Pole Dancing and Prayers

I've been trying to decide the best course of action on actually posting on the blog.  Should I only post when I accomplish a task or when I get an idea or right before the task?   I made the decision that I should post every week, whenever I get inspired to write.  I want the structure of weekly writing, but I don't want the limitations of a schedule.  It's my blog and I'll write when I want to, right?

Tomorrow is the first task on the list.  I'm super excited about the Pole Dancing.  All week, I've just been thinking it's something I've never done. I haven't been thinking about what exactly I'll actually be doing. I'm a little nervous about it, given my lack of rhythm and 110% lack of sexiness.  I'm a cute girl, but I'd never think of myself as sexy.  So tomorrow we will see if four years and a degree in theatre has given me the confidence to fake the sexy.  I plan to bring SEXY BACK!  :)  Carie is flying down from Michigan, for her birthday and My BFF's Kim and Ann will be joining us.  Should be great fun.  I've really been concerned with what to wear?  Silly, but I'm a girl.  I want to look the part, but it's also a work out. It's not like I'm going to go apply at the Cheetah when we are finished.  But the extra cash would be nice.

There are still SO many more things I plan to add to the list.  Each day I have a new idea.  After reading and watching Eat, Pray, and Love a few months ago, I was inspired to learn to meditate.  I bought books.  I made prayer beads.  I just can't seem to focus. The first Sunday of each mouth the Duprung Loseling Monastery teaches the Basics of Meditation class. I am VERY excited to attend.  The Tibetan Buddhist introduces the practice of meditation starting with a talk by Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, the Spiritual Leader.  This is followed by a guided meditation, along with a question and answer session.   I know that it isn't as easy as one might think, but I definitely would love to really learn this and actually start to practice the art of meditation.  Each Sunday  they have Shamatha Meditation - which brings clarity, stability, and focus to the mind.  The word "Shamatha"is Sanskirt for "calm abiding" and it refers to the minds ability to remain in a peaceful state of awareness when faced with anything.  This is not a specific Buddhist form of mediation and you don't have to be Buddhist in order to practice.  In fact there has been many studies that have shown that mediation can alleviate stress and promote health and well-being.  OR so the website says.  I just find it fascinating. There is an entire section of etiquette for visiting the center.   I'll write more about it all later.  I'm very excited about learning about another culture and alleviating stress at the same time.  If I can get my mind to slow down and focus for 5 minutes, I would consider the day a success.

More to come.