It is very, very important to periodically assess our “normal” lives.  Why, you ask?  Simple.  Your normal may need some cleaning and polishing, upgrading and definitely some DELETIONS.  Deletions can include “stuff” as well as thoughts, foods, habits and people.

Life coach and writer Kayla Ann recently wrote that in the fall nature releases the old in a spectacularly, beautiful way, making ready for the fresh and new.  

If we follow the wisdom and style of Mother Nature, we can use the fall season to begin to change our current “normal”, by releasing what no longer serves us, grows us or makes us happy.  This will set us up nicely to ADD in the new, and upgrade our “normal” in the New Year.

If the prospect of releasing seems terrifying,– start small. People who start with small, simple changes are more likely to adopt changes as a lifestyle over the long term.

Here is a list of things you may consider releasing this fall.  Feel free to add your own ideas, and definitely post your comments and progress on my Facebook page:

1.     Release someone who brings out the worse in you.

2.     Release any objects that symbolizes failure.

3.     Release yourself from a situation that wastes your time or drains your resources.

4.     Release any guilt you feel for taking care of yourself.

5.     Release one bad habit – cold turkey.

6.     Release one non-food item from your diet.

7.     Release the fear of looking at your bank account.

8.     Release that mind-image of yourself “failing” when you think of trying something new.

9.     Release the idea you have of how things are supposed to be in one area in your life.

10.  Release the idea that you need permission from anyone to do something different than expected.

So – let us follow Mother Nature in the spectacular way she releases what no longer serves her.  Let us take the step to creating our new Normal.  Post comments below:

Sharon MacGregor, is a Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor,   She has re-claimed her own health and her life with food and yoga. She helps women who have been side-tracked by life, rediscover their health, vitality and lust for life. www.sharonmacgregor.com

In the practice of Yoga, there are a set of guidelines (eight to be exact) for living a meaningful life.  One of the principles is the practice of Ahimsa – loosely translated, it means – practicing non-violence toward all living things.

In today’s yoga class, my teacher made it personal – she said we need to include ourselves in this practice of non-violence.  In other words, we must not harm ourselves, in neither words, thoughts nor actions.

Here are some tips to practice Ahimsa toward yourself:

1. Feed yourself good, nourishing foods that build your body. As much as possible eat the foods that are closest to its natural form, and not overly processed or chemicalized.
2. Move your body. To be stationary for long periods is harmful, because our bodies needs exercise to build muscles, and for the exchange of fluids and waste by-products to be removed.
3. Speak to yourself kindly and compassionately. Do not bully or criticize yourself in ways you will not speak to another human being.
4. Be silent, and monitor your thoughts – becoming conscious of what you are thinking, helps you end your own turmoil and suffering.
5. Appreciate where you are as where you need to be. “Shoulding” all over yourself is stressful and useless.  Everyone has a different path, celebrate yours.  Forcing yourself to do more than you are ready for will certainly cause pain.
6. Honor the body you have – just as it is today. Your body is fulfilling its job of keeping your heart beating, your lungs breathing, blood flowing.

Non-violence against oneself creates self-awareness, self-love and self-compassion.  It then becomes easier to extend these to others.

I share this, so that you remember, it is a practice, and when you forget (which we all will), you simply begin again.

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Sharon MacGregor, is a Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor, mother of 2 teenagers and a corporate refugee.  She has re-claimed her health with food and yoga.  She started the company Serene Serendipity Wellness to help women who have been side-tracked by life, rediscover their health, vitality and lust for life.  She is an avid foodie, committed to the Farm to Fork movement, and supports local Farmers Market. www.sereneserendipity.com