Morning Exercise

Jamál (Beauty), 17 Asmá’(Names), 173 BE - Sunday, September 4, 2016 AD about 9:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time 

I took a walk down memory lane today 

Back to Blackwell May 

Of 1955. 

That was the year when a F5 tornado 

Destroyed half the town, 

I remember walking around 

Through dabre 

That just the day before 

Were houses and business 

That held happy people. 

I no longer live in Tornado Alley, 

But the memories 

Still surface. 

I Am Eating Better

Fidal (Grace), 3 Mashíyyat (Will), 172 BE - Tuesday, September 29, 2015 9:20 am Pacific Daylight Time

I have one small victory to proclaim. I am eating better. Instead of having candy with my coffee each morning, I an eating grapes. When I finish the grapes then I will have to confront desire to go back to candy. The only thing I can do is take one step at a time and follow my exercise program.

At this point, my exercise program consists of lugging one or two small trash bags to the alley. I also park my car in the alley because it is a longer walk then it I parked in front. I am feeling better, but I don't know if I lost weight because I don't weigh myself at home. I have a bathroom scales, but I haven't been using it to check my weight. I guess I should do that to see if I'm loosing weight.

Housework is My Exercise Program

Fidal (Grace), 6 Asmá’ (Names), 172 BE - Tuesday, August 25, 2015 4:53 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Housework is my exercise program. I organized part of my kitchen this morning and then picked up some stuff off the living room floor. I feel good this afternoon. I feel as if I could write all night, which isn't a good idea since I have to go shopping on Wednesday morning. I suppose I could wait until Wednesday afternoon, but the weather report says to expect rain in the afternoon. Since I don't like driving in the rain because I drive with my window down (I can't open my door from the inside).

I have more to do in the kitchen because I moved only the containers that were on the floor. I put a couple under the desk that holds my coffee and toaster. The rest I put between the desk and the refrigerator. Then I put several bottles of water in the freezer and cans of soda in the lower part of the refrigerator. Next I put my old grocery laundry cart next to the window so that I could put my dirty laundry in it. That way I don't have to walk in the other room when I put dish towels and pot holders in it. I can also see when it's full so I can plan my weekly or monthly trip to the laundromat.

I put the new grocery laundry cart in the living room between the love seat and the wall. That way it's easy for me to retrieve when I have to go to the store or to the laundromat. I'm not going to take the old cart because one of the wheels is wobbly and that makes it difficulty to push.

Seven Ways to Have a Happy Monday

1. Pray: Before you get out of bed on Monday morning whisper a prayer. It doesn't have to be a long prayer or even a prayer you have memorized. Something like "Thank you, Lord. I place this day in your hands." Then get up and go about your day.

2. Coffee: Brew a fresh carafe of coffee, find your favorite coffee mug, and then pour yourself a nice hot cup. Don't worry about whether you washed the coffee mug the night before because it's your cup. You don't have to wash the stains yesterday's coffee from it if you don't want to.

3. Meditate: In hale and exhale a deep cleansing breath. Then stare into your filled coffee cup for a few seconds focusing on the steam or the rich dark liquid. Take another cleaning breath and then take a sip of the coffee.

4. Variation: Do something different. Vary your routine. Drive to work a different way. Stop at a different coffee shop on your way to work. Set in a different seat on the bus you take to work. If you read a paper back on the bus then try watching people or writing in a journal.

5. Smile: Smile at people even those who frown at you. Smile at the bus driver when you get on the bus. Smile at the traffic light that always stops you on your drive to work.

6. Unplug: Don't use your technology for the first thirty minutes to one hour after you wake up. Turn your alarm off without pressing the snooze, turn off the phone, get up, and begin your day technology free. If you use technology both at home and work then don't use technology until you get to work.

7. Exercise: Take a five or six minute walk through your house or the neighborhood. When you take the trash into the garage or to dumpster alley don't go back inside immediately walk around outside for a little while.

Meditation Monday: My Methods of Meditation

Kamal (Perfection), 12 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Monday, April 20, 2015 about 7:14 am Pacific Daylight Time

Meditation Monday
I woke up giving thanks for
another beautiful day.

My normal method of meditation consists of sitting on the couch with a crocheted throw over my head. Sometimes I close my eyes and count my breath, but at other times I leave my eyes open while focusing on one of the spaces between the crochet pattern. This method I can use anytime of day or year. Recently I began a walking form of meditation after I get up and before I begin my workday.

My walking meditation
is a tranquil beginning
to another day.

This meditation exercise consist of a five minute walk between my door and my electric range. I do not go outside that early in the morning because I would have to get dressed and walk east or west on Sunrise Avenue in the dark. When I do my walking meditation I .either focus on walking, I repeat scripture verses I have memorized, or chant. It depends on how I feel and whether or not I have issues with my knees that morning. If my knees are stiff it is easier for me to focus on a scripture verse or chanting then on the act of walking. When my knees are stiff or painful my mind focuses on the pain rather then the act of walking.

Meditation Monday: Random Thoughts on Meditation and Exercise

Kamál (Perfection), 9 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 170 BE - Monday, March 10, 2014 about 5:46 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's Monday and I'm not feeling well, which has affected both my exercise and meditation. I have to force myself to concentrate. I don't know if something I ate last night caused my "illness" or if it's a side effect of the time change.

I had to force myself to go to the gym this afternoon and once I got  there my body didn't want to cooperate. Specifically my left knee, it hurt when I attempted the leg stretch and when I was on the bike it make cracking or popping sounds. The only machine I was able to work on was the cardio machine.

I like the cardio machine because I can repeat prayers, affirmations, or scripture verses while I'm on it without slowing down the workout.  When I'm on the bike or the treadmill, I have to focus on what I'm doing and not let my mind wonder or I slow down. Unfortunately, I couldn't seem to focus on much of anything today.I hope and pray that tomorrow I will be able to focus on the exercises.

My laundromat schedule in Las Vegas

Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Mashíyyat (Will), 167 BE – Thursday, October 13, 2011 about 1:05 PM Pacific Time

Mom’s physical condition requires that I go to the laundromat more then once or twice a week. My physical condition requires a one-day recovery period between trips to the laundromat; therefore, my laundry schedule has to change. Today I have three baskets of laundry ready to go to the laundromat tomorrow morning. I have one more basket to load in the car today.

In addition, I think I am allergic to my fabric softener. I bought a new jug of unscented fabric softener to use in my cloths. I will use the scented softener in Mom’s cloths. Next week, I will go to the laundromat on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monday is going to be a long day because I have to go to the bank and the grocery store before going to the laundromat. I need to get quarters at the bank and more fabric softener for Mom’s cloths. I am almost out of the scented fabric softener and I have to use it when I wash Mom’s cloths.

Thinking about next week’s schedule makes me tired. I have to increase my protein intake this weekend to prepare for next week’s schedule. I hope that helps. Going to the laundromat is strenuous exercise, which means the next time someone ask me if I get strenuous exercise, I can say “Yes, three times a week.”