Category: My World

THE “HAVE IT ALL” MENTALITY

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As 2014 comes to a close, I look back on everything I’ve accomplished and all those things I have yet to do. The conversation about what we as women should aspire to be in our careers and families is no new one. Am I doing enough? is a question on almost every twenty- or thirty-something’s mind. More than ever, as women, we can choose what path is right for us. It’s not just about a work/life balance, but being able to conquer anything and everything we set our minds to.

But is it becoming too much? Has the dream of “having it all” gone from an aspiration to a requirement? These days, we face all sorts of pressures from trying to get into a good college (sometimes without personally addressing the “why”), to entering a relationship (and everyone wants to know whether wedding bells are in the near future) and beyond. Sometimes we get wrapped up in what’s expected of us, and we go from following our own dreams to following theirs – thirsty for every opportunity, every success.

I think it comes down to who we are as individuals. We’re ALL different. When you strip down to your core, not society’s expectations, you start to uncover what you truly value. Maybe it’s one thing you have your heart set on, your biggest dream. Maybe you’re constantly brainstorming something new.

I am a dreamer. I am often busy because I am always on a personal mission to execute my latest dream. But I also feel that both mental and physical health are what’s most important – if I’m overwhelmed, I take a step back to weigh my options, and, if it’s something I want to do, I go at it again with a clear head.

Luckily, you can set your own limits. The pressures on women to  “be” and “do” it all are extreme. This can become less of a means to encourage women to harness their talents and gifts and more of a means to make us feel like we must constantly be working toward “having it all”. The thing we should remember is that “having it all” is different to each and every one of us.

What pressures has society placed on you that go against your individual desires? What does having it all mean to you? Weigh in and tell me what you think.

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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#HELLODECEMBER

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Hello, December! It’s the last month of the year and it’s filled with surprises, and I couldn’t be more excited. I encourage you all to end 2014 on a high note and make it a point to do things that are meaningful and special to you this month. Here are my picks below – don’t forget to share yours, too.

Holiday Specials

Let’s face it, you probably aren’t going to put A Christmas Story or the original Frosty The Snowman on your queue unless you’re feeling particularly festive. With your home adorned with holiday lights and the streets covered in a dusting of snow (even if they are just the streets on your Pinterest), you’re feeling nostalgic for nights spent watching those old specials on TV. Rent or record them this month and have a movie night with your family or besties just because it’s December.

Lights and Decorations

Who doesn’t love wandering their neighborhood on the hunt for the biggest and best display of holiday décor? There are organized light shows in neighborhoods and zoos, as well as more subtle décor like twinkle-lit storefronts and welcoming wreaths on every door. Get bundled up and brave the cold for a moment to take it all in… It’s a truly wonderful feeling!

Holiday Giving

Bueno Market Calligraphy

With the hustle and bustle of daily life, we tend to forget about giving back. Since so much of the holidays revolve around spending time with family and loved ones, people slowly start to remember how good it feels to give to others. They buy a gift for their friend and it has a snowball effect – they think of who to give to next, whether it be through donations, volunteering or offering up your talents. Find more info on giving on the Charity Navigator website.

Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle!

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‘Tis the season to sparkle and shine. From glittered nails to shimmering NYE dresses, the capacity for sparkle this season knows no limits. When it comes to holiday parties and events, I say the bigger the better! Why not pull out all the stops and fit in as much shiny-sequin-happiness you can this time of year. You can do no wrong!

Creating New Traditions

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If you’re into one of the above but haven’t done it yourself yet, why not start a new tradition? Be it donating a favorite childhood toy or popping in a VHS tape from family Christmases past (if you have a means to play it that is!), you can create the traditions that will contribute to a lifetime of memories.

Bring on December!

❤ Mish

Sara Dal Monte

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WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FEMINIST

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Lately I’ve wanted to make my blog a bit more personal, so you really get a glimpse of my world. Sometimes that means swapping a beauty topic for something like study tips orrelationship advice – or even today’s post on feminism. Awhile back I wrote about inspiring women, and so many of you had amazing responses that I wanted to use that as a jumping off point, specifically in regards to feminism.

For whatever reason, feminism often gets a bad rap. The term itself is sometimes greeted with negativity even in a society that supposedly thinks of everyone as equals – have you ever noticed that? Perhaps it’s because the women before us who began the feminist movement and fought for our equality took to the streets to enact change.

The reality is that in our world, peoplehave to be bold to create change. Or it could be that “fem” is part of the word, and people mistake that for superiority rather than equality between females and males. While every ideology has its extremes, feminism at its core is about equality. Even if you don’t consider yourself an activist, that doesn’t mean you’re not a feminist or don’t support equality.

In my opinion, everyone that believes in gender equality is a feminist in some way. If you believe that women and men were created equal, hands down, no exceptions, then why not consider yourself a feminist? The quote above by Gloria Steinem sums it up perfectly, as did Emma Watson’s UN speech last September.

