mind body blissful

previous love, a poem by keith althaus

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I've been dying to share this beautiful poem I read in The Sun magazine a few months ago, but I wanted to wait until it got closer to Valentine's Day. It's the perfect ode to someone from the past, for those times when you're feeling all nostalgic...

Previous Love

by Keith Althaus

Previous love,
think of the sky
above us still,
the parade
of clouds here,
the starlit evening
there, and this one
breath expelled
that you might
catch someday
on a street corner
after its long journey
across miles of ocean,
fields, and woods
that comb it,
take out the scent,
the taste, the sweet
stuff, until
there's nothing left
of me or this place,
or just enough
to make you think,
standing on the curb,
waiting for the light,
of me, and us.

Originally published in The Sun

Photo by Meredith_Farmer

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photo of the day: guess who? [photo by erik ralston]

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

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photo of the day: my loves, boston public garden, photo by jaimiearnold.com

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

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recipe: chicken with lemon and rosemary

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I got this recipe from my friend and nutritionist Julie Starr-Wood. The original recipe calls for a butterflied chicken, but I just buy the "whole cut-up chicken" that they sell at Trader Joe's. It's easy and good, and we usually end up with leftovers that can be used in another meal.

Whole (Cut-Up) Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

1 whole cut-up chicken

3 long sprigs of fresh rosemary

Juice of 1 lemon, plus more lemons to serve

1 red onion

6 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt

Put chicken into large freezer bag. Pull needles off 2 sprigs of rosemary and drop in bag. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze juices in bag, chucking the empty shells in afterward. Cut onion into eighths and add to bag too. Pour in olive oil and then tie up the bag and give it a good squeeze before sitting it in the fridge. Marinate chicken for 2 hrs or overnight in fridge.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees, if you have marinated chicken in fridge, try to let it come to room temp while oven is preheating. Lay flattened chicken, skin side up, on a pan lined with foil, along with the lemon husks and onion pieces, and add the remaining sprig of rosemary torn into a couple of pieces. Cook for 45 minutes. At this point you can turn oven down to 300 and let it remain in oven after it is cooked through (this doesn’t over cook it, it makes it golden and tender).

Take pan out of oven, arrange chicken on plate, along with onion bits, then pour over any juices from pan and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut a lemon into quarters and scatter about the chicken J.

photo by jazzijava

photo of the day: ardha uttanasana [by chris milliman for ibex]

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

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before watching this video, i thought i was pretty awesome...

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

I thought I was like, a ukulele master. Then I realized this 8 year old had way more skillz than me... This was humbling.

Rock on dude!

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photo of the day: hanumanasana variation [photo by jaimiearnold.com]

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

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obsessed with somebody that i used to know...

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Umm... nah... speechless... just watch it!

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trouble saying no? you may be saying it more than you think.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Recently I wrote about an insight that I gained working with my friend Erek of Verve Coaching, and I thought I'd share another great tip that he gave me. I spoke with Erek about my tendency to get excited about so many projects, that I completely overbook myself and wind up feeling tired and spread too thin. He suggested that the next time I want to take on something new, I try the following exercise:

Saying yes to _________ means saying no to _________.

Since the number of hours in a day, week, or year is finite, it makes sense that generally something has to be displaced when we bring something new into our lives. Maybe it's sleep that we will be getting less of, or down-time. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, it's just nice to stop and reflect before committing to one more thing.

I immediately found a way to apply this at the end of the summer when I thought about how badly I'd neglected my blog for a few months. But when I thought about it further, I realized that I'd been saying no to my blog because I'd been saying yes to being on the beach in my hometown and favorite place ever, Ogunquit, Maine almost every weekend. (Sandy laptop = bad.) Although I had unconsciously chosen one over the other, I realized that if I had chosen more conscisouly, I wouldn't change a thing. It was an awesome summer!

Erek credits the Yes/No exercise to a book called Co-Active Coaching (Whitworth, 2007), but I still give him credit for introducing me to it.

[photo by chrisinplymouth]

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photo of the day: uttanasana [by chris milliman for ibex]

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

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2012: my goals

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

OK, I decided it was time to set my goals for 2012. I'm sharing them here with all of you --- a little scary, yes! I hope that doing so will help hold me accountable and might inspire you to set and share yours too!

