As I am returning to my yoga practice, (why do we ignore what we know is good for us?) I am more interested than ever in the mind/body connection. It is no secret that our thoughts effect our bodies. Likewise the way feel in our body effects our emotional well being. While I am conscious of this, I try to "cheat the system". I stay up later than is good for me, I eat a few too many cookies. I could go on and on.
I once heard that our thoughts and our body are best friends. When one is hurt, the other is sad. When one is agitated the other can't settle down. 
I like thinking about it it in these terms. I'm pretty sure that my two best friends have broken up a time or two and have stopped talking to each other all together. I've broken the mind/body connection. Well, thank goodness that through some humility and forgiveness that relationships are mend able. Hey! ... that's a thought...ask myself for forgiveness for getting out of my healthy habits. I guess, then I would say (back to myself- with a little snicker)  I forgive you, because you're my friend and I can see how it happens. Then I would never bring it up again (way easier said then done) because it is more fun to go outside and play then it is to harbor bad feelings. That's what best friends do.


Find the mind body connection:
Be aware of your self talk- I put this at the top of the list because everything hinges on this. How could you make a connection with anyone that is verbally abusing you?
Meditation
Yoga
Being in the moment
Any movement that is done with purpose
Consciously Breathing
I would love to hear how you find your mind/body connection.

It finally feels like fall here in Arizona. They say this weather is why we live here. For at least the next 6 months we will be bike riding, picnicking, hiking, you name it. Whatever it is, its better outside. It is beautiful, not a cloud in the light blue sky. The temperature is in the low 80s. Somehow even the colors seem more vibrant and clear in this weather. Even my favorite, green, seems to have more depth in the grass and  trees. I feel it encouraging me to venture outdoors. I've been hibernating the last few months, and my body feels it. The Superstitions are especially calling my name.

This guy was sharing the trail

I went on my first official hike of the season yesterday with my dear friend and  hiking buddy. We did the Treasure Loop trail at Lost Dutchman State Park
Reasons to grab a friend, get out, and get moving ASAP:

• Therapeutic- magic happens with good conversation and endorphins pumping through the body. All my problems seem to melt away, and the best thing- it lingers. I'm always in a good mood the whole day after a hike
• Get moving
• Adventure....... that guy was sharing the trail with us 

• Personal growth- selflessnes (a trait that is generally desired) does not mean neglecting your self development. In fact it requires it! We all forget that from time to time.
• Enjoy beauty

Dawn and I

I love road trips! And I especially love camping trips. I just got home from one earlier today. What made this one special, is that it was totally last minute, NOTHING planned, not even a location. (thanks to the government shutdown). It was also an over nighter without my husband. I've done that before but I've taken my older son who has some experience camping. This was just the girls, on the road, to nowhere.

We ended up at Dead Horse Ranch near Cottonwood, AZ.  There are little streams everywhere and a riparian preserve. We saw a blue crane and a bunch of furry caterpillars. It was BEAUTIFUL, and only two hours from Mesa. PERFECT for what we were looking for.

Here's what I loved about our overnight get away
1. Sense of adventure
2. Change of scenery- I love our saguaro cactus, I really do, but pine trees are a welcome change of pace
3. The open road
4. Fresh air- this is what I crave the most, the feel of the sunshine on my skin, and the smell of campfire and pine trees
5. Quiet- accept for a text to my husband to let him know where were, we had not contact to  the outside world
6. Sense of renewal- nature always reminds me of who I am, and where I want to go

I put together this list so that you too can get inspired to go somewhere new. It really can be anywhere. It's amazing what a little change in our day to day lives can accomplish.  If you can't get away at the moment, start planning now.  Ask yourself, what do I want to see? Where do I want to go? What do I want to do? Putting together future ideas, boosts our spirits. After all, everything starts with a thought. 

There little flowers were everywhere

My two girls with our cute family friend