Hearing people say they aren’t feminist, or seeing them roll their eyes at the term can get frustrating to say the least. But much of the time it means a person misunderstands what feminism represents, thinking it belittles males. Then of course, there really are plenty of people who don’t support feminism – as we all will unfortunately learn at some time or another, not everyone supports or practices gender equality. But more often than not it comes down to education… Knowledge is power.

Next time you talk to someone who is uncomfortable by the word feminist, take the time to open a dialogue and consider their thoughts and motives, and uncover what they think being a feminist means. More than likely you will open their eyes to something they haven’t previously considered. You may even be there when someone realizes that they are, in fact, a feminist!

What does feminism mean to you? I always love to hear your thoughts!

❤ Mish

Sara Dal Monte

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WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR

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My dear beautifuls. It’s that time of year again, when the weather is cooler (unless you’re living in Florida) and nothing sounds better than snuggling up in your soft blanket with a warm drink in hand.

I truly hope you all get a chance to spend quality time with the people you love. Whether it’s your family, friends, loved ones or even strangers. Make the best of it! I never believed being family meant we share the same bloodline. The feeling of love, comfort, vulnerability and joy defines family for me. This day and age, you can meet a stranger and the next thing you know, you’re family. Keep an open mind and hand to those who need family. There is nothing that melts sadness away more than knowing someone cares for you. A smile, a friendly gesture or hello can make a world of a difference to those who are often ignored. Let’s keep giving the greatest gift we can offer to others… Love.

So I have a question: What are three things you are grateful for this year?

I’ll keep mine short and simple…

I am grateful for my family (online and off ^_^), my basic needs (food, water, toilet paper <–forealz) and my curiosity that drives me everyday to wake up to seek the truth.

Please share the three things you are grateful for with me by using #LookMish or leaving a comment!

I love you all so much. Sending you all positive encouraging thoughts and good vibes 🙂

❤ Mish

Sara Dal Monte

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HOW TO DRESS LIKE YOU’RE IN A FUNERAL SCENE FROM A MOVIE

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What I’m Wearing…

* Vintage long black trench coat… similar styles here
* Leather wrap belt by ADA Collection {was a recent gift}
* Vintage black hat was my grandma’s… see it here and here
* Vintage black sunglasses
* DIY T-strap Ankle Bow heels

I found this long black trench at a thrift shop in Oregon nearly 15 years ago… wait, maybe it was longer than that… but I just re-found it in my closet after forgetting about it for years and years. It always felt too long for most styles, which is probably why I forgot about it, or actually just never thought of it… but long trenches, particularly oversized long trenches have been spotted on runways and street style shots lately and suddenly feel fresh and new again.

The lining is the perfect Burberry plaid print, but there’s no label which makes me believe it’s not authentic, but you never know. Regardless, it’s a nice, warm coat I found for $15 years and years ago at a thrift shop. The original belt is missing so I have to get creative with one of my own or wear it open, but I love the look of it here as more of dress buttoned up and cinched at the waist with the leather wrap belt. It reminds me ofJessica Lange‘s character from American Horror Story Coven or any woman you ever see in a funeral scene in a movie {black leather gloves & a dotted mesh veil optional}. I pulled this outfit together strictly to show off my DIY shoes last week but now it has a completely new meaning based on my title, which of course, makes me giggle but is so so accurate.

 

Sara Dal Monte

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#STEPS TO A BRIGHTER MORNING

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#STEPS TO A BRIGHTER MORNING

For every early bird there’s at least a few of us who can’t seem to wake up before a certain hour. Truth is, the majority of people up for school and work at 6am have trained themselves to do so. I’ve learned how good it can feel to have a successful, productive morning (I love to multitask), but that’s not to say it’s a total breeze! For some, literally having a “good morning” is easier than others. But no matter what’s ahead each morning, there are ways to streamline and improve the first part of your day for good.

1. Consider your sleep cycles.

Nowadays there are tons of apps dedicated to making you feel refreshed when you wake up. Because our bodies go through sleep cycles in the night, simply telling them to wake up at an exact time each morning isn’t ideal. With the Sleep Cycle alarm clock, your alarm goes off during your lightest sleep cycle so you don’t wake up in the middle of a deep sleep that would lead to that foggy, groggy feeling right off the bat. It should also minimize the time you spend hitting snooze because you don’t feel as exhausted, and snooze only worsens your issue!

2. Save decisions for the night before.

Remember when your mom used to lay clothes out the night before? It’s not a bad idea! While choosing an outfit seems simple, we all know it can cause a headache in the morning. And when you’re not fully on your game, those conflicts tend to waste more time than they should. This can also include prepping a meal or writing your to-do list the night before. Let’s face it, we’re not all there when we first wake up… Might as well leave the decision making for a more clear-headed moment.

