Inner guidance is the small voice within ourselves that helps us make life choices while giving us daily support. I believe our inner guidance if found in our hearts which is the center of the mind and body connection. I have been known to say listen and follow what your heart says. The heart holds the key to love, happiness, strength and power. It is also where our truth lies. Always act from the heart it will never fail you.

Every morning I connect to my inner guidance through my meditation practice. I start by placing my hand over my heart repeating Love, peace and happiness. My breath follows my heartbeat where my focus is. During this time I receive answers or support that I need at that time. After the meditation I move into my yoga practice that helps me prepare for the day ahead of me.

For help finding your inner guidance read

Add More ING To Your Life Bye Gabrielle Bernstein

Also join the Inner guidance discussion at

http://www.herfuture.com/group/addmoreing

Check out my weekly column

http://www.masslive.com/holyokeplus/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1277797833224490.xml&coll=1

Gossiping can be a very easy trap to  fall into but what does it really do

it wastes time while giving out useless information that could ruin peoples lives.

The practice of yoga teaches us to always your truth from your heart with love and kindness.

When we gossip we bring about a negative energy that blinds the truth. Take the time

to choose and use honest words showing compassion to you all. Please check out my girl

Gabrielle Bernstein video blog about her goal not to gossip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2TudK6IBjw

I have been married for five years to my soulmate.  I still remember it like it was yesterday; it was filled with happiness and love.  I cherish the memory of celebrating with family and friends.

As I look back on the last couple years, all I can remember are fun filled memories and not one single regret.  Frank is not only just my husband; he is also my best friend, my hero and my supporter.  We have a very strong connection based on love, trust and honesty.  I attribute the success of our marriage from first having been friends online where our connection grew stronger over time.

In my opinion, there are several key factors in any good relationship.  For example, one is the practice of accepting the other person for who they are without trying to change them.  In our relationship, I choose to follow the yoga lifestyle with Frank’s support and acceptance, while I don’t force my yoga beliefs or vegetarian diet on Frank.  The second part is working together as a team to find solutions and solve problems.  Another important factor is learning how to communicate with each other our needs, wants and concerns.  A great way to connect is through laughter, having fun and sharing interests.

Marriage is not only about living with each other but also learning the art of compromise from beliefs, traditions to ideas.  The key is to meet each other at a halfway point where everyone is happy.  We both are also very fortunate to have very similar families that are very caring, supportive and easy to get along with.

In conclusion, I have no doubts or regrets at all in the last five years. Instead each moment has been perfect and I cannot wait to see what the future will bring us.

Very recently I attended a family bridal shower where all of the guests were asked to write advice to the bride to be. This is my written advice.:

Always accept and respect one another while never trying to change each other. Secondly always be willing to listen, communicate and compromise – skills that should be  practiced every day.  A strong marriage is built on a foundation of love, honesty and trust. More importantly have fun and laugh every day.

Be sure to read my column at http://www.masslive.com/holyokeplus/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1277191243127250.xml&coll=1

I was just inspired by Gabrielle Bernstein video blog at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N2Ak3J163U about staying present. We often find our selves weighed down with thinking about the past and future, which can bring about stress, anxiety and negativity causing us to loose our focus on what is important. I find that my daily meditation practice helps me stay focus on what is happening today while reminding me what is important. I savor each moment in life from spending time with my guy, living my yoga life to writing. I always look and find love happiness and peace in each moment.

every morning I take time to remind my self what i have to be
grateful for and to just to do the best I can. my breath calms me
while filling me with love peace and happiness. once completing
my meditation practice I am ready to enjoy the days aadventures
with a positive attitude.

There are two essential books that sit on my nightstand, “Hip Tranquil Chick” and “Tranquilista” written by Kimberly Wilson.  These two books help women incorporate the yoga lifestyle and balance their every day lives.  Kimberly is a jack of all trades from being a writer, fashion designer, yoga instructor and runs a foundation that helps women everywhere.  Kimberly has her Bachelors in psychology and women’s studies.  She began teaching yoga in the early 2000s, which led to opening her own yoga studio, designing yoga wear and helping women discover their best lives.  Today she is pursuing a Masters in social work to bring a more therapeutic approach to her work. I had an opportunity to talk with Kimberly about her life’s works.
1. How did you get into yoga?
I discovered and loved yoga since taking a class in 1996, which lead to teacher training in 1999.

