Dates are Wonderful

Last night my husband and I went on a date to the Melting Pot in Pasadena.  We haven't been able to have many dates since the arrival of our daughter for the simple fact that she wakes up at 6am and so do I (during the week, my husband gets up on the weekends).  That translates to an early bedtime for me because I like sleeping and being rested.  Sadly, that also means that going out at night means I turn into a pumpkin at 9pm or so.

However, last night, caution was thrown to the wind!  As a thoughtful and terrific Christmas present, Doug's sister not only gave us the funds to have a night on the town, the offer came with babysitting!!!  So after a fun afternoon of playing a board game together with my sister-in-law and her honey, my husband and I fed the little one, loved her up, and tucked her in for a restful evening.  Then ... we hit the town!

We had reservations in "lovers lane."  This meant we had a cozy booth where other patrons did not have a view of us, nor did we have  a view of others.  The privacy was dreamy.  We enjoyed the classic fondue menu and relished the time to reconnect.  My husband is a great guy who is fun to be around.  That's why I married him!

This semester (I'm a Ph.D. student as well as a professor), my husband and I have dedicated one night a week to date night.  We're planning on having a babysitter (who primarily watches TV and calls if anything suspicious happens) one night a week so we can have a date.  I'm thinking we'll sometimes go out to eat, but more likely is us going to a great bookstore or walking around old town Pasadena.  Dates don't have to be an expensive dinner to be terrific.  Just having the time to laugh with and enjoy my man does the trick for me!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Magical Powers

I am fascinated by the idea of magic.  I love the thought that I could conjure energy to open doors without moving or fly to transport myself without a plane.  But is there magic in the world?  I really think there is.

When I work with people through Rolfing or Somatic Psychology coaching, I partner with them to change both structurally in their body and mindfully.  I witness a spine lengthen, breath increase, and balance prevail.  The body mirrors the mind and vice versa.  So...that transformation is magical to me.

Another form of magic is the ability to help another perceive the gifts they bring to the world.  As an educator in my wellness practice and at the colleges where I teach, I witness students discover elements about themselves they may not have been aware of; these elements give these students courage to follow their dreams.  That's powerful and magical.

Remember that tingling feeling of your skin when something is just perfect in your life?  Or the buzzing in your belly when you know something is just RIGHT?  That's your own personal magic cheering you on!  Do you believe in magic?

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Not Just a New Year's Resolution

It's the time of year when many people are baffled that the holidays are over and that there are no more parties with great food and drink to attend.  Some feel relief at knowing there are no more surprise gifts needed (for those who do gifts).  Some are thrilled that the travel and niggling discomfort at sleeping in another's bed, no matter how lovely, is OVER.  Many will be pondering if the resolutions thought about will ever come to pass.

Well, I stayed home with my family this holiday season and we had no visitors from afar.  Sickness plagued our house, so that validated the decision.  During the care-taking of others, I had plenty of time to think about what I would like to experience in the new year.  I'm not necessarily a "resolution" girl, I just like to take the time to review what's happened, what I'd like to happen, and how to make things happen in my life.

Here's what I came up with:
1.  More time with friends
2.  Dating my husband
3.  Me time
4.  Family time

Memories inspire me and make me happy - and making them is a joy!  Thankfully, I have great people in my life to make memories with.  Now I just have to see them to do so!

What are the happenings you'd like to create this year?

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Fruit of your Labor

Today as I was picking the oranges and tangelos and Meyer lemons from my back yard to share with my clients and friends, I started to think about all the fruit that might not get picked off the trees just because I don't have time.  What happens to fruit that stays on the tree?

Well, I'm no arborist.  However, I have some ideas what I think happens to the fruit that doesn't get harvested.  The fruit either falls off and rots on the ground waiting for me to dispose of them, a squirrel feels lucky to have a great meal, or it dries up and stays on the tree far longer than it should.  I started to think how that might apply to my life.  What happens to the unrealized opportunities in my life?  Do they get taken by others?  Dry up and rot?  Or do the fruits get composted to turn into another version of opportunity for me?