3. Find your morning ritual.

Whether you take 5 minutes or an hour out of your morning to do something that you WANT to do, it makes all the difference. This could mean working out, going for a walk, sipping coffee, meditation, whatever helps you to calm and refocus, and possibly even energize you for the day ahead. Just make sure that ritual isn’t more sleep! 😉

4. Time the necessities.

Knowing how much time it takes to prep your hair or complete your beauty look is essential to streamlining your routine. Try timing your morning routine for a week straight and then analyzing the results – you’ll see whether you’re waking up at the appropriate time and whether certain things ended up being cut for lack of time (#3 is usually the first to go when you’re in a rush!). Then, you can continue to step 5:

5. Find a system.

Some people thrive on repetition and some are better with spontaneity, so I won’t say that you need to complete an exact regimen daily in order to have a successful morning. However, you do want to find a type of routine that works for you. That might mean performing your morning ritual right when you wake up or as a break in between getting ready. It could also mean washing your hair the night before to save time or switching things up a bit mid-week.

What’s your morning routine? Any tips?

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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HOW MEDITATION HELPED MY ANXIETY & OVERALL WELLNESS

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I am not an expert on this matter. I am simply somebody who has dealt with anxiety for about 15 years now and have found meditation a near cure for my symptoms. If you’re currently on a path that works for you, I suggest simply adding meditation to your daily routine to see where it takes you.I’m extremely happy to report that I’ve been meditating daily since August 11, 2014, when I began the Oprah/Deepak Meditation Experience, and I really feel incredible because of it.

It’s been about two months now, so not super long, but most definitely long enough to have noticed a huge difference in the way my brain works, or better yet, the way my mind works floating somewhere inside my brain, and though I haven’t noticed changes anywhere else, according to this article Harvard Yoga Scientists Find Proof of Meditation Benefit, meditation has even affected my body.

Guided meditations were most definitely what I needed {and still need} to meditate effectively at this point, because I’m not disciplined enough to do it on my own, but I really enjoy the guided versions.

Although I fell a few days behind somewhere in the middle of the Oprah & Deepak 21 Day Meditation challenge, I continued on and meditated every day after. Since the meditations in the program were available for 5 days after going live, I didn’t miss a single one. And I truly loved it. Like I said, I found that it was much easier to mediate with a guided meditation vs just going into a room and sitting quietly alone and focusing on my breathing. If you’ve been trying to incorporate meditation into your life but haven’t found your rhythm, try a 15-20 minute guided one instead.

I specifically LOVE Deepak’s meditations as they each begin with a few minutes of positive words from Oprah & then Deepak, which lead to a centering thought for the day {like Happiness is my true nature}, then offering a mantra {like ananda hum} to repeat during the meditation, and finally leaving the listener with a calming musical background to focus on the mantra and the meditation. It not only made it so much easier to focus and meditate, it really made me look forward to each day’s meditations.

I feel like this sounds a little cheesy, but in all honesty, it’s amazing… and I completely recommend it to anyone specifically struggling with anxiety and/or any other mental dis-ease.

What took me so long to begin meditating daily was that no matter how many times I read or heard about its amazing benefits, once I began {and would maybe go for 3 days straight}, I didn’t get an immediate result that I could physically see or feel {meaning, my anxiety didn’t disappear immediately, etc.} and so making it a habit was quite difficult. It’s not like taking a Xanax, for instance when you feel like you’re spiraling out of control, and it levels you down in a way, but over time, when it finally does kick in, it works far better than a Xanax does.

But like beginning a healthy diet or workout regimen, it takes patience to see the results from meditation, and sometimes that’s the most difficult part. The 21 day challenge motivated me to do it daily and thus helped create the habit that I now look forward to every day. Seriously

“The present moment is eternal because it endlessly renews itself. ~ Deepak Chopra”

I can’t really put my finger on exactly what has changed within, but it was somewhere at the beginning of month two and it has something to do with clarity of mind, feeling like there is quiet in the space in between the thoughts, and less {or NO} overall rapid negative and fearful streaming thoughts… the ones that cause anxiety and worry and lead to more fearful thoughts that lead to more anxiety as well as the ones that keep me up at night.

There’s room now for balance in a way I can’t even really explain. The constant and overall fear that went with me everywhere was just suddenly not there. It was something that just happened over time and then one day I noticed that I wasn’t making decisions {small and large} based on fear anymore and it felt truly amazing. Honestly, it’s been over ten years since I’ve had this kind of clarity within, this quiet, this balance, and I have to give all the credit to meditation.

I’ve had a few moments where my old programming and swirling negative thoughts have crept back in in a moment of weakness and rather than allowing my mind to quickly spin out of control as I would have in the past, feeding the negativity with more fear and then worrying about anxiety or being anxious about something, I seemingly have had a whole new bag of tools and vocabulary that immediately flood in and calm me down without much effort at all. I am surprised by it every day.