By December 31, 2012:

This blog reaches 1000 hits/day. (Like a post? Share a link on FB or Twitter please?) :)
I lead a personal development/goal coaching workshop.
I organize an epic karaoke party.
I create my first ukulele cover video and share with you lovelies.
I create and share a few short mind body fitness video clips.
I stand up on my surfboard, by myself.
I organize a monthly dinner with extended family or non-work friends.
I attend landmark forum.
I write for elephant journal.
I get Roman into a great computer programming camp/program to foster his creativity.
I find a way to donate my time/talents to an awesome feminist/women's organization.
I am completely debt-free.

OK, you know mine... now tell me yours!!

[photo by Mell P]

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photo of the day: circus photo by michael winters

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

media images of "perfect beauty" bringing you down? watch this.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I watched the documentary Miss Representation over the weekend, which challenges us to think about how much pressure we women put on ourselves to look "perfect," thanks to the ridiculous amount of emphasis the media places on how women look, rather than what we achieve. Meanwhile, controversy has been swirling lately over a sexy yoga advertisement on YouTube. In reading one writer's response to this, I came across this genius video that I just had to share. I'm always looking for ways to infuse this blog with feminist values, without turning it into "mind, body, angry rant.com..." I believe we can keep our feminist ideals, and our positive attitude, and I think this brilliant video does just that. I shared it with my kids, and talked a little bit about what it meant. I'm not sure they understand it quite yet, but I want to arm them from an early age to think critically about the messages they are being sent in the media. I also wanted to remind myself.

Full disclosure: I've been feeling rather like "poop" since the holidays about 5 or 10 pounds that I gained over the last few months. Seriously... I'm over it. What is it that I tell my students? Life is cyclical, we have "on" and "off" cycles. I'm back "on" now, planning what to eat so that I feed myself well, taking time for self-care so that I don't burn out. Miss Representation was a great reminder to put my energy into positive, constructive things, like the people I care about, my work, my goals, and enjoying life!

Have a happy week everyone,

Andrea

media images of "perfect beauty" bringing you down? watch this.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Have a happy week everyone,

Andrea

hey, it's my first yoga playlist!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:33:00 +0000

New class! I'm teaching PranaVayu Yoga Level 1/2 every Friday at 10:20am (right after Core Fusion Cardio) at exhale Battery Wharf! Not sure what PranaVayu is? Wanted to try yoga but felt a little intimidated? Come try it with me! I'll totally hook you up. ;)

Here is my first attempt at a yoga playlist...

Lovers.................................Bahramji & Mashti
They....................................Jem
The Ghost Inside..................Broken Bells
Naive...................................The Kooks
Freedom..............................George Micheal
Help I'm Alive.......................Metric
Us........................................Regina Spektor
My Moon My Man................Feist
Tears Dry on Their Own.....Amy Winehouse
The Trapeze Swinger.........Iron & Wine
Glory Box............................Portishead
Swirling Ocean....................Meditation (I'm not sure the artist? I put this on repeat for the last 15 minutes of meditation)

huffington post's year in review for women

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Photo: 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winners, from left, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia and Tawakkul Karman, a women's rights activist in Yemen. They were honored for working for women's rights everywhere.

As 2011 comes to a close, it seems almost nonsensical to have to mention, let alone devote an article to, gender barriers. While women have made great strides, we still have a long way to go. Given the struggle to maintain our place as a leader in the global economy, why would anyone want to place any kind of barrier in front of women (or men) who could help our country compete in the world marketplace?

This next election will determine not only the presidency but also several critical House and Senate seats. We know that some of the biggest wins and losses of 2011 were on matters that will significantly affect our future, so it is important that we consider them as we examine the candidates, their records, and their promises. There are many issues at stake for women and their families.

A terrible decision: The U.S. Supreme Court's sharply divided decision in Wal-Mart v. Dukes prevented the courageous women of Wal-Mart from taking on America's largest private employer as a nationwide class-action group, leaving each employee to file her claim individually or in smaller, reformulated classes. Not only is this a tremendous, and in most cases unaffordable, financial burden on low-wage earners, but such legal fragmentation means that the same issue will come before numerous courts across the country, likely with varying results. However, despite this setback, we remain undeterred. After all, we know that the U.S. Supreme Court can be wrong -- just ask fair pay icon Lilly Ledbetter.

