

I have used sacred dance as another way to "cleanse the mental palette" in order to focus on those old customs I have been adhering to which no longer serve me.  The process of releasing long held patterns and practices is not an overnight endeavor. Yoga and Tai Chi are practices which can be implemented anywhere with relatively small space requirements. Choosing a movement practice that is appropriate to where I am physically helps me to reach my aims mentally as well. 

In order to have a good grounding in who, what and where I am, I have to use a number of different tools.
Traditions and customs help center me in a specific time and place in my life and also afford me the opportunity of benefitting from my predecessors knowledge and wisdom. When I avail myself of some the historic traditions and customs I am presented with I can benefit from applying hard earned life lessons to my present day. I have to remember that flow and fluidity need to be present in my application of traditions. Its important to recognize that rigidity can lead to stagnation and flexibility can inform change. If I remain light hearted about my pursuit of self knowledge and desire to remain centered in life's flow - opportunites to implement variations on a theme will seem like opportunity rather than  endings.

 April begins with Fools day which historically celebrated the ability to let lose and cut up without fear of reprisal. I want to talk about the preception of the Fool as someone without baggage who sets off on a journey of exploration in order to experience life to the fullest. Sometimes the ability to take a leap of faith is predicated on pre-existing conditions and sometimes on something as simple as an intuitive thought.

The desire to clean house and remove clutter, wash windows and spruce up the yard or garden and set health goals all stem from the same place,  a willingness to move towards being the best we can be. When space is cleared and sits empty, potential surrounds it, what will go there, will it grow, is it a hobby site or a study place.  In order to be more effective in our speheres we have to periodically assess and release creating room for a new focus or project. 

The Fool card in the Tarot relates not just to this time of year, but anytime we feel impelled to move forward down a road less traveled. Somtimes our journeys involve physical or geographic changes, other times they are more inward in nature yet profound in their steering us in new and more fruitful directions. The basis of the Fools willingness to journey onward is hope and positivity. The Fool is positive that all wil be well and his actions reflect that trust in postive outcomes , albeit with a lack of clarity on how those will manifest. 

When attempting to improve the organizational effectiveness of my team I often forget that housecleaning should be a joint effeort as well as a private one. In the process of letting go of outmoded ideas and paradigms a greater faith in the symbiotic connectedness that makes us such a great team reasserts itself. Uncluttered by unspoken assumptions or patterns we are free to brainstorm, create and refocus down ever more fruitful paths. One of the techniques we use to accomplish this is a corporate retreat. Whether we have the opportunity to meet face to face or not we take the time to dedicate ourselves to addressing  our concerns and cleaning out our old drawers, keeping what little we need and revitalizing our space in the process. 

The symbology of the Fool is that of a person with little baggage who has set off on a new and intriguing journey, the outcome of which is uncertain, yet the process is sure to yield much of interest. Thinking of how that symbology applies to our management team is helpful in many ways. 

*original artwork by Red Dog Scott

Hot sweaty sticky weather ... but is sitting in the A/C really the solution? Getting outside and allowing ourselves to acclimate gives us some relief from the temps and also some fun in the sun and other added benefits. 

The National Center for Health Data statistics indicates that as of 2012 almost 1 in 3 Americans were low in Vitamin D, which is needed for healthy bones. Due to the low volume of foods that naturally produce vitamin D  salmon, and other cold water oily fish, we see Vitamin D added to foods where it is less bioavailable than that produced ourselves. It is produced by the body in a complex process that starts when rays in the invisible UVB part of the light spectrum are absorbed by the skin.The liver, and kidneys, are involved in the steps that eventually result in a bioavailable form of the vitamin that the body can use.

 
According to the Harvard Medical Healthbeat "the temperature of our skin is a deciding factor in how effectively we make and utilize vitamin D. Warm skin produces vitamin D more effectively than cool skin." So, on hot sunny days you are putting more vitamin D in your body's bank. 

Extensive and numerous research studies suggest that vitamin D can help prevent everything from osteoporosis to autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and much more. So geting out in the sun for as little as 5-30 minutes a day can help our bodies produce what it needs to move towards optimal health.


In my desire to wring every drop of summer fun from August, I have to remember that opportunities for outdoor play and vitamin D production are around every corner. Thinking outside the box and planning for fun can run the gamut from a mountain top lavender fest with a walking labrynth to a day kayak trip up the Wakusa River or a gentle stroll through our neighborhood art festival.  


Late summer urges me to stretch my muscles, brave the heat and strengthen my bones. 

Many times in my life I have felt as if my back was against a wall and I was trapped either physically , emotionally, mentally or spiritually. During those times it became ever more difficult to recognize that the solution was in my grasp. In order to recognize my freedom to act I have to first acknowledge my complicity in being "trapped". The point at which I do that is the point at which I begin to break free of the bonds that are tying me down. Whether it is a mind set of "I am too overwhelmed with work" or a physical condition "my ____ stops me from ___ " or an emotional response " Anxiety makes it impossible to ___" , the solution lies in my perceptions. In my case my perception forms my reality. There are so many tools available for me to find new and healthier ways of coping with life's challenges. How
Freedom is a word that has so many connotations and so much influence on our cultural identity that I sometimes forget the very personal application of the concept. Freedom is reflected in my ability to reassess, reapply and reintegrate perceptions,concepts and behaviors that influence my daily life and thus my long term goals and outcomes. Seeking to be more conscious and aware of where and when I am helps me to remain mindful of the amazing freedom I have to continue to grow and change throughout my lifetime. 

It's the start of summer and it is World Cup time. World class athletes inspire us to get out and get moving; to flex and feel and laugh and challenge one another and ourselves. So, out we go and a number of things occur spontaneously when we begin moving our bodies. 

One, the heat becomes a factor when trying to stretch and flex and raise your heart rate. We have to be conscious of the limitations heat imposes as well as its benefits. It is important to be conscious of how too much heat too quickly can affect our ability to perform certain activities , while at the same time allowing our joints and muscles to move more freely than in colder climes. 

Two, if considering a daily activity such as walking , running, jogging etc its important to allow your muscle memory to help you enjoy the more free swinging well-oiled feeling we associate with heat. We need to also be mindful not to push too hard just because the weather is enticing and we are freed from the confines of the indoors. 

Our bodies are amazing machines and integral ecosystems that remember how it feels to stride through grass or sand, to jump on trampolines, to hike up steep hills or to lift weights. Be gentle with yourself as you spring back into action and allow your bodies' muscle memory to guide your movement mindfully.