But meditation’s slow like honey approach didn’t make all of this happen overnight, yet it’s only been two months and somehow I am free from the grip of the overall fear and the fear of anxiety itself. I worry that even talking about it like this will somehow jinx it into not working anymore and it’s so incredible that I don’t even want to go one day without it.

It has also kept me more level-headed during events that would normally fire me up or make me angry… I find myself calm, level-headed, and far less emotional overall.

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. ~ Deepak Chopra”

Since the free meditations ended though, I’ve been on the hunt for more by Deepak, with only a little luck. I’ve found a few great ones on Youtube, but the other day finally broke down and bought 2 different Oprah/Deepak Meditations to download to my phone {Expanding Your Happiness and Perfect Health both $49.99ea}, and downloaded the free Meditation Experience app so that I could access them any time I wanted to… and even though I did it reluctantly, I’m so happy with them I kick myself for not doing it sooner.

Generally I meditate as soon as I wake up, while I’m still in bed, cozy and relaxed. If I have to get up in a hurry and don’t have time, I’ll usually meditate sometime around lunchtime, and sometimes I take 15 mins in the morning and 15 more at lunch… but I never miss it now. I also found this 46minute video The Secret of Healing – Meditations For Transformation and Higher Consciousness on Youtube which I put on and stretch/do yoga to at night to relax before bedtime. Stretching before bed is something I’ve done since I was about 18 years old, but my commitment to it hasn’t been at full capacity for years and I get lazy. I rarely skip a night now that I have this to accompany it. It’s so soothing, completely free and fabulous. In fact, sometimes if I’m having trouble sleeping at night, I listen to it on my iPhone in bed.

Free Deepak 10-20 Minute Meditations on Youtube…

These may help you decide if you like his style and find him as helpful as I did. I really tried a few others I found too, from different people, but none of them resonated with me the way his did.

* Deepak Chopra – The secret of Attraction meditation about 12mins
* Oprah/Deepak 21 Meditation the whole thing free on youtube!
* Random Meditations with Deepak and a few more.

To begin, all he says is make yourself comfortable and close your eyes… and for me, this means I don’t have to sit in any particular way to meditate as I thought prior. In fact, unless I’m stretching through it at night, I lay flat on my back, and that seems to work for me just fine.

Try it… I’m telling you, it’s kind of incredible!

Sara Dal Monte

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PIC BOOK : At the beach with friends. The most beautiful days of this season

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PIC BOOK : At the beach with friends.

The most beautiful days of this season

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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#BUSY GIRLS’ 10 MINUTE WORKOUT

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BUSY GIRLS’ 10 MINUTE WORKOUT

It seems like everyone’s busier in the fall. With classes starting or work picking up, September is a crazy month. A workout may seem like the last thing you have time for, but it’s essential for your physical and mental health. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you must deprive your body of the many benefits of exercise – some of the best workouts happen to be the shortest.

If you can’t make it to the gym or even leave your house, try an intense 10 minute workout to release stored up energy, burn a few calories and tone your body:Short, repetitive workouts are perfect when you don’t have time (or even as additions to a cardio routine). As Many Rounds As Possible (AMRAP) workouts are popular in Crossfit routines because they get your heart rate up quickly and elevate your metabolism post-workout. The point is to repeat a set as many times as possible (without compromising form) within a certain timeframe. It’s completely customizable; you can replace one move for another if it works better for you – just target specific areas you want to improve, like your legs or core.

Here’s an example of an AMRAP workout that can be done in 10 minutes – after doing a few stretches, of course.

10 Body Weight Squats
10 Crunches (try a different type of crunch for each set)
10 Burpees (here’s how to do a basic burpee)
10 Pushups
10 Jumping Jacks

Directions: Go through the list as many times as possible within 10 minutes. Make sure you know how to (and can) do each part to avoid injuries and ensure proper form. If you’re a beginner, make sure to work yourself up to it by starting off with a less strenuous routine or smaller timeframe – tweak it to fit your needs! You can log improvements over time by tracking the amount of rounds you do. Once you start to breeze through those 10 minutes, it’s time to up the intensity!

 

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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THE SEGRET FOR MY SUCCESS :-)

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L.A.SUNDAY 7 SET. 14 SARA D M. STYLE

THE SEGRET FOR MY SUCCESS

🙂

 