Not just an adult problem: While sexual harassment hurts everyone, girls are disproportionately affected. Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, our groundbreaking research report, found that just 12 percent of the girls surveyed who were sexually harassed reported it. Boys who experienced sexual harassment at school were even less likely to report it -- only five percent did so. This year, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights formally reminded schools, colleges and universities that Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence. The department also reminded those institutions that they are responsible for stopping, fixing, and preventing bullying. But we still need Congress to address harassment and bullying to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. Children cannot learn if they do not feel safe.

Still earning cents to their dollars: Congress remains regrettably idle on the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would, among other things, give businesses incentives to pay women fairly. Meanwhile, newspaper headlines misleadingly report that young women are out-earning their male counterparts. What they don't tell you is how narrowly defined those studies are. I invite these writers to tell the average woman one year out of college why she already makes less than men in similar jobs with similar educational backgrounds. This is an economic issue that affects all of us, not only women but also the quality of life and buying power of their families. Congress needs to act responsibly and pass this legislation.

A surprising blow: The Obama administration stunned women's health advocates and abortion opponents alike by blocking the Food and Drug Administration's approval of selling over-the-counter emergency contraception. Along with the rest of the women's rights community, AAUW expected the Obama administration to approve the sale of Plan B contraception -- commonly referred to as the morning-after pill -- without requiring a prescription. Let me be clear: our stance is not pro-abortion; it's pro-choice. A woman cannot be reduced to little more than a walking uterus. This administration's stated commitment to follow science instead of politics when making decisions was clearly not in evidence here, a disheartening development.

Challenges to family planning services: House Republicans tried to eliminate the Title X family planning program, which provides reproductive services to millions of low-income women. Despite widespread support, it appears that the program will likely come under fire next year --but AAUW will continue to defend this critical program. Republicans also banned the District of Columbia from using its own taxpayer money to fund abortions for low-income women. It concerns me that the deal was struck with President Obama's consent. This ban was enacted in the spring budget deal and was reaffirmed again this month. AAUW opposes this ban and will keep advocating for women's full reproductive health choices.

A victory in Mississippi: Voters in the Magnolia State defeated a ballot initiative that would have declared that life begins at fertilization, which supporters saw as a legislative foothold from which to launch a challenge to reproductive rights nationwide. The so-called "personhood" initiative was rejected by more than 55 percent of voters, falling far short of the threshold for enactment. Mississippi voters clearly demonstrated that reproductive rights are valued over extreme policies.

A step in the right direction: The Federal Bureau of Investigation will be updating its definition of rape to include both male and female victims and to include sexual assaults in which drugs or alcohol are used to incapacitate victims. The current federal definition, in place since 1929, is narrower than the one used by many local police departments. The current law's focus on only physical violence leads to the under-counting of thousands of sexual assaults each year. Sexual violence is a pervasive social problem, and we need to integrate greater sensitivity and accuracy into reporting sex crimes.

Sparking important dialogue: Whether you love or hate the name, SlutWalks started important conversations all across the country -- women to society, generation to generation, survivor to survivor. Coined in Canada, this tongue-in-cheek name underscores how labels and stereotypes mask the true harm victims experience. SlutWalk's anti-victimization message has gained momentum in communities around the world.

Out of the driver's seat: The two-decade-old campaign for driving rights for Saudi Arabian women continued this year without a happy resolution. It's difficult to celebrate women's rights when so many women around the world are excluded from full participation in society. Gaining the right to drive would be both a tribute to the tenacious women of Saudi Arabia and a beacon for women everywhere who are still demanding equal rights. A special note: our hearts go out to Middle Eastern women who have been on the front lines of the Arab Spring movement, especially now as Egyptian women are fighting for democracy with their own blood.

And the winners are: This year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three women's rights activists -- Africa's first elected female head of state, a Liberian peace activist, and a human rights activist from Yemen.

In addition, U.S. girls swept all three age categories at the Google Science Fair, a far cry from generations past when women were not only excluded from scientific pursuits but told they could not succeed in such fields.

Can you hear us now? Women, yet again, have the power to make a difference in the 2012 election. Efforts such as AAUW's voter education and mobilization campaign, It's My Vote. I Will Be Heard, will engage women across the country to speak out at the polls. Our voices have been and always will be critical to the success of the United States and to the world at large. It only makes sense to organize, mobilize, and make some noise next year. We hope you'll join us in speaking out.

