soul cleanse

Earlier this evening, someone that I care for deeply, told me that I should keep being myself.  He said I should just be me because he likes that person.  I feel like that is the best advice.  Just be yourself.  No gimmicks, no saying "yes" because you feel like you're expected to do something, no folding under when your opinion is being shot down.  Ask questions you're scared to know the answers to, and always pet every kitten and hug every puppy in sight (if you like animals).  Life is too short to waste your time doing, saying or being someone that you don't truly love.  

Life should be filled with days on end where you smile at yourself every time you look in a mirror and you skip down the sidewalk on your last stretch home from a jog.  You should hang a pretty picture on a wall, and then move it ten times if you want to...until it is in your perfect, visually-stimulating, happy place.  Sometimes I rinse out my glass instead of washing it, pretty sure that my finger pads and water do enough of a scrubbing job.  I like to come home at night, and, after looking in the fridge for a healthy snack, opt-out and dip a big spoon in the sticky nutella jar (the stuff of dreams).  Stick up for yourself against all odds, even when you are your biggest critic.  Laugh at yourself, but try to always make yourself happy.  Don't cry because you feel fat, just eat a carrot instead of nutella tomorrow night.  P.S. you're probably not fat and I love you.  Also, remember to do things that cleanse your soul and bring light to your life.  I'm going to list a few of mine to look back on later :) 

Soul cleansers:

- stepping out on my cool pavement back porch in the morning with warm tea in hand

- spoonfuls of nutella without a guilty conscience

- jogging

- ohm-ing in yoga class

- laughing with the ones I love

- riding my bike with no hands (when I get the right balance)

- ujjayi breaths

- painting

- playing the piano

- dancing in my pajamas in my room

- drinking iced tea in summer

- sitting on a dock with my toes dipped in a lake

- sinking down to the bottom of a pool and then jumping off the bottom..ready for air

- a really good quote, thought, or bible verse that just fits

- hugs...good ones

- eye contact 

- swinging on a swing

- smelling a rose

- licking the whipped cream off of the whisk 

- meaningful conversations