The interesting aspect to this pondering for me is the fact that the lens I choose to use determines how I am affected.  For example, if I go with the idea that the fruit I eat is the perfect fruit for me and the others all go to good and appropriate ends makes me feel like all is right in the world.  This idea feels right to me.  I also like the idea that the fruit all returns to the earth in some way thereby feeding the earth and it's inhabitants in the circle of life.  Maybe a little airy fairy thinking, but I like that idea too.

What I'm NOT going to focus on is the stuff I can't control: the idea that the fruit left on the tree is all missed opportunities.  That's just plain foolish.  I'm lucky to have these fruits in my backyard at the ready for juicing and enjoying.  That's just what I'm going to do with them - enjoy the fruits!  I think I started off the New Year in this celebration: mimosas with fresh orange juice that I squeezed myself.  Sigh.  Life is good.  Let the fruits of your life be plentiful and overflowing!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

Restlessness

There are days where no matter what I do, I just can't seem to be comfortable in my skin.  Some of these days are inspired by lack of sleep, hormones, or simply needing to take care of others.  Other times I wonder what the restlessness is about.

I am a firm believer in pursuing the career that makes you happy - and I'm doing that.  I am an educator, wellness facilitator, wife to a wonderful husband, mom to a sweet pea, and Ph.D. student.  All of these things make me happy.  Plus, I've already acknowledged that too much of a good thing can make me unhappy too.  So what's missing or needed that I'm NOT doing?

Motion.  All my life I've loved to move and stretch and dance.  The past two years have been so full that I've either not been able to or not had the energy to move in an enthusiastic stretch.  In truth, I just wanted to nap if I had the time!  But as the restlessness creeps into my skin, I recognize my need to move.

So, with a joyful heart, I'm off to MOVE!  Let the restlessness dance right out of my soul!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

My Thoughts for the Year

Wow.  It's been the hardest year of my life and I can safely say I'm glad it's over.   I did too much and was not able to find the simple joys as often as I like.  Teaching too much, finding my footing as a new mom, taking the gargantuan and terrifying statistics classes in my Ph.D. classes (that I thankfully passed - a C is failing), and running my private wellness studio all added up to very little time to rejuvenate and enjoy life.  I'm NOT going to do that to myself again EVER.

How am I avoiding over-committing this year?  I've backed off of one teaching engagement so I'll only be teaching at PCC this coming semester, 2 classes.  I'll be taking more normal courses for my Ph.D. that should be challenging in a way I enjoy.  I am going to re-dedicate myself to my yoga practice and GO TO a class weekly to remind my body of the joys of motion.  I'll be seeing more clients in my BodybyHeather practice in my new studio because I'll have more time (without loosing my personal time).  And my husband and I are making a date night at least once a week.

I have much to look forward to this year.  Most of what I'm looking forward to is exercising my ability to choose how my life happens.  Thankfully, I'm really clear on the things that make me happy and how I can incorporate them back into my life.  Now, I just need to do it.

No better time than the present!  I'm off to read a book.  Happy New Year!

Copyright 2012 Heather Corwin

'I Am Ready to Be a Parent' List

If 7 of 10 of these are true, you may be ready to be a parent.

1.  I don't really feel like I need time to myself.
2.  "Sleep?  Who needs sleep?" or "I can sleep when I'm dead" are thoughts I think often.
3.  I don't have to prove myself to anyone.
4.  I am in a loving supportive relationship and/or feel I have the resources to successfully raise a child.
5.  I don't get angry or freaked out often.
6.  I believe I can model good behavior for a child (all the time, not just in public).
7.  I have the humility to recognize when I need help and I ask for it BEFORE situations become hazardous or out of control.
8.  I'm okay with situations when I don't have the answers.
9.  I like being sick and taking care of others.
10.  The needs of others can be more important than my own needs most of the time (especially when infants or toddlers are in my care).