That's our list. What are your biggest moments for women this year?

This article was written by Linda Hallman at Huffington Post

photo of the day: holiday 2011 collage

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

A few of our season's highlights --- The kids on Christmas morning, beautiful moments in Maine by the fire and by the tree, holiday party fun with Jay, watching him catch the ukulele bug! I'm grateful for all of it...

Of course, not pictured here are the moments of typical holiday overwhelm and overstimulation! Part of the time, I was feeling pretty much exactly like Tina Fey, the overstressed mom in the movie Date Night, when she says, “There are times when, on my worst day, I’ve thought about just leaving our house and going someplace. Like checking into a hotel. Being in a room all by myself. In a quiet, air-conditioned room. Sitting down, eating my lunch. With no one touching me. Drinking a diet Sprite. By myself.”

Ahh... I hear that, sister! So a few quiet days in Vermont over New Years without the kiddos were just what the doctor ordered! (Hence the photo by the pool.) What a gift! Just keepin' it real people! Hope you had a great holiday season, and that you do whatever you need to recharge!!

what are you doing new years eve?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:58:00 +0000

How are you ringing in the new year? Jason and I will be skipping the crowds and curling up somewhere cozy here in Vermont, where we've been enjoying a little getaway. We'll be back in Boston soon, and I'll be resuming my classes starting on Tuesday. I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season, that you'll take some time to reflect on the last year, and are getting exciting to start creating a beautiful 2012.

Browsing for great ukulele covers online is one of my favorite pastimes, and this one is just lovely! I'll share a bunch more with you soon, and since I play a little uke myself, I'm thinking I might even upload my own in 2012?? I'll keep you posted!! :)

Wishing you a fun, fit, successful and blissful 2012!

the season of giving revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

photo by jaimiearnold.com. dorky embellishments by me.

This sure has been one crazy busy month! I haven't had much time to post, so I thought I'd recycle a few from the past. This one was published last year late on Christmas Eve. Reading it was a fun walk down memory lane! It truly has been a year full of blessings. Oh, and on the topic of holiday shopping and gift-giving, this year I've been alternating between major excitement over giving the perfect gift in some cases, and total annoyance at hunting down more "stuff" in other cases, when it seems to me lately that clearing clutter is so much more enjoyable than amassing more material things. I'm loving experiential gifts this year, things like show tickets, classes/lessons, etc...

What an incredible holiday season it has been so far this year. At last, the gifts are piled under the Christmas tree and there is nothing left to do but enjoy the glow of the lights and anticipate the excitement and joy on the kids' faces in the morning. We've visited with loved ones, and are looking forward to seeing more tomorrow. We've watched our favorite holiday movies, and exchanged a few too many cookies and cupcakes with our wonderful neighbor. I really do feel blessed.

Last week I had the honor of travelling to exhale spa in New York City for training. I immersed myself in the classes of some incredibly dynamic, skilled and talented Core Fusion teachers there, and even got to teach a class at exhale's Central Park South location while I was in town. What a treat! When I returned from New York I received an early Christmas present from the amazing lululemon athletica team at the Prudential Center when they invited me into their ambassador program! Wow, let me tell you, that was a huge goal realized. :) I see the many gifts around me and I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude.

I was scanning the aisles at Target a few days ago to see if anything caught my eye to put the finishing touches on my holiday shopping list, when a memory from about eleven years ago floated to the surface of my mind. I was in a Target store (or something similar), buying paint to dress up the hand-me-down dresser for my baby's room. I was a very young mother, with very little money. I was so filled with judgment for the people I saw around me doing their holiday shopping. It seemed like such a completely mindless exercise. I remember thinking, "They don't even know what they're shopping for, they just want to spend their money on something!"

