Just be.

It was almost as if my dogs knew we were going to sit. And just be.

I needed a little pick me up, as did Adam, so he volunteered to brew a fresh pot of hazelnut coffee. Mmmm. It's aroma smelled delicious flowing upstairs to me as I sat unfulfilled at this very computer. After a while, I finally made the descent to the kitchen. I mindlessly grabbed one of my favorite mugs. Now I mostly drink my coffee black, but today I remembered that the fridge was holding a favorite creamer of a dear friend that she recommended I try. Sweet Italian Cream.

So again, my mind wandering elsewhere about things on my check list of stuff to get done, not paying attention to pouring the creamer or coffee into my mug, I began walking towards the living room. Where did the last 45 seconds go? I know it just happened because my mug is full and hot, but I don't remember consciously getting my coffee...

There I stood in the doorway to my living room, at the bottom of my stairs about to go back up, looking into a room so inviting. Telling me to come in & sit down. I could not ignore this invitation. I listened.

No lights on, the drapes drawn to keep the room cool from the heat of the sun on that side of the house. I knew which corner of the room to sit in and on what couch. With my two sidekicks, Schotzee & Frank, in tow I headed right where I needed to be at that exact moment.

And like I said. It was almost as if they knew we were going to sit, & just be for a while.

I let my body sink into the corner of the couch, pulled my knees towards my chest so that my feet could rest on the edge, embraced my hot mug of coffee with both hands & relaxed. One at a time, in an odd orderly fashion, Schotzee & Frank jumped up & took a load off as well. Each of them letting out a sigh as they too let their little bodies fall limp on the couch. It was almost as if they were saying, "It's about time you listened & were present with yourself. We will be right here when your done. Go on now..."

I took that first sip of coffee like I had never drank anything of the liking before. Enjoying the warmth permeating the mug into my hands, I lifted it to my face & took in the steam rolling off the top. I inhaled deeply as if it were filling my torso & every limb of my body. The aroma, sweet & nutty, fulfilled my olfactory senses with delight, yet left me absolutely yearning to taste & feel the hot liquid in my mouth. I inhaled & exhaled with a quiet mind for a moment concentrating on the sensations my body was feeling. The warm, hard ceramic touched my bottom lip & was quickly followed by the wetness of the coffee to my upper lip. In to my mouth it flowed graciously, with a velvety smooth sensation, elating my taste buds.

Every. Single. One.

Did it taste so amazing because someone else made it for me? Maybe it was that creamer that Meg Ryan suggested... oh, how about because it was one of my favorite mugs? No, no, and no again.

The universe is clearly screaming at me today is Sunday & I am listening. The one day a week I don't work. The one day a week I take for myself to reflect on the past week, see what lies ahead and prepare myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the week to come.

I had been so preoccupied with this & that, stuff that needed to be done around the house, a list I made to accomplish for the weekend. But where was I? My body was here, my mind was floating aimlessly just above my body, within reach, but not in touch.

Until I walked into the living room. Sat down. Felt. Listened. And just was.

So Friends, I encourage you to take a few minutes. Enjoy your cup of coffee. Really, really enjoy it. Listen to your thoughts. Don't judge them, just be present with them. Your body, mind, & soul will realign & you will walk away with a peacefulness that will allow you to flow through the rest of your day more mindful.

Remember: peace within, creates peace without.

My blog is called this for a reason. A reminder for us all.

I rock!

Yep I said it. Hey, this is my blog isn't it? I can say whatever I want to. So I am saying that I rock!
(I am sure a few of you are rolling your eyes & thinkin' "here she goes...") But lets first start by stating that if you are rolling your eyes at your computer screen, it probably means you are judging me because you have no idea what I am about to say. Well I'd like to ask you to please re-read the name of this blog. Thank you. :)

Back to why I rock...

Oh yeah.

I love the Summer time! All of the trees in full, bright green bloom, longer days of energizing sunshine, & the happiness that is almost palpable when we get a nice day with no rain. Everything seems to be bountiful in the summer time. Especially the plentiful food supply we get from Mother Earth.

Now, I don't know about you, but I love food. No really, food & I, we just have this real connection. (I'm sure you know nothing of the kind...) Some of you may not know, that I graduated top of my Culinary Art class in high school, & had originally planned to attend college for this as well. (Life throws ya curve balls, you hit home runs.) So it's a true statement when I say that when I decide to throw a little effort into my cooking, we eat some pretty phenomenal meals in our house.

Since learning about the human body & how it works, what it needs & doesn't need, it would also be a correct statement when I say that my cooking has changed a tad. (My body is soooo thankful!) So this bodily information, in addition to being a Rochester Public Market aficionado, combined with a flare of love for food, is the begining to the reason why I said I rock.

Two nights in a row, we have had two awesome meals. But it's not just that they taste so delicious, it's also about how happy I am that I cook healthy meals that my body loves, & that I got mostly from Mother Earth's bounty. I'm telling you; when I eat healthy I feel happier & more energetic, I appreciate what I eat & where it came from, & it makes me say to myself- you guessed it- I rock!

I strongly believe that being your own biggest cheerleader in Life, is the way to go. If you don't love yourself, how is anyone else going to? If you don't respect yourself, how will anyone else? You get me?

Simple things can have a snowball effect & just add to this cyclical ride of enjoyment if you choose. Life as a magnificent human being is too short to not be happy. So love yourself first. Remind yourself everyday that you rock!

Oh, I'm sorry. You want to know what I made for dinner don't you? That can be my next post I guess :)

Sharing = Caring

Sometimes I feel as if I have knowledge within myself, that I did not consciously work towards retaining. I'm not sure I know how I attained some of this information, but deeply feel that I am supposed to be sharing some of this wisdom with anyone who wants to listen...

So hello blog world!

Throughout my journey here on Earth, I have learned so many things & yet I am able to continue to grow and expand my knowledge everyday. This simple fact amazes me. Thank you human body!

I feel my profession (Massage Therapy) was an essential component in opening my mind & heart the world surrounding me, which in turn has brought upon me this hunger for knowledge, compassion, respect, gratitude, peace, love, humanity, & acceptance.

From this amazing place I've found within myself, something tells me that there are people who would benefit from lessons I have learned, adventures I have delved, & the random (or not so random) things I do.

You should know that this blog is written by just plain ol' Bobbi jo Payne. One of many. I simply do not know it all, nor am I completely trained in all the aspects of what I will blog about. Take it for what its worth; letters arranged into words, that form sentences, paragraphs and thoughts. Nothing more, nothing less. Welcome to Bobbi's (blog) world :)