Intentions vs. Resolutions

I heard something yesterday that I believe will resonate with us all better than making New Year's Resolutions. We all know how this plays out...lose weight, exercise, etc....but we never finish, or we're caught up in the maelstrom and just react. What I heard was...."make an intention to do something"...Resolution is so final. I Resolve ! It also sounds somewhat antiquated, like what the heck is Aude Lange Syne all about ?

The person who mentioned it was my Yoga instructor. She's wise beyond her years and has a quirky way about her, quite smart, quick and highly dedicated to her craft (in a very unintimidating way). Her intention was not to get caught in her world's political cross-fire. I thought that very insightful. We all have our own personal political cross-fire, that means better listening, communicating, negotiating and in my world, making sure that your co-workers don't have cutlery pointed for your back.

I'm going to try this one...might not be so popluar - -but as Mr. Ghandi said...'be the change you want in the world'...now, how does that affect the world of technology.

I believe it starts with being aware of your surroundings, trying to connect more with people and less with things - -or using the things as a conduit for being in touch with your surroundings.

Here's the intention and the challenge - -Do you know that Radio Shack and Verizon stores take in old cell phones, refurbish them and distbute them to Women's Shelters ? These are women that do not have instant communication available to them and yes, they need it. When you are being abused, stalked - -a lifeline to '911' is a gift. It is a gift of survival.

I ask that you take your old phones in - -I know I have at least 5 (do you remember the one's with the big brick battery?) - -they take all. Remember we're not innovating, we are supporting. I believe they do not care if there are apps, web browsing, etc. They need to call 911. Get it...

Be intended, use your gadgetry for good...Donate your used mobile phones to help a woman in need.

With best wishes that all your intentions are good !! (OK, a few naughty ones are OK too)
Kit

Have you met a Yogi that was a ragging idiot ?

It hit me whilst in 'down dog' posture (in yoga class) that people who take yoga are generally even tempered...There's a certain level of respect that goes on in a yoga class...1) it's completely non-competitive - -it's about you and your ability..2) there's a ton of breathing that goes with it...it's the breath that gets you into the posture, aids you with sustaining it and perhaps gets you deeper...3) the quiet...you are alone with your thoughts. For some of us, that's a very scary place. There are no distractions, no mobile devices allowed. You spend the duration of class uninterrupted - -completely unaware of what new shade of nail polish is now available, what towels are suddenly on sale for one hour only and that because you are a very special customer that if you order within the allotted time, you will gain Free Shipping...All of which I used to think was true nirvana.

Well - -guess what ? -- It isn't, and all of these needless messages have made me more anxious rather than feeling brilliantly informed.

Yoga should be mandatory for the technology age. It decompresses you, gets you in touch with the inner workings of your body (your personal technology). I think most people can describe and troubleshoot issues with their electronic devices easier than they can describe their feelings or how their body feels (or even more basic, what their body parts are)...hummm... Do you fall into the latter category ? I used to - I decided that if I'm going to make this marathon called life, that I'm going to need to be strong enough to weather it; meaning my physical self (hardware) and my psyche (software) are all going to have to be well maintained and in top working order. Yoga, I have found, is the ultimate diagnostic. It mitigates the outside noise and gives you wonderful focus.

There's nothing new age about it - Yoga's been around for absolutely forever. It has because it works. It's also not a expensive pursuit - -and damn, it feels wonderful. Flexibility and mobility are two things that just improve with practice...oh - here's the baseline - -It is called practice for a reason. You never master it. It is a tool that you can improve with time. Forget about being competitive with 'bendy Barbie' (there's always one in the bunch); here's the one place that doing your best is the right thing and you are rewarded with feeling great.

I use it as my uber-stress reliever. It calms me down, diminishes my anxiety and puts me firmly 'in the now'. I've even gotten bold enough to leave my phone (Blackberry, packing 4 e-mail streams, twitter and the other very, very important communications feeds I require) in the car (notice to criminals, it's under the passenger seat) in off-mode.

This is my New Year's gift to you....try Yoga. If you are completely intimidated by the possibility of doing this...let me know... I have a small but growing group online that I send pose directions and attentions to...sometimes we all need a nudge to get going - -albeit virtual.

All my best and just start with deep breathing for 5 minutes...Can you do that ?
Kit 

Happy New Year and Welcome !

I am thrilled to be here. You have probably noticed that there's a change in how we're doing things these days. I have seen, heard and observed that our society is not so subtly changing. We're absorbed in our personal communicating/entertainment devices and reality entertainment; but are failing to communicate effectively and humanely with one another. I'm calling for an all out push for civility, manners and just basic etiquette. I call it "Etique-geek"...I'm Southern by choice and am dipped in hospitality, conversation and I think, a bit of humor. Most people just want to be treated well. This in my attempt to pull you into "just being nice" and seeing that it can "pay off". Take your iPad (any Apple device), stock your Kindle and your phone and let's have some fun.

All my best, Kit