The memory struck me because I found myself now, eleven years later, doing the same thing. I wasn't really shopping for anything in particular, I just wanted to give something to the people I love that might make them happy. I have enough now. And I want to share. And that doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me anymore. This got me thinking about how I've judged the whole "Consumer American Christmas" experience a little harshly in the past as well. Do we overdo it? Probably. But there is something incredibly gratifying about gift-giving. It really makes you feel good. And let's face it, receiving gifts feels pretty wonderful too. Just ask any child, they'll tell you honestly! ;)

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, whether for you it is a deeply religious holy day, or just a cherished custom, I wish you all the joys of the season, the giddy, beautifully human experience of giving, and receiving.

xoxo
Andrea

Originally posted at 12:48am on 12/25/2010 by Andrea Isabelle Lucas on mindbodyblissful.com

have you written your wish list?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

photo by Laurie
Liquid Paper

When I was a little girl, I remember writing letters to Santa Claus at Christmastime letting him know quite plainly what I wished for, addressing these letters to the North Pole, and faithfully dropping them off at the post office to be delivered to the gift-bringer himself. I never knew for sure if I would get every single thing I asked for, but I didn't let that stop me from asking. And let me assure you, I never worried for a minute about how Santa would pull it off. He could work his magic. That was what Santa did!

The thought struck me tonight, as my journal lay open in front of me, that I have not completely given up this childhood ritual. Almost every dream or wish that has come true for me has started out on a wish list inside the pages of my journal. I often phrase these wishes in the present tense, writing about how grateful I am for achieving some goal, sometimes months before it actually happens. I guess you could say I do this both with my head in the clouds, and my feet on the ground: to send out positive vibrations into the universe that will attract the circumstances I would like, and to set my "subconscious computer" as the lululemon manifesto puts it. :) I have researched the power of intention from every possible angle: psychological, spiritual, scientific, you name it. I have practiced intention-setting on paper, while meditating, academically, consciously, unconsciously and even religiously. Of course, I can't say that I believe every word I've read on the subject. But I can say that positive intention and gratitude are two of the most powerful forces working in my life, and the majority of the blessings I receive begin as a bold wish that I have committed to paper. The best part is, this works all year round! You don't even have to wait for Christmas!

When you send a wish list to the universe, don't be afraid to think like a child. (You can even address it to Santa if that makes it easier.) ;) You don't have to worry about how any of it is going to happen. The universe can work its magic! That is what it does. But don't forget to take the first step. Go ahead and ask for what you want.

Written by Andrea Isabelle Lucas for mindbodyblissful.com. Originally published 11/27/10

my blue print juice cleanse: the highs and lows

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:00:00 +0000

This weekend I'm finishing up a three day juice cleanse from Blue Print Cleanse. I did my first one back in March, so this is the second time I've committed to three days of liquid nutrition. I wanted to do the cleanse because I just wasn't feeling my best lately. With two children and a full-time work schedule, my eating habits can take a turn for the worst if I don’t make meal-planning a priority. Failing to plan healthy meals has thrown my Starbucks-to-salad ratio completely out of whack. When I stepped on the scale and noticed an extra few pounds, I was ready to get back on track and I thought Blue Print would be a great way to get a kick-start.

The Highs:

· Convenience. The bottled juices, numbered 1-6 for each day, couldn’t be easier.

· No coffee cravings! Instead of my usual morning coffee, I had black tea with agave each morning. I normally crave coffee even after drinking tea, but I haven’t been missing it at all and no headaches either!

· Weight loss. I said goodbye to about 4 pounds of water weight this time, last time, when I followed the plan more strictly I lost about 7 pounds. (Some of this comes back within about a week after resuming regular eating, depending on diet and water consumption post-cleanse.)

· Feeling cleaner and lighter. No congestion, easier breathing, and no sugar or caffeine crashes, are just a few of the ways I feel better.

· Nutrition. BPC is a nutrient-rich product with a fairly reasonable number of calories per day.

· Taste. The cashew milk is my favorite.

The Lows:

· Hunger. Throughout the day, I felt surprisingly satisfied, but towards the end of each day, I did get hungry. I did the BPC Renovation Cleanse, which offers 1,070 calories daily. This is a lot better than some other popular cleanses, but I still found that was not quite enough for me, and I supplemented with a little more food.

· Socializing? It is nearly impossible to socialize without eating and drinking. Food is one of the most fundamental ways people connect and celebrate with each other, which is one of the first things you notice when you stop eating normally!

· Taste. I'm not a big fan of ginger, or beets, so the beet juice was a little tough for me to take, and although the green juice has grown on me, I struggled with it during my first cleanse.

