What are yours?
If any of the themes below resonate with you, I’d love to hear from you.
with love ✨, CATHERINE
Observations on moving, breathing and being. These are mine.
I’ve been writing them down since 2020.
I took a long pause. I’m back now.
A reflection on goodbyes
These words from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar were what I chose for my high school graduation quote many moons ago. As a military brat, I’ve had my fair share of goodbyes over the years, which has continued into adulthood—from schools to cities to homes to jobs to family, friends, boyfriends, etc. And despite all of the many opportunities, never have I quite mastered the art of the farewell.
A reflection on breaking open your heart
For many years, I kept my heart closed in an effort to protect myself. After enough hurt and disappointment, I decided that my fear of pain was more important to protect than was my desire for connection to nurture. And so it went. For many years.
And then I found therapy. Similar to my first few years of my yoga journey, I showed up each week, rolling out my mat or sitting on the couch, thinking that that was “the Work”. All the while, I sensed these undercurrents slowly signaling to me that there was more to it. I ignored as much as I could, convincing myself for some time that just showing up was enough.
A reflection on the power of a mantra or the breath
I apologize for sending this note so late in the afternoon. I experienced a few minor distractions this morning as I was leaving Harrisonburg (VA) after a mini two-day, self-care retreat. Having lost power unexpectedly at my Airbnb, I then experienced connectivity issues at the local coffee shop. As I felt my nemesis, Stress, start to invite herself inside, I looked up and saw the sandwich board outside the cafe.
On one side, it read:
In the midst of the chaos lies opportunity.
On the other side:
Your worth is not measured by your productivity.
A reflection on a sunrise
I couldn’t sleep last Wednesday night. Unfortunately, I don’t sleep well many nights, but that particular evening was especially challenging. Eventually I threw in the proverbial towel and decided to do something I don’t do often enough—watch the sunrise.
A reflection on unplugging in order to work again
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. ~ Anne Lamott
When my employment unexpectedly ended two months ago, a near and dear friend implored me to unplug from my normal modus operandi and rather plug into a totally new way of being. She challenged me to do everything counter to what my hard wiring would otherwise have me do—such as immediately updating the resume, calling the headhunter, reaching out to my network, finding project-based work, etc. Instead, her challenge required an acknowledgement on my part that the only way to start back up was through a total system reboot.
A reflection on a hurry-up culture
Recently, someone very special to me shared with me the above quote. Since, I’ve ruminated on it night after night, recognizing it to be what it is—the perfect lesson for this perfect moment.
Life has slowed down—for most of us, myself included, not necessarily by choice but rather by necessity. Being recently single and newly unemployed, I find myself with time on my hands unlike any other period of my adult life. And, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, this time has seemingly multiplied.
A reflection on “The Law of Detachment”
Freedom. [ free·dom | \ ˈfrē-dəm ]
1 — The quality or state of being free, such as (a-h): the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another; the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous; unrestricted use; ease, facility; the quality of being frank, open or outspoken; improper familiarity; boldness of conception or execution (Merriam-Webster)
A reflection on “The Work”
I’m tired. I think we’re all tired. Today being the midway point of the year (yes, it is the end of June!) gives us a time to pause, to tune into our current state, to reflect on the connection between our body, breath and mind. Are they connected, and if so, how? Is it through awareness? Intelligence? Compassion? Or is it via our emotions, which often lead us astray from the truth?