One of the top questions I get emailed (alongside these) is how to be successful. To be honest, I don’t think success is ever something ever reached, only chased– at least for me. There are little check-in points for me where I can say, “Okay, good. Still on the right track,” or, “Ah, got to readjust a little bit.”
And as I’ve been getting older, I’ve kind of been trying to figure out what is the differentiation between a success moment and a not-so-successful moment. Really, I’ve been trying to figure out what that thing is that makes it work. It wasn’t actually until this weekend that it started to make sense.
I was explaining to a friend that I really do give myself weekends off, but I kick back into working at 5pm on Sunday. That ensures that I a) enjoy the weekend and b) have a better Monday. My friends know that when we make plans, I’m in as long as I can be back at my desk by 5. It’s a little rigid, but I do it every week. Then I was talking to Garrett how I sometimes feel scatterbrained and all over the place, but he reminded me that I always get everything done.
I think… my success secret is very simply… doing what I say I’m going to do, when I say I’m going to do it.
It doesn’t mean that sometimes things aren’t last minute or hectic or stressful, but they get done. Come hell or high water, a way to finish will be found. Even though it’s a simple concept, there are key components to a proper follow through!
My tricks:
1) Redefine success // I typically start with the biggest vision and then go from there. It rarely ends up being exactly how I think it should be in an ideal world, but done is better than perfect. When good enough is good enough, it’s good enough. I definitely can get stuck trying to get things just right, but when push comes to shove, I have to get it done. I don’t want my perfectionism getting in the way of me getting things done.
2) Prioritize // If I commit to something, I don’t want to disappoint myself or the other person by saying yes and then later backing out. This means that I have to be way better about saying no outright. Saying no isn’t a bad thing– I have to remind myself this ALL the time. Saying no now is definitely a lot better than saying yes and not being able to fulfill. However, I find this to be the most challenging thing. I never want to let people down! Reminding myself that I’m preventing myself from letting them down by saying no upfront is helpful.
3) Be On Time // My trick for getting to places on time is to the take the “arrival time” and immediately subtract 10 minutes (#the buffer). I continue subtracting different times it takes to do things. 5 minutes for locating an office in an unfamiliar building. 25 minutes for a subway ride. 5 minute walk to the subway…. etc.
Sometimes I even throw in another buffer time if I’m really nervous, or if the weather is bad, etc. Also,  I find that this takes as much self-control as it takes planning. You can do all the time planning in the world, but if you click the snooze button or find yourself in a Pinterest black hole of distraction…. you’ll be late!!! And, sadly, sometimes it takes compromising to make it somewhere on time. Things can (and likely will) cause issues. You might have to skip the curling iron or skip the trip to Starbucks to get there on time.
This is more than showing up somewhere on time, it also applies to submitting a project or assignment on time.
4) Determine Hard Deadlines/Next Steps // While some things have deadlines built in (exams, projects, events), somethings are a little bit more open-ended. I find that it’s a lot harder to follow through with something if I say, “I’ll get back to you!” It’s so much better for me to say, “I’ll send you that email by Wednesday night.” A) The next step is an email and B) There’s a specific timeline now. The person knows when to expect a response and you know when (and what) you have to deliver.
4) Stay Organized // If I don’t record the deadline, I will forget. Almost always, I will forget. I set reminders in my calendar and write down action steps for getting everything done. If it can be done in five minutes, I’ll try to do it immediately. But if it takes longer, I’ll map out what needs to happen, when for a completed, on time project.
This also really helps me set better deadlines. If I see that I have a few things “due,” I’ll know I can’t commit to other projects around the same time and try to negotiate a different time. Besides the reminders and the dates in a master calendar, I also keep a running list of things to complete on a notepad so I can cross it off and have a visual understanding of accomplishment!

HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED

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HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED

With summer coming to a close, it’s time to rethink priorities – either you’re just getting into the swing of things with school or kicking it into high gear at work after a summer of travel or possibly other interruptions. The truth is, staying organized is never as easy as it looks, even if you’re a total Type A. From time to time, even to-do lists can get muddled and calendars messy and overwhelming.
When you feel that start to happen, you can use these tips to regroup and refocus.Make Reasonable To-Do Lists – To-do lists can be lifesavers, but they can also be your downfall if you don’t keep them realistic. If your to-do looks more like the start to a novel, you may need to consolidate. Try focusing on the MOST important 3-5 items before even writing other tasks on your list. That way, you don’t look at a full page and feel overwhelmed, which often leads to more worrying than getting things done!

…But Make the List – When you don’t make a to-do list at all, it’s tough to get your thoughts straight on what must be done. If you aren’t much of a list maker, I suggest at least jotting the major priorities down, so you don’t get sidetracked.

Prioritize Regularly – The hard part of any commitment is that priorities change. There isn’t a job or class I can think of that doesn’t deal with interruptions. So, unfortunately, reprioritizing is often necessary to organization. Stay on top of it by regularly scheduling “check ups” with yourself to go over priorities. Maybe you’ve spent the last month staying after school with a math tutor, but now you’re falling behind in English. It could be that this part of your English course is more difficult for you than math, so you need to focus on that instead.

Compartmentalize – Who else hates seeing a binder overflowing with papers and sticky notes? It always made me a bit nervous. Instead, group things into main categories (and just like with to-do lists, you don’t want to break them down into too small of pieces), which will make it easier to divide and conquer tasks. That way, when it comes down to completing an assignment, you can pull out that piece exclusively – you’ll never lose items or have unwanted distractions in the way.