2. How did you begin all of your different projects?
My yoga studio, Tranquil Space, started in 1999 in my living room where people came to share the yoga practice.  From there we went to a parlor in a church to finally in 2008 to our final home in a three story building.  In May 2002 my Tranquil T clothing line was launched showcasing functional, fashionable and comfortable yoga clothes.  The Tranquil Space Foundation was formed in July 2006 to empower women to develop their inner voices through yoga, creativity and leadership.

3.      What is your passion?
To form creative expression through journaling and art.

4.      What is your purpose?
To inspire others.

5.      What is your philosophy?

To leave a legacy that will impact others.
6.      What is your advice for women?
Avoid the status quo and go after what you want.

For more information visit Kimberly at her site http://www.kimberlywilson.com .

Blogger note : This  post was also published in my Carrie Writes Column

in the Springfield Republican on 6/16/2010

For many decades people with disabilities have had to deal with many misconceptions in society that has interfered with their equal rights to live independently in their own communities.  Myths are considered attitudinal barriers that are harder to overcome than architectural barriers.  Many negative views can also lead to discrimination that is prohibited by law.  There are several different types of attitudes that can be formed about people with disabilities.  Examples of these attitudes are as follows: inferiority, pity, ignorance, stereotyping and fear.  The so-called Spread Effect occurs when people view a person’s disabilities as adversely affecting their other senses, abilities or personality traits.  There are several ways we as a society can help break down attitudinal barriers such as being open minded, courteous, encouraging and taking the time to learn about disability issues.   Another way to help out is to speak up and reach out to make a difference.  More importantly, help provide opportunities for people with disabilities ranging from social to employment situations.  I feel I am doing my part of breaking down barriers through sharing my experiences.  At first I was writing for several websites geared towards people with disabilities such as ebility.com then I  moved on to newspaper writing  where I not only share my stories but I get to investigate many community resources.  My purpose is to shine light on disability issues with the life long goal of helping and inspiring people.  Read about invisible disabilities in my column

http://www.masslive.com/holyokeplus/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1275981613267390.xml&coll=1

We are all beautiful creatures in our own ways.  Beauty begins on the inside shinning through our hearts.  Clothes, accessories and make up only enhance our natural beauty while expressing our own style. We should embrace our true selves not cover it up.

I recently discovered a great online magazine for women called http://thebeautybean.com/site/ created by Alexis Wolfer. It gives the latest information in beauty, fitness and wellness with a focus on inner beauty. To promote a healthy body image while empowering women to embrace their natural beauty they have created make up free Mondays. Check them out http://thebeautybean.com/site/

The father of yoga is referred to as Patanjali, who wrote his thoughts and ideas on how a yogi should live in his book, The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.  This book is considered a sacred text for the yoga practice.  There are eight parts to the way of living the yoga lifestyle.

The first one is yama, which refers to how you socially interact with others around you, such as practicing non-violence against any living creature, to always be truthful, not stealing either material objects or intangible objects and non-possessiveness of material objects or greed.  The second part is niyama, which is how we treat ourselves.  For example, keeping yourself pure, meaning keeping a healthy body.  Secondly, practicing contentment which refers to being happy with who you are and living in the moment.  The practice of self-control of your mind, speech and body is called austerity.  It is also important to live with the awareness of a higher power while studying sacred yoga writings.

The third branch is asana, which are the actual yoga poses that are used to prepare the mind for meditation and the day’s events while exercising the body.  Another important branch is the practice of breathing while practicing the yoga poses and meditation.  This practice is called pranayama, which relaxes the body and refocuses the mind.  The fifth branch is the practice of pratyahara that is done during meditation where the individual can withdraw from all five senses and focus on the meditation practice.

The sixth branch is the practice of dharana, where you focus your mind on one object during meditation while dhyana is when you meditate uninterrupted without an object in mind.  Once you can achieve all of these practices, you have reached the state of absolute bliss, which is also called samadhi.  Every day I try to work all of these ideas into my yoga practice in my personal and professional life.  My beliefs and values are based on the ideas listed here and I am faithful to them every day.