To deal with these issues, I didn’t freak out about sticking to the system perfectly. I wanted to feel better, not more stressed! I allowed myself a glass of champagne at a holiday party, a salad with hummus and avocado, or even a few marshmallows that were calling to me at one point. I’m glad I did the cleanse, and I’m reminded of a few important things that make me feel great, which I plan to start doing again right away, like:

· Drinking lots of water

· Eating a big salad every day

· Indulging in delicious sweets and fancy coffees occasionally, not daily

Blue Print Cleanse is available online, and at select pickup locations, including exhale Battery Wharf and exhale Back Bay, where you can buy single juices and see how you like them before committing to a full cleanse.

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monday happiness tip to help you get what you need this season

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:13:00 +0000

I’ve been reading The Happiness Project blog for a few years now and so when I needed a little inspiration for this week, it was one of the first places I turned. I’m glad, I did, because this interesting post looked like something worth trying. Last week when I was researching the concept of the “not doing list,” I came across another blogger who compared over-zealous to-do-listing to being a really bad boss to yourself, someone who overworks you with no regard for your needs, like fun or relaxation. So I like the way Gretchen Rubin’s post plays off a similar idea. Check it out:

I remember reading somewhere that writer Anne Lamott thinks about herself in the third person, to take better care of herself: “I’m sorry, Anne Lamott can’t accept that invitation to speak; she’s finishing a book so needs to keep her schedule clear.”

I find that often, the same trick helps me to be realistic about myself. “Gretchen gets frantic when she’s really hungry, so she can’t wait too long for dinner.” “Gretchen needs some quiet time each day.” “Gretchen really feels the cold, so she can’t be outside for too long.”

Yes, I admit, this approach makes me sound a bit affected and self-important, but the thing is, it really works.

For instance, for the last few weeks, I felt…depleted. Physically, I felt energetic enough, but mentally, I was like a cell phone that couldn’t take a charge. I couldn’t figure out what to do, but finally I thought of myself in the third person.

As the long holiday weekend approached, I asked myself, “What’s the best medicine for Gretchen when she feels drained?” And, when I framed the question about my nature that way, from outside myself, I immediately knew the answer. “Gretchen gets mentally refreshed by doing a lot of reading.”

That’s what I needed. No writing; hours and hours of reading. A novel I’d never read before, a novel that was long enough to last, a novel that was absorbing without being so demanding that it would just exhaust me more. Fortunately, I had exactly the right book, right on my bedside table. I spent a good part of the holiday weekend reading Neal Stephenson’s Reamde. And by the time I finished the book, I felt restored.

Self-knowledge! It seems as though it should be so easy to know yourself, but it’s very, very challenging. For me, it’s often easier to gain self-insight by using indirect routes—such as asking myself questions like What do I lie about? or Who are my patron saints?—rather than by trying to look at myself directly.

Here goes: “Andrea gets distracted VERY easily and is rather hard on herself when she doesn’t feel she’s had a productive day. So today, she’ll be working from a secret location to try to eliminate distractions.” ( OK, it’s not a secret location, it’s another desk at the spa that looked like a nice quiet place to hide and be very productive.) Thanks Gretchen Rubin for this interesting tool! The Happiness Project book is a #1 NY Times Bestseller and might make a great Christmas gift!

Have a happy Monday everyone!

backstage peter pan tour with our pirate friend ian! awesome!!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:15:00 +0000

What an awesome show! Thank you Ian!

http://www.peterpantheshow.com/venues/boston/

this weekend: flying trapeze, good times!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000

This weekend, we’ll be doing lots of celebrating, and even swinging on the trapeze at the Trapeze School of Boston, as my son Roman turns 12!! Can’t wait! The trapeze school offers trial swings for $10, 3 swings for $25, and a variety of full classes. (They also have locations in NY, DC, LA, and Chicago.)

Also, a quick reminder:

This Saturday December 3, Chrissy Snyder and Amanda Califano will hold a 2 hour Holiday Kick-Off Yo-Co (Yoga and Core Fusion) workshop from 4-6pm at exhale Battery Wharf. Holiday music and festive lights will make for a great start to the season! The first 15 people to sign up will receive a special gift bag filled with exhale goodies. Check it out under the Workshops/Events tab of the online schedule. (The regular 4:45 pm Core Fusion class is cancelled today for this workshop.)

photo by carbonated

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photo of the day: low pushup

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Isabelle Lucas) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

photo by jaimiearnold.com