Choose Tools that Work – For some, a plethora of office supplies like color-coded tabs, sticky notes, and index cards, eases anxiety. But for others, this method only adds to the clutter. If you’re unsure what your perfect work environment is, try a few organizational supplies for a month. If, for example, you find that after a month keeping a daily planner isn’t effective, there’s no point in keeping it as your method of organization.

What’s your best way to stay organized? Share it in the comments below.

Sara Dal Monte

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MEDITATION IS SUFFICIENT

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MEDITATION IS SUFFICIENT

“You’re living in a world almost totally insane who can not use reason. If you can meditate, just only this, you’ve done most of what you can expect from a modern man, and if the meditation is going well continue to repeat “Thank My God!” But in meditation you never get to the top, you do not have to remember to say “Amen!”, you do not need.

Meditation slowly turns into your lighting, one day suddenly you become aware. Where did all that darkness? Where is that continuous mixing and rush of thoughts? What happened to your mind? Suddenly you have become like a hollow tube of bamboo, but not your emptiness is exactly one empty, is full of joy and rejoice to learn more. Danzi for no reason, when you do not need songs, songs you’ve never composed, dance or dances that you never learned and they are spontaneously presented in your awareness. “

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This is lighting, but do not make a goal.
Meditation is enough, everything else follows on its behalf. “

OSHO – The Great Pilgrimage: From Here to Here

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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#LET’S MEDITATE! // OPRAH & DEEPAK’S MEDITATION EXPERIENCE

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I’ve been trying to incorporate meditation into my daily routine for nearly a year now. Some days I am successful, but most days I am not. I’ve gone a good three days of meditation in a row before crapping out exclaiming that I just don’t have the time.

But that’s just not the truth. I know that’s a lie because lately I’ve spent two hours each night staring at my TV gripping my couch pillows while watching the final seasons of Breaking Bad which stresses me out and makes me cringe with excitement and fear and leaves me feeling utterly gross. If I have two extra hours for that experience, I most definitely have 20 minutes to relax into mediation for some feel good time, it’s just a matter of reevaluating my priorities.

Another excuse my mind likes to use to dissuade me is that I don’t know how to do it. That’s a lie too. Meditation is not rocket science, hell, it’s not even algebra. It’s simply sitting in the moment of awareness, breathing, focusing, clearing the mind and coming back to the now as many times as you need to within your given time frame.

When I do it, I feel great… but I never give it enough time to really feel the true benefits from a daily practice of meditation. I never give it the time to become a habit, a ritual, or a part of who I am, even though I keep saying that’s what I want to do. I’ve even designated one of our guest rooms as My New Meditation Room to help motivate me, but that didn’t work much either.

The other night while watching Oprah’s Master Class , I saw a commercial for Oprah & Deepak’s 21-Day Meditation Experience™, Expanding Your Happiness! beginning August 11, 2014, and I thought this was the PERFECT motivation for me to really give meditation a good go. Not only are the meditations guided so I don’t have to begin in silence, there’s a new one each day, and an email to remind me to do it.

Sometimes all you need is the right motivation.
I’m hoping Oprah & Deepak will give me the start I need to make meditation an everyday practice after the 21 days are over. To continue this stress-reducer every day and make it a part of my life is my goal.

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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THE HINDU FESTIVAL OF HOLI

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Schermata 2014-08-08 alle 17.53.53

The Hindu Festival of Holi
Learn about the Hindu celebration of Holi

Holi is a lively Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring. It dates back to texts from the 11th century and is connected to both deities and rites of spring. You may know it best from images of Eat, Pray, Love where villagers toss vibrant colored powders onto each other and dance in the streets with joy. Holi falls around the time of the vernal equinox – what in Western tradition would be the first day of spring. The deep meaning of Holi is connected to different Indian legends and their symbolic messages. The focus may vary depending on the part of India and the world where it is celebrated. Holi celebrates the story of a pure-hearted devotee, Prahlad who underwent many trials to maintain his faith as well as the burning of carnal desires by Shiva to reach a higher level of love. The stories, rituals and meanings behind them follow.

The Legend of Prahlad and Holi
Prahlad loved the Divine more than anything. This isn’t easy when your father is Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons. While Prahlad worshiped the Divine in the form of Lord Vishnu, Prahlad’s father persecuted him. He gave his son poison, but in his mouth it turned into nectar. He ordered that Prahlad be trampled by elephants, but again God protected him. He was placed with poisonous serpents, but they didn’t strike him. Finally, he ordered Prahlad to sit on a burning pyre on his sister Holika’s lap. Holika had been given a boon by one of the gods that she could withstand fire. Prahlad bowed to his father’s command, but when the pyre was lit, Prahlad was protected while his sister burned to ashes. The name for the Holi festival and the bonfires are derived from Holika’s name.
Shiva Burning Away Desires on Holi

Another legend associated with Holi is the story of Shiva and Kama, the lord of desire. Shiva is renowned for remaining undisturbed in deep meditation, but Kama sought out Shiva in order to stop a powerful demon who was destroying the earth. Only a seven-day-old child issuing from Shiva himself could stop the carnage. The people sought the help of Kama, the god of love and desire in Hindu mythology, so that Shiva might marry Parvathi and bear a child. Kama found Shiva in deep meditation and shot arrows at him to draw him out. But Shiva only opened his third eye and burned Kama to ash. The devas pleaded that Shiva restore Kama, and he was restored in ethereal form, representing a higher form of love. His intimate friend is Vasanta or the Spring. Shiva and Parvathi came together and gave birth to a son who killed the demon. The story represents releasing lower desires for desire for divine love.

Naturally Colorful Celebrations
The colors of Holi celebrate the renewal that arrives with the flowers and colors of spring. The colors were traditionally made from flowers, herbs and roots with medicinal value which may have been considered to act as protection against fevers and illness associated with the change of season. The powders were made from neem, turmeric, beetroot and its juice, henna and other natural plants. Red, green, yellow, blue and black powders fly from rooftops and in crowded squares and the festival transcends classes and caste. The colors used which were once made naturally from flowers are now often artificial. Environmental movements encourage a return to natural colors. The festival is celebrated over several days and may include creating beautiful and intricate rangoli or kolam patterns at the thresholds of houses as a way to bless visitors and those who enter.
Families also gather around a bonfire where an effigy of Holika is burned to recall the triumph of Prahlad and the burning of his evil sister. Like many spring festivals around the world, it may also represent the burning away of the dullness of winter. Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha, are also associated with Holi. The day after the burning of Holika, some people place the ash from the fire mixed with sandalwood paste on their foreheads. Though for many people it is a secular holiday, Holi ultimately signifies the triumph of good over evil and of sensual values over spiritual ones.

Holi Around the World
As the Indian population grows, Holi is becoming a familiar festival celebrated on campuses and at Hindu and Indian homes worldwide. Elders may share stories and legends of Holi while families cook special dishes, decorate homes and exchange gifts. In Nepal, Holi is a national holiday. It’s also celebrated in England, South Africa and elsewhere around the globe.

 

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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DIY: COCONUT & LAVENDER BODY SCRUB

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When it comes to DIY projects you have to ask yourself, is it really worth the hassle?

In the case of this DIY body scrub the answer is yes and here’s why: cinnamidopropyltrimonium, cetrmonium chloride, dimethicone, etc.

Those hard to pronounce words are gd knows what, made of who only knows, ingredients listed on the back of products I grabbed from my shower.   Now,  I love my chemically packed products as much as the next girl but I couldn’t help but wonder if smearing this stuff all over ourselves, everyday, is really all that good for us.

I attempted to make a few changes, some were colossal disasters and others worked out great.  I gave the “organic” shampoo/conditioner a go – absolute nightmare. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps‘ – major win.  Tom’s toothpaste – it’s as though I never knew the other stuff existed.

And the best thing to come out of this bath-and-body-chemical-detox was this incredible homemade coconut and lavender body scrub.  Complete with six real word ingredients (ginger, coconut oil, almond oil, sugar, salt and lavender oil) it has made my skin incredibly soft, smooth and glow – just like you see in an Aveeno commercial. And unlike other DIY’s that end up collecting dust after gluing, hammering and sometimes even crying, this DIY was four easy steps all of which are essentially pouring and stirring (promise, watch my LEAF video if you don’t believe me) resulting in 2-3 uses per week.

How-to: Coconut & Lavender Body Scrub

You will need:
– 1 tbsp ginger, coarsely chopped
– ¼ cup coconut oil
– ¼ cup cold-pressed almond oil
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– ¼ cup kosher salt
– lavender essential oil

1. Heat ginger and coconut oil over low heat for 5-10 mins, remove from heat & strain.
2. While the oil is still warm, mix together almond oil & let sit until room temperature.
3. Once room temperature, stir in granulated sugar and kosher salt.
4. Add in 4-6 drops of lavender essential oil, stir then bottle (I added a ribbon, too).
5. Scrub and enjoy!

If you have any suggestions for other great natural products and/or bath related DIYs please share in the comments?

 

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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THE BENEFITS OF YOGA

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The benfits of yoga provide both instant gratification and lasting transformation. In the fitness world, both are extremely important. Too much time with too few results can be incredibly discouraging, and monotonous routines week after week can lead to stagnation. Yoga can change your physical and mental capacity quickly, while preparing the mind and body for long-term health.

Yoga is for everyone

Most yoga studios and local gyms offer yoga classes that are open to all generations and fitness levels. It’s exciting to enter a room full of young teens, athletes, middle-aged moms, older gentlemen and even fitness buffs and body builders. Everyone can feel accepted and included and, unlike other sports or classes that focus on niche clients, yoga tends to have open arms. Whether you like to say “Om” or you can’t stand the word “yogi;” whether you are 92, 53, or even 12, yoga can help you.

Yoga encourages overall health and wellness

Yoga is not just about working out, it’s about a healthy lifestyle. The practice of yoga allows students to be still in a world consumed with chaos. Peace and tranquility achieved through focused training appeals to everyone.

Yoga’s deep breathing and meditation practices help foster an inner shift from to-do lists, kids and spouse’s needs, financial concerns and relational struggles to something a little bit bigger than the issues you face. Yoga helps relieve stressand unclutter the mind, and helps you get more focused.

Yoga has many faces

One of the benefis of yoga is that you can choose a yoga style that is tailored to your lifestyle, such as hot yoga, power yoga, relaxation yoga, prenatal yoga, etc. Whether you prefer you’re at home, in a private session, watching a DVD or at a studio or gym, there are a huge variety of options available to suit your goals and needs.

If you are a yoga beginner, Hatha yoga, which focuses on basic postures at a comfortable pace, would be great for you. If you want to increase strength through using more of your own body’s resistance, power yoga may be right for you. There is a great online yoga program at Gaiam Yoga Studio that focuses on Hatha yoga.

If you are ready for a deeper practice, Advanced Yoga, or Bikram, also called “hot yoga,” may be just what you are looking for. In Bikram yoga, the room temperature is set to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in greaterelimination of toxins from the body through the increased production of sweat. No matter your fitness level, fat percentage, or health history, yoga has a place for you.

Strength training and flexibility

Yoga’s focus on strength training and flexibility is an incredible benefit to your body. The postures are meant to strengthen your body from the inside-out, so you don’t just look good, you feel good too. Each of the yoga poses is built to reinforce the muscles around the spine, the very center of your body, which is the core from which everything else operates. When the core is working properly, posture is improved, thus alleviating back, shoulder and neck pain.

The digestive system gets back on track when the stretching in yoga is coupled with a healthy, organic diet, which can relieve constipation, irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux. Another one of the benefits of yoga is that stretching and holding of postures also causes muscles to lengthen, which gives the body a longer, leaner look.

How does power yoga build muscle?

A more advanced form of yoga can amplify these effects. Adapted from the basic Ashtanga yoga, power yoga requires increased amounts of energy, focus and strength. Although power yoga is an evolvement of the basics, it certainly is not a basic course.

But how does it help build muscle? Deeper, more focused participation is required, because most poses are held for five full breaths versus the usual one to three breaths. Muscles are challenged as the mind and body have to work together simultaneously to hold a position or continue a succession without giving up. Breathing, posing, moving and increasing flexibility happen all together at one time, which solicits a new level of discipline in your mind and body.

Power yoga and the core

Isometric exercises are one of the best ways to build core strength. Isometric, stemming from the words “same” and “length,” simply translates to holding one position without moving. Power yoga uses isometric exercises along with other postures that are designed to make the core and back stronger. Flexibility and balance stem from your core, so it is very important to train this area of the body. In turn, you can increase the strangth and health of your entire body. Generally a higher-temperature room is used in this practice to help keep the muscles warm and release additional toxins from the body.

Power yoga’s effect on the total body

Here’s a list of some of the most beneficial aspects of power yoga:

  • It increases endurance, strength and flexibility.
  • Mental endurance and physical stamina are tested through holding postures for extended breaths.
  • Arm and shoulder strength is multiplied as you use your own body weight for resistance.
  • Lats and other back muscles begin to support the spine better than before.
  • Abdominals and obliques are refined and sharpened through building core muscles.
  • Poor and average posture begins to correct itself over time.
  • Hip flexors are stretched and rebuilt.
  • Glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves are tightened and lengthened where they need to be.

No matter what ails your aching body, or if you just want to take your fitness to a higher level, power yoga’s ability to build muscle has an undeniably effect on the total body.

Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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SUMMER IS A TREASURED TIME OF HUMAN RENEWAL

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Mandalas are circles train-tracked through with geometric pattern, hypnotic wheels designed to give a break to our busy minds and allow our creative pathways to run free. Mandalas represent the Self, the Earth, the Sun, the Moon ~ the wholeness and circularity of the universe.
Buddhist monks draw mandalas in the sand, finish them, erase them, begin again. The urge to make mandalas indicates a re-balancing process is underway in our psyches, for they represent reordering, stabilizing.

The cycles of nature form their own perfect circle. Summer is a treasured time of human renewal, a chance to live outdoors, to be barefoot in the sand, roll in the grass and ground ourselves to the earth.
To feel feral and free. The days are long and hot and inside those hours life’s beautiful possibilities are amplified ~ like ice, we melt into liquid, heat to a boil, then find ourselves floating, as free as the wind…

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Sara Dal Monte

Schermata 2014/07/23 alle 